By Brenda Chin, Senior Editor, Harlequin Blaze
I’ve heard that Harlequin’s oft-quoted motto, “We Build Careers” is one of the main reasons people are attracted to category romance. After all, publishing is a crazy business (and getting wilder by the minute!) and new writers appreciate knowing that they’re not in this alone, that they have someone on their side who is actively working to build them, to make them the best they can be.
At Harlequin, we take new writers seriously. After all, they’re our stars of tomorrow.
I often compare my job as an editor to that of a coach. First of all, I’m always on the lookout for new talent, the most engaging voices, the most gifted storytellers. Once I’ve found that author, I work with her on every synopsis, proposal and book to make the most of her strengths, to find ways to get around or eliminate her weaknesses, to help her achieve everything she’s ever dreamed of. And like any coach, in the end, I just hope I’ll be able to afford to keep her. 
So how do the editors go about building these authors? In my experience, getting the skills nailed down is the imperative first step. And like any good coach, I keep my authors challenged, never letting them get too comfortable, always looking for ways to push them just a little further….
Basically, I just like to keep my Blaze Babes guessing—
First books are tough, and I make it a point to work closely with the author on every stage of her debut experience—revisions (even if it’s more than one round), edits, galleys, etc. Before the first book is in production, I like to have the author plotting out the next one. That way, the writer can avoid second book syndrome. (Read more on that in Laura Barth’s blog from Day 2 — “Second Book-itis”.)
Once an author has a few books under her belt, I start adding building blocks, new challenges that will inspire the author to grow, and build her confidence at the same time.
For example, this is the route I took with one of my newer authors. This writer had won all kinds of contests before selling, so her skill level was pretty high and her voice was phenomenal. After her first book, we did another story that linked to the first (Learning—creating continuity). Then she contributed to a few theme-based miniseries (Learning—writing to concept). Then we decided to play around with length. She went from writing a 60,000 word Blaze to a 30,000 word novella, then a 20,000 word novella, and finally a 10,000 word on-line read (these can be tough—there’s a definite art to them. Watch for more on this on Day 5 in the blog “Writing Short Fiction”). Just recently, she finished up her first trilogy, which is nowhere as easy as it looks.
I can honestly say this author learned something with every book she’s written for me. And that is critical. Any one of my authors will tell you that their greatest challenge—and greatest satisfaction—comes from making sure that each book is better than the last.
Once you’ve got the skills down, you can do anything! Have you ever noticed how many authors who started with Harlequin are still around, stronger than ever? Two of my authors have gone on to have New York Times success, and they’re holding on to it, even in a very competitive market. That’s because they’ve got the goods. They know how to write an unforgettable, compelling story that people will want to read over and over again. They’ll take that skill with them wherever they go. As an editor (and a coach), that fills me with enormous pride.
Harlequin is very good at building authors within other areas of the company, as well. Once a writer is established in series, all kinds of opportunities open up to her. It might be that she’s given the chance to do an on-line read on Harlequin.com which links to one of her series books. She might be offered the chance to write a story for a continuity series (such as Montana Mavericks). She could be asked to contribute to Harlequin’s anthology program, or have her backlist chosen for a special Direct to Consumer or ebook event. She might even have the honor of writing a story for More Than Words, Harlequin’s philanthropy project.
A successful Harlequin author has an inside track on anything she wants to try—other series, anthologies or Single Title programs like Mira and HQN. And the best part? The author is never alone. Her editor is with her, every step of the way, guiding and encouraging.
In the end, the main recognition an editor gets is through her authors. I know I’ve been extremely lucky with mine over the years. And I’m not alone. Each and every editor at Harlequin is building his/her reputation with every author they buy.
It’s in our best interest to make you a star. Are you up for it?
Wow – if I’m not up for it now I’d LOVE to be! It’s amazing the way a good editor can really help build a writer the way you’ve described. Editors to me have always seemed like gods – so it’s great to think of someday having one in my corner.
Wow. It’s so great to hear how much you help your authors. That’s something I’ve always wondered about when it comes to publishing. How do things work once the first book is published? I love that you and other Harlequin editors nurture your writers. That makes me want to be a part of it even more.
I guess you can look at it this way too – if your authors are successful you are successful. And sometimes that makes you feel better than if it was just you doing something.
Now Tammy, you’ve got me blushing. Trust me, we’re nothing like gods. Think of us, instead, as just really opinionated, bossy readers.
And thanks for commenting Trisha. And yes, we look after our own. On the other hand, I know it goes both ways. Personally, my guys guard me better than Fort Knox.
Hi Brenda! Loved the coach comparison you made to being an editor. I’m up for having a great editor pushing me to do my best, that’s for sure.
Harlequin’s editors rock. Seriously! They are some of the best “opinionated, bossy readers” in the business
Brenda is my editor (and yes, she walked me through all those building blocks, alternating between holding my hand and shoving me off the cliff… when she knew I was ready *g*) and she’s right, with every book, I’ve learned more. I’ve become a much stronger writer because of that.
I wish everyone tons of luck selling here, because there is nothing like having a coach/cheerleader/tough love advocate in your corner. As long as you are willing to learn and grow and push yourself, they are there to make it happen.
Great post, Brenda. I loved your coach comparison. I do the same thing at work and after 17 years of practicing law, I’m so proud to see some of the young attorneys I trained really succeeding and taking risks with their skills.
And . . . I’m working everyday to be up for it! ; )
Robin
Thanks for all the great comments. I find the coach comparison really works for me. I was the worst tomboy in the neighborhood and had the benefit of some wonderful coaches…including my dad, who taught me how to do a hook slide, cleats up. (It’s a baseball term. Dad always said, if you can’t beat them, hurt them.
And Tawny, thanks for claiming me.
I hope you’re all enjoying the week. Don’t forget to take advantage of the challenge of the day. And good luck.
I think this article has been the most encouraging one of them all! I can write (journalistically), but this affirms that romance novel writing is an acquired skill learned through mentoring. That encourages me because, this is a contest that I’d love to win. But, the likelihood of that is slim, so I was thinking of abandoning hope and effort. I couldn’t imagine reaching the necessary heights of skill by Dec 12th. How do I get to a place where an editor helps me to build a career? If I thought someone would work with me, I would be more than delighted to try to build a career! (btw, I think I’m right for Love Inspired, after reading books in several categories). Any input on this comment would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Hi Evelyn. I’m glad you liked what I had to say.
I know that finding a mentor can be really tough. And finding the wrong one can be disastrous. I’m afraid the best suggestion I can give you is to join your local Romance Writers of America chapter. It’s a fantastic organization and often offers some sort of mentorship. Other than that, you might want to look at entering contests where Love Inspired editors are the judges. If your work catches their interest, they will work with you, even before they contract your book. And the LI editors are great (and I’m not just saying that because Melissa likes Blaze
).
Does that help?
Brenda
Evelyn-
In case you check back, just want to remind you that we’ve bought 40-50 books BEFORE this contest this year! And we’ll be continuing to buy more books every day and every month of next year. So the contest is a great chance to get noticed in a quick fashion, as Brenda says, we’re also in it for the long career, and if your book isn’t ready until next April, then take the lessons learned about the query and synopsis and send it in then. Or in next year’s contest!