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So why is there a Bookstore Romance Day, one might ask. And the truth is that romance has a rocky history at indies. Still does some places. We didn't have a romance section for the vast majority of our 88 year history. It just wasn't *serious* enough for us. #indiesloveromance
We did have booksellers who read romance & encouraged the store to start a section. There were a couple attempts to bring a few things in and put them in with the fiction, but of course that didn't work, so then people could say, that just doesn't sell for us #indiesloveromance
When I started at the store as a bookseller, I started the push again, and as my poor colleagues have learned, when I believe in a thing, I turn stubborn as a rock, and keep asking until you give in just to keep me from asking again (youngest of 4 here) #indiesloveromance
So I had the great luck and pleasure of the fact that when I pointed out the feminism of romance, the sales of romance, the fact that some of those books in the mystery section if they weren't written by a man would get marketed as a romance, they *heard* me. #indiesloveromance
And about 5 years ago, they let me run with it. And after the great joy of being given that chance by the powers that be, I got to watch the amazing thing that I've learned from romance over and over: ... #indiesloveromance
... if you are lucky to be blessed with the right people, even when you've made a huge mistake, or been an idiot about something for years, if you show them that they can trust you (and maybe grovel a bit), with time, there can be forgiveness & a happy ending #indiesloveromance
So while it took a little time to earn the trust of our romance readers, our romance section (it has always had the motto "though she be but little, she is FIERCE") has thrived. Last year we expanded the section & it's been a joy to watch people find it. #indiesloveromance
Of course it's an ongoing fight in the indie community. As romance readers know, there are still stores that are wrong-headed &sometimes rude about romance. I see Bookstore Romance Day as our way of showing readers that they are welcome at our store,but more... #indiesloveromance
Bookstore Romance Day is our promise to readers that we will keep fighting in our community to convince people they should also be as welcoming to romance readers. It's our promise to keep pushing publishers to bring us the books we need (more queer books plz) #indiesloveromance
It's our way of celebrating with our readers, and thanking them for sticking with us while we found our way. So THANK YOU. To every one of you who has bought romance with us. We are so grateful. I get a thrill each and every time I have to reorder books. #indiesloveromance
