Update on NAL - from RWA National 2007

*** From Cindi Myers’ eNewsletter ***

The Spotlight on New American Library was presented in the form of a dialogue, with the presenters asking questions and getting feedback from the audience. Participants were Claire Zion, Editorial Director, Executive Editors Kara Cesare and Ellen Edwards, and Senior Editors Laura Cifelli and Anne Bohner.

They began by polling the audience about what they were reading and writing. A couple of things stood out — a number of people indicated they wanted to read more historical romance without paranormal elements — but few people in the workshop indicated that’s what they were writing.

The editors asked if people were tired of vampires. Some indicated they felt the market was ‘saturated’ while others said “it depended on the author,” and that some books aren’t as good. The editors said they’ve seen a trend in writers moving away from vampires into other fantasy elements such as werewolves and dragons.

The editors asked if the workshop participants like old-fashioned gothics, particularly gothic historical romance. They asked if having a lot of sex in the book made a difference and it didn’t seem to with this audience. Comments from the audience indicated that “old-fashioned gothics” to them were stories with weak heroines, told in only the heroine’s POV. Maybe stories with stronger heroines that included the hero’s POV with a dark gothic feel would be better.

The editors said they’ve heard that people miss light, contemporary romance — not necessarily comedy, but straight-forward contemporary romance, but not many people in the room seemed to feel this way.

The conversation turned to historical romance. One person commented she wanted more medievals, while someone else said she’d like more “meaty, angsty historicals.” Several people wanted historicals set after 1900, but the editors when asked directly admitted they weren’t actively seeking these. Others in the audience indicated they wanted more western-set historical romances. The editors said in the past these had not sold well, so publishers had gotten away from them. If the editors found a strong voice with a good story that was a western historical, they would consider making an offer.

The editors asked if what people watched on TV effected what they were reading. With this audience, that didn’t seem to be the case.

They asked if anyone had purchased a book because they saw a book trailer — a few people had, and were enthusiastic about book trailers. More participants indicated the book trailers don’t influence their buying habits. Several people said there are too many trailers out there, while others felt it was difficult to translate a written story into the visual medium of a trailer. The novelty of book trailers has worn off. Also, a poorly done book trailer can hurt their opinion of the books. There was also debate that book trailers might appeal more to younger readers who are more visual.

Next the discussion moved to online reviewers. The editors asked if there were any particular online reviewers people paid attention to. The people in this group indicated they weren’t influenced by reviewers.

The editors report they feel the market is strong for both dark paranormal and light and sexy paranormal.

NAL works primarily with agented authors, but will accept queries from unagented authors.

*** This information is from Cindi Myers’s eNewsletter. Subscribe by sending a blank email to cynthiasterling-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ***

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