Romance Literature Statistics: Overview

Explore the results of Romance Writers of America's market research study on romance reader demographics and the romance fiction industry. These statistics offer insights to help you share in this billion-dollar-a-year industry.

Romance Sales

(source: Business of Consumer Book Publishing 2008)

Romance fiction generated $1.375 billion in sales in 2007.
Approximately 8,090 romance titles were released in 2007.

Market Share of Romance Fiction

(source: Business of Consumer Book Publishing 2008)

Romance fiction is the biggest fiction category in 2007.

Romance Market Share Compared to Other Genres

(source: Simba Information estimates)

Romance fiction: $1.375 billion in estimated revenue for 2007
Religion/inspirational: $819 million
Science fiction/fantasy: $700 million
Mystery: $650 million
Classic literary fiction: $466 million

Of those who read books in 2007, one in five read romance novels. (AP-Ipsos Poll)

Romance Fiction Breakdown by Subgenre

Of the romance releases tracked by Romance Writers of America in 2007:

Contemporary series romance: 25.7 percent of romance releases in 2007
Contemporary romance: 21.8 percent
Historical romance: 16 percent
Paranormal romance: 11.8 percent
Romantic suspense: 7.2 percent
Inspirational romance: 7.1 percent
Romantic suspense (series): 4.7 percent
Other (chick-lit, erotic romance, women's fiction): 2.9 percent
Young adult romance: 2.8 percent

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