This week: Romantasy Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Fantasy Newsletter by Dawn
Today we look at the popularity of romance that includes fantasy. This is where the romance story is the main plot and the fantasy elements create the world and character. Is sometimes referred to as Romantasy. |
While driving a very long adventure in the start of a move, my sister wanted to listen to some podcasts. One of them had to do with the prediction of book publishing trends for 2025. The person speaking, he said that one thing that would continue in popularity for 2025 was that of romantasy, the combination of fantasy and romance. That term caught my attention and gave me the idea for this newsletter.
Romantasy
What does the term mean? Where does the name even come from? Well, based off the look, the obvious factor would be that the term comes from the fact that is it romance and fantasy. While he didn't go into much detail in the podcast since it was stating a continued success of the genre, the reason romance is first probably has to do with the focus of the story. And the fact remains, romance is popular as a genre for publishing most of the time. Fantasy has as more high and low points. So, while many fantasy stories can include romantic subplots, the focus today is on the romance story that includes fantasy elements (not the other way around).
One key factor has to do with the main plot. In a romance, the main plot is the romantic relationship with readers expecting to experience doubt of the survival as a couple and needing details of the relationship. When the main genre is fantasy, there are a variety of main plot options available along with possible side quests.
Fantasy in romance is also not even close to being new. There are a variety of fantastical elements that could be found in the romance genre as I've read plenty of stories involving dragon characters or shapeshifters that can take on the form of an animal, for example. The main character could be someone with a fantasy type element to them or could be a regular human. The setting might also be a factor since it could involve a world that leads the way for speculative fiction. These elements are important in the distinction of the genre connection. Character might be the easiest way to create one because you just use characters expected in fantasy but write a romance about elves, dwarves or someone in the Seelie Fae court.
The main thing to consider is conflict and for some readers/writers, the romance plot lines can seem a little boring or predictable but with the genre, the knowing of the end isn't considered a bad thing. Even though most have a breakup scene so it's questionable whether the couple will make it, for most romance stories, the end has to do with the main romantic couple getting together after struggles to develop or maintain the relationship. So, those are some things you can know when getting ready to write the story. Fantastical type characters, a big plot that focuses on whether they can have a relationship or not and have things develop from there. You also decide the sizzle level. That is about whether or not it include erotica (sexual) elements as well. The story can be teen appropriate tame as there are YA romance novels. Or the story could be very adult with a high sizzle factor and extreme content. Science fiction erotica might involve aliens, as another example. So, there a are options for the spice level in the story too.
At the end of the day, romantasy is fairly simple and rather common, which may factor into the popularity prediction. If you aren't sure how to tell if your story is romantasy or fantance (okay probably not a real word and doesn't sound as good), the main thing to consider is the plot. Does your main plot focus on a couple of characters having a romantic relationship but has elements of fantasy? Or does the main story have a different focus not the romance elements stand on the side of everything? What happens at the peak of conflict? Those details will be big factors in deciding how much of the story is romance and how much is fantasy. If it's 50/50, you could probably still use the romantasy label. I doubt it's that specific or has any major requirements for percentages. But what do you think? Have you written a romantic fantasy story? If not, give it a try and I'm sure there are contests on here that would accept entries that fit in these genres.
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| |  | Finally (E)
A couple wedding just barely doesn’t go as planned
#2344348 by Marigold   |
| | | Whispers of Silence (E)
A boy and a deaf girl share one magical evening in war-torn Ahvaz wordless unforgettable
#2344704 by David |
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Do you write fantasy, romance or romantasy?
Possible Romantasy Prompts
An elf falls in love with a dwarf.
A dragon shapeshifter needs to find their perfect mate.
Gerbil shapeshifter meets someone new even though they are easily scared and spend a lot of time buried in hay.
A witch has to move to the city and struggles with the use of technology until someone helps them.
An ogre has a crush and doesn't know how to be romantic but gives it a try anyways.
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Fantasy: August 06, 2025 Issue [#13250]
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