Deb Yates finals in “Where the Magic Begins”

Deb Yates has finaled in the “Where the Magic Begins” contest with her Scottish historical Heaven Sent. Final round judges are Kate Seaver and Allison Brandau at Berkley. Good luck in the final round, Deb!! [9/22/07]

Update on HARLEQUIN/SILHOUETTE – from RWA National 2007 – part 1

*** From Cindi Myers eNewsletter ***

This week I’m looking at the first half of the Spotlight on Harlequin/Silhouette from the RWA National Convention in Dallas. This was a two-hour workshop hosted by Birgit Davis Todd and Mary Theresa Hussey.

Harlequin is always looking for new voices and seasoned authors for their programs. There are a lot of opportunities at Harlequin and Silhouette. The company has three acquisition offices – New York, Toronto and London. Harlequin books are published in 100 countries in 26 languages, in print, ebook and audio formats. They are sold online, through mail order bookclubs and in bookclubs, grocery stores, drug stores, discount stores and a variety of outlets.

Harlequin has a stated commitment to “relavent stories well-told.” “We are looking for stories to entertain and emotionally engage the reader,” said Ms. Todd.

Melissa Jeglinsky, Editor for Silhouette Desire spoke first. The line is “powerful, passionate and provocative.” The hero is wealthy and successful. The heroine may be working class or also wealthy – but not as successful as the hero. Setting in the world of glamor and power. There is an intense attraction between the hero and heroine. These are sensual reads, but not overtly sexual, although there should be one fully consummated love scene. The hero and heroine are always aware of the attraction. The heroine may be reluctant to act on it, but the hero is not – he is the pursuer. These are conflict-driven stories. The conflicts should be thought-provoking, intense and interesting – larger than life. There should be more than one conflict in each book. These are 50,000-word books. She is looking for new authors, who should be able to write ‘several titles a year’ for the line.

Kathleen Schiebling, Assoc. Sr. Ed for American Romance announced that American has signed two new authors from the slush pile this year. These are stories of home, family and community. Tried and true themes are welcome – babies, brides, cowboys, twins. Western settings are popular, but remember there are other western states besides settings. A sense of place really sets American romance apart from the other Home and Family settings. The books celebrate regional details. The focus is on romance. The development of the central romance is key. 60,000 words – computer count. Stories are tight, fast-paced, and energetic with a satisfying romantic solution. There is room for subplots and secondary characters, but they should serve the main story and forward the romantic plot. American produces four books a month. The level of sensuality varies.

Kimberly Young, Sr. Editor, Harlequin Romance spoke next. As of Feb. 07, Harlequin Romance expanded to six titles a month. They’re looking for authors who can “pack emotion, laughter, conflict, story and wonderful characters” into 50,000 – 55,000 words. This series is the home of traditional romance. That doesn’t mean old-fashioned. They want ‘feel-good romances.’ Each story should capture the highs and lows of falling in love. Very character-driven, couple-focused series. They want international, cosmopolitan setting with a strong sense of place. The heroes and heroines are people the reader roots for. The stories should have emotional depth. May be ‘feel good chick lit stories or three-hanky reads.” Sensual tension is a must and couples may make love before marriage, but there are no explicit details. Submit three chapters and a 1-2 page synopsis to the London office.

Mary Theresa Hussey spoke on behalf of Patience Smith for Silhouette Romantic Suspense – formerly Silhouette Intimate Moments. The line was re-launched in February 2007 with a new look. These books are love stories with a hint of suspense. The word count is 55,000 – 60,000 words computer word count. Writers should jump into the romance write away and get to the heart of the conflict within a few pages. The stories have elements of suspense but the focus is on the romance. This is not the place for gritty details of the suspense plot. Paranormal elements are welcome as long as these elements are very subtle and shouldn’t play a major role in the story. They welcome military stories, espionage, international settings. They’re actively looking for new authors.

Laura Shin spoke about Superromance. [Laura is no longer with the company. This line is now edited by Wanda Ottewell.] Superromance is looking for new writers. She spoke about the Conflict of Interest contest running through October 31 – details available at eHarlequin.com. This line wants strong, emotional conflicts with a focus on the romance. The passionate, tension-filled conflict should be sustained throughout the novel. Strong characterization is key. www.superromancecontest.com 60,000 – 65,000 words 6 books a month.

Anne Leslie Tuttle, Associate Sr. Editor, Silhouette Nocturne and Harlequin Next spoke about Nocturne. This newer line has been very successful so far, with two titles on the NYT list. Nocturne publishes both established and new authors. The books are dark and very sexy. Two books are released each month. In spite of a comfortable inventory, they are actively seeking new writers. The story should take the readers from everyday life to an atmospheric, complex paranormal words. Contemporary, fast-paced and action packed stories 70,000 – 75,000 words. Powerful, mysterious heroes. Heroines are also powerful, but with some vulnerability and there is a strong attraction between the hero and heroine. The hero should be a darkly tortured, strong alpha male, preferably wealthy. The stories should be fast-paced. Each world has its own rules and conventions. The writing should be evocotive and sensual – sometimes it’s a bit over-the-top. The stories may be set anywhere in the world – vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, psychic powers. She also spoke about what they’re not looking for: a lighter, chick-lit voice; stories in which the heroine is stronger than the hero; beta heroes; slow paced stories.

Tessa Shapcott, Executive editor of Harlequin Presents which is based in London spoke about Presents Collections. Presents Collections are done on a quarterly basis but beginning in August they will be producing Presents Collections stories aimed at a slightly younger readers. Some of these stories have been previously published in England as Modern Extra. Presents Collections is Presents’ younger sister – slightly younger characters, fresh feel. The hero is an alpha male. He’s young and making his way in the world. He’s charismatic. He’s the man every girl in the office wants to fall in love with. He is confident, even audacious. He’s believable, three-dimensional and twenty-first century man. He expects women to be as capable as him. He may have a light-hearted, fun and flirty side. He is climbing the ladder, but has further to go. Presents Collections are very sexy with strong sensuality and lots of passion. The heroine is urban in her outlook and lifestyle. She’s starting in her career, goes to clubs with her friends. The settings may be anywhere in the world. We come to know how she feels about work, her friends and family, how she sees her life. The overall tone for Presents Collections should be sparkling, sensual, with a hint of wit. They are really looking for new writers for Presents Collections. The first collection in August was The Eligible Bachelors – 6 books. 50,000 words. Submit a synopsis and the first three chapters to the London Office.

Marsha Zinberg, Executive Editor, Feature and Custom Publishing oversees Limited Continuities, Nascar, More Than Words, Anthologies and other special releases. More Than Words honors five women who make a difference in their communities. Authors create novellas based on these women’s true stories. Previously these have been released as a trade paperback. Now they will be released as a gift hardcover of new stories to honor the current winners and a mass market paperback of previous stories. The popular Anthology program continues. This showcases established and newer, up-and-coming authors. There will be six new releases in 2008. Nascar and Harlequin have partnered to produce titles that have done very well. Beginning in the latter half of 2007, there will be two new releases every six weeks. There are 16 books in the Nascar series and a number of single titles. They are working on a brand-new 16-book continuity series for 2008, Season of Champions. They’re already looking ahead to 2009 Nascar titles. Limited continuities are another successful venture for Harlequin. Mediterranean Nights is the current series. These books are written by a cross-section of various Harlequin and Silhouette authors. Athena Force – a popular Bombshell series – is returning as a limited continuity. This series launched in August. Other series are planned for 2008 and beyond. Authors for all of these are recommended by their editors.

 ***From Cindi Myers eNewsletter. Subscribe by sending a blank email to cynthiasterling-subscribe@yahoogroups.com***

Update on STEEPLE HILL – from RWA National 2007

*** From Cindi Myers eNewsletter ***

This week I’m continuing my look at Publisher Spotlights from the Romance Writers of America convention with a look at Steeple Hill/Love Inspired.

The spotlight on Steeple Hill and Love Inspired was presented by Associate Senior Editor Krista Stroever and Editor Melissa Endlich. 2007 is the 10th anniversary of the program. In 2008 they’ll publish 10 category books a month, in addition to multiple single titles each month. Many Steeple Hill authors are CBA bestsellers and have garnered numerous awards.

Melissa spoke first about Love Inspired Historical, Steeple Hill’s newest line, launching in 2008. LI Historicals will publish two books a month – one western and one non-western setting each month. Inspirational readers seem to be more open to reading many different
time periods. In addition to western settings, the editors are interested in all kinds of American settings – colonial, Civil War and post Civil War, all the way up through World War II. They’re also interested in European settings and Biblical Fiction. Stories featuring missionaries in exotic locations are welcome. Stories may be dramatic and emotional, light-hearted, or suspenseful. But no matter the setting or story, there can be no explicit sensuality, graphic violence or language. Send submissions to Melissa or to assistant editor Jessica Alvarez. They are both actively acquiring for the line. 70,000 – 75,000 words.

Krista spoke about the Steeple Hill single title program. Like all Steeple Hill books, these stories are based on Christian values. They publish a wide variety of books – both contemporary and historical romance and women’s fiction, romantic suspense and thrillers and relationship novels. They publish up to three titles each month. They look more for established authors for this line. First time authors usually start in Love Inspired and then move to the single title books.

Steeple Hill Café is Christian Chick Lit. The editors are not really looking for new authors here, as they have a full inventory. They prefer established authors for this line.

Love Inspired category does four books a month. These are strong, character-driven inspirational romance, 55,000-60,000 words. They range from funny to heart-wrenching and feature men and women who find true love in a Christ-centered relationship. They’re looking for stories set in smaller towns and cities, family-focused. Children are welcome in these stories. They’re interested in complex stories with real conflicts. Situations may be dark and gritty. Characters may not start out as Christians but are by the end of the book. Love Inspired has published some chick-lit within the line, but these are only be
established LI authors. New authors should focus on romance stories. Things that don’t work as well: Hollywood settings, big city settings, sports, dancers.

Love Inspired Suspense expanded from two books a month to four books a month in February 2007. They are “very eagerly” looking for inventory. This is a great opportunity for new authors. Readers here are looking for “strong, highly dramatic, high-octane reads.” There are very few things you can’t do in these books – though violence is mostly off-screen. They’d love to see more CSI-type and legal-thriller type stories. The stories are 50 percent romance and 50 percent suspense. Both must be fully developed. 55,000 – 60,000 words

As part of Harlequin, Steeple Hill books are available all over the world in many languages. They’re available in both Christian book stores, grocery stores, mass merchandisers, online, and through book clubs. They’re also available as ebooks.

Turnaround time for unagented, unsolicited manuscripts is approximately three months. They do not accept complete unsolicited manuscripts. Query by mail or send the first three chapters and a synopsis of 5-8 pages. Guidelines are available http://tinyurl.com/yvaqsua — or go to http://www.eharlequin.com and click on the link to Writer’s Guidelines at the bottom of the page.

***From Cindi Myers eNewsletter. Subscribe by sending a blank email to cynthiasterling-subscribe@yahoogroups.com***

Julia London receives a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly

Congratulations to Julia London — her upcoming final installment in the Desperate Debutante series received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly on 9/10/07:

The Dangers of Deceiving a Viscount
Julia London. Pocket, $6.99 (384p) ISBN 978-1-4165-1617-0

With this singular, outstanding Regency romance, London concludes the Desperate Debutante series at the top of her game. Lady Phoebe Fairchild is a talented seamstress who sews dresses for an exclusive London Bond Street shop, but knows that if her job is revealed, it will expose her family’s financial woes to the ton and ruin their reputation—not to mention Phoebe’s marriage prospects. Knowing this, her employer threatens to expose Phoebe if she refuses to travel to rural Bedfordshire to sew gowns at the home of William Darby, Viscount Summerfield. Phoebe reluctantly agrees, and posing as widowed dressmaker Madame Dupree, she travels to Summerfield’s estate to create gowns for his wild, untamed sisters. Soon, Phoebe and Will are involved in an intense affair that’s very likely doomed, as Will must wed a noblewoman—which Phoebe is, but Madame Dupree is not. Should she reveal her deceit, making her a worthy bride for Summerfield? Or should she keep up the charade, lest he despise her for her duplicity? As London explores the intricate, authentic-feeling relationships blossoming among the players, her masterful ability to bring characters to life makes this romance entirely absorbing. (Nov.)

Marian Stevens takes FIRST in the “Barclay Sterling”

Congratulations to Marian Stevens – she received FIRST place in the Barclay Sterling! Her contemporary manuscript, The Rebel, was judged by Esi Sogah of Avon. [9/7/07]

Update on BANTAM DELL – from RWA National 2007

*** From Cindi Myers eNewsletter ***

Shauna Summers, Sr. Editor, hosted the Spotlight on Bantam Dell. Bantam Dell publishes mass market, hardcover, and trade paper originals and reprints. The produce approximately 15 mass market every month – originals and reprints, 8 hardcovers, 8-10 trade paperbacks. Their offerings range from commercial and literary fiction to nonfiction and include genre fiction – mystery, science fiction and romance.

In romance, Ms. Summers talked about some of their bestselling authors – Mary Balogh, Karen Marie Moning, Madeline Hunter, Tara Jantzen. Bantam Dell is editorially driven. Editors don’t have a specific number of slots to fill each month or quarter. “It’s all about the book.”

They publish women’s fiction, contemporary and historical romance, paranormal, romantic suspense, erotica. Ms. Summers said they have gotten a lot of paranormal submissions of late and it has begun to feel like an overload. However, they still find the occasional standout story – but these days a paranormal story must be really special to be bought by Bantam Dell. “We will make room for books we think are great, even if we think we have too much of something,” she said. Sales of paranormal titles are still strong.

Bantam Dell doesn’t have a separate imprint for erotica. In general, Bantam does not do separate imprints for different types of books. Erotica must have good writing and “a story that is organic to the level of sex in the book,” no “romance novel with a lot of dirty words or a romance novel with a lot of sex scenes.” They have quite a few erotica authors already, so are very picky about acquiring new erotica authors.

She would love to see a really good straight contemporary romance.

Bantam is starting Bantam Discovery –Books that will be published simultaneously in trade and mass market. The hope is to reach different readers with the different formats, to find the widest audience possible for the book. One book a month beginning January 08. This will include originals and reprints, and new and more established authors who are still trying to find a readership. All the slots for ‘08 are already filled in this program.

Bantam Dell will look at unagented queries – no more than 2-3 pages – snail mail only. Expect a response in two months.

 ***From Cindi Myers eNewsletter. Subscribe by sending a blank email to

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