We do have our own terminology (TSTL comes to mind, even words like romancelandia), we have our major community sites, we even have our moments of “OMG we are so oppressed because the general public maligns our taste!” moments.

I think I’ve got a definition of fandom. Thanks Shannon!

I felt hesitant using that word, “fandom”, and I would be really curious to know how Romancelandia is unlike other fandoms (I don’t participate in other book.tv.film type fandoms)

Now that I think on it a bit more, I’m realizing that romancelandia adheres to a lot of the same rules for other fandoms I’ve seen. Granted, what fandoms I’ve been involved with over the years have been pretty much exclusively book-related. (I used to have strong opinions on Harry Potter, for example.) We do have our own terminology (TSTL comes to mind, even words like romancelandia), we have our major community sites, we even have our moments of “OMG we are so oppressed because the general public maligns our taste!” moments. The thing romancelandia doesn’t have that other fandoms I’ve seen has are shipping debates or, really, much in the way of fanfiction. But since a lot of fanfic revolves around relationships and relationships are the point in romances, this isn’t really a lack.

I also agree with CJ’s comment re: social networking sites definitely bringing more people into the fold. I talk about books on my twitter all the time, and my twitter followers aren’t all romance readers either.

Jessica, I have been thinking about this question, and I do believe the wall between Romancelandia and the general “romance reading” population will thin dramatically in the coming year or two thanks to twitter and facebook.

So many of my students use these. I hadn’t thought of this at all. I wonder how it will happen that the genral romance reaidng public will intersect with romance blogs via Twitter or Facebook. Do you think it will be Facebook groups?

I think it is definitely true that fangirls can have a deep knowledge of their favored subjects that casual fans do not. And I think you have also just given me an explanation for why fangirls in romance become writers of romance (I had always wondered about this).

But I also think we bloggers sometimes write as is we SPEAK for the romance community and it seems ot me this cannot be right, much of the time.

Thanks for the linkage — so nice ot discover new blogs!

It was great finding your blog too = ). I love this fish bowl blog post and the feel of your site, nice to know others ruminate over these kinds of issues also.

I agree that we appear to speak for the masses, but don’t in truth. Instead the small select group we do speak for is more prolific when it comes to $/per person and therefore more powerful; especially in regards to the power players in Romancelandia like Smart Bitches and Dear Author. If 50% of readers only buy 1-5 a year, it’s no wonder the pub’s drool at the chance to shine in the presence of us fan girlys or dudes (in the fantasy and scfi sense) who buy 1 – 5 a week. I spend about $300 a month on books, which I eventually donate to my local Library ( not including the books I buy as presents),& spread word of mouth re: what I’m reading in viral proportions; I’m an authors wet dream and so modest too, snort . The way I see it, it’s us or nothing. Similar to closed mouths not being fed, the legion of casual readers not intent on getting their voice out there won’t be heard. Such is life.

On the fans to writers phenomena, I’ve observed the same rings true in the Urban fantasy, mystery, and sci fi circles as well. I think more now than ever, since the net has up’d the intimacy level btwn the authors/ industry insiders and the fans.

P.S. completely unrelated, but I know 6 men who read para romance/ para chick lit just as obsessively as I do. Poor dears, Urban Fantasy bit down hard and dragged them into our territory,lol. Not that they broadcast their manly reading preferences of course = ).

If I did the sensible thing and got a job closer to home, then my reading totals would be a lot less.

that’s not sensible … is it? Thanks for clarifying!

Tumperkin wrote:

Am I alone? I don’t even count how many books I read or indeed keep any sort of record.

No, you are with me. When I read the sad news that Elizabeth Guest died, it jogged my memory that I had read a book of hers. Otherwise, it would have been lost to the void. This blog and Library Thing are helping.

Janine wrote:

I am a slow reader … I like to read to savor language, and when I try to read fast, I get the meaning of the words, but not the cadence, the flow, or the sound effects. For me, rushing through it takes away a lot of the pleasure, and I’ve tried to make my peace with that. I know I miss out on a lot of books, but slow reading has some benefits, too.

I am an incredibly slow reader. for a different reason. I often stop and ponder things as I read. I am like this in RL, too. Very … distractible.

I literally have no idea how many books I read last year though I’d guess 50 or so.