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An Emerging Genre:
Why Women Love Chick Lit By Teri Brown
Jane Green is one of the stars of chick lit, having sold more than a million books, including such titles as Jemima J (Broadway, 2001); Mr. Maybe (Broadway, 2002); and Babyville (Broadway, 2003). Green, however, has mixed feelings about her books being considered chick lit.
"I think there are pros and cons to being described as chick lit," says Green. "On the one hand I'm absolutely thrilled to have been a part of such a huge movement, and it's served me incredibly well, but on the other, I think there are many readers who are put off by what they perceive to be books about single women looking for Mr. Right. My more recent books have dealt with motherhood, infidelity within a marriage and relationships with in-laws, which most people wouldn't necessarily classify as traditional chick it. And yet because I'm known primarily for chick lit, a lot of readers wouldn't think to pick them up."
Many in the publishing world believe that chick lit will grow and change along with its readers while still appealing to a younger audience. Green agrees.
"I think Chick Lit will continue to evolve and change as both the writers and readers grow," says Green. "A lot of the women who started chick lit were young and single way back then and are now married with children so inevitably have different interests, and hopefully the readers will grow and change with us."
Lani Rich of Anchorage, Ala., is an avid chick lit fan but doesn't like it when people pigeonhole the genre.
"Many people mistakenly believe that all chick lit novels are Bridget Jones knockoffs, but that's not the case," says Rich. "There are literary-style stories, mystery stories, older heroines, young adult – everything. The only thing that defines chick lit as a genre is that the books are a woman's story of growth. Outside of that, the sky's the limit."
