About Romancing the Phone

Welcome to Romancing the Phone, a newsletter where I demystify BookTok trends, dissect what’s working for authors on social media, and discover what readers actually want to read.

Romance novels, indie publishing, and genre trend cycles are worth taking seriously, not just on their own merits but also as barometers of culture, current events, and politics. Even if a particular trend or sub-genre doesn’t speak to me, I want to know why it resonates and how it found an audience.

What are the BookTok girlies reading, and why does it matter? Why do we call them girlies? What books are on their towering TBR piles, and what collector’s editions with sprayed edges are proudly displayed on their home library shelves? What fanfiction are they reading and flouting copyright by buying on Etsy? Which tropes do they love, and which do they hate? We’re trying to find out.

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About Alyssa

I’m a writer and marketing strategist with twelve years of experience including working at Amazon, writing a column at Barnes and Noble, and managing social media accounts for brands with hundreds of thousands of followers.

I’m also an obsessive romance reader with a deep knowledge of the genre and a knack for finding your next great read. I probably read Fourth Wing before you did :)

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