The publishing industry has followed the visual trend. The rise of the "Seasoned Romance" subgenre (novels about protagonists over 50) has created a demand for cover art that features "old women pics" but with a romantic twist. Gone are the cartoon illustrations of torsos; now, covers feature real older models embracing.

These storylines are breaking records. * * by Lily Samson and * Katherine's Wish * by Linda Lael Miller focus on widows finding BDSM-lite romance later in life. The visual marketing for these books relies entirely on the dissonance between "old women pics" and the word "romance"—a dissonance that readers are eager to resolve.

By embracing these storylines and representations, media can help create a more inclusive and realistic portrayal of love and relationships, one that values and celebrates the experiences of older women.