THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER

A journalist offers insight into the romance genre while recounting his own unexpected transformation into a romance novelist.

Before New York Times Magazine contributor Steinberg began writing romantic suspense, he believed that only literary romances offered realistic "mirror[s] to society.” But neither Anna Karenina nor Madame Bovary could compete with the billion-dollar popularity of contemporary romance. Intrigued by the romance genre, Steinberg investigated Romancelandia. He attended a genre conference and met colorful writers and hunky cover-art models like C.J. Hollenbach that made literary publishing seem funereal by contrast. Later, he learned about the Romance Writers of America "laws" that made the happily-ever-after ending "an inalienable right" for contemporary romance readers. Inevitably, Steinberg began reflecting on the way his skepticism about romance novels reflected his habit of "never taking love or happiness seriously.” Divorced and single, the author not only failed to understand women and relationships; he also had a distinct "aversion to intimacy." Inspired by his conference experiences, Steinberg decided to pen his own romance novel and became an active member of a romance writing group. As he worked toward a commitment to writing Gothic-style Amish romances, he faced a commitment crisis in his personal life. An unexpected pregnancy forced him to confront his feelings and those of the woman he loved. The crisis strengthened their relationship and helped Steinberg find the "beating heart" of love that had been missing from his romance writing and come to the realization that happily-ever-after "wasn't about being free from pain, but free enough to see more than pain.” In this sharp book, the author examines the history and culture of contemporary romance novels while grappling with the "thorny and perennially troubling relationship" fans and practitioners have with this lively genre.

A quirky and informative memoir.