I’ve heard horror stories about authors who get snarky comments about writing romance novels, but I’d never actually seen it happen.

Until today.

I’m sitting at a long table with a couple of other authors at the women’s expo I attended. Two women walk up and start talking to one of the authors about her books. The conversation goes something like this:

“What do you write?” one of the women asks.

“Romance,” the author replies, smiling proudly.

The woman stares at her. “Do they have all that sex in them?”

“Yes, my books are pretty steamy,” the author replies, still smiling.

“God will get you for that,” the other woman chimes in, nodding her head.

The two women put their names in the drawing for the goodie basket that the author is giving away and walk on.

Evidently, God’s going to get us for writing about sex, but they can register for all the goodie baskets that they want to from us heathens.

Oh my.

These were not young women. They were probably married with grandkids by now. Odds are that they’ve probably had sex at some point in their lives.

But they don’t want to read about it.

That’s alright. That’s their choice.

But don’t tell me I’m going to hell for it. 

Why do some people think that writing about sex is evil? Why is that somehow worse than writing about serial killers and murderers and nuclear explosions that kill millions? I don’t understand how people can be so narrow-minded and judgmental.

On the flip side, there were also two lovely women at the expo who were very enthusiastic romance fans. We all chatted about our favorite authors, and they got some pictures with the other authors.

I hope to see those ladies again next year. I will gladly sign books and smile and chat with them. As for the other two, well, they won’t ever be getting a goodie basket from me — no matter how many times they register.

What about you? Have you ever had someone make a rude comment about romance novels to you? Inquiring minds want to know …