In the first month after its Netflix debut, a whopping 82 million households streamed Bridgerton. Statistically speaking, some of those households must have contained male viewers, right? Julia Quinn, the author of the mega-popular Bridgerton romance novel series, is sure of it. Quinn is a veritable romance institution; she’s the author of nineteen consecutive New York Times bestsellers and the architect of a massive fanbase, with nearly half a million people following her across social media. But if you think the Bridgerton hive is all women, think again. According to the nonprofit Romance Writers of America, 18 percent of romance fiction readers are men; another report shows that fully one-third of erotic audiobooks are downloaded by guys. But despite the growing popularity of romance fiction among men, there’s still archaic stigma about romance novels and the people who read them, rooted in sexism and snobbery. Within her own fandom, Quinn is seeing the beginnings of a sea change. Speaking with Esquire by Zoom from her home in Seattle, Quinn took us inside her fanbase, where you’ll find more avid male readers than you think—and fills us in on why more guys should come aboard.Esquire: Tell me about your male audience. Do men read your books?Julia Quinn: Yes. The primary way that I interact with fans is through Facebook and Instagram. Of the most active users, eventually you do start recognizing some names. Over on Facebook, there’s at least one guy whose name comes up often. I know of a very… Click below to read the full story from Esquire
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The Men Who Read and Watch Bridgerton Are Onto Something
