Recent comments on The Romance Writers of America forum are in fact written by male romance authors. They feel left out of conferences and are disgruntled at having to write under names of women, just to have a chance in the industry. Jim McBride is an accredited name in the film industry but he has been known to dabble in the intense world of romance writing.
“Write what you know” is a common tip given to writers and that is just what Jim McBride does. Maybe The Clearing is a familiar title, having been known as a tender tale of love. Though Jim McBride doesn’t quite see himself as a romance author, he has been known to say “Write from the heart, write what you like. I write about people I know or knew. Memories… I don’t think it’s unmanly to be sensitive.”
Male Authors Under Female Pseudonyms
Romance fiction is mostly written with a female audience in mind so it is natural to believe those incredible writers are female…or is it? Romance fiction is a constantly growing industry grossing in the largest share of the consumer market at 13.5% as reported by Romance Writers of America.As mentioned on leigh-greenwood.com, Harold Lowry saw the influx of romance novels and tried to convince his wife to try her hand at writing. She declined and suggested he do it and years later Harold Lowry is the proud writer of over 40 works in the romance fiction industry. Maybe the name “Harold Lowry” doesn’t ring any bells, perhaps that is because he writes under the pseudonym of acclaimed Leigh Greenwood.
Among his repeated occurrences on bestseller lists, Leigh Greenwood has won the MAGGIE twice, Carolina Romance Writers Author of the Year Award twice, and Romantic Times Career Achievement award. Harold Lowry was also the first man to become president of the Romance Writers of America and he stayed there for two years. Who would have thought that someone who is so talented at putting love into words would in fact be a man. And he is not alone…
Female pseudonyms are not uncommon as you can see by authors Edwina Marlow, Jennifer Wilde, Katherine St. Claire and Beatrice Parker, who surprisingly are the guises of one man: Tom E. Huff. Historical romance author, Madeline Brent was in reality Peter O’Donnell. The same goes for Iain Blair who writes as Emma Blair, Hugh C. Rae who writes as Jessica Stirling and Bill Spence who writes as Jessica Blair.
Writing under a pseudonym is not uncommon in the world of romance fiction. Female authors can constantly be found writing under pseudonyms as well. Some authors change their name when they try their hand at another genre in the romance industry, where as others start off writing under a guise. Take Sherrilyn Kenyon for example: her paranormal romance are bestsellers and award winners as are her historical romance under the name Kinley MacGregor.
New Romance Fiction From a Male Point of View
Most romance novels in this day and age are written from both the point of view of the woman and the man. The days when Jane Austen wrote solely from the perspective of Elizabeth Bennett are dwindling, and the idea of a novel from a man’s point of view is not farfetched. The readers of romance fiction are still predominantly women but men are now seen strolling the romance aisles, some still a little secretive mind you but they are there none the less. Harold Lowry was a romance reader long before he became Leigh Greenwood the romance writer.
Don’t be surprised to find that highly recommended romance writers are men. The craze is not dieing out but growing stronger each year. Monica Barrie and Jennifer Dalton are one and the same Mr. David Wind for example. Vince Brach, R. Barri Flowers and Al Garroto are a few more who dabble into the rewards of romance writing but the list of male romance authors does not end here. They are constantly taking the romance world by storm and shedding new light on male sensitivity and the depth of a man’s emotions.
Jessica Hastings - Jessica Hastings is a published author/poet, professional reviewer, and avid reader. Schooled in journalism and creative writing, she ...
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