Through out the year, Harlequin has been doing a number of editorial podcasts. These give real insight into the editing of the different series. The current podcast is for the series that is closest to my heart -- Harlequin Historical. In it, Linda Fildew and Joann Carr discuss what they are looking for in a submission, which time periods are most popular, and how certain themes work better in certain periods. It is an absolute masterclass in how to write a HH, or indeed any hisotrical romance. It lasts about 35 minutes. As I listened (and yes, I know I should have been revising) I found ideas started pinging and several things that were said helped to crystallise points in the Governess one.
Now I just have to make sure that my Vikings rampage enough...
Showing posts with label editor interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label editor interview. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
HH Editors at Romance Vagabonds
In case anyone was wondering about the current state of play at HH, both Linda Fildew, sr editor and Joanne Carr, editor answered questions over at Romance Vagabonds yesterday. There were very detailed answers on what is happening at HH and what they are looking for. If anyone is interested in the line, then they should read the editors' precise words.
The biggest thing is that the appetite for Georgian/Regency/Victorian popularity shows no sign of abating and while people at conferences/on blogs etc say that they want other time periods, the sales do not match the sales of Regency. However, they are going to continue to offer other time period.
Westerns consistently finish in the top half of sales in the NA market , according to Linda Fildew. Westerns are available on UK direct and sporadically in other overseas markets. Frontier stories resonate more with the reader of historical Westerns than urban set ones.
In other words, HH are very comfortable with the mix at the moment. The editors did highlight the move towards sexier historicals. But Joanne Carr also pointed out that they have always offered a range of sexuality and will continue to do so. It is just that they are highlighting the super sexy with the Undone miniseries label.
Linda F doesn't usually appear on blogs and so it was tremendously exciting to see her there. I thought she did a wonderful job.
In other news:
Smart Bitches has reported that Cassie Edwards and Signet have parted ways due to editorial differences and Signet will no longer be publishing her or her backlist and have returned rights to Ms Edwards. The announcement says it all really.
The basic lesson here is to not be sloppy when writing. Do not directly quote and make sure that everything is done through the filter of your character's POV. You have the right to use facts but they must be expressed in your own words. It is also impossible to unknowingly channel another writer to the extent that you are plagiarising. Therefore, keep to your own voice. Express the ideas in your own words. No one owns ideas, just the way they are expressed. Your voice is unique to you so make sure you use it.
Acknowledging sources is a good idea -- either at the front of a book or with an author's note at the back. Personally I love author's notes and am pleased when I get to do them. And I also list all my major sources on my shelfari page. Then I love research. But when I put it in my books, it is always through the filter of my characters.
The biggest thing is that the appetite for Georgian/Regency/Victorian popularity shows no sign of abating and while people at conferences/on blogs etc say that they want other time periods, the sales do not match the sales of Regency. However, they are going to continue to offer other time period.
Westerns consistently finish in the top half of sales in the NA market , according to Linda Fildew. Westerns are available on UK direct and sporadically in other overseas markets. Frontier stories resonate more with the reader of historical Westerns than urban set ones.
In other words, HH are very comfortable with the mix at the moment. The editors did highlight the move towards sexier historicals. But Joanne Carr also pointed out that they have always offered a range of sexuality and will continue to do so. It is just that they are highlighting the super sexy with the Undone miniseries label.
Linda F doesn't usually appear on blogs and so it was tremendously exciting to see her there. I thought she did a wonderful job.
In other news:
Smart Bitches has reported that Cassie Edwards and Signet have parted ways due to editorial differences and Signet will no longer be publishing her or her backlist and have returned rights to Ms Edwards. The announcement says it all really.
The basic lesson here is to not be sloppy when writing. Do not directly quote and make sure that everything is done through the filter of your character's POV. You have the right to use facts but they must be expressed in your own words. It is also impossible to unknowingly channel another writer to the extent that you are plagiarising. Therefore, keep to your own voice. Express the ideas in your own words. No one owns ideas, just the way they are expressed. Your voice is unique to you so make sure you use it.
Acknowledging sources is a good idea -- either at the front of a book or with an author's note at the back. Personally I love author's notes and am pleased when I get to do them. And I also list all my major sources on my shelfari page. Then I love research. But when I put it in my books, it is always through the filter of my characters.
Friday, March 28, 2008
A Four star review from the RomanticTimes
The very lovely Michelle Willingham passed along the information that The Romantic Times has given Taken by the Viking a four star review in its May issue.
I breathed a sigh of relief when I read the review. The synopsis was correct. And Taken was rated hot. In other words, I had managed to hold the reviewer's attention.
I have been working on the lushness of my sensual scenes, particularly since The Roman's Virgin Mistress was only rated mild...And I do like a lush sensual scene...And it was/is more a matter of me improving and working on that in order to get the reader to have a great experience.
There again, I do think I am still improving in other areas as well. It is part of the wonderful mystery of the medium. I also like Twyla Tharp's imagery of the clock face, and how you work on polishing different things, then you get back to the top and start polishing again.
The key take away line in the review was Styles' descriptive writing and jump-off-the-pages characters shine in this awesome story. It is really wonderful when a reader thinks that and I am so pleased the story worked for her.
It is also an added boost as I am currently working on my third Viking and want this one to be every bit as good, if not better. It is also a reminder for me to focus and to make sure the read is good. Ultimately, the thing that is important is providing a good quality read and I am so pleased that the reviewer enjoyed Taken.
For those of you who are interested in such things, Michelle Willingham has an in depth interview with Harlequin Historical editor, Joanne Carr up on her blog. It makes for fascinating reading.
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