Her exact quotes (http://community.livejournal.com/lkh_lashouts/494416.html) on the matter follow:
Why do I say I pioneered the genre if there were books before? I’ve never said I invented the sub-genre, only that I pioneered it or popularized it. ... What I’ve been hearing from writers and editors for years is that my books have helped them sell theirs, or made the editors want to buy things like mine; Hamiltonesque. I mean there were techno-thrillers before Tom Clancy, but his popularity made the genre into the monster it became. Someone has to sell well enough before there’s enough market for other people to jump on the bandwagon. No one blinks in publishing at the idea of mixing vampires and supernatural beings with anything now. It’s all game, though nothing is quite as hot as vampires right now. (bolding mine)
She even admitted that there were books before hers and that she didn't invent vampires or the genre. She's saying she popularized it, that the success of her books paved the way for the genre explosion. However, she seems to think that's a good thing, which I disagree with, strongly. I think the glut of paranormal romance out there is a terrible thing.
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2009-10-03 09:53 am (UTC)Why do I say I pioneered the genre if there were books before? I’ve never said I invented the sub-genre, only that I pioneered it or popularized it. ... What I’ve been hearing from writers and editors for years is that my books have helped them sell theirs, or made the editors want to buy things like mine; Hamiltonesque. I mean there were techno-thrillers before Tom Clancy, but his popularity made the genre into the monster it became. Someone has to sell well enough before there’s enough market for other people to jump on the bandwagon. No one blinks in publishing at the idea of mixing vampires and supernatural beings with anything now. It’s all game, though nothing is quite as hot as vampires right now.
(bolding mine)
She even admitted that there were books before hers and that she didn't invent vampires or the genre. She's saying she popularized it, that the success of her books paved the way for the genre explosion. However, she seems to think that's a good thing, which I disagree with, strongly. I think the glut of paranormal romance out there is a terrible thing.