by Kay~Kacey on 9/19/2007
from RWA National 2007
Superromance
60,000 to 65,00 computer word count
looking for new authors
they have a contest going now through October. Conflict of Interest Contest. Scene or moment that best shows the conflict.
give readers what they want, & also what they don’t know they want
Special Edition
60,000 words
1 or 2 new authors a year
life, love, family
romance focused
small towns or big cities
Nocturn
70,000-75,000 words
2 book line
dark, very sexy line
atmospheric paranormal
alpha male, wealthy alpha male
fast paced, plunge right into story
mission oriented
Hero is key figure
set up unique existence for characters
vampires, psychic powers, werewolves
not looking for: light voice, chick lit, or heroine stronger than Hero
by Kay~Kacey on 9/17/2007
Yet more notes from the Harlequin/Silhouette spotlight at RWA National 2007:
Silhouette Romantic Suspense:
55,000-60,000 words
2 new authors in last 2 months
less details of suspense or mystery, but must have suspense
different from Intrigue-SRS is driven by Romance
Military, law enforcement, internation setting, very light paranormal
Harlequin Intrigue
55,000-60,000 words
2 new authors recently
breathtaking romantic suspense
fast paced, not predictable
mystery, woman in jeopardy
interweave the romance and suspense
not graphic, no swear words
sensuality varies with plot
6 books a month
by Kay~Kacey on 9/12/2007
My notes from RWA National 2007 from the Harlequin/Silhouette Spotlight. Any errors and misinterpretations are my own…
Desire:50,000 words
“guilty pleasure”, like soap opera, reality TV, escapism.
Power, passionate, & provacative
HERO-wealth & power, successful
heroine- wealthy or not
luxury, glamour, cinderella experience
fully consummated love scene, sensual
-now a conflict driven line. More than one conflict in a book.
Looking for new authors, wants a commitment of several titles a year. A career with them.
Harlequin American
60,000 computer count
bought 2 new authors this year from the slush pile
home, family, community
twins, babies, brides, cowboys.
Western settings popular (not just Texas)
sense of place.
Hero/heroine age 25-40 – a few older recently.
Harlequin Romance
50,000 to 55,000 words
6 titles a month now
traditional romance
new look
emotional depth-not tradgedy
sexual tension, can have sex before marriage, no details
more notes in my next blog post. See you then.
