Update on AVON - from RWA National 2007
***From Cindi Myers eNewsletter***
This week I’m continuing my coverage of the publisher Spotlights from the 2007 RWA National Conference in Dallas.
The Spotlight on Avon was presented by Executive Editor Lucia Macro, Senior Editor Erika Tsang, Assistant Editors Tessa Woodward and Esi Sogah and Editor May Chen. The Avon Romance program publishes a minimum of five to six books a month: one historical romance (Avon Treasure), one contemporary romance, two Avon Romance historicals (where most new authors start) and one romance Super Leader, which may be historical or contemporary. A Super Leader author ships 150,000 plus copies. They also have romance by best sellers like Julia Quinn and Stephanie Laurens on the general list.
Avon editors are looking for sexy historical romance with really strong characters. Victorian, Regency, Medievals. No American settings. They’re open to all kinds of tones, from funny to serious. The stories should be very emotional.
They’re also interested in contemporary and historical paranormal romance. Darker stories have a better chance here.
On the contemporary side, they want sexy, emotional stories. They’re also open to sexy romantic suspense.
All the above should be approximately 90,000 words.
Avon Red publishes one erotica title a month, both novels and short story collections. Stories do best that have strong thematic elements and a strong relationship that doesn’t have to be a romance. They’re not looking for literary erotica or single short stories. But they’re open to short story collections by a single author if the stories have a unifying theme or some element that unites them. Avon Red manuscripts should be 60,000 - 75,000 words.
Avon A is Avon’s trade paper fiction line. Editor May Chen says they’re looking for “fresh, interesting, unique submissions.” Not standard chick lit. The focus in these stories is not necessarily romance, but there may be romantic elements. These stories may be historical or contemporary and are bigger stories than those in the core romance program.
To query Avon, send an email to avonromance@harpercollins.com. Include a brief synopsis and bio in the body of the email – no attachments. Don’t send multiple emails about the same project, no attachments and no all caps. Be clear as to what the book is about and what is unique or different about your story. Follow up if you have had no reply in three weeks or so. The editors receive approximately 100 queries a day.
Avon accepts both agents and unagented submissions.
***From Cindi Myers eNewsletter. Subscribe by sending a blank email to cynthiasterling-subscribe@yahoogroups.com***
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