Hey everyone if you didn’t see I’m writing a book. I would just like to thank everyone that gave me the confidence to start writing the idea that was haunting my mind. And I’m happy to say I’m starting my first draft. Love you pagebound community.

Hello all!

I’m procrastinating writing a section of my PhD with this post which has been on my mind for the past few days.

“Romantasy” has emerged over the past couple of years as a distinct genre. While I understand that there are certainly books which blur the line between the distinct genres of romance and fantasy (each with their own unique and clearly defined tropes and characteristics), something gives me pause.

I’ve noticed a tendency to define any and all fantasy books written by or about women with romantic elements as romantasy. However, many classic fantasy novels (including those written by men) also include romances or romantic elements. I wonder if the line being drawn between “fantasy” and “romantasy” is informed by gender rather than by structure, plot, or story elements. Although there is nothing wrong with romantasy or with reading romantasy, we know that categories traditionally read by women and written by women tend to be treated as “less than” (i.e. lower brow).

This leads me to a few questions. Does the creation of the romantasy genre make it easier for men to refuse to read literature written by or about women? That is, they can say “I just don’t like the genre of romantasy” and avoid fantasy stories by and about women. If this is true, is the category of romantasy useful enough to outweigh the harm this enables? Where should the line be drawn between fantasy and romantasy? Is there a difference between romantasy and romantic fantasy?

I’d love to hear all of your thoughts!

Having just finished the movie to have myself a little catharsis cry.

Is this novel worth picking up?

Im reading this purely because I am obsessed with Francesca and Michaela in the tv show and I can’t wait till February 26th to see them in season 4 part 2.

I’m probably going to finish the Song of Achilles this week. I was going to read the Odyssey after but now I’m wondering if there are any retellings I should read instead. Do you guys have any suggestions?