Google is a great resource.  Put in the right combination of words and it comes up with some great stuff.

Hello everyone!

I am fairly new to the site. I am one of the few male authors I know of who writes an occasional romance novel. Mine are not what I call the fluff and puff type. There is probably a better name for it than that; but that's what I use. What I mean by that is that they are not the sweet syrupy makes you want to sigh in delight every three minutes type. Mine have a lot a lot of suspense and drama, i.e., ugly murders, life really sucks issues and so forth. And there is often a lot of mystery involved. But, they are indeed romances as the driving point to all of that is the two characters' road to ultimate reunion.

I am not sure how to classify them in a sub-genre of romance. I call them Romance Dramas. But I have never seen that listed/offered as a sub-genre. I am not a trained, formally educated writer. I write extemporaneously, the way it comes to me. My wife, who is an avid, compulsive reader says that they are definitely romance, but don't follow any convention that she has read. She's a very tough and blunt critic for me. She says she really likes them but doesn't know how to properly describe them. Her ascription is Romance-Drama-Suspense with a light touch of humor. There is an equal amount of each, more or less. But, it all centers around the path of the two main characters getting back together.

When I attempt to get an agent, what is the best way to present my style of writing since it doesn't really fit into any predefined sub-genre? "Romance-Other" is much too ambiguous in my opinion. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Thanks in advance.

Alan

The closest fit would be Romantic Suspense, I think, but as an example, when I was pitching my novel Contraband to MacMillan Caribbean I didn't give them a specific genre, because I knew it was more action/adventure than straight romance, so I told them...The story combines the elements of a fast-paced, action/adventure tale and that of a romance. 

They asked to see it, so I guess that description worked for them. 

As an aside, in my personal opinion, I think the best romance novels are the ones that combine a bit of suspense, along with the lovey-dovey stuff.  Also enjoy lots of humor.  Will definitely check out your book when I get the chance.

I am sure we will have many more responses and alternative suggestions for the definition of Romance.  The Romance Writers of America have a special interest group for Chick lit writers and their own website: http://www.chicklitwriters.com/
I love reading Hen Chick (mature Chick lit) and decided to write my book as Hen Lit.

You know when I first looked at that second link I thought it said the rose and thorazine. The way I have been feeling about my story lately it seemed appropriate. LOL.