Rules for Writing Romance Novels—How to Create Love Stories That Meet the Genre’s Demands

Photo by Charlotte May: https://www.pexels.com/photo/red-rose-petals-in-glass-of-cognac-5946991/

Ever dreamed of writing a romance novel? 

If you’re an avid reader and a fan of the genre, or if you think it would be a fun way to make a few extra dollars, you’ll need to understand the expectations of romance readers so you can meet this huge, devoted audience where they are and deliver. 

Let’s break down the fundamentals that every romance writer should know.

1. Focus on the Central Love Story

At the heart of every romance novel is a love story, of course. This doesn’t mean you can’t include subplots or delve into the personal growth of your characters, but the romantic relationship should always take center stage. Readers expect to follow the journey of two (or more) characters as they navigate obstacles, discover their feelings, and ultimately find love. If the love story feels secondary to another plot line, you risk losing your audience.

2. Guarantee a Happily Ever After (HEA) or Happy For Now (HFN)

Romance readers expect a satisfying conclusion. (It’s not real life, after all.) The characters don’t necessarily need to get married or ride off into the sunset, but the ending should make it clear that their relationship is solid and that they’re happier together than apart. In contemporary romance, an HFN might involve the couple committing to each other without immediate plans for marriage or children. You can have a tragic ending or unresolved romance in your novel, but that will put it outside the romance genre.

3. Create Compelling, Relatable Characters

Strong characters are essential for a great romance novel. Your protagonists should be multidimensional, with human strengths, flaws, as well as relatable desires and motivations. You want your readers to root for them and see them as real people. Your characters don’t have to be perfect. In fact, imperfections often make them more engaging. What’s important is that their growth and emotional journey feel authentic.

4. Develop Emotional Intensity

Romance thrives on emotion. The story should evoke feelings of joy, heartbreak, passion, and longing in your readers. To accomplish this, delve deep into your characters’ inner lives. What are their fears, desires, and vulnerabilities? How do these play into their relationship? Show readers the highs and lows of falling in love through vivid, emotionally charged scenes.

5. Establish Chemistry Between the Characters

Chemistry is the magic that makes a romance novel unforgettable. It’s not just about physical attraction (though that’s often a component) but also about the connection between your characters. Their interactions should crackle with energy, whether they’re bantering, arguing, or sharing quiet moments. Show their growing bond through dialogue, body language, and small details, like gestures of love.

6. Introduce Conflict and Tension

Obstacles are essential in the romance genre. Conflict creates the tension that keeps readers turning the page. This can be internal (a character’s fear of commitment) or external (a meddling ex, a rivalry that creates jealousy, a family feud, or geographic distance). The key is to ensure that the conflict is believable and rooted in the characters’ lives. Avoid manufactured drama that feels forced or melodramatic.

7. Pace the Relationship Realistically

While romance novels often have a faster pace than real-life relationships, the progression of the romance should still feel natural. Give your characters time to get to know each other and build trust. Even if they’re physically attracted right away, emotional intimacy should develop more gradually. It creates great tension, too.

8. Craft Engaging Dialogue

Great dialogue is essential in a romance novel. It’s through conversations that your characters reveal their personalities, share their vulnerabilities, and build their connection. Aim for dialogue that feels natural but purposeful. Every line should either advance the plot, deepen the relationship, or reveal something about the characters.

9. Show, Don’t Tell

The age-old writing adage most definitely applies here. Instead of telling readers that your characters are in love, show it through their actions, words, and thoughts. For instance, instead of writing, “She loved him,” describe how her heart races when she sees him, how she gets butterflies when she thinks of him, or how she defends him if a family member or friend has doubts about him. By showing the relationship’s progression, and your protagonist’s growing devotion to her love interest, you allow readers to experience the love story firsthand.

10. Choose the Appropriate Setting

While there’s no “right” setting for a romance novel—because love happens everywhere—the setting of your romance novel can greatly enhance the story. Whether it’s a small-town bakery, a bustling city, or a college campus, the setting should contribute to the mood and themes of the novel. Always remember to use sensory details—honor all five senses—to bring the world to life and create opportunities for romantic moments. 

11. Be Mindful of Tropes

Tropes are common themes or plot devices that appear frequently in romance novels, such as “enemies to lovers,” “fake dating,” “forbidden love,” or “love triangle.” While tropes can provide a familiar framework, they can also feel clichéd if not handled thoughtfully. Put your own spin on popular tropes to make them fresh and unique.

12. Balance the Degree of Intimacy and Plot

Romance novels vary widely in their explicit content. Some focus on the sweetness of relationships, while others explore lusty encounters. The level of intimacy should fit the story and characters. No matter the degree of explicitness, scenes in your story should always serve the plot and character development.

13. Understand Your Sub-genre

Romance is a diverse genre with numerous sub-genres, from contemporary, gothic, paranormal, and romantic suspense to historical, time travel, LGBTQ+, and more. Each sub-genre comes with its own conventions and reader expectations. For example, a historical romance would likely require meticulous research for historical accuracy, while a paranormal romance might demand an otherworldly, imaginative approach.

14. Edit Ruthlessly

First drafts are rarely perfect, so get comfortable with that truth. Think of the first draft as you telling yourself the story. Then, take the time to revise and polish your manuscript’s second draft (and third and fourth, if necessary). Look for inconsistencies in character behavior, plot holes, and areas where the pacing drags. Pay special attention to emotional beats and dialogue so they resonate. Consider seeking feedback from beta readers or critique partners who are familiar with the romance genre.

15. Respect Your Audience

Romance readers are devoted and discerning. They know what they like and expect stories that deliver on the genre’s promises. Avoid stereotypes, clichés, or outdated attitudes and beliefs that might alienate your audience. Instead, focus on creating inclusive, respectful, and emotionally engaging stories that celebrate love in all its forms.

Conclusion

Writing a romance novel is about more than just crafting a love story. It’s about creating an emotional journey that readers can’t put down. By following these rules and infusing your unique voice and creativity, you can craft a romance novel that resonates with readers and leaves them swooning. Remember, the heart of a great romance is authenticity, so let your characters and their love story come through.

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10 Romance Novels Across Sub-Genres

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – A classic Regency romance featuring the iconic love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon – A time-travel romance blending history, adventure, and passion between Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser.

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks – A contemporary tearjerker about a lifelong love affair.

Bridgerton: The Duke and I by Julia Quinn – The first book in the Bridgerton series, full of regency romance and witty banter.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes – A heartfelt, bittersweet romance between Louisa Clark and Will Traynor.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne – A fun enemies-to-lovers workplace romance.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston – A modern queer romance featuring the son of the U.S. president and a British prince.

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams—A beautifully written, emotionally intense romance about two authors who had a passionate affair as teens and reconnect years later. 

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion – A quirky romance featuring a genetics professor’s unconventional search for love.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell – A young adult romance about first love and the struggles that come with it.

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Do you read or write romance? If so, what sub-genre is your favorite?

Sending you mad writing mojo…

Happy writing!

Love and Customs—The Long, Not-So-Romantic Path to the Day of Love

Photo by Monstera Production (Pexels)

I don’t like Valentine’s Day. 

I know, I know… You must be thinking… Is she jaded? Has her heart frozen over? Who hurt her?

No, I’m not jaded. At least I don’t see it that way. Age has just made me more practical.

No, I don’t think my heart has gone cold. There are a few people in my life I love deeply. And I’m frequently touch to tears by gestures of kindness.

And yes, plenty of people have hurt me, but we can all say that, can’t we?

I guess I have a problem with obligatory holidays that support behaviors I think we ought to live every day, all for the sake of a capitalistic agenda. I cringe at the practice of monetizing something like love to fill the pockets of corporations.

According to Capital One Shopping, “Consumer spending on Valentine’s Day 2024 totaled $25.8 billion.”

The National Retail Federation (NRF) reports that “Consumers are expected to spend a record $27.5 billion on Valentine’s Day this year.” 

It’s as if, at least for a day, those who embrace the holiday attempt to express their undying love by attempting to satisfy all five love languages just to cover all the bases.

So, how do we make sense of this kind of consumer behavior?

Understanding Love

Photo by Anete Lusina (Pexels)

To thoroughly explore the psychology behind the rush to buy and spend on V-Day to show one’s love would mean a more in-depth research effort than I’ve done here. But it does help to remember the power of this sometimes destabilizing emotion.

Through the ages, humans have attempted to find, understand, explain, and quantify love, which can encompasses everything from compassion, grace, honor, and respect, to infatuation, lust, limerence, and obsession. It can drive many sane humans to a kind of madness. 

And lovesickness is a thing. From chemical changes in the body and intense emotions, the experience of falling in love can make you physically ill. 

Science shows that love is, in fact, a drug. Being love-struck bathes your brain in dopamine, the feel-good hormone, and it can leave you with a similar euphoria associated with cocaine or alcohol.

Humans seem to be in love with the idea of love… Of people being brought together in some way—whether through a planned introduction by friends or a chance meeting while going through the motions of living a life—and then being held together for eternity by this unexplainable emotion.

Some have spoken to the pain of love. 

  • “Love is a temporary insanity curable by marriage.” —Gabriel Heatter
  • “Pleasure of love lasts but a moment. Pain of love lasts a lifetime.” – Bette Davis
  • “So it’s true when all is said and done, grief is the price we pay for love.” — E.A. Bucchianeri 

And many have waxed poetic about love’s benefits.

  • “Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.” —Aristotle
  • “Where there is love there is life.” — Mahatma Gandhi
  • “Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.” — Zora Neale Hurston.

Needless to say, when it comes to the greatest human emotion (so it is said), the line between love and lust, sanity and insanity, can be a murky blur of confusion. 

To attempt clarity, it might help to look back to the beginnings of Valentine’s Day.

Lupercalia

Annibale Carracci – Lupercalia, Rome – PICRYL – Public Domain 

The first documented “love” celebrations were those of Lupercalia, an ancient Roman festival celebrated on February 15 from Rome’s founding, around 753 BCE through the end of the 5th century CE. 

The ancient Romans’ notions of love will look a bit perverse to most of us. But many may also not be surprised at the blatant misogyny expressed in the ceremony itself. 

Lupercalia, also called dies Februatus, after the februa—purification instruments—was a pastoral festival observed every year from February 13 to February 15 with the intention to purify the City of Rome and promote fertility and health (while some have associated the celebration with the Roman fertility god, Lupercus).

Word has it that the festival started with animal sacrifices, and some say that after a feast, priests ran from Palatine Hill (where Rome was founded) to the Roman Forum whipping people with bloody strips of animal hide, a symbolic gesture of purification. 

Other accounts tell of a matchmaking ceremony wherein women’s names were drawn from jars by men in attendance, resulting in pairings, of sorts, with the women (fully naked) being slapped with the bloody strips of hide by the men (fully clothed) and having no choice whether or not to “spend time” with the men who had drawn their names—all in the name of fertility.

And still others believe it was connected with the she-wolf Lupa, who nursed Romulus and Remus, after they had been tossed into the Tiber River to drown, all for their mother’s broken vow of celibacy, then rescued by a servant who put them in a basket, which was found and carried by a river-god until it became caught in the branches of a fig tree, and was then discovered by Lupa and cared for by her at the base of Palatine Hill in a den.

Now that’s love…

St. Valentine

St. Valentine—http://interestingliterature.com/2014/02/13/the-literary-origins-of-valentines-day/, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

While the Catholic Church recognized three martyred St. Valentines, it is believed that St. Valentine of Terni is the one responsible for the holiday we know as Valentine’s Day. 

The story goes that during a time in history (around 278 CE) when Roman Emperor Claudius II deemed marriage unlawful as a way to encourage men to join the army, St. Valentine, apparently a romantic at heart, performed ceremonies for love-struck couples in secret. When Claudius II discovered the transgressor’s actions, he beheaded him, but just before his visit to guillotine, St. Valentine penned a note bidding his people farewell and signed it “From Your Valentine.”

His remains are kept in the Basilica of Terni near Rome, and to this day, every year on February 14, they are carried in a small trek to the city’s main cathedral where hundreds of people gather and promise to a lifetime of faithful love. 

No one knows whether Pope Gelasius’ declaration of February 14 as the First Feast Day of Saint Valentine in 496 CE was simply to honor St. Valentine, or if was meant to cast a more Christian light on the bloody and violent Lupercalia Festival.

Alternatives to Valentine’s Day

Photo by SALOMON BYUMA (Pexels)

So, what do those of us who are committed to singledom do on the Day of Love? 

Many of us carry on as if it’s just another day (it is), while many of us treat ourselves with gestures of self-love (please do this every day), and still others fall prey to loneliness. 

If you’re part of the lonely crowd, follow Leslie Knope’s (Park and Recreation) lead and invite all your girlfriends (if you’re a woman) to a 

Galentine’s Day brunch, typically celebrated on February 13. 

It’s noted to be a day when women leave their husbands and boyfriends at home to show some love to their fellow woman friends. (I can’t help but call out the blatant hetero-normativity.)

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Whatever you think or feel about the day, whether or not you celebrate it, keep in mind that everything we believe and/or celebrate comes from a story of some kind. And usually, those stories have undergone some significant revisions. 

Why not create your own version of what the Day of Love is all about?

Writing Through the Storm: Maintaining a Writing Practice with Chronic Illness

Photo by Marcus Aurelius

Maintaining a satisfying writing practice requires focus, energy, and consistency—qualities that chronic illness often disrupts. But, with the right strategies and perspectives, it’s possible to honor your impulse to write while tending to your body’s needs.

I can speak to this from personal experience because I live with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), so I’m no stranger to the potential tough days that hover on the periphery of my life, my writing practice, and my business every single day, like a bully waiting to have a go at my weak spots. 

While I can’t say that I’ve found a magic solution—at least not yet—here are some strategies and perspectives to help you navigate the unpredictable nature of chronic illness while still honoring your writing practice.

1. Redefine Productivity

Having a chronic illness will force you to adjust your expectations—about your own abilities, about other people’s expectations of you, and about what “productive” looks like for you. Writing every day for hours—or every day, period—may not be realistic, and that’s okay. Instead, focus on what you can do. Whether it’s writing for 5-15 minutes each day, writing for a couple of hours one day each week, or simply jotting down ideas when they come to you, every effort counts. Remember, progress doesn’t have to be linear.

2. Create a Flexible Routine

Rigid schedules often don’t work well when dealing with the symptoms or flare-ups of chronic illness. Instead, build a flexible routine. Leave more open space in your calendar to allow for those “surprises.” Slow down the pace of your life, in general. Identify the times of day when you feel most energetic and aim to write during those windows. On tougher days, give yourself permission to shift to less demanding creative tasks, like brainstorming, researching, or reading for inspiration. And rest. Sometimes it’s best to simply rest.

3. Set Tiny, Achievable Goals

When you’re managing limited energy and avoiding triggers, big goals can feel overwhelming. And not meeting them can be demoralizing. Best approach: Put that big goal on your calendar, way out into the future. Then, break it down into small, manageable steps, and put those on your calendar, too. For example, set smaller breadcrumb goals, like 100 words, one scene or outline, or one dialogue exchange. Reaching and acknowledging those smaller goals that rest within the larger ones will send dopamine cascading through your lovely brain, which will provide you the motivation to keep going.

4. Manage Your Environment

For people with chronic illness, environmental triggers like certain foods, fragrances, or temperature changes can impact health and energy levels. Create a writing space that minimizes these risks. If you need to, get an air purifier, use hypoallergenic materials, and a stash of safe, healthy, non-reactive snacks and drinks to keep your energy up while writing. Do this, at the very least, in your writing space, and preferably throughout your entire home. If you live with other people, ask for what you need from them. 

5. Use Tools and Technology

Assistive tools can make writing more accessible. If you’re having a low day but feel you have the energy and wherewithal to accomplish small tasks, speak your thoughts and words instead of typing or writing by hand. Writing apps like Scrivener or Evernote can help you organize ideas efficiently, or use the Voice Memos on your phone to get random thoughts and ideas about a scene, chapter, or character in one place so you can refer to them later. If brain fog is a challenge, try using templates or prompts to find your way in. Writing can look many ways.

6. Embrace the Power of Rest

Rest isn’t just a break from writing; it’s an important and essential part of the creative process. (That’s why I offer the Do Nothing Challenge!) Pushing through exhaustion often leads to burnout or worsening symptoms. Instead, listen to your body and give it the care it needs. Resting mindfully, daydreaming, soaking in an epsom salts bath, or applying ice packs can get you through rough spots to rejuvenate your energy and spark new ideas. Resting is an aspect of your writing life.

7. Build a Support System

If you don’t know other writers who understand the challenges of chronic illness (and bonus if you do!), look for groups that specialize in connecting people with chronic illness for encouragement and empathy. Sharing your experiences with others can make life feel a lot less isolating and lonely. You might be surprised how many writers you can find who also live with chronic illness—both are highly sensitive.

8. Work with Your Medical Team

If you’re managing a chronic illness and you have a solid medical team, they can be a big help by offering guidance on managing energy levels, avoiding flares, and maintaining concentration. Sometimes, adjustments to treatment plans can improve your ability to focus on creative work. Interestingly, a fair amount of doctors write fiction on the side, so if you have one or can find one, they’ll understand why your writing matters to you.

9. Practice Self-Compassion

It’s easy to feel frustrated when illness interrupts your writing, and during those times when you’re struggling to find you way back, guilt can set in. Remember that you’re doing the best you can under challenging circumstances. Be kind to yourself, and acknowledge the resilience it takes to keep creating despite the hurdles. Honoring your impulse to write is an act of self-love. So is showing yourself compassion and grace.

10. Celebrate Every Accomplishment

No matter how small, every word written is a reason to celebrate. Whether it’s finishing a paragraph, re-reading what you wrote last, or simply making a note about where you’ll pick up when you’re feeling better, tracking your efforts will keep you involved. Maintain a notebook or digital file to log your accomplishments, or as mentioned in #3 above, schedule them on a calendar. Then, treat yourself to something nice and/or fun, depending on the accomplishment and your budget, of course. You’ll get a double hit of dopamine—from finishing the task, followed by the enjoyment of your reward. Over time, these wins will remind you of your strength and progress, and each one will propel you on to the next.

Final Thoughts

Living with a chronic illness doesn’t mean you have to give up on your writing dreams. It means finding new ways to approach them, and being kind to yourself in the process. By adapting your practice to fit your health and working within your unique limitations, you can keep your creative spirit alive and thriving. Remember, your unique perspective as someone who navigates these challenges brings depth and authenticity to your writing. And that’s what the world needs.

Keep writing, even if it’s one word at a time. Because as Margaret Atwood once said, “A word after a word after a word is power.” 

You are a writer, no matter the pace.

Sending you mad writing mojo…

Happy writing!

10 Self-Care Tips for Writers Exploring Complicated Characters and Difficult/Taboo Subject Matter

Photo by MART PRODUCTION: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-black-leather-jacket-sitting-on-brown-wooden-floor-7277896/

Conceiving and developing characters is more taxing on a wrier than many realize.

To render a protagonist and her story believable—to create emotional verisimilitude—writers must be able to do the dance between objectivity and subjectivity

To be objective, you must step outside the character to observe them from all angles, and from the inside and out to perform a kind of detached “reporting” to the reader.

To explain. To summarize. To tell. 

To be subjective, you must climb inside the character and roam around through clandestine caverns of their heart, mind, and soul, to live in their skin and render them believable as a living, breathing human being who steps off the page and into readers’ hearts and minds.

To leave an impression. To invoke pathos. To show.

This process can be simultaneously harrowing and debilitating, fulfilling and transforming.

The emotional impact of being a writer is something many don’t discuss.

It’s something non-writers don’t or can’t comprehend. It’s something beginning writers don’t expect, which can become a great obstacle for many.

To write and tell universal stories that resonate in the hearts of your readers,
you must be willing to feel deeply. 

So, it’s important to have self-care practices in place.

Use these tips to help you navigate the emotional experience of living a writing life. 

Set Emotional Limits for Each Session
Decide in advance how deeply you’re willing to delve into intense scenes. Use timers or word count goals to create a natural stopping point before you feel emotionally drained. 

Create a Transition Ritual
After writing challenging scenes and material, establish a ritual to transition out of that mindset. Light a candle, take a shower, or engage in a simple mindfulness exercise to signal closure for the day.

Check In with Yourself Regularly
Before and after writing sessions, pause to assess your emotional state. Jotting a few thoughts down in your writer’s notebook or using a simple rating system can help you track how your work is affecting you.

Balance Heavy Writing with Joyful Activities
Counterbalance the emotional weight of your work with activities that bring you joy—gardening, dancing, reading lighthearted books, or spending time with friends.

Maintain a Strong Support Network
Share your emotional responses to your writing with trusted friends, fellow writers, or a therapist. Talking through your emotional experiences can help you process them more effectively.

Physically Ground Yourself
Writing intense material can leave you feeling untethered. Engage in grounding activities like yoga, stretching, or walking barefoot outside to reconnect with your body.

Take Breaks Without Guilt
Step away when needed. Whether it’s an hour, a day, or a week, giving yourself space to rest and recharge is part of the creative process, not a failure to push through.

Separate Reality from Fiction
Remind yourself that your characters’ pain and struggles aren’t your own. Visualizing a metaphorical “door” you close after writing can help you leave the fictional world behind.

Curate a Self-Care Bundle
Have a “writer’s comfort kit” on hand for tough moments. Include soothing items like herbal tea, a favorite playlist, stress balls, candles, or inspirational quotes.

Seek Professional Guidance if Needed
Writing about trauma, taboo topics, or deeply personal emotions may bring up unexpected feelings. A therapist can provide tools to navigate these emotions healthily.


Viewing your writing as a full body experience, including your emotional body, will help you work through obstacles when you feel compelled to shy way from your practice due to fear of feeling deep emotions.

Let me know in the comments which practices you already use and if you try a new one.

As always… Sending you mad writing mojo…

Happy writing!

The Epistolary Novel: 180 Examples

After working with college students for 20 years and more recently in the past few years with clients, I’ve seen, time and again, the resistance to—and more importantly, the fear of—writing.

This fear is often deeply embedded due to past experiences, some of which come from childhood. Sometimes the fear is of not feeling capable of taking on something so seemingly daunting as writing a novel due to the mass of information that needs to be understood, compiled, reconciled, and of course, written.

It recently occurred to me that, maybe, approaching novel writing with an epistolary approach—a story told in letters (and a variety of other mediums)—which can be, in theory, bitten off in smaller pieces.

Of course, we still need to achieve the overarching story arc and character arcs expected in novels, but thinking about writing a novel one letter at a time just might take the pressure off for some.

If this sounds appealing or intriguing to you, take a look at this list of 180 epistolary examples. Maybe check a few of them out, see how they’re done, and start one of your own.

Below the list, you’ll find one of my most recent YouTube videos about the epistolary novel.

(Note: Almost all of the titles listed below link to Amazon.com. This is in no way an endorsement of Amazon, nor is it a suggestion that you buy any of these titles from Amazon. It was simply the most convenient place find the titles and provide a synopsis so you can see which titles interest you. If, like me, you prefer to support local bookstores, you can always find titles that interest you here and buy them elsewhere. Also, this statement is in no way meant to be a critique of people who choose to buy from Amazon. To each, their own.)

  1. Love Letters between a Nobleman and His Sister by Aphra Behn (1684)
  2. Pamela by Samuel Richardson (1740)
  3. Letters from a Peruvian Woman by Françoise de Graffigny (1747)
  4. Julie or the New Heloise by Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1761)
  5. The Expedition of Humphry Clinker by Tobias Smollett (1771)
  6. Evelina by Frances Burney (1778)
  7. Les Liaisons dangereuses by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos (1784)
  8. Aline and Valcour by Marquis de Sade (1795)
  9. Hyperion by Friedrich Hölderlin (1797)
  10. The Sorrows of Young Werther by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1799)
  11. The Wild Irish Girl by Sydney Owenson (1806)
  12. Persuasion by Jane Austen (1817)
  13. Letters of Two Brides by Honoré de Balzac (1841)
  14. Poor Folk By Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1846)
  15. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë (1848)
  16. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (1859)
  17. Lady Susan by Jane Austen (1871)
  18. Dracula by Bram Stoker (1897)
  19. The American Diary of a Japanese Girl by Yone Noguchi (1901)
  20. The Kempton-Wace Letters by Jack London (1903)
  21. Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster (1912)
  22.  Letters From Skye by Jessica Brockmole
  23. Dear Enemy by Jean Webster (1915)
  24. You Know Me Al: A Busher’s Letters by Ring Lardner (1916)
  25. Zoo, or Letters Not About Love by Viktor Shklovsky (1923)
  26. Givi Shaduri by Mikheil Javakhishvili (1928)
  27. Farthing Hall by Hugh Walpole and J.B. Priestley (1929)
  28. The Documents in the Case by Dorothy L. Sayers and Robert Eustace (1930)
  29. Anne of Windy Poplars by Lucy Maud Montgomery (1936)
  30. Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (1942)
  31. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (1948)
  32. Short stories about the Glass family by J.D. Salinger (1953)
  33. Houseboy by Ferdinand Oyono (1956)
  34. The Key (Kaji) by Jun’ichiro Tanizaki (1956)
  35. Kagi by Jun’ichiro Tanizaki (1956)
  36. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (1959)
  37. Short stories about the Glass family by J.D. Salinger (1961)
  38. Short stories about the Glass family by J.D. Salinger (1963)
  39. Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman (1964)
  40. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (1964)
  41. Herzog by Saul Bellow (1964)
  42. Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman (1965)
  43. Silence by Shusaku Endo (1966)
  44. The Feverhead by Wolfgang Bauer (1967)
  45. Ada by Vladimir Nabokov (1969)
  46. 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff (1970)
  47. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous (1971)
  48. Carrie by Stephen King (1974)
  49. Letters of Insurgents by Sophia Nachalo and Yarostan Vocheck, as told by Fredy Perlman
  50. A Woman of Independent Means by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey (1978)
  51. Letters by John Barth (1979)
  52. Shikasta by Doris Lessing (1979)
  53. So Long a Letter (Une si longue letre) by Mariama Bâ (1981)
  54. The Color Purple by Alice Walker (1982)
  55. Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary (1983)
  56. The Adrian Mole Diaries by Sue Townsend (1985)
  57. Letters to Alice: On First Reading Jane Austen by Fay Welden(1985)
  58. The Jolly Postman by Allan Ahlberg and Janet Ahlberg (1986)
  59. Black Box by Amos Oz (1986)
  60. Juletane by Myriam Warner-Vieyra (1987)
  61. Memoirs of an Invisible Man by H.F. Saint (1987)
  62. The Facts by Philip Roth (1988)
  63. Fair and Tender Ladies by Lee Smith (1988)
  64. Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Caroline /Stevermer and Patricia Wrede (1988)
  65. The Trick of It by Michael Frayn (1989)
  66. Absolutely Normal Chaos by Sharon Creech (1990)
  67. So Long a Letter (Une si longue lettre) by Mariama Bâ (1990)
  68. Letters from the Inside by John Marsden (1991)
  69. Possession by A.S. Byatt
  70. Griffin and Sabine by Nick Bantock (1991)
  71. Nothing but the Truth by Avi (1991)
  72. Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse (1992)
  73. Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler (1993)
  74. “Manners of Dying” (short story) by Yann Martel (1993)
  75. Youth in Revolt by C.D. Payne (1993)
  76. Microserfs by Douglas Coupland (1995)
  77. The Prestige by Christopher Priest (1995)
  78. Two Solitudes (short story) by Carl Steadman (1995)
  79. Zenzele: A Letter for my Daughter by J. Nozipo Maraire (1996)
  80. Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding (1996)
  81. The Pull of the Moon by Elizabeth Berg (1996)
  82. Going Solo by Hope Keshubi (1997)
  83. Freedom and Necessity by Emma Bull and Steven Brust (1997)
  84. The Fan by Bob Randall (1997)
  85. Jazmin’s Notebook by Nikki Grimes (1998)
  86. Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler (1998)
  87. Last Days of Summer by Steve Kruger (1998)
  88. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (1999)
  89. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (1999)
  90. Ender’s Shadow Saga by Orson Scott Card (1999)
  91. Inconceivable by Ben Elton (1999)
  92. The Fox Woman by Kij Johnson (1999)
  93. Home Thoughts by Tim Parks (1999)
  94. Feeling Sorry for Cecelia by Jaclyn Moriarty (2000)
  95. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski (2000)
  96. The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot (2000)
  97. e by Matt Beaumont (2000)
  98. The Plant by Stephen King (2000)
  99. Tarzan’s Tonsillitis by Alfredo Bryce Echenique (2001)
  100. Ella Minow Pea by Mark Dunn (2001)
  101. Mr. Mee by Andrew Crumey (2001)
  102. P.S. He’s Mine! By Rosie Rushton and Nina Schindler (2001)
  103. The Boy Next Door (#1) by Meg Cabot (2002)
  104. La silla del águila (The Eagle’s Throne) by Carlos Fuentes (2002)
  105. The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty (2003)
  106. We Need to Talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver (2003)
  107. The My Dearest Letters by Rodger Morrison (2003)
  108. The Egyptologist by Arthur Phillips (2004)
  109. Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern (2004)
  110. TTYL by Lauren Myracle (2004)
  111. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson (2004)
  112. Boy Meets Girl (#2) by Meg Cabot (2004)
  113. Ibid: A Life by Mark Dunn (2004)
  114. Almost Like Being in Love by Steve Kluger (2004)
  115. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell (2004)
  116. The Grand Tour by Carolin Stevermer and Patricia Wrede (2004)
  117. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (2005)
  118. Upstate by Kalisha Buckhanon (2005)
  119. March by Geraldine Brooks (2005)
  120. Every Boy’s Got One (#3) by Meg Cabot (2005)
  121. Bloodline by Kate Cary (2005)
  122. Who Moved My Blackberry? by Lucy Kellaway (2005)
  123. The Book of Renfield by Tim Lucas (2005)
  124. World War Z by Max Brooks (2006)
  125. Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern (2006)
  126. Eleven by David Llewellyn (2006)
  127. The Beatrice Letters by Lemony Snicker (2006)
  128. The Mislaid Magician or Ten Years After by Caroline Stevermer and Patricia Wrede (2006)
  129. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (2007)
  130. Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale (2007)
  131. The Gum Thief by Douglas Coupland (2007)
  132. The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga (2008)
  133. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (2008)
  134. From A to X: A Story in Letters by John Berger (2008)
  135. Dear Everybody by Michael Kimball (2008)
  136. The Letters by Luanne Rice and Joseph Monger (2008)
  137. Overqualified by Joey Comeau (2009)
  138. Voss by David Ives (2009)
  139. Treehouse: A Found E-mail Love Affair by Joseph Alan Wachs and Jason Alan Franzen (2009)
  140. Richard Yates by Tao Lin (2010)
  141. Life Form by Amélie Nothomb (2010)
  142. Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart (2010)
  143. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (2011)
  144. The Antagonist by Lynn Coady (2011)
  145. Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler (2011)
  146. The Islanders by Christopher Priest (2011)
  147. Frances & Bernard by Carlene Bauer (2012)
  148. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wien (2012)
  149. Aeternum Ray by Tracy R Atkins (2012)
  150. Dear Mr Knightley by Katherine Reay (2013)
  151. Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple (2013)
  152. A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki (2013)
  153. Permission by SD Chrostowska (2013)
  154. The Closeness That Separates Us by Katie Hall and Bowen Jones (2013)
  155. September Ends by Hunter S Jones (2013)
  156. Texts from Bennet by Mac Lethal (2013)
  157. Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira (2014)
  158. Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero (2014)
  159. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han (2014)
  160. Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher (2014)
  161. Texts from Jane Eyre by Mallory Ortberg (2014)
  162. Vanessa and Her Sister by Priya Parmar (2014)
  163. The Divorce Papers by Susan Rieger (2014)
  164. Every Blade of Grass by Thomas Wharton (2014)
  165. Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (2015)
  166. The Martian by Andy Weir (2015)
  167. The Devourers by Indra Das (2015)
  168. Dear Mrs. Naidu by Mathangi Subramanian (2015)
  169. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon (2015)
  170. The Incarnations by Susan Barker (2015)
  171. Bats of the Republic by Zachary Thomas Dodson (2015)
  172. How to Party With an Infant by Kaui Hart Hemmings (2016)
  173. Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Nèuvel (2016)
  174. Not a Self-Help Book: The Misadventures of Marty Wu by Yi Shun Lai (2016)
  175. The Boy is Back (#4) by Meg Cabot (2016)
  176. Dracula vs. Hitler by Patrick Sheane Duncan (2016)
  177. Gemina (Illuninae Files #2) by Arnie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (2016)
  178. The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O. by Neal Stephenson and Nicole Galland (2017)
  179. Obsidio (Illuminae Files, #3) by Arnie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff (2018)
  180. This is How You Lose the War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone (2019)

If you know of other epistolary novels not mentioned in this list, please leave them in the comments below, and I’ll add them to the list.

Sending you mad writing mojo…

Happy writing!

Johnnie
OOOO