Only for the Week

A history of racism and white supremacy in publishing has shaped much of the romance genre, though recent trends reflect more of a commitment to stories that celebrate and uplift traditionally marginalized voices, including those of Black women. While the now-bankrupt Romance Writers of America was founded by a Black woman, Vivian Stephens, Black authors were frequently absent from awards lists in the genre until Kennedy Ryan’s 2019 win for her novel Long Shot. Black authors such as Beverly Jenkins and Brenda Jackson wrote prolifically in the 1990s and continue to publish today. Jenkins is particularly notable for publishing in both historical and contemporary romance, with many of her contemporary characters the descendants of her historical protagonists. She thus advances the argument that Black happiness and thriving have always been part of American history, even as she acknowledges the importance of historical discrimination.

Recent authors building on this rich history include Alyssa Cole, whose Loyal League series depicts Black characters engaging in espionage on behalf of the Union during the Civil War. The first book in the series, An Extraordinary Union, features a free Black woman, Elle Burns, who poses as an enslaved person to infiltrate a Confederate family.