February 2012 Issue
February Issue
Writer's Digest Magazine
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Romance
Developing the Hook in a Query Letter
Sometimes you only have seconds for your query to catch interest, and a great opening line can do that. We, as authors, try so hard to summarize our entire book, instead of just picking out the one or two elements that make our book unique, that I think we get lost when trying to do something like this. But practice will make it easier for you, and I hope the following ideas will help.
CRAFT A TAGLINE: Taglines are the one or two lines that are often on the front of a book cover. They are another way for publishers to draw the interest of a reader to your book. For example, the tagline on the cover of my December 2010 release, Beneath the Thirteen Moons. is “She never believed in fairy tales … until she found a prince…” Read more
How I Got My Agent: Anita Clenney
“How I Got My Agent” is a recurring feature on the GLA blog. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks, while others are of good luck and quick signings. If you have a literary agent and would be interested in writing a short guest column for this GLA blog, e-mail me at literaryagent@fwmedia.com and we’ll talk specifics.
Anita Clenney spends her days writing mysteries and paranormal romantic suspense about Secret Warriors, Ancient Evil and Destined Love. Her latest book is Awaken the Highland Warrior, a book the Romantic Times Book Reviews called “A romantic adventure that’s hard to resist.” Read more
How Deadlines Can Help Your Writing
As a mom with a full-time job, I’ve always had to squeeze time out of my busy schedule for writing. I’ve been writing steadily for more than 15 years, but for the first few years it was hit and miss, a little writing here, a little writing there. No pressure or time constraints and no real goals, other than to finish the manuscript I was working on … at some point.
Guest column by Lexi George, appellate lawyer by day and a romance writer by night. Her debut, Demon Hunting in Dixie. Read more
New Agent Alert: Jessica Alvarez of BookEnds, LLC
Reminder: Newer agents are golden opportunities for new writers because they’re likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you’re just wasting time and postage.
She is seeking: women’s fiction, erotica, urban fantasy/paranormal, romantic suspense, and single title and category romance submissions. Read more
New Agent Alert: Saritza Hernandez of L. Perkins Agency
Reminder: Newer agents are golden opportunities for new writers because they’re likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you’re just wasting time and postage.
She is seeking: Saritza represents both new and established authors and is currently looking for strong erotic romance in the following sub-genres: Paranormal, sci-fi, steampunk, cyberpunk, fantasy, BDSM, historical (emphasis on Ancient Egypt, Caribbean/MesoAmerican), intercultural and all GLBT-themed erotica for the digital marketplace. Read more
E-Publishing and the Entrepreneurial Author
These days, breaking in to publishing is a decidedly different landscape than it was even just a few years ago. While mainstream print publishing is still going, many authors have cast their eyes toward the New World of digital (or digital-first) publishing. It’s wild, yet exciting, territory with unique challenges that easily rival those of “traditional” publishing. Who wouldn’t want to carve out a slice of it for herself?
Heather Massey searches for sci-fi romance adventures aboard her blog, The Galaxy Express. Read more
7 Things I’ve Learned So Far, by Delilah Marvelle
This is a recurring column I’m calling “7 Things I’ve Learned So Far,” where writers at any stage of their career can talk about seven things they’ve learned along their writing journey that they wish they knew at the beginning. This installment is from writer Delilah Marvelle.
Delilah Marvelle is the author of The Perfect Scandal (Feb. 2011, HQN) as well as four other romances. She was a naughty child who was forever torturing her parents with adventures that they did not deem respectable. Read more
7 Things I’ve Learned So Far, by Leslie Tentler
This is a recurring column I’m calling “7 Things I’ve Learned So Far,” where writers at any stage of their career can talk about seven things they’ve learned along their writing journey that they wish they knew at the beginning. This installment is from writer Leslie Tentler.
Leslie Tentler is the author of Midnight Caller (Jan. 2011, Mira Books). The book is part of a trilogy of romantic thrillers built around a fictional unit of the FBI. Read more
How I Got My Agent: Ashlyn Chase
“How I Got My Agent” is a recurring feature on the GLA blog. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks, while others are of good luck and quick signings. If you have a literary agent and would be interested in writing a short guest column for this GLA blog, e-mail me at literaryagent@fwmedia.com and we’ll talk specifics.
Ashlyn Chase is the author of The Werewolf Upstairs (Feb. 2011, Sourcebooks). She is a multi-published, award-winning author of humorous erotic romances. Read more
Agent Advice: Louise Fury of L. Perkins Associates
This installment features Louise Fury, of L. Perkins Associates.
She is seeking: High-concept young adult fiction and fun, imaginative, and engaging middle grade fiction–-think humor, adventure and mystery. The characters must be authentic and original. Louise really loves historical (especially Regency and Victorian), paranormal, steampunk romance, mystery and epic horror. She’s passionate about connecting with South African authors–anything about South Africa, or by a South African author is on her wish list. In nonfiction, she is looking for pop culture, humor, gift books and witty memoirs. Read more
Agent Advice: Kelly Mortimer of Mortimer Literary Agency
This installment features Kelly Mortimer of Mortimer Literary Agency. The founder and president of the Christian Media Association, she has received the 2008 American Christian Fiction Writers “Agent of the Year” award as well as a spot in 2008’s Top Five on the Publisher’s Marketplace list of “Top 100 Dealmakers” in the romance category.
She is seeking: contemporary romance, contemporary inspirational romance, mainstream fiction, paranormal, comedy, thrillers/suspense, young adult, and has eclectic tastes in nonfiction. Read more
How I Got My Agent: Vicky Dreiling
“How I Got My Agent” is a recurring feature on the GLA blog. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks, while others are of good luck and quick signings. If you have a literary agent and would be interested in writing a short guest column for this GLA blog, e-mail me at literaryagent@fwmedia.com and we’ll talk specifics.
Vicky Dreiling writes hysterical Regency romance. Her debut, How to Marry a Duke, will be on shelves in January 2011. Read more
Agent Advice: Marlene Stringer of The Stringer Literary Agency
This installment features Marlene Stringer of The Stringer Literary Agency.
She is seeking: Fiction interests include mystery, thrillers, contemporary and urban fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, women’s fiction, romance, and YA/teen. Nonfiction interests include history, military history, parenting, music, sports, and science. Read more
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Writing Erotica (But Were Afraid to Ask)
As an erotica author, I’ve found that many people have preconceived notions about the art of writing erotica and erotic romance. Before I became well versed in writing the genre, I had misconceptions of my own, and that led to much trial and error as I worked to refine my craft and learn how better to please my audience. Following are 10 tips I’ve accrued for those curious about writing erotica.
Lisa Lane is an eclectic writer who works in multiple genres and formats; she writes novels, original screenplays, short stories and essays. Four of her erotica novels and six erotic romance short stories are published through Ravenous Romance. Read more
Footnotes: 5 Articles on Romance Writing
“You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you. And we edit to let the fire show through the smoke.” ~Arthur Polotnik Footnotes is a recurring … Read more
Agent Scott Eagan on Romance vs. Women’s Fiction
When I first opened Greyhaus Literary Agency in 2003, I decided to focus simply on romance and women’s fiction. Since that time, I honestly don’t know how many times I have been asked “What is the difference between romance and women’s fiction?” It seems that, in my humble opinion, the line has really been blurred between these two genres. There is fiction with romantic elements. There is literary fiction told from a female perspective … the list goes on and on. Read more
Agent Advice: Lori Perkins of L. Perkins Agency
This installment features Lori Perkins, founder of the L. Perkins Agency. Lori graduated from NYU with a B.A. in art history and journalism.
She seeks: horror, social science fiction, dark fantasy, dark literary novels and erotica. In nonfiction, she handles books about pop culture (music, art, film, TV, etc) and she is also interested in architecture and design. Read more
How I Got My Agent: A.C. Arthur
“How I Got My Agent” is a recurring feature on the GLA blog. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks, while others are of good luck and quick signings. If you have a literary agent and would be interested in writing a short guest column for this GLA blog, e-mail me at literaryagent@fwmedia.com and we’ll talk specifics.
A.C. Arthur (who also writes under the name Artist Arthur) has more than a dozen romances published in several series. Read more
Should You Start With Plot or Character(s)?
Whether plot or character comes first when composing a novel is sort of like the chicken and egg thing. It greatly depends on the author’s point of view. Plot and character are so entwined that it’s often hard to even separate the two. Like all elements of a novel-dialogue, exposition, description, pacing-plot and character are woven throughout. I think writing can be compared to weaving, where the threads are blurred within the composition of the overall pattern.
Guest blog by Kathryne Kennedy, author of the Relics of Merlin series; she is best known for her historical paranormal romances. She has also written a fantasy romance and a new Victorian historical romance, titled My Unfair Lady. Read more
Successful Queries: Agent Kristin Nelson and ‘Proof by Seduction’
This new series is called “Successful Queries” and I’m posting actual query letters that succeeded in getting writers signed with agents. In addition to posting the actual query letter, we will also get to hear thoughts from the agent as to why the letter worked.
The 22nd installment in this series is with agent Kristin Nelson (Nelson Literary) and her author, Courtney Milan, for her book, Proof by Seduction, a historical romance. Read more
Page 1: How to Start Your Romance Novel
Page One: Where to Start
You should be able to convincingly answer the question, Why does page one pick up the story at the moment it does? The best beginnings show—within the first few pages or even paragraphs—the main characters under pressure and facing a challenge, a change in circumstances, or a threat that will significantly alter the rest of her life.
1. Start with one of your two main characters. Readers expect the first character they meet in the story to be either the hero or the heroine (and most often it is the heroine), and they’re immediately prepared to care about this person. Read more
Agent Elaine Spencer Talks Queries
Elaine Spencer joined The Knight Agency in September, 2005. Elaine belongs to the Association of Authors’ Representatives (AAR) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). She is actively building her client list, and is currently accepting submissions of the following types of books: commercial literary fiction, women’s fiction, contemporary romance, historical romance, romantic suspense, high-concept paranormal fiction, young adult and middle grade fiction, and select pop-cultural nonfiction. Read more
How I Got My Agent: Kate Douglas
“How I Got My Agent” is a recurring feature on the GLA blog. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks, while others are of good luck and quick signings. If you have a literary agent and would be interested in writing a short guest column for this GLA blog, e-mail me at literaryagent@fwmedia.com and we’ll talk specifics.
Kate Douglas, who writes many romance titles. Demonfire comes out in March and is her newest line. Read more
Agent Advice: Lucienne Diver of The Knight Agency
This installment features Lucienne Diver of The Knight Agency. Lucienne joined The Knight Agency in 2008, after spending fifteen years at Spectrum Literary Agency. She has sold more than 600 titles to every major publisher and has built a client list of more than 40 authors spanning the commercial fiction genres. Her authors have been honored with the RITA, National Readers’ Choice Award, the Golden Heart, and the Romantic Times Reader’s Choice and have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. She is also a writer, having recently published a YA book, Vamped.
She is looking for: fantasy, science fiction, romance, mystery, suspense, erotica, and young adult lit. Read more
Query With Only Five Chapters Finished?
Q. I have almost 5 chapters done of a romance novel. Is it too soon for me to try to find an agent? If not, can you please advise me as to … Read more