Why Romance novels are so popular by Sundari Venkataraman

Today I present a guest post by Sundari Venkatraman who I have known for 3 years now through various writer and reviewer forums. She is a very enthusiastic person and a prolific writer and promoter who lays great faith by positivity and romance. So I asked her to write a post on why romance is the most popular genre and why people keep lapping up every new book in this genre despite there already being so many already in the market. Who better than a prolific romance writer to give us the answer to this question. So here we hear right from the horse's mouth the reason for popularity of the romance genre. Read on.


The world is full of pathos – wars, crimes, murders, suicides, accidents and more. I suppose people are tired of these. I know I am. Books are a means of escape into the world of one’s imagination.

Romance brings hope to one’s mind, a chance at “Happily Ever After”. This is probably the reason why the genre is so sought after.

I have heard of many people who read romances secretly. They are probably ashamed to admit publicly that they read the genre, but they still are obviously enamoured by it. One can’t really blame them as I know of many people who insist that Romance is not good literature. I don’t know about that. But, I for one believe that a HEA ending is very important in the books I read.

I have grown up on fairy tales, Phantom and Mandrake comics and later on Mills & Boon, Georgette Heyer, Barbara Cartland, Julie Garwood, Nora Roberts and many others. Yeah, I have read Charles Dickens’ books. But given a choice, I would rather read romances.

When I write, I obviously target audiences who think like me. And that’s the reason I write these stories. I am so glad that Romance also happens to be the most popular genre AND there’s
enough space for a huge number of writers of this genre in this world.

Is it a wonder that it’s a billion-dollar industry!!!

Sundari's Bio, books and Contact Details. 

In 2014, Sundari self-published The Malhotra Bride (2nd Edition); Meghna; The Runaway Bridegroom; Flaming Sun Collection 1: Happily Ever Afters From India (Box Set) and Matches Made In Heaven (a collection of romantic short stories).
2015 brought yet another opportunity. Readomania came forward to traditionally publish this book – The Madras Affair – a mature romance set in Madras.
An Autograph for Anjali, a romance with a touch of suspense, is also a self-published novel. Going a step further, the author has published the paperback version through Notion Press


Click Here to purchase my eBook - THE MALHOTRA BRIDE
Click Here to purchase my eBook - MEGHNA
Click Here to purchase my eBook - THE RUNAWAY BRIDEGROOM
Click Here to purchase my eBook - Flaming Sun Collection 1: HAPPILY EVER AFTERS
Click Here to purchase my eBook - MATCHES MADE IN HEAVEN 
Click Here to purchase my Book - THE MADRAS AFFAIR
Click Here to purchase my Book - AN AUTOGRAPH FOR ANJALI


My Blogs

Twitter: @sundarivenkat
Skype: sundarivenkatraman
FB page: Flaming Sun
Amazon Author Page: Sundari Venkatraman
GoodReads: Sundari Venkatraman

13 comments:

Sundari Venkatraman said...

Thank you so much Karthik for hosting me on your blog, for the lovely introduction AND for adding all my links at the end :D

Devika Fernando said...

Nice take on it. I agree, romance novels can fill readers with hope(s).

T F Carthick said...

You are welcome Sundari. My pleasure.

Nilima Mohite said...

Short and precise Q&A. Good work Karthik and Sundari !

Sundari Venkatraman said...

Thank you Devika. Glad you liked the post :)

Jayashree Srivatsan said...

I totally agree with the reasoning....reality all around is grim enough.... Atleast books should offer some solace... :)

iluvfiction said...

Great post, yes HEA romance story is great stress buster!

Sundari Venkatraman said...

Thank you Nilima Mohite, Jaish_vats and Ruchi Singh :D

C Suresh said...

Books as a relief from real life stress and as beacons of hope - yes! That's why I read :)

the little princess said...

Yeah! That's why I read romance too! And I'm quite happy to admit that!

Rubina Ramesh said...

I don't need to tell you that I have read all your books. All. Stress busters. Total relief and when I close the pages, I feel relaxed since the female protag has already solved her problems. It gives me hope.

Sundari Venkatraman said...

Glad to hear that Little Princess :D

Sundari Venkatraman said...

Thank you Rubina. I have obviously achieved what I set out to do :D

Post a Comment

Kind words of appreciation/feedback

For whom the bell tolls

A book of faces