Report calls niche category ‘one of the fastest-growing genres in romance publishing’

Amish inspirational fiction has been spotlighted as “one of the fastest-growing genres in romance publishing.”

USA Today focused on the category in a 1,400-word report in August that noted how “in our sex-soaked society, nothing seems to inflame the imagination quite like the chaste.” “It’s a huge, huge, huge trend,” said romance blogger Sarah Wendell, co-author of a book on romance fiction.

Exploring the popularity of Amish novels, English professor Pamela Regis, author of A Natural History of the Romance Novel, told the newspaper: “Simplicity is a hallmark of that community, and simplicity is powerful.”

For many readers, the novels’ appeal “is what they don’t include—things like graphic violence and profanity,” the report said. “A lot of people say, ‘I just want to get away to a place where it’s quiet, where people are thoughtful and respect each other, where they go to bed when the sun goes down,’ “ commented Steve Oates, vice president of marketing at Bethany House, which publishes Beverly Lewis.

She “started the craze for all things Amish” in 1997 when she published The Shunning. The novel was inspired by the true story of Lewis’ grandmother, who broke with her family of strict Old Order Mennonites—from whom the Amish are an offshoot—to marry a Bible college student.

To date, The Shunning has sold more than 1 million copies. Lewis has written more than 80 books, including 23 Amish novels—with 12 million of the titles in print.

Other titles mentioned in the article included Cindy Woodsmall’s The Bridge of Peace (WaterBrook Press), published in late August, and Wanda Brunstetter’s Lydia’s Charm (Barbour Publishing), released last month.

Meanwhile, Tamera Alexander was recognized during the Romance Writers of America’s (RWA) 30th Annual Conference, held July 28-31 in Orlando, Fla.

Alexander’s The Inheritance (“Women of Faith Fiction” series, Thomas Nelson) won the RITA Award in the Best Inspirational Romance category. The Inheritance was also nominated for a Christy Award earlier this year. Alexander, also the author of the “Fountain Creek Chronicles” and “Timber Ridge Reflections” series (both Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group), has won two Christy Awards and the Library Journal’s top Christian fiction award.

Regarded as the highest award of excellence in the genre of romance fiction, the RITA Award is named after RWA’s first president, Rita Clay Estrada.

Elsewhere, B&H Fiction has named Julie Gwinn as the manager of its Pure Enjoyment line. Formerly the marketing specialist for B&H Fiction, Gwinn will remain in charge of marketing, but will also take over the business side of running the line such as generating proposals, looking at comparable title data and managing budgets for individual titles. Karen Ball, executive editor for the Pure Enjoyment line, will continue to manage author relationships, bring new acquisitions and edit novels.

• Prev
• Next