The emotional rollercoaster of the past few years has left Gen Zers calling upon contemporary coping mechanisms to alleviate stress. One not so modern, however, is their latest obsession with romance novels. What can we learn about their escapist search for comfort and connection?

Sales of LGBTQ romance novels are booming as they gain traction in mainstream publishing. Diverse audiences, social media like BookTok, and online subcultures are all guiding discovery, disrupting the traditional sales cycles, and breaking new ground in attracting readers.

Social media is transforming the way we read and buy books, with trending topics and viral posts guiding discovery and disrupting the traditional sales cycles. So, how can publishers harness these channels in their commissioning strategies? And how exactly are people talking about books online?

From fashion campaigns and catwalks, to controversy sparking music videos, the aesthetics of kink are more visible than ever before, while apps like Feeld and Pure continue to boom among the sexually curious. How is the mainstreaming of kink, BDSM, and polyamory playing out?