On Writing Romance

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On Writing Romance Page 35

by Leigh Michaels


  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 [email protected]

  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

 

 

 


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