Maya Rodale Author of The Bad Boy Billionaire’s Wicked Arrangement and other smart and sassy novels.Posted: 02/04/2014 7:59 pm EST Updated: 02/04/2014 8:59 pm EST

It is a truth universally acknowledged that men do not read or write romance novels… unless they are attempting to “cash in” or use phrases like bodice ripper or burning desire (for example: these two snarky gentlemen). However, according to statistics from Romance Writers of America, 9 percent of romance readers are guys. Who are the real men who read and write romance novels just because they like it? I spoke with a few of them and about the portrayal of men in the genre, how people react to them, and how to make these books more appealing to dudes.