Chick Lit is not dead.
It’s not-we swear! And although we know that y’all are dying to discover the next big author, you’d probably be shocked to discover that we’re STILL being told by agents that Chick lit, or Upmarket women’s fiction, or whatever the hell they want us to call it these days, just doesn’t sell.
And to be perfectly honest, we’re tired of our gal Chick Lit feeling like she has to hide in the corner like some dirty slut. So we’re calling bullsh*t. Chick Lit is NOT Dead!
Looking back, Chick Lit’s popularity was ultimately the death of her. Because when the market became over-saturated with a bunch of copycats with predictable plots and cardboard characters, she was catapulted down to the D-list faster than than you could say Snooki. She was accused of lacking substance, of being insulting to women’s intelligence and being *gasp* cliche’.
Poor Chick Lit became such an outcast in the publishing world that she couldn’t even be called by her own name anymore. Apparently, if she stood any chance of transforming from unbound manuscript to sleek, published novel, she had to be disguised as Women’s Fiction. And even then, the odds of her becoming Homecoming Queen again were pretty damn slim.
Aspiring novelists querying agents needed to beware! Titles that conjured images of stilettos were shunned; the mention of designer purses was literary suicide; and if the protagonist was *gulp* a quirky, single girl with dreams of meeting Mr. Right, the manuscript was sent off to die a very slow death in some slush (or should we say “slut”) pile.
Chick Lit had been pronounced dead, gone well before her time due to overexposure. And her writers and readers put on their black designer dresses and went into mourning.
Her headline in the gossip columns would have read, From It Girl to Out Girl. One Too Many Knock-offs Sealed Her Fate!
But like any former A-lister, we knew she’d make a come back. (If Hugh Grant could do it, so could she!) She just had to wait for her moment and seize it.
And the time is now! Here’s why we say Chick Lit has not only made a comeback, but she’s going to be on the scene for a while.
She’s our fantasy! Thinking about the crashing stock market and the record high unemployment rates hurts our heads. So instead of watching the nightly news, we’d rather pop open the book with a stick figure drinking a martini on the cover and give our brains the night off. If you can’t take a real vacation, at least give your brain one! Let your biggest worry be over whether Jane Q Single Gal gets to marry Joe Q Bachelor; whether frenemies can become friend-ly; if it’s a bad idea to get a manny. Let her wrap your ending up in a nice red bow and don’t feel guilty about it for one second!
She’s a cheap date! Even though hard economic times have caused most of us to slash our budgets (Tarjay is so the new Nordys), Chick Lit is still making it into our shopping carts. She’s like that friend who talks you out of your buyer’s remorse. She reminds you that it’s OK to spend money on things that make you feel better. In fact, she thinks it’s the American way! And even though a lot of us can’t justify buying that Louis Vuitton purse or getting that $200 haircut anymore, Chick Lit still gives a frugal girl some bang for her buck. If you get her in paperback, she’s only about $12. 95! This seems like an awesome price considering how often she makes us laugh, cry or even SOL (snort out loud!). And BTW, Chick Lit is always up on the latest trends. And if she says cheap is the new chic, we believe her!
She’s Secure in her Stilettos Chick Lit is proud of who she is. She makes no apologies for drinking Cosmos or wearing designer skinny jeans. She’s never going to make the argument that she should win the Pulitzer or that she’s invented cold fusion. And she definitely doesn’t think a book should require a thesaurus while reading! She loves a good rom-com too and couldn’t be happier that her cousin, Chick Flick is back on the red carpet again.
So to the literary snobs of the world, it’s time to face the truth. That Chick Lit is back and better than ever. And she’s back now for the very reason she exploded onto the literary scene in the first place. No good woman can resist well-written books with high fashion and happy endings.
So say it loud and proud, *channels Ty Pennington and yells into megaphone* CHICK LIT IS NOT DEAD!
What do you think? Do you still want your happy ending? Leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win a $20 iTunes gift card! Let’s let people know that we want some brain candy!
xoxo, Liz & Lisa
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Amen, sista! I am a lawyer by day, a writer and reader of chick lit by night. After reading (yawn) legal documents for hours, I want something fun. And if the heroine is self-deprecating, all the better. I don’t necessarily need a happy ending, but I do need a hopeful one.
GIMME AN “H” – GIMME AN “E” – GIMME AN “L” AND ANOTHER “L” – END WITH “NO!” HELL NO!!! CHICKLIT IS NOT DEAD!! (ok, so I wasn’t a cheerleader!) lmao!!! But hey, I’ve got spirit – yes I do,,,,I’ve got spirit – how about you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I work in a very testosterone heavy environment. Working in college athletics has me around guys all day every day so when I go home and crack open a book I want my chick lit and my happy ending thank you very much!
Chick lit = girl power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and girl power will NEVER die!
And it’s SUMMERTIME!!! The perfect time to sit by the pool with a good, fluffy book. I don’t want to think about any deep stuff when I’m reading by the pool. I want to sip on my umbrella drink and get lost in another world, not contemplate the meaning of life! Bring on Chick Lit!!!
I love Chick Lit. It’s a stress buster! We all need to laugh and taking a journey of the mind is fun. Sometimes after a long day I just don’t want to read ‘War and Peace.’ There are so many clever novels out there. I love Liza Palmer’s style. It’s thought provoking and real. I feel like her characters are my friends.
I just got a puppy after reading Jennifer Weiner’s ‘Good in Bed.’ It was something I was considering for a while but that just cemented it at that time. So thank you Chick Lit! Be it called that or women’s fiction, it’s not going away!
I am the only female in my office. There is always a book, or two, or three…on my desk. Sometimes I NEED to escape.
Susan, true dat! It’s just a little escape from the daily grind!
Beth, YES WE DO TOO! Thanks for the comment!
Erika, we couldn’t agree more! xo
Chick lit is definitely not dead!!! I would say it is stronger than ever! It’s my favorite genre! I love how it takes my mind off real life and puts me into world where I spend millions of dollars shopping (per shopaholic!), Solve murders in a dorm (Per the Heather Wells series), or stick it to a horrible boyfriend (per Good in Bed, and many others) and many other things!
Tina, Say it loud and proud!
Melissa, I am so with you on that! I just want to relax and read something light!
Colleen, you just mentioned two of my favorite authors! I love it! xo
Kiki, we all need an escape now and then! Thanks for the comment! xo
Don’t we have enough problems of our own in our real lives? It is sweet relief for me to curl up with a good book that I know will have a happy ending. And let’s face it. No matter how strong and independent we are, we still have all the same doubts, fears and crazy internal talk as the great characters in these books. I love that Becky the Vampire Queen still can’t live without designer shoes. I love that she still hates her stepmother and wants her father to love her. And all the characters that get dumped by they guy that promised he’d never leave and then go on some personal adventure that teaches them all the stuff they didn’t know about themselves.
No, chick lit isn’t dead. She lives because we live.
Hear, hear! Right now, with so much depression all around us, we need a bit of escapism – and, yes, even (shock horror!) a happy ending now and again… I want to learn things about myself by reading somebody else’s journey in a great story that lifts my soul and reignites my hope.
And a word for aspiring chick-lit authors: my debut novel ‘Fairytale of New York’ (unashamedly chick-lit and proud of it) took my publishers by surprise when it sold 100,000 copies in three months (who says chick-lit is dead?)… Which means that there *is* hope, publishers *are* looking for great chick-lit stories and this genre is anything but over! :o)
Miranda, wow! Your book sounds great!!! You should post a link to it here so people can check it out. Xo
Michelle, you just said it so perfectly. LOVE your comment!!!! Xoxoxoxo
Yes, Yes, YES!! *channeling Meg Ryan*… I don’t even call it my GUILTY pleasure anymore– it’s just plain PLEASURE! Bring on the brain candy! This overworked mom of 3/ stepmom of 2/ teacher/ aspiring writer wants her CHICK LIT!
I agree 100% …chick lit is not dead and never will be!!! There is too much sadness going on in the world today and I would much rather escape into a fun and fluffy chick lit novel than watch depressing news or tv shows. BRING IT ON ….FOREVER!!!
Love you girls!!! Go Chick Lit! It is NOT dead!
Thanks Kieran! We’re so glad you’re here! Xo
Susan! SO true!!!!
Heidi, I hear ya girlfrin’! Its so frustrating that the powers that be don’t get that we NEED our brain candy, damnit! ;)
Chick Lit is aliving and kicking a##!! You gals ROCK!
Chick lit lives!!!
After working all day, it is nice to escape for a few minutes each night with a good book. I enjoy a HEA, but don’t necessary have to have. There is so much sadness in life that I enjoy some books that make me laugh out loud.
No freakin’ way is Chick Lit dead ! All my girlfriends, myself included, read a book every 2 weeks. Some of us, even more. Look at all the amazing authors that you have had on your blog. My reading list is out of control thanks to you gals. And Chick Flicks ? Bring ‘em on !
Chick Lit is not Dead! She’s my favorite summertime pal. When school is out and I can hit the beach while my kids splash each other and any poor sap too close to the water, I’m lounging in a beach chair with a chick lit pal dreaming of days when I could sip Cosmos and wear skinny jeans with stillettos and not have my baby chub to suck in or my children waking up at 6AM demanding toast and chocolate milk louder than my handover headache can handle! Long Live Chick Lit! **cheers**
Thanks Jill!!!! Xoxo
Mary, so glad you arte finding new authors at the site! Yay!
Angie, I’m so with ya!!!! My flat tire is hard to hide in a bikini! ;)
Sometimes you just need a fluffy love story!
Just goes to show how out-of-touch some people are with their audience … Sheesh!
Chick Lit is far from flatlining, and in mho, always will be. Too many of us are looking to escape all the negativity that’s put out there into this world on a daily (if not hourly) basis! I don’t ignore what’s going on in the world; I keep current. But I don’t want to be bludgeoned with the news of gloom & doom all day, every day. This world needs more positivity (if you will) & HOPE. Give me a great Chick Lit book vs all the sadness & despair on the news/in the papers and I am one happy girl. And anybody who is a mommy knows, “When Mommy is happy, EVERYBODY is happy!” ; )
Long live Chick Lit, her glorious – “the glass really is half-full” champions (that’s you, ladies) & the alternate universe where “Happily Ever Afters” really do exist!! : )
xox
Right on jen! Xo
Chick Lit will forever prosper, so help me God. I can’t even begin to describe all of the various points in my life that she’s been there for me; most likely starting at the wee age of 7 with Ramona (and, let’s be real, Ramona totally turned into an independent minx later on in life), gaining leverage with Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret (is it weird that I learned much of my menstrual info from this gem?) and seguing into all of the Alice books (not to be confused with Go Ask Alice, though I suppose that one has a few semblances of the Chick Lit Awesomeness). My voracious appetite for Chick Lit has not slowed down AT ALL, and while some would say I am merely an example of the “stereotype” who reads Chick Lit, I certainly beg to differ. HELLO, what would womanhood be without the Bridget Jones(es), the Carrie Bradshaws, the mentally-competent-yet-keeps-maxing-out-the-credit-cards-for-Loubitins of the world?! I’ll tell you what: bitter, self-deprecating, cat ladies who smell like a cross between talcum powder and Janet Reno. Not that there’s anything wrong with the latter, but I find that every single Chick Lit Lover I’ve encountered is substantially savvy in BOTH the personality and beauty departments. Oh, and don’t even get me started on Marian Keyes. I apologize for the random rant/tangent of this, but it just inspires such passion in me. VIVA CHICK LIT!! May you long prosper (and you will, obviously).
Yes Jules, making mommy happy should be everyone’s number one priority! Thanks for the great comment! Xo
Chick Lit is definitely not dead! I love this blog post, you hit it on the head for all the reasons I LOVE reading. Chick lit is fun but at the same time very relatable. It is not just fluff, it deals with things I go through as a woman and mother on a daily basis! Well put ladies!
Chick lit is NOT dead…sing it loud, sing it proud sisters! It is my true escape and I look forward to my dose every night!! Thanks gals for keeping the cause alive!
xoxo
Thanks so much Stephanie!!! Glad you liked. xo
Gaby, you go girl!!! You’re welcome! =)
CHICK LIT IS NOT DEAD!! My exetremely colorful bookcase and overstuffed Kindle debunks that theory. And if an agent declares that chick lit is dead, that is an agent you are better off without.
I’ll be second in line to buy your new book when it is published! (I’d be first but I have this habit of always being late…it never fails!)
I read a lot and I always feel disappointed when there is no happy ending – I have spent all this time with these characters and need to know that they will be happy ever after.
If its dead I dont know where all these books are coming from that I am reading??? :-} And really- whats wrong with wanting a happy ending? Life is hard enough as a reality….I need an escape- and there is no escape like a Chick Lit escape! Carry on gals- we’re with ya!
Kourtney, Amen sista! =)
Melissa, I’m so with ya-I always feel like I got cheated if things don’t work out for my fave characters!
Erin, I know, right? Women seem reading more than ANYONE these days!
What an excellent post, guys. Thanks so much for lifting my (sometimes sagging) spirits!
I despise the ‘chick lit’ tag but I so love the books! Thank God they aren’t all about designer shoes/handbags/clothes anymore – I just can’t relate to that. But a good read, with a few laughs and a happy ending, now that I can get on board with. I can’t imagine that the books will be completely out of favour, surely there are too many people (yes, men included – the ones brave enough to admit they read it, anyway) who love chick lit to let it die!
Melissa, You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed! xo
Annelise, I agree! xo
I’m completely with you, Liz and Lisa! Chick lit is most definitely not dead, a fact that really drew me to your blog in the first place! I’m an ardent fan of the genre and devour everything I can get my hands on — and I don’t imagine that changing anytime soon. I read many other types of books, too, but chick lit is the ultimate “brain vacation.” On a good day, it makes me tear up, laugh and cheer — everything I want from entertainment. Great post!
Reading is my pleasure, my escape, and my frugal way of taking a vacation from life! Chick Lit Rocks it! Bring me a happy ending, a little romance and sprinkle in some fashion fun – I’m hooked for life. Not dead, I say, Not dead!!
After leaving work I went straight to Target and lo and behold – take a guess what was on display in the book section? CHICK LIT!! There was Emily Giffin, Jane Green, and Madeline Wickham. All new. All glossy. All displayed for the world to buy right next to the “serious” books.
I will let you all guess which I bought :)
Chick Lit is most certainly not dead!
It’s what I relax with after a long week of working and taking care of the kids. I bring it on vacation. I bring it in the bath. I CRAVE chick lit like I crave chocolate. I could not agree less with the agents who think that chick lit doesn’t sell. In fact, it saddens me that people like this are keeping me from discovering wonderful new chick lit authors!
Come on, literary snobs, give me what I’m after. I WANT CHICK LIT!!!!!!!!!
Reading Chick lit is like eating chicken soup (or do you drink that?) because it helps you recover from a bad day. Knowing there is a perfect ending out there for you if you try hard enough to get it is the best. I really love how the protagonistas can be classy and self-dependent and strong at the same time, and still get the guy! People who say that Chick Lit doesn’t have morals is COMPLETELY WRONG!
GO CHICK LIT!
I love my chick-lit. I want nothing to do with mysteries, heavy drama or sci-fi. I want a fun escape from my overly crazed and sometimes hum drum, rote routine of my “mommy” life. I want to get into somebody else’s life and have a good laugh at the use of their profanity and their experiences falling in and out of love. I’m not giving up my chick-lit. Just try and pry it from my hands.
Miriasha- Re: Chicken soup…I think you can eat it?
Long live Chick Lit! xo
Christine- That’s how we feel too! And we know there’s millions of “us” out there! Chick Lit sells, damnit! :)
Sitting in Norstrom’s cafe flipping through a LV catalog dreaming of better financial times when I read your blog.Your reasons are totally valid! I should be in my hotel room reading the rest of the Carrie Diaries! Chick lit is not dead! I’m leaving the cafe and finishing the book.
Laura, You should! And don’t forget to give to me when you’re done! =)
It’s about time that someone defended Chick Lit’s honor. I enjoy reading many genres of literature, but there’s just something about a juicy Chick Lit novel that hits the spot. It’s like the peanut butter to my jelly, the mani to my pedi, the Christian to my Louboutin. I could go on but I’m sure you get the picture!
As long as she has devoted fans like us, Chick Lit will NEVER be dead!
Kara, True dat! I couldn’t agree more!!!
Alyssa, I LOVE your comment, thanks sooo much!!!! xoxoxo
CONGRATS TO ALYSSA H! She’s the winner of the $20 iTunes gift card. Thanks to all who commented!!! xoxo
Sob, sigh, this post brought tears to my eyes!
I am a huge fan of Chick-Lit and always will be!!!
Long live Chick-Lit!!!!
Wendy! Thanks!
For me, part of the death of chick lit is because I’m older than the chicks in the books. I still like the 30-something tales but much prefer to read about women who are older — like me. But please don’t call me a Hen. Or a Lady.
My 40′s are the reward for my 30′s.
You know what makes me mad about Chick Lit bashers? They common criticism that these nail polish color covered books are nothing but fluff – well I”m here to tell you that this stereotype couldn’t be further from the truth! Of course I’m sure there’s some books that are “breezier” than others, but isn’t it like that in ALL genres?? I love reading Chick Lit because it resonates truth with me. It’s about love, life, relationships, family, friends, work, and everything else that goes on in real life on a day to day basis. Of course, it can be somewhat glamorized at times, but isn’t that what we reach out to fiction and entertainment for! And you know what I love most about Chick Lit…it is the feeling that I get before, during and especially, after a finish reading a really great book by one of the fabulous females. For instance, I just finsihed A Total Waste of Makeup, my first read by author Kim Gruenenfelder and I had a smile plastered on my face the whole time!! I can’t wait for the sequel. I’m waiting to start I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk and I’m already more excited just in anticiaption of it the story and its leading heroine, Angela. So that all the naysayers….why don’t you check out a book or two or three before you judge the whole genre and declare it dead and goone! You might just be surprised!
As a busy part-time working mother of one (and another on the way), I think it’s therapeutic to have a good laugh over a book and live vicariously through the characters! I’m writing a chick lit novel too, because I figure I may as well write something I enjoy writing and reading. Would love some tips!
Have read all the comments above . All of you have given me hope that my husband and I can actually sell our novel, which is a chick lit. Have been afraid to say the word as everyone seemed to think it was a dead duck. Thrilled that it is not! I think we have been approaching the wrong folks. Am checking out the publishers of the books you have mentioned.