On Writing Romance
Page 35
appendix d
The Cover Page
Ties That Blind
53,000 words
submitted [date]
for the Hometown line
By Juana B. Writer
321 Lovers Lane Hartsville, IA 55555 (555) 555-5555 Fax: (555) 555-5556 juanabwriter@mywebsite.com
The cover page includes crucial data about the manuscript and about the author, including full contact information. Having the date the manuscript was submitted assists the publisher in making a timely response.
appendix e
Romance Publishers
Because the romance industry changes on an almost-daily basis, publishing an up-to-date list of romance publishers is a daunting task. This list includes publishers currently releasing romance novels, single-title books, and women's fiction. It is intended to guide you in further research to determine which publishers are the most likely markets for your book.
Before sending a submission, check the publisher's Web site or telephone the office to get the most current submission information; in addition, verify the name and title of the editor to whom your submission should be addressed, confirming the correct spelling of the editor's name. If you phone, ask for the editorial department, not a specific editor.
Current market information about each publisher's books, categories, word counts, acquiring editors, submission guidelines, etc., is available from Romance Writers Report, the professional journal of Romance Writers of America, and through a members-only section of the RWA Web site (www.rwanational.org). Both the printed and online versions of Writer's Market are another good source of market information; you can subscribe to the online version at www.WritersMarket.com. You also can search publishers' Web sites for specifics.
A good basic source of market information is the nearest large bookstore. By browsing the shelves, you can determine which publishers are most likely to be interested in a book like yours. The publisher's Web site is usually listed on the cover or on the copyright page; by looking up the Web site, you can read more about the company, its current and upcoming publications, and what it's looking for. If the publisher offers tip sheets or guidelines, they can usually be down loaded from the Web site or requested by mail (send a self-addressed, stamped envelope with a request for guidelines or tip sheets).
You can also locate publishers' Web sites by searching the Internet; in your search engine, type the name of the publisher plus the keywords romance and publishing, and one of the first links to pop up will be the home page of that publisher's romance division.
A listing of publishers is also available on Leigh Michaels's Web site at www.leighmichaels.com.
Avalon Books: www.avalonbooks.com
Avon Books: www.avonromance.com
Ballantine/Fawcett/Ivy: www.randomhouse.com/rhpg
Bantam Dell: www.randomhouse.com/bantamdell
Barbour Publishing: www.heartsongpresents.com
BelleBooks: www.bellebooks.com
Berkley/Jove: http://us.penguingroup.com/static/html/romance/index.html
Dorchester Publishing: www.dorchesterpub.com
Ellora's Cave Publishing: www.ellorascave.com or www.cerridwenpress.com
Genesis Press: www.genesis-press.com
Harlequin Enterprises: www.eharlequin.com
Howard Books: www.howardpublishing.com
ImaJinn Books: www.imajinnbooks.com
Kensington Publishing: www.kensingtonbooks.com
Medallion Press, Inc.: www.medallionpress.com
Multnomah Publishers: www.multnomahbooks.com
New American Library (NAL): http://us.penguingroup.com/static/html/romance/index.html
Pocket Books: www.simonsays.com
Red Sage Publishing: www.redsagepub.com
St. Martin's Press/Tor/Forge: www.stmartins.com, www.tor.com/womeninfantasy
Triskelion Publishing: www.triskelionpublishing.net
Tyndale House: www.tyndale.com
Virgin Books Ltd.: www.black-lace.co.uk
Warner Books: www.twbookmark.com
appendix f
Consolidated Reading List
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes when the subject is writing, a very few well-chosen words are worth most of all. Throughout On Writing Romance, I've quoted various books and authors to illustrate points or show particular techniques.
This is the complete list of books discussed or excerpted within this text. I have included this list to make it easier for you to look up the full text and see how each author carried out her story.
Alexander, Victoria. The Marriage Lesson. Avon, 2001
Bernard, Hannah. Catch and Keep. Harlequin Duets, 2003
Bevarly, Elizabeth. You've Got Male. HQN, 2005
Beverly, Jo. The Devil's Heiress. Signet, 2001
Blair, Annette. The Kitchen Witch. Berkley Sensation, 2004
Boyle, Elizabeth. Something About Emmaline. Avon Books, 2005
Boyle, Elizabeth. This Rake of Mine. Avon Books, 2005
Braun, Jackie. In the Shelter of His Arms. Harlequin Romance, 2005
Cach, Lisa. Return to Sender. From Christmas Cards From the Edge, by Jennifer Ashley et al. Dorchester Love Spell, 2005
Castell, Dianne. A Fabulous Wedding. Harlequin American Romance, 2005
Chase, Rachelle. Out of Control. From Secrets, Vol. 13: The Best in Women's Erotic Romance, by Amber Green et al. Red Sage Secrets #13, 2005
Child, Maureen. Expecting Lonergan's Baby. Silhouette Desire, 2006
Child, Maureen. Some Kind of Wonderful. St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2004
Colter, Cara. That Old Feeling. Silhouette Romance, 2006
Cornelison, Beth. In Protective Custody. Silhouette Intimate Moments, 2006
Cornick, Nicola. The Rake's Bride. From The Love Match, by Deborah Simmons et al. Harlequin Historical, 2002
Cornick, Nicola. The Season for Suitors. From Christmas Keepsakes, by Mary Balogh et al. HQN Books, 2005
Cote, Lyn. Chloe: A Novel. Warner Faith, 2005
Cross, Claire. Double Trouble. Berkley Sensation, 2005
Cross, Claire. Third Time Lucky. Jove Books, 2000
Davidson, MaryJanice. Undead and Unemployed. Berkley Sensation, 2004
Davidson, MaryJanice. Undead and Unwed. Berkley Sensation, 2004
Delacroix, Claire. The Warrior. Warner Books, 2004
Denison, Janelle. One Wilde Weekend. From Perfect for the Beach, by Lori Foster et al. Kensington Publishers, 2004
Dunaway, Michele. Legally Tender. Harlequin American Romance, 2006
Feather, Jane. Almost a Bride. Bantam Books, 2005
Ferrarella, Marie. Dad by Choice. Harlequin Books, 2000
Fielding, Liz. The Billionaire Takes a Bride. Harlequin Romance, 2004
Fox, Roz Denny. The Secret Wedding Dress. Harlequin American Romance, 2005
Galloway, Shelley. Cinderella Christmas. Harlequin American Romance, 2005
Gibson, Rachel. See Jane Score. Avon Books, 2003
Gracie, Anne. The Virtuous Widow. From Gifts of the Season, by Miranda Jarrett et al. Harlequin Historical, 2002
Graham, Heather. Bougainvillea. From On the Edge, by Heather Graham et al. Mira, 2003
Hale, Deborah. Cupid Goes to Gretna. From The Love Match, by Deborah Simmons et al. Harlequin Historical, 2002
Hamilton, Diana. The Italian's Price. Harlequin Presents, 2006
Hardy, Kristin. Under the Mistletoe. Silhouette, 2005
Holm, Stef Ann. Girls Night. Mira, 2002
James, Arlene. Deck the Halls. Steeple Hill Love Inspired, 2005
Jarrett, Miranda. A Gift Most Rare. From Gifts of the Season, by Miranda Jarrett et al. Harlequin Historical, 2002
Kinsella, Sophie. Can You Keep a Secret? Dial Press, 2004
Kinsella, Sophie. Confessions of a Shopaholic. Delta Trade Paperbacks, 2001
Lee, Rachel. An Officer and a Gentleman. From Mistletoe Kisses, by Rachel Lee et al. Silhouette Books, 1998
Lennox, Mari
on. The Doctor's Rescue Mission. Harlequin Medical Romance, 2005
Macomber, Debbie. Thursdays at Eight. Mira, 2001
Markham, Wendy. The Nine Month Plan. Warner Forever, 2005
Marr, Patt. Promise of Forever. Steeple Hill Love Inspired, 2006
Marton, Sandra. Captive in His Bed. Harlequin Presents Uncut, 2006
Marton, Sandra. The Desert Virgin. Harlequin Presents Uncut, 2006
McCusker, Penny. Noah and the Stork. Harlequin American Romance, 2005
Michaels, Leigh. The Corporate Marriage Campaign. Harlequin Romance, 2005
Michaels, Leigh. The Daddy Trap. Harlequin Romance, 1996
Michaels, Leigh. The Husband Sweepstake. Harlequin Romance, 2004
Michaels, Leigh. Maybe Married. Harlequin Romance, 2003
Michaels, Leigh. Promise Me Tomorrow. Harlequin Romance, 1991
Michaels, Lynn. Mother of the Bride. Ballantine, 2002
Michaels, Tanya. The Maid of Dishonor. Harlequin Duets, 2003
Monroe, Lucy. The Greek's Innocent Virgin. Harlequin Presents, 2005
Phillips, Susan Elizabeth. First Lady. Avon Books, 2000
Quinn, Julia. The Viscount Who Loved Me. Avon Books, 2000
Quinn, Julia. When He Was Wicked. Avon Books, 2004
Rustand, Roxanne. A Montana Family. Harlequin Superromance, 2001
Rustand, Roxanne. Almost a Family. Harlequin Superromance, 2005
Rustand, Roxanne. Operation: Second Chance. Harlequin Superromance, 2004
Ryan, Sydney. High-Heeled Alibi. Harlequin Intrigue, 2006
Sala, Sharon. Capsized. From On the Edge by Heather Graham et al. Mira, 2003
Thayne, Raeanne. Dalton's Undoing. Silhouette Special Edition, 2006
Weston, Sophie. In the Arms of the Sheikh. Harlequin Romance, 2006
Woods, Sherryl. The Backup Plan. Mira, 2005
For further reading about romance novels, I recommend:
Dixon, jay. Romantic Fiction of Mills & Boon, 1909-1995. UCL Press, 1999
Krentz, Jayne Ann (ed). Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal of the Romance. University of Pennsylvania Press, 1992
Grescoe, Paul. Merchants of Venus: Inside Harlequin and the Empire of Romance. Raincoast Books, 1996
Table of Contents
Cover Page
Title Page
Copyright
about the author
acknowledgments
Contents
Preface
Getting Ready to Write
Studying the Romance Novel
Selecting and Researching Your Story
Establishing Your Framework
Essential Elements
Hero and Heroine
Conflict
Relationships and Resolutions
Writing Your Romance Novel
Starting to Write Your Story
Putting Your Story on Paper
Populating Your Romance Novel
Creating Sexual Tension and Love Scenes
Using Point of View
Writing Dialogue and Introspection
INTROSPECTION
Building a Believable Plot
Bringing It All Together
Submitting Your Romance Novel
Revising Your Manuscript
Marketing Your Romance Novel
Appendices and References
appendix a
appendix b
appendix c
appendix d
appendix e
appendix f