Traditional Romance Vs Erotic Romance...

Whilst I was linking up to that old Elizabeth Bevarly post, I decided to actually go and look at the last non-spam comment on her column. This was from an anonymous author, and took me slightly aback:

“I'm posting anonymously. I write traditional romances for a traditional press. My only deal with erotica is simple and market driven.


I do not want to sit by an erotica author or an erotic romance author at booksignings or attend events that publicize her books because WE DO NOT ATTRACT THE SAME READERSHIP *AND* (and after reading this thread I figure I can count on some people ignoring this second part and this is the most important part of my note so if you reply to this post please address the following aspect of my post)


MY READERS ARE LESS LIKELY TO ATTEND THE EVENT OR, IF AT A BOOSIGNING, LESS LIKELY TO APPROACH ME BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE OF AN EROTICA/EROTIC ROMANCE AUTHOR THAN AN EROTICA/EROTIC ROMANCE AUTHOR'S READERS WOULD BE PUT OFF BY MY PRESENCE AT THE TABLE. Who loses? Me.”


Just try to tell me that isn't so.

When she says that she doesn’t attract the same readership as an erotic romance author, it seems to me that she’s saying that people who read traditional romance don’t read anything else. Is that your interpretation?

Does she have a point? How true is her statement? Would readers who only read traditional romance be put off by the presence of an erotic romance author at a booksigning?

Now these are serious questions, so if you feel the need to post anonymously, go forth and do so, because I’m looking for frank and honest answers.