Many people think romance novels are trashy, formulaic, and anti-feminist smut. In this passionate talk, Jessica Lyn Van Slooten challenges negative stereotypes about romance novels. She argues that many of today’s authors are modeling a more inclusive, equitable, and feminist world through romance novels.

Recorded and edited courtesy of NorthCoast Productions. Jessica Lyn Van Slooten grew up on a farm in Western Michigan and spent summers picking blueberries and reading voraciously. She now lives on the other side of Lake Michigan in Manitowoc, WI, where she is an Associate Professor of English, Writing, andWomen’s and Gender Studies at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. She teaches courses on women writers, gender and popular culture, romance writing, and more. Jessica has published numerous articles on teaching and assessing gender studies courses, and popular romance fiction and film. She is currently drafting a romance novel set in a small midwestern town.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Jessica Van Slooten: Romance novels are feminist | Jessica Van Slooten | TEDxUWGreenBay

Romance novels are feminist | Jessica Van Slooten | TEDxUWGreenBay

Associate Professor of English, Writing and Women and Gender's Studies