What happens when 'happy ever after' isn't quite so simple? Today's attitudes to love and romance are as varied and diverse as individuals, and audiences want and need more sophisticated, authentic films that show how we live and love now. So what does this mean for the screenwriter developing a romcom? And how do they write heart-warming stories for a genre that is constantly evolving, from bromcom to zomcom to famcom? Writing and Selling Romantic Comedy Screenplays offers a fresh approach to creating narratives for this ever-changing genre. Moving away from rigid and limited definitions that have evolved out of mainstream genre films, the book embraces a working definition that crosses cultural and national boundaries to give screenwriters around the world a truly international perspective on writing comedic love stories. It is the first screenwriting guide to reflect the diversity of approaches in today's films that deal with the human need for emotional and physical intimacy using humour – the contemporary romantic comedy. 'Immensely helpful' - Divya Johry 'An excellent addition to the Creative Essentials screenwriting book family' - WritesSoFluid Features of the book include: - Illuminating, challenging and provocative about the state of the rom-com genre. Why do some films feel so dated, while others are perennially relevant? - Explores and defines all subgenres of romcom, such as zomcom, bromedy, soromcom and famcom. - Uniquely draws on creativity, screenwriting genre theory and film industry practice. - Stimulating creative exercises at the end of every chapter, and 'hot tips' throughout. - Adaptable concepts that can be applied to both feature films and short films. - Encourages screenwriters to define their own values about love to ensure their voice and message is original - and commercial. - Case studies and analyses of produced screenplays, including Dostana, Due Date, I Give it a Year, I love You, Man, Midnight in Paris, Ruby Sparks, Tamara Drewe, Ted and Warm Bodies - Interviews with writers, directors and producers. - Genuine international perspective - Indispensible guide for both the student and the professional writer or filmmaker.

The most up-to-date study of the Hollywood romantic comedy film, from the development of sound to the twenty-first century, this book examines the history and conventions of the genre and surveys the controversies arising from the critical responses to these films. Provides a detailed interpretation of important romantic comedy films from as early as 1932 to movies made in the twenty-first century Presents a full analysis of the range of romantic comedy conventions, including dramatic conflicts, characters, plots, settings, and the function of humor Develops a survey of romantic comedy movies and builds a canon of key films from Hollywood's classical era right up to the present day Chapters work as discrete studies as well as within the larger context of the book

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK • A comedy writer thinks she’s sworn off love, until a dreamy pop star flips the script on all her assumptions—a “smart, sophisticated, and fun” (Oprah Daily) novel from the author of Eligible, Rodham, and Prep. “Full of dazzling banter and sizzling chemistry.”—People “If you ever wanted a backstage pass to Saturday Night Live, this is the book for you.”—Zibby Owens, Good Morning America A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post, NPR, USA Today, BuzzFeed, PopSugar, Harper’s Bazaar, Real Simple, She Reads, New York Post Sally Milz is a sketch writer for The Night Owls, a late-night live comedy show that airs every Saturday. With a couple of heartbreaks under her belt, she’s long abandoned the search for love, settling instead for the occasional hook-up, career success, and a close relationship with her stepfather to round out a satisfying life. But when Sally’s friend and fellow writer Danny Horst begins dating Annabel, a glamorous actress who guest-hosted the show, he joins the not-so-exclusive group of talented but average-looking and even dorky men at the show—and in society at large—who’ve gotten romantically involved with incredibly beautiful and accomplished women. Sally channels her annoyance into a sketch called The Danny Horst Rule, poking fun at this phenomenon while underscoring how unlikely it is that the reverse would ever happen for a woman. Enter Noah Brewster, a pop music sensation with a reputation for dating models, who signed on as both host and musical guest for this week’s show. Dazzled by his charms, Sally hits it off with Noah instantly, and as they collaborate on one sketch after another, she begins to wonder if there might actually be sparks flying. But this isn’t a romantic comedy—it’s real life. And in real life, someone like him would never date someone like her . . . right? With her keen observations and trademark ability to bring complex women to life on the page, Curtis Sittenfeld explores the neurosis-inducing and heart-fluttering wonder of love, while slyly dissecting the social rituals of romance and gender relations in the modern age.

This volume addresses the growing obsolescence of traditional constructions of masculine identity in popular romantic comedies by proposing an approach that combines gender and genre theory to examine the ongoing radical reconstruction of gender roles in these films. Alberti creates a unified theory of gender role change in the movies that combines the insights of both poststructuralist gender and narrative genre theory, avoiding binary approaches to the study of gender representation. He establishes the current "crises" in both gender representation and genre development within romantic comedies as examples of experimentation and change towards narratives that feature more egalitarian and less essentialist constructions of gender.

The heroes are deliciously imperfect, but the way they love will leave you breathless. It's a good thing no one ever said the path to happily ever after would be easy. Inside the pages of this laugh-out-loud romcom boxed set, you'll find heartwarming and binge-worthy full-length romance novels filled with flawed and hunky heroes, sassy heroines, mixed signals, accidental attractions, dating disasters, unexpected twists, and huge jaw-dropping gestures to help balance out their many wrong turns along the way. You'll be cheering out loud for Mr. Right to finally get it right. From secret admirers, to best friends hoping to become more, to exes dying for a second chance, to fake relationships, to mistaken identities, there's something for everyone in these all-new, standalone, contemporary romantic comedies from your favorite USA Today bestselling, award-winning, and rising star authors. Fans of Emma St. Clair, Jenny Proctor, and Sarah Adams will totally devour My Funny Valentine. Scroll up and one-click this limited time collection to get your next sweet and swoony book boyfriend fix today!

My mother wants all her kids and grandkids to spend Christmas Eve at her house and wake up on Christmas morning together. Sounds reasonable, right? And it would be. If it weren’t my mother. My husband, Declan, is protesting any involvement, though he’s openly intrigued by the idea of claiming his territory by having sex in my childhood bed. And by intrigued, I mean a series of really hot suggestions that make me whimper when I have to say no. Wait–why am I saying no, again? Mom has turned her house into a Christmas showcase that makes Frankenmuth look like the picked-over clearance rack at Target on December 26. You know those crazy people on Etsy who make felted gnomes out of belly-button lint and use… a certain kind of hair… to make thatched roofs on little decorative elf homes? Those people are saner than my mother. There is no force of nature stronger–or more emotionally volatile–than a fifty-something grandmother determined to create holiday memories. Wait a minute. Maybe there is. My husband. Read what others are saying about Julia Kent: "Heartwarming and intensely emotional, Our Options Have Changed is witty, sexy and hilarious with a heroine you admire and a hero you can't help falling in love with." -- Helena Hunting, New York Times bestselling author "Reading a Julia Kent book is like taking a vacation with your best friends. They'll make you laugh, tug on your heartstrings, and leave you wanting more." -- New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster "Kent and Reed create rom com magic in this friends to lovers romance. Laughter, tears, and all the swoons." -- USA Today Best Selling author Daisy Prescott "Witty, sexy, funny and delightfully delicious--love it from beginning to end."-- USA Today bestselling author T Gephart "An utterly charming celebration of the messiness of love, life, and motherhood... every woman deserves a Nick." -- Laurelin Paige, New York Times bestselling author Reader and Blogger reviews: "Move over Sophie Kinsella and make way for Julia Kent. I haven't laughed so much since the Shopaholic series." -- Reader review "Shannon reminds me of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum character..." -- Reader review "Another best seller by the Queen of romantic comedy." -- Reader review "Kent took this fun, sexy tale and gave it a depth that made it so darn easy to read." -- Glass Paper Ink Bookblog "Nothing has made me laugh out loud this much since I read Bridget Jones' Diary many, many years ago." -- Reader review "This book is a MUST READ and I can't WAIT for the next one!!!" -- Reader review "...Julia Kent has once again brought the laugh until you cry scenes, but has added a new aspect to her writing..." -- Avid Reader Book Reviews "The characters in this book are absolutely magnetic and you can't help but be drawn into their lives." -- Reader review "This book is bursting at the seams with all the fun and witty banter!" -- Eargasms Audiobook Reviews Read the entire billionaire romance series, starting with the New York Times bestselling start! Shopping for a Billionaire Shopping for a Billionaire's Fiancee Shopping for a CEO Shopping for a Billionaire's Wife Shopping for a CEO's Fiancee Shopping for an Heir Shopping for a Billionaire's Honeymoon Shopping for a CEO's Wife Shopping for a Billionaire's Baby Shopping for a CEO's Honeymoon Shopping for a Baby's First Christmas Shopping for a CEO's Baby Shopping for a Yankee Swap Topics: contemporary romance, romantic comedy, shopping romance, billionaire romance, billionaire, series, romantic comedy series, comedy, comedy series, bbw romance, funny romance, laugh romance, modern romance, urban romance, boston, boston romance, wealthy, USA today, USA today bestseller, CEO romance, office romance, city romance, smart romance, mystery shopping, mystery shopping romance, dogs in romance, cats in romance, lighthearted romance, light romance, hot romance, julia kent, julia kent romance, wedding, wedding romance, vegas, vegas romance, vegas wedding, escape wedding, humor, humorous romance, satire, american humor, wedding romance, literature & fiction, entertainment, humor and comedy, romantic comedy, holiday romance, christmas romance Perfect for readers of Emma Chase, Penny Reid, Lauren Blakely, Sally Thorne, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Kendall Ryan, Kristan Higgins, Helena Hunting, Sophie Kinsella and Alice Clayton. Audiobook narrated by Tanya Eby.

Billionaire romantic comedy from USA Today bestseller Ember Casey! Perfect for those who enjoy friends to lovers romance, small town romance, and laugh-out-loud love stories! Most girls dream of marrying a billionaire. Me? I’d rather make fun of one. Especially if the billionaire in question is Alexander Grant. Excuse me—Xander Grant. That’s right—the mega-hot entrepreneur who seems to top every magazine’s “Rich Eligible Bachelors” list these days. To me, he’ll always be Alex—my childhood best friend. The guy who joined me on all sorts of wild teenage misadventures. The only person in our small town who understood me. It’s been four years since I’ve seen Alex. But suddenly he’s back in our town at the exact same time my life is imploding around me. We’ve both changed so much—I mean, the guy used to live in ripped jeans, and now he wears nothing but designer suits—but when I need it most, he offers me exactly the escape I need. A chance to run away from my life, if only for a few days. I only hope my heart is prepared. This standalone new adult romance is full of heat, humor, and heart! Perfect for those who love books by: Melissa Foster, Julia Kent, Blair Babylon, Lauren Landish, Lucy Score, Lauren Blakely, Christina Lauren, Claire Adams, Emma Chase, Penny Reid, Lila Monroe, Avery Flynn, Kylie Gilmore, and many more! keywords: billionaire romance, romantic comedy, funny romance, friends to lovers romance, friends to lovers, friends with benefits, series romance, billionaire romance novel, contemporary romance, new adult, contemporary romance novel, new adult romance, series romance, rom com, rom com book, rom com novel, funny, hilarious, hilarious romance, romantic comedy book, romantic comedy novel, romantic comedy books, romantic comedy novels, funny romances, billionaire, billionaire hero, billionaire romance books, billionaire romance novels, small town, small town romance, big city, big city romance, new york city, nyc, nyc romance, friends to romance, new adult romance, new adult books, new adult book, contemp romance, happily ever after, childhood friends romance, best friends romance, best friends romance books, childhood friend romance books, tycoon, tycoon hero, tech tycoon hero, tycoon romance

A PLAYING DIRTY DUET featurES two steamy, STAND ALONE, Holiday Romantic Comedies. THE CLIENT I was an underpaid assistant working at a matchmaking agency, surviving on Insta-Ramen and dreams. How was it possible that I made a love match that resulted in the society marriage of the year? Christmas season was upon us and I planned on enjoying this gorgeous wedding. I didn’t plan on running into the smoking hot, tuxedo-clad brick wall of a man. I didn’t plan on him stopping my fall by grabbing onto my boob and Not. Letting. Go. I most definitely didn’t plan on this gorgeous man being my new CLIENT. Joe was heir to the Delacroix Hotel fortune, whip smart, hilariously funny, and so yummy. I was tempted to… good God I wanted to... but sleeping with clients was a big, fat ‘No-No.’ Weren’t some rules meant to be broken? ** THE MATCHMAKER Aiden Black thought he’d left his past behind when he abandoned the priesthood. He channeled his desire to help others by creating WGA -- Chicago’s premiere matchmaking agency. Aiden’s the expert at finding true love for his clients but he’s put his own needs on hold for a Very. Long. Time. Violet Accardi doesn’t want to settle down and be a Mafia princess – she’s busy building her own sportswear company. Problem is Uncle Vincent promised Violet’s hand in marriage to the son of a rival family. When his goon attempts to kidnap her at the WGA Christmas party, Aiden shuts him down by pretending to be Violet’s fiancé. He’s smoking hot, such a gentleman, and Violet wonders what could it hurt to pretend to be in love for just one night? But Uncle Vincent calls their bluff, popping them both on a private jet headed to the Accardi home in Sicily for the holidays. Life for Violet and Aiden is about to become more complicated... Praise "Funny, witty, and hot, hot, HOT!..." ~ Ann Charles, USA Today Bestselling Author. "A captivating love story; simply have no words to describe how beautiful it is." Sofia Beddable Reads "2 Thumbs up for a great heart warming story..." ~ Barbara - A. Reviewer "Lots of feels, terrific secondary characters, drama, comedy, angst, this book has it all!" ~ Melissa P. "The perfect balance of funny (like laugh out loud funny), witty, and sexy (sosohot)." ~ Sweet Red Reader "... a sexy, funny, emotional heartwarming romance." April Symes "Everyone needs to discover Aiden Black..." Amy Stephens 1 click the Playing Dirty Duet!

'Romantic Comedy' offers an introduction to the analysis of one of the most popular but generally overlooked film genres. The book provides an overview of Hollywood's romantic comedy conventions, examining the iconography, narrative patterns and ideology which inform such films.

Topics include films starring: Myrna Loy and William Powell, Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, Doris Day and Rock Hudson.