Where Harlequin Meets Homo

Authors Scott&Scott discuss their romance novel series, Romentics.

By Elizebeth Cutler

March 2005 – The champagne and chocolate that they exchanged gave it away — Scott&Scott are in love. Boyfriends and co-workers, Scott Pomfret and Scott Whittier are selling the idea of gay love and romance through their novels. They have released three books under their selftitled label Romentics. Their fourth, Hot Sauce, will debut later this year alongside Pride 2005.

Launched in November 2003, Romentics was inspired by Whittier’s mother and grandmother who loved Harlequin romance novels. Whittier, who is in advertising, saw an untapped market for romance novels in the gay community. “I wanted to show that gay men can fall in love, have lasting monogamous relationships, and end up happily ever after together,” he says. Whittier researched his concept, looked into the trends and genres of the romance novel medium. However, the idea lay dormant until he met his other half, Scott Pomfret, in January 2001. Pomfret, a writer and lawyer, pushed Whittier to make his idea a reality. “I have to drag him out of bed, put a cup of coffee in his hand and sit him down at the computer,” says Pomfret.

Originally intended for gay men, their descriptive love scenes have found an unexpected audience: straight women. “Women want to believe their gay friend, siblings…” (“People they supposedly buy the book for,” interjects Whittier.) “…can really fall in love,” says Pomfret. “Another thing they like is, frankly, the pornographic aspect, because it talks about male bodies in a way that straight erotica tends to focus on the female body.”

Scott&Scott, having dabbled in harder erotica, are well-versed in conveying the language of lust. However, the passion they write about always encounters a roadblock, often a controversial one.

Encompassing everything from prostitution to green-card marriages of convenience and even violence, Romentics novels keep the reader on the edge of his (or her) seat. Yet, despite the obstacles, Scott&Scott never stray from the conventional plot line of romance, keeping the focus on sexual undercurrents and bedtime tenderness.

Their novels, Scott&Scott say, work to combat stereotypes that “gay men have to be a certain way… slutty and bitchy.” But at the same time, the very nature of their work has formulaic quality. For example, when asked their favorite character, Whittier flippantly replies, “The flightly little club-trash sidekick, Nathan, in Spare Parts.” Scott&Scott are embracing gay stereotypes while combating them. If anyone can pull it off, it’s them.

With their commitment to their writing and their relationship, Scott&Scott are building a fan base one book reading at time.

Scott&Scott were interviewed on February 11 at Vibes, 116 Water Street in Worcester.