Should I be a romance novelist?

Did you know that romance novels bring in 1.44 billion dollars each year?

Since 2020, #Booktok on TikTok has been known as a cause of a hike in reading sales. It is your one-stop shop for book reviews, recommendations, and discussions about your favorite romance characters and plot. Does Booktok get you thinking about what YOU would write?

So if you're a hopeless romantic who reads, writes, and breathes love, then a romance novelist career may be for you.

A romance novelist writes stories that have:

• Relatable characters: The characters should have struggles and have to make tough decisions.

• A meet-cute: A memorable moment when two characters first meet that sparks an unforgettable romance or deep connection.

• Barriers: An emotional or physical obstacle that keeps the two lovers apart.

• Emotional tension: The lovers should connect emotionally through conversations.

• A happy ending: The ending needs to leave the reader emotionally fulfilled.

Mix Up Genres

Romance isn't just for contemporary fiction. Romance can be intertwined through other subgenres.

• Historical romance

• Fantasy romance

• Young adult romance

• Romantic comedy

• Romantic suspense

A writer often has the freedom to set their own schedule. You may find a romance novelist:

• Planning their next novel, book signing, or appearance.

• Setting deadlines or goals to stay motivated or on track.

• Writing a first draft of their book in their office, at a coffee shop, or somewhere inspirational.

• Editing or revising their first draft with their publishers to make the book better.

• Working on multiple projects or books.

Do I Need to Go to College?

The short answer is no! Anyone can be a romance novelist. Here are two paths to get there, what they offer, and how you get experience:

College Bound

• Develop your writing skills in classes.

• Learn about different literature.

• Get a degree in creative writing, English, literature, or even journalism.

• Understand written grammar and conventions.

Skip the Degree

• Develop writing through practice.

• Go to workshops about writing.

• Self-study grammar, conventions, and different forms of writing.

• Read books by different romance novelists.

Working as a romance novelist can be a bit tricky. You're almost always self-employed and not likely to have a constant stream of work. However, it may look different depending on the role.

Romance Ghost Writer

• An anonymous writer who gets paid a flat rate for writing a story.

• They can write for a company or be self-employed.

Freelance Romance Novelist

• A self-employed writer who can pick the clients they want to work with.

• They set their pay scale.

Publishing House Author

• Hired by a publishing company or self-published.

• They get paid an advance (if with a publisher) and then a percentage of book sales.

The average income of romance novelists depends on type:

In the United States (USD):

• A romance ghostwriter makes between

  $1,000 - $1,400 monthly. For a full novel, income can be between $15,000 - $50,000 annually depending on experience.

• A freelance romance writer starts at $22.88 an hour but increases their rate with experience and clientele.

• A publishing house author's income is about $32,000 annually.

In Canada (CAD):

• A romance ghostwriter starts at $15 an hour. For a full novel, income can be between $15,000 - $50,000 annually depending on experience.

• A freelance romance writer can start at $29.80 per hour but their rate increases with experience and clientele.

• Although there isn't much information on publishing house authors specifically, a writer can make $55,000 annually.

You'll love it if you...

• Are a creative writer who loves to write about love.

• Enjoy the flexibility of working wherever and whenever.

• Are self-motivated to succeed and complete long-term deadlines.

You should leave it if you...

• Need consistent pay.

• Don't like sitting for long hours at a desk.

• Needs daily structure of tasks and completing them.

Read the scenarios about four different people. Who is the best fit to be a full-time romance novelist?

Stella works at a local coffee shop during the day. She likes to read many books in her free time and even started writing a novel about two dragon slayers who find a common interest in chaos.

Ramos is an avid writer. He writes short stories about realistic fiction with a local online magazine company. He likes the gig because he gets to write and gets paid consistently.

Betty is a very structured individual who reads a book a day in the evening. She thrives on finding the "meet-cute" in each book and loves a happy ending. Betty is an editor of a local newspaper. She needs short-term goals, a day full of tasks, and not a lot of downtime. She likes to be constantly busy except when she reads.

Lola is an ecstatic college student who is majoring in journalism. Lola works well with a team and needs tasks she can check off daily. She loves to read a good love story. She has even dabbled in creative writing herself.

Write! Write! Write!

If a romance novelist sounds like your jam, then: