Romance, gender, and the measure of a 'real book'

"Why would you waste your talent on writing … that?" Most romance authors have gotten a similar question. (This one came many years ago from a dear friend who has since taken it back, and not because there were threats involved. I swear.) University professors Joanna Gregson and Jen Lois dived into the romance-reading and writing culture a few years back, eager to explore the sociological implications. Here, they reveal what their research has shown them ...