• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to footer

Nora Phoenix

Steamy MM Romance Author

  • About
  • Blog
    • Latest news
    • Character Interviews
    • Teasers
    • Listopia
    • Mini Reviews
    • Nora’s Musings
    • Weekly Poll
  • Books
  • FREE Stuff
  • WIPs
  • Submit a Weekly Deal
  • All Books
  • White House Men
  • Perfect Hands
  • Irresistible Omegas
  • No Shame
  • Translations
  • Ballsy Boys
  • Stand Alones
You are here: Home / Listopia / What Elements Would Readers Like to See More of in Gay Romance?

What Elements Would Readers Like to See More of in Gay Romance?

May 28, 2018 by Nora 2 Comments

It’s Monday, which means it’s time for another Listopia post. All of these are based on completely unscientific polls in my reader group on Facebook, so if you’re a statistics professional, I apologize. I’m just having fun here, haha.

The question this week was this: “What trope or element would you like to see more of in gay romance?”

This, of course, is a rather broad question, so the answers are as well, but they still show some interesting patterns. This is what readers preferred in order of most voted for:

  1. Asexual or demisexual main character
  2. Non-white main character
  3. Hardcore BDSM within a loving relationship
  4. Mystery/Crime drama
  5. Rent Boys
  6. Twinks that top
  7. MMMM or more
  8. Stereotype subversion (toppy twink and gentle not alpha muscle types)
  9. Non-binary main character
  10. Brocest/incest/twincest

Honorary mentions were, amongst others, transgender characters, silver foxes (yes, please!), exhibitionism/voyeurism, and two or more guys in a loving, but open relationship.

My Thoughts

Some of these absolutely have the sales stats to prove their popularity, with the success of my own Irresistible Omegas series as an example (MMMM, so #7), as well as the Ballsy Boys series (porn stars, so kinda #5). And I’ve definitely seen a lot of interest in BDSM books and all kinds of kink and taboo.

The non-white character one is a tricky answer. I believe readers when they indicate this, but the reality is that books with a non-white character on the cover sell less well. I’m not sure how to explain this other than that readers rationally want more POC in their romances, but unconsciously are still fairly white-oriented.

Thoughts? Share in the comments!

Filed Under: Listopia

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Denise GremoryKohta says

    May 28, 2018 at 8:11 pm

    I’ve noticed that as well. Yet there are several books with at least one MC is a POC. But it’s just the white guy, sometimes well tanned, on the cover. That list is perfect btw.

    Reply
    • Nora says

      June 2, 2018 at 3:06 pm

      Yeah, authors (and publishers) have gotten careful with putting people of color on the cover since evidence shows those books sell less. That really, really bugs me…

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

SIGN UP FOR MY NEWSLETTER

Want Blog Post Notifications?

If you’d like to receive the posts on this blog in your email, sign up for email blog posts here. You’ll receive each new blog post straight into your email box.

Privacy and Affiliates

Make sure to read this blog’s Privacy, Affiliate, and Commenting Statement.

Follow Me Everywhere

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Goodreads
  • Amazon

Nora’s Facebook Page

Nora’s Facebook Page

UPCOMING EVENTS

Unfortunately, most events for 2020 and 2021 have been canceled due to COVID. But I do have plans to attend these events, depending on the circumstances:

 

GRL 2021 – St. Louis (7-10 Oct. 2021)

20Booksto50k – Las Vegas (8-12 Nov. 2021)

RARE Edinburgh – Edinburgh, Scotland (27/28 May 2022) (Find more information on their FB page)

Copyright © 2021 · Author Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Cookie Monster!
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. COOKIE SETTINGSALL THE COOKIES FOR ME!
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT