If you have access to the internet, television, social media, or radio, you're aware things aren't great at the moment, politically. And while staying informed and involved is critically important to keep fascism from destroying...well, everything, there's a case to be made for writing and reading the "frivolous" things, the beautiful things, the loving things.
Why Love Stories Matter More in Dark Times
Romance books and love stories are one of the first categories to be attacked, censored, or scorned because they are primarily written by women and for women. The books themselves are a source of income for authors who are often femme and/or belong to other marginalized identities. Directly supporting these people is a huge support when jobs, support structures, legal protections, and personal safeties are being stripped away.
And in a country that is lashing out at anything that makes women safer, more independent, and happier, love stories are a reminder that women are people (duh), that they are deserving of love and ownership of their sexuality, and that equal, loving, uplifting relationships exist.
Reading and sharing these stories can help authors and readers find each other to build community—and few things are as life-saving in times like these as community.
Why Queer Stories Matter More Than Ever
Queer love stories are even more in danger, which makes the benefits even greater. LQBTQIA+ people are under direct attack across the country, and positive stories that empower and recognize us are a beacon of hope. Queer authors, especially trans authors, are in immediate need of the financial support of people buying their books.
These stories provide visibility to a group that is often lied about and demonized. They normalize the love of people who just want to live and be happy. Nothing destroys hate faster than exposure to different types of people and their stories.
How You Can Make the World Better as a Reader
Buy love stories
Buy books by women, by queer authors, by authors of color. Buy books that are under attack—queer books, romance books, books that talk about complexities of race, gender, sexuality, disability, economic inequality, etc. Sometimes, indie authors are only able to publish on Amazon, but if the book is available elsewhere, especially in places like bookshop.org or your local bookstores, buy them there!
Read love stories
You don't have to buy the books to support them. Borrow them from your library, and if the library doesn't have the title you're looking for, ask them to order it! (Contrary to popular belief, authors do make money from this). Borrow them from a friend or have a book swap. Read them in your book clubs. Go outside your comfort zone and read diversely.
Talk about love stories
Speak up and talk about these books. It is tempting to support "in secret" when times are scary. Please be loud about these stories. Reviews on retailer sites like Amazon and review sites like Storygraph, Fable, and Goodreads have a huge impact on whether books are successful. Rave on social media. Send recommendations to friends. Drop a note to the author of books you love and tell them what it meant to you!
Write love stories
If you're a writer and thinking about giving up because the world doesn't seem to welcome your stories, write them anyway. We need your stories.
Love people!
The only way we can combat this ferocious and aggressive hate is by loving each other more strongly, protecting each other more ferociously, and uplifting each other at every turn.
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