As a romance listener, I’ve long been familiar with how specificity appeals to personal tastes. Romance tropes can be surprisingly particular—think reverse-age-gap love stories, second-chance romance, and fake relationships—as can its many subgenres, from romantasy and holiday rom-coms to travel-based romance like The Unhoneymooners and Paris Is Always a Good Idea.
What those of us in Romancelandia have long recognized is fast spreading across the literary landscape: Microgenres—or niche categories within their respective genres—provide a sense of community and connection among fans who share unique interests and perspectives. Unlike mainstream genres, microgenres delve deeper into specific themes, settings, or character types and, somewhat paradoxically, make listeners feel more seen in their specific tastes than by broader genre designations.
One way that microgenres bring people together is through shared experiences. Listeners who are drawn to a particular microgenre often have similar life experiences or interests that resonate with the themes explored. For example, “coming-of-age LGBTQ+ novels” can unite listeners who have faced similar challenges and joys related to their identity in ways that broader categories can’t do. These stories provide validation, empathy, and understanding, leading to a sense of recognition and solidarity within a community.
Another way microgenres bring people together is through addressing subjects that might be overlooked or underrepresented in mainstream literature. These niche genres give voice to sidelined groups, offering listeners from those backgrounds a chance to hear their experiences reflected authentically. I recently spoke to Melissa Saavedra, an avid romance fan and the founder of The Steam Box, who noticed a lack of representation in the romance genre and set out to create a community where romance authors of color, as well as non-binary/genderqueer romance authors, can be in constant conversation.
As Saavedra puts it, “We deserve to see people who look like us have happy endings.” That belief fueled her to create a space where many authors have had a chance to showcase their work. Two years after its launch, The Steam Box hosted SteamyLitCon, a romance conference highlighting diverse authors, in Anaheim, CA, on August 18-19. “In a world where our rights are often under attack,” Saavedra says, “I think it’s important to have these happy spaces where we celebrate love and sexuality in all its forms.”
The rise of microgenres among bibliophiles has been impressive, to say the least. Online forums, book clubs, and social media groups centered around certain microgenres have been on the rise, providing occasions for fans to connect, share their favorite books, and discover new titles as a group. In the last decade, and especially in the post-pandemic environment, groups are taking things a step further by hosting their own conventions. ApollyCon (YA/Adult Fiction), Book Bonanza, and Thrillerfest (Mystery & Thriller) are just a few of the many conventions where fans are connecting and engaging in meaningful conversations with their favorite authors. Successful podcasts are also increasingly creating their own niche communities, from the endlessly proliferating "Murderino" subgroups, where fans of My Favorite Murder can talk about everything from home renovations to wedding planning, to On Air's Podcast Experience, an immersive innovation that let fans step inside their favorite podcasts.
Creators are also encouraged to participate in these conversations by attending craft panels that are now popping up at many conventions. These panels can help creators accurately capture the nuances of their audience's increasingly sophisticated and specific tastes. In short, there's a chance for everyone to get involved.
Along with these connections, bibliophiles are taking their virtual camaraderie offline and turning them into lifelong friendships. If making a new friend who loves a good listen, and can always recommend another one, isn't a win, I’m not sure what is. Long live the microgenre!
