U Star Novels In the Media

Web Firm Offers Novel Approach To Romance

Thursday, February 12, 2009

 RENEE MONTAGNE, host:

And our last word in business today is about a novel business that's booming as Valentine's Day approaches. The word is U Star. The Internet company sells personalized romance novels. The Web site asks customers to fill in personal details about themselves and their partner and then choose stock titles, like "Fever in France." Founder Katie Olver says her novels are mostly romantic, but…

Ms. KATIE OLVER (Founder, U Star): A lot of the feedback showed that people were looking for something that is far more spicier than what we - that we were offering at the time.

MONTAGNE: So she added more erotic titles, like "Amsterdam Lessons."

Ms. OLVER: I mean, I certainly hadn't read any erotic novels before all of this started.

(Soundbite of laughter)

Ms. OLVER: And now I'm frequently reading those to make sure that my product is of equal standard, and, you know, on par with what's being published because it is a huge, growing industry.

MONTAGNE: Despite the cold economy, Katie Olver says her sales are hot. This week alone, she's processed more than 1,500 orders for her individualized romances, which are $40 each and, she says, promise a longer-lasting pleasure than a dozen roses. That's the business news on MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.