Baby, We Need to Talk: An Open Letter to My Fellow Dark Romance Authors

Or, why "Don't Yuck My Yum" has lost the plot.

Dear Fellow Dark Romance Authors,

(First, a note: If you're an author who's primarily focused on “writing to market”—prioritizing trends or chasing specific sales metrics above all else—this message might not resonate with you. The intention here is to talk about craft and the responsibility we carry as storytellers within a genre that’s about exploration, not just profit. If you write with passion for the art and the genre, please read on.)

I want to address something that’s been bothering me for a while. The conversation around our genre has taken a darker turn, and frankly, it makes me uncomfortable. The recent fallout over Tori Woods’ now-canceled release, which teetered dangerously on the edge of what should be labeled Dark Romance, forced me to reflect on where we’re headed.

We’ve lost the plot.

As Dark Romance authors, we’re known for pushing boundaries, exploring the extremes of love, obsession, and power dynamics. But when did it become acceptable to blur the line between “Dark Romance” and straight-up shock content? Where do we draw the line between exploring the human psyche and glorifying behavior that shouldn’t be romanticized?

If there’s one thing that’s true about Dark Romance and its impact on the bookish community, it’s this: With great power comes great responsibility.

Pushing Boundaries vs. Recklessness

Pushing narrative, character, and symbolic boundaries is a hallmark of Dark Romance. But there’s a point where darkness becomes something else entirely. Horror? Maybe. Splatterpunk? Perhaps.

But the romance—the heart of what we’re writing about—is lost.

Oh, and here’s where I remind you that a story isn’t a Romance if it doesn’t end with an HEA (Happily Ever After) or HFN (Happy For Now). It’s literally in the genre definition, people. If your book doesn’t wrap up with one of those, well, you’re not writing Romance. And guess what? That’s perfectly fine! There are a ton of other genres out there for you to explore. Go wild!

(Can you tell that I’ll die on this hill?)

What happened to the foundational elements of Romance—the connection between characters, the complexity of their emotions, the slow burn of two people discovering the darker parts of themselves? Too often now, we see stories written to shock, no matter the cost to the narrative or the audience.

As writers, the creators of this subgenre, it’s time we asked ourselves this question: What is the point of Dark Romance?

Is it for shock value? Or is it the exploration of an often imperfect love?

If the connections between the main characters are lost, we’re no longer writing Romance. We’re writing something else entirely. Which is fine—but don’t call it Romance.

Take, for example, the Tori Woods controversy. Woods’ latest release was marketed as a dark romance, but readers found the content veering into territory that was markedly not Romance. While Woods faces criminal proceedings in their home country, it’s this kind of material that causes confusion among readers and harms the genre’s reputation.

The Responsibility We Have as Storytellers

Writing Dark Romance isn’t just about indulging dark fantasies—it’s about understanding the responsibility we hold as storytellers. We portray relationships—often unconventional ones—that still maintain an emotional core. Readers turn to Dark Romance not only for escape but to explore the darker facets of desire that mainstream Romance might shy away from.

But as we push boundaries, we must remember our stories affect readers deeply. They come to us with the expectation that Romance will heal, challenge, and provide an emotional payoff. That payoff shouldn’t come from trauma or pain for the sake of shock value.

Read that last part again.

For every reader who finds healing in the darkness, there are others who are left reeling, confused, or even hurt. The genre should be a space for exploration, not reckless indulgence.

The Harm in Crossing the Line

There are also readers who turn to Dark Romance for healing. For some, witnessing a victim’s journey to the other side of abuse, or even seeing a character go through a similar experience, can be deeply cathartic. These stories allow them to process their own emotions, confront trauma, and ultimately see characters survive and thrive despite dark circumstances. For these readers, Dark Romance is not about glorifying toxic behavior, but about seeing growth, strength, and transformation in the face of hardship.

However, we also have to acknowledge that not all readers are able to separate fantasy from reality. There have been instances where readers struggle to distinguish between the fictional, dramatic narratives of dark romance and the real-life consequences of unhealthy relationships. It’s a delicate balance, and we must be mindful of how we portray trauma, abuse, and recovery. Our stories should empower readers and offer them a sense of hope, not reinforce toxic patterns or encourage harmful behavior.

A Call for Community and Collaboration

Dark Romance authors are a community, and we need to act like one. We must lift each other up, offer feedback, and, most importantly, listen to our readers.

Pushing boundaries is part of our work, but we must be intentional.

Our art should never come at the expense of our readers' well-being. The genre should be a space for dark exploration, but not at the cost of hurting those who find solace in these stories.

Let’s come together as authors to share what works, learn from each other, and be accountable for the impact our stories have.

Perhaps this can start/continue with honest discussions in writing communities, with an emphasis on responsible representation of difficult topics.

Hire (yes, pay) sensitivity readers—even if you’re part of the represented group.*

Let’s come together as colleagues and identify a shared lexicon that unites the subgenre.

Let’s embrace content warnings, regardless of whether you list them in the book or on a website or on a sky banner. Just make them exist somewhere for the readers who need and want them.

Again: With great power comes great responsibility.

Let's Do Better

At the end of the day, Dark Romance is about the complexity of love. It’s about imperfect love in often imperfect circumstances.

Let’s set the standard for responsible, daring, and, most importantly, safe exploration within the darkness. Let’s make sure we do it in a way that honors our readers, our craft, and the very essence of Romance.

Let’s be bold—but let’s also be responsible.

Together, we can make Dark Romance a space where we push boundaries without losing sight of the love that keeps us coming back.

XO,

A

*For The Shadowplay Trilogy, I hired Black women sensitivity readers, even though I am a Black woman. Why? Because implicit biases exist, friend. But more on sensitivity readers in a later post.