1337451744
1330573410
May 19, 2012, 6:22 pm
1337451744

SYTYCW winner

Posted on March 1, 2012

Today, Harlequin, one of the world’s leading publishers of books for women, added a compelling epilogue to its tremendously popular So You Think You Can Write event by announcing Katrina Williams of Allen, Texas, as the winner of its unpublished author competition and awarding the Dallas-area resident with her very first publishing contract.

Ms. Williams, an avid Harlequin reader, impressed a judging panel comprised of Harlequin editors with her manuscript entitled The Divorce Deal. “I loved Katrina’s hero,” said Stacy Boyd, senior editor for Harlequin Desire. “But what really made her book stand out was her unique, fresh voice. I’m very excited to be working with her on her winning manuscript.” Ms. Williams has since sold a second book to Harlequin and begun to establish a permanent career as a professional author.

So You Think You Can Write is Harlequin’s annual digital conference offering aspiring novelists the opportunity to spend an entire working week with more than 50 Harlequin editors via social media tools such as podcasts, videos, webinars, blog posts, community discussions and Twitter.

Participants have the opportunity to learn valuable insider tips and have their writing samples critiqued by professional editors. The event, which ran from November 7 – 11, 2011, drew more than 17,000 unique visitors to the site. Ms. Williams’ manuscript was selected from 175 submissions.

“This is the culmination of a dream I’ve had since third grade,” said Ms. Williams. Asked to describe her reaction when she received “The Call” informing her she had won the contest, she replied, “I believe I hyperventilated. I know I cried. Just because I wanted to write for Harlequin didn’t mean I was good enough. Winning provided that validation. I honestly would have been happy being one of the finalists, but winning is just…wow.”

In fact, the judging panel was so impressed with the quality of submissions that they have expressed interest in manuscripts by a further five contestants. “We knew we would award one deserving participant with a contract but were delighted to read publishable manuscripts by so many other contestants,” said Kathleen Scheibling, Senior Editor of Harlequin American Romance and the organizer of this year’s contest. “We are thrilled that participants in the inaugural So You Think You Can Write conference, in 2010, took advantage of the expert advice and tips from Harlequin editors. The quality of this year’s entries tells us that So You Think You Can Write is achieving its goal of helping young romance novelists get started on the path to publication.”

Ms. Williams’ winning manuscript, The Divorce Deal, will be published as a Harlequin Desire novel in February 2013. Its release will be accompanied by promotions and a front cover design declaring it as a So You Think You Can Write winner.

So You Think You Can Write will return for its third conference and contest in the latter half of 2012.

Posted in Blogs | 5 Comments

Yes, You Should Have Margins by Shana Smith

Posted on November 11, 2011

To double space, or not to double space? That is the question, among many others, that you may be asking yourself about the formatting of your manuscript as you prepare to send it off to an editor. Here’s the basic rule of thumb to follow—make your manuscript as easy to read as possible. Editors see hundreds of submissions, and sadly, our eyes may not work as well as they used to. Give us a break and use legible fonts (ones with serifs—they’re the “feet” on the bottoms of letters—like Times New Roman or Courier, are easiest on the eyes) in a standard, but reasonable point size (12 pt. type is usually good), and by all means, yes, double space.

Posted in Blogs | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Mailing It Off

Posted on November 11, 2011

A little while back, I wrote a blog post on how to make a great impression on an editor or agent before s/he opens the envelope on your submission. (If you missed it the first time around, you can find that post here). So now let’s assume that you read my brilliant and insightful post, and have followed my advice to the letter. You know just how much tape to use to protect the manuscript without provoking the editor, and your envelope is prepped and ready with your name and return address clearly and legibly displayed and the address on the envelope directing your submission to precisely the right person for the exact line that you wish to target. Good job! Your envelope is ready to make a good impression—but what about the rest of your submission? A new hurdle looms on the horizon. And that hurdle is called…your cover letter.

Writing a cover letter is a little like getting dressed for a blind date. Making the right choices can be key to winning someone over…but what’s the best route to take? What blouse can you choose that says “I’m funny, charming, and make a killer apple pie”? You don’t even know this guy—how can you guess what he’ll like or hate? You can spend three hours getting your hair, makeup and outfit just right and there’s still always the chance that he’ll be allergic to your perfume, or have an unnatural aversion to the color of your favorite sweater.

Here’s the simple truth: there’s no hard-and-fast rule about what makes a good cover letter. But there are some things you can keep in mind. As someone who reads a lot of cover letters, there are definitely things that I’d like to see. So here’s my two cents (or rather, three hints) on ways to help your cover letter shine.

  1. Cover the basics:

    Writing your cover letter may be like prepping for a blind date, but receiving it? Well, it’s kind of like speed dating, especially when I first open it and am skimming for what I need to know to file it properly in one of my to-be-read piles. Help me out here, and start the letter with some key facts: word count, time period (if it’s a historical novel), some of the main “hooks” of your story (also known as the selling points—things like “reunion romance” or “secret baby” or “hero bodyguard”). Also be sure to let me know that the manuscript is complete. (I’m afraid I can’t review works-in-progress. Finish it first, and then decide whether or not to submit it.) All of this is very useful information for me to have by the end of the first paragraph. And what I want to know most? The title! You’d be surprised how often I get cover letters where the book’s title isn’t mentioned at all.

  2. If you know it, show it!:

    You’re a smart and savvy writer, right? That’s why you’re reading these posts, learning about the wonderful, diverse range Harlequin covers. It’s a great move on your part—you’re putting yourself ahead of the pack by learning about our different lines, the requirements that we have, and the types of stories we want. So once you’ve gathered all of this useful information, use it in your cover letter! You’re sure your book is perfect for Desire? Prove it to us by stating explicitly how your story fits the requirements of a hot alpha hero in passion-driven conflict with your strong, sexy heroine. Or maybe you’re submitting a Love Inspired story for consideration? Be sure to note how your sweet-rather-than-sensual romance grows as the hero and heroine face challenges together and achieve happiness in a realistic but still faith-driven manner. You’re the advocate for your book, so make your case to us—show us in your cover letter that you know what we’re looking for, and that you have it, ready to deliver.

  3. Toot your own horn—especially if your hero’s a trumpet player:

    The information describing your story (word count, title, plot, line suitability) definitely needs to come first, but when you get to the end of your letter, leave room for a little bragging. Has this story won awards from your local writers’ organization? Have you won awards—or maybe landed on a bestseller list—for any other books you’ve written? Or perhaps you have personal knowledge or experience that enhances this particular story? If you’re writing a story with a special forces hero/heroine and you served in the military for fifteen years, then that’s great information for us to know. But please keep it professional and related to this project—your personal bio may be fascinating, but if you’re selling me on your book, then that’s where your focus should be.

There aren’t any guarantees in life, but by following these tips, you stand a much better chance of getting a second date—or at least a letter from an editor to say something other than that s/he’s just not that into you. And as with dating, even if one guy falls short of the mark, don’t let that stop you! Believe in yourself, believe in your story, and keep trying. If I’ve learned anything from working at Harlequin, it’s that happily-ever-after—in romance or otherwise—could be waiting around any corner. Keep your chin up and your eyes open, and let me know if my hints have helped you find your way!

Posted in Blogs | Tagged | 45 Comments