Romantasy Rendezvous: How Book Festivals and Conventions are Fostering a Lucrative Literary Ecosystem
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Romance Rules: How Fantastical Romance Is Generating Billions in Revenue
Romance is the highest-grossing genre in book publishing, generating an estimated $1.4 billion in revenue annually. The knight in shining armor of the romance genre is “romantasy,” a blend of romance and fantasy with a dash of adult content.
It’s a Fandom Economy
Not only authors and publishers are cashing in, but podcasters, cosplayers, event planners, and even celebrities are reaping the benefits. A search on Etsy pulls up thousands of products inspired by popular romantasy books. Even rappers are profiting from recording quotes from beloved novels.
Walk the Fine Line
While romantasy sellers and businesses thrive, they walk a precarious line between fandom and creative licensing. Intellectual property ownership is a sensitive topic, and even authors may be burdened by the fact that others are profiting from their work.
Bat Wings and Book Balls
Romantasy is a financial juggernaut, with marketing research firm Circana estimating $479 million in sales in 2023 alone. The subgenre is a fan favorite, claiming a spot on the New York Times bestseller list. ACOTAR, the biggest name in the business, is being adapted into a Hulu series, and other adaptations are on the way.
Cosplaying as a Career
Bookish cosplayers like High Lady Jo, known to her followers as Jofischer, find creative ways to connect their passion for books with business ventures. Cosplaying at book events takes significant investment, but it can pay off with booking fees of up to $1,000 per event. Neglecting the industry’s nuances can lead to challenges like unwanted touching and trademark infringement.
Rights vs. Romantasy
Authors and publishing houses have licensing rights over their work. For example, a fan’s cosplay business must have a licensing contract in place to legally sell merchandise inspired by a particular novel. This may seem daunting, but some authors encourage fans to reach out with licensing requests and are open to supporting small businesses.
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