Romance is one of the most successful and fast-moving genres in publishing, and self-publishing sits at the heart of that success. This session explores why so many romance authors start (and stay) self-published, what readers now expect from romance books, and how authors can combine creative control with professional publishing standards to maximise reach, sales, and long-term potential.
1. The Romance Market Today (10 minutes)
- Why romance dominates self-publishing
- Reader behaviour: fast consumption, loyalty to authors, series reading
- Where romance readers actually buy books (Amazon as the primary driver)
- Brief success stories of romance authors who began self-published and scaled up
2. Creative Control: Why It Matters in Romance (10 minutes)
- Owning your vision: covers, branding, and reader expectations
- Current trends:
- Illustrated covers
- Romantasy aesthetics
- Consistent series branding
- The importance of not “messing with” key character elements (e.g. the MMC)
- How self-publishing protects author voice and reader trust
3. Format Is Everything: Ebook, Audio & Print (15 minutes)
- Why many romance titles start as ebook-only
- The critical importance of professional ebook formatting
- Audio’s growing role in romance consumption
- Print as a premium object:
- Beautiful finishes (sprayed edges, special editions)
- Why large publishers often can’t justify these early on
- How authors can scale formats as demand grows
4. Discoverability & Marketing in Romance (15 minutes)
- Romance as a social-media-driven genre
- Blog tours, influencers, and ARC readers
- Marketing materials that bloggers and reviewers expect
- The role of Amazon vs the growing importance of romance-focused bookshops
- Opportunities beyond retail:
- Subscriptions
- Special promotions
- Trade relationships
5. Bringing It All Together: Doing Self-Publishing Properly (10 minutes)
- The difference between “DIY” and professionally supported self-publishing
- Common mistakes romance readers notice immediately
- How authors can:
- Start lean (ebook-only if needed)
- Maintain quality
- Leave room for growth and opportunity
- Closing message: self-publishing as a launchpad, not a compromise