Proposal Title

That '90s Kind of Love: Pinnacle Books and the birth of the African American romance novel

Start Date

22-4-2020 10:15 AM

End Date

22-4-2020 11:15 AM

Proposal Type

Individual Presentation

Abstract

In 1994, Pinnacle Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corporation, launched a new line of romance novels that featured Black characters written by Black authors. The new line was called Arabesque, and it was the first of its kind in mainstream publishing dedicated to love stories that explored the Black experience. The line was a hit, and it influenced other publishers to follow suit in acquiring similar titles and authors. Because of the number of African American romances in the market, 1994 was deemed the birth of the African American romance novel. But, why 1994? What in the industry paved the way for this subgenre of romances, and why did Pinnacle Books make the decision to play to an audience that was neglected during the 1980s boom of the romance industry?

This presentation analyzes the romance industry of the 1980s and 1990s and the elements that potentially influenced Pinnacle Books to invest in the African American romance novel. I will explore African American women as readers and writers of romance fiction in the ‘90s, the construction and legacy of the “ethnic romance” novel, and how this new subgenre of romance affected the romance publishing industry and the cultural production of Black desire.

Keywords: African American, Black, women, romance fiction, publishing

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COinS
 
Apr 22nd, 10:15 AM Apr 22nd, 11:15 AM

That '90s Kind of Love: Pinnacle Books and the birth of the African American romance novel

In 1994, Pinnacle Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corporation, launched a new line of romance novels that featured Black characters written by Black authors. The new line was called Arabesque, and it was the first of its kind in mainstream publishing dedicated to love stories that explored the Black experience. The line was a hit, and it influenced other publishers to follow suit in acquiring similar titles and authors. Because of the number of African American romances in the market, 1994 was deemed the birth of the African American romance novel. But, why 1994? What in the industry paved the way for this subgenre of romances, and why did Pinnacle Books make the decision to play to an audience that was neglected during the 1980s boom of the romance industry?

This presentation analyzes the romance industry of the 1980s and 1990s and the elements that potentially influenced Pinnacle Books to invest in the African American romance novel. I will explore African American women as readers and writers of romance fiction in the ‘90s, the construction and legacy of the “ethnic romance” novel, and how this new subgenre of romance affected the romance publishing industry and the cultural production of Black desire.

Keywords: African American, Black, women, romance fiction, publishing