The Uniqueness of Being a Male Romance Writer

When people find out I write romance, one of the first things they say—after the polite surprise—goes something like, “Wait, really? You’re a guy?” There’s always a beat of curiosity, maybe even confusion. And honestly, I get it. For a long time, the romance genre has been seen as a women’s world—written by women, for women, about women. But that’s exactly why I find it so thrilling to be part of it.

Being a male romance writer is a bit like crashing a party you were never quite invited to—but once you're there, you realize you belong just as much as anyone else.

A Different Lens

I don’t claim to write better or worse than anyone else in the genre. But I do write differently, and that’s the beauty of it. My lens, my experiences, and my emotional toolkit shape how I tell stories of love, desire, longing, and connection. Whether I’m writing male protagonists, queer romance, or exploring gender dynamics, I bring my own rhythm to the dance.

It’s not about flipping the script—it’s about adding new pages to it.

Bridging Perspectives

I think being a male romance writer gives me a unique opportunity to bridge perspectives. I get to explore the inner worlds of characters—regardless of gender—in a way that often surprises readers. I can challenge tropes from the inside, add nuance to male characters who are more than just brooding billionaires or rugged cowboys, and write love interests who are sensitive, vulnerable, and emotionally rich.

Romance is an emotional genre. It’s about connection, trust, fear, intimacy, joy, heartbreak, hope. None of those feelings are gender-exclusive. And the more voices we bring into the conversation—men, women, non-binary writers—the richer and more real those stories become.

Sometimes It’s an Uphill Climb

That said, it isn’t always smooth sailing. I've had moments where people assumed I couldn’t possibly “get it” because I’m a man. Some industry spaces aren’t quite sure what to make of me. But I've also found that readers care most about the story—how it makes them feel, whether the love feels real, whether the characters stay with them after the last page.

And that's what keeps me writing.

A Love Letter to Love

At the end of the day, that’s what this is: a love letter to love. Romance isn’t just a genre. It’s the heart of every story where people find something meaningful in each other, where walls come down and healing begins. Being a male romance writer allows me to show that love is universal—and storytelling, like romance, belongs to all of us.

So if you’re a guy who wants to write romance, here’s my advice: do it. Bring your voice. Be bold, be heartfelt, be genuine. The genre has room for you. In fact, I think it needs you.

Jaxon Sevyn