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***
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