Summer is the season for beach reads and romance novels. What better way to relax in the sand than by reading the romantic escapades of a dashing heroine and her handsome fellow? However, there are only so many paperback novels one can fit in a beach tote.
For those of us who read through romantic novels quicker than a plane wielding a flying banner ad, the Romance Writers of America has created the new, and free, Novel Engagement app. If you are a fan of having thousands of steamy novels at your disposal, then this app will be your best friend this summer.
Novel Engagement will allow users to access over 5,000 titles by more than 1,000 authors. Not only is the app a comprehensive romance novel database, but it also offers a wide range of search functionality and social sharing features. Readers can search through titles, events, tags, and other social media platforms, allowing authors to connect with fans and to sell books via purchase links. The app gives retailers and librarians the ability to search for reader trends, as well as new titles to offer patrons and customers.
The Novel Engagement library, called Reader Zone, also gives readers access to tests, games, literary lists, and more. The Romance Writers of America plan to offer as many as 10,000 books by over 2,000 authors on the app before the end of 2014.
Allison Kelley, executive director of the Romance Writers of America, said that romance authors and writers have been “interacting in huge numbers for years online and in social media.” The app is another great way for authors and readers to connect with each other and to discover new books.
Kelley said about the app, “Novel Engagement delivers results across the romance genre with speed. Readers will discover new authors, find new releases and backlist books, all while exploring the full range of romance subgenres.”
To the romance novel fans, are you ready to delve into this new technological world of the genre? It should also be noted that even though the app is free, you still have to purchase the books. However, overall, the app seems like a great way for fans of the genre to connect and learn more about new releases.
Read more about the Novel Engagement app on Publishers Weekly.