Romance is not Dead

Of course it's not, at least not in the world of books. Romantic novels are still one of the most popular genres of fiction - from the classic Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte stories to the most ultra-modern Mills and Boon.

So for all those budding romance writers out there, Mills and Boon are running a competition to find a new romantic novelist (thanks for the link, Michael). It's called New Voices, as they are wanting to find a brilliant unpublished novelist.

You don't have long to get started. The contest runs between 6th September and 30th October and there are various stages of submission and judging which are outlined in their website.

Full details from Mills and Boon.

Good luck,
Rosemary

The Beauty of Blogging

Do you have a blog of any kind? Or perhaps you just read other people's blogs when something of interest catches your eye. I love blogging, even if it's sporadic, because it's a great way of sharing information and gathering new tips about the writing world. Of course, there are blogs that are pure entertainment in between the useful bits - a certain Mr Malone of May Contain Nuts comes to mind.

Anyway, most blogs have this list down the side called (unsurprisingly) My Blog List. It highlights the other blogs that person follows and shows any updated entries. And it's a great way to find interesting blogs you never knew existed. I've finally come across agent Rachelle Gardner's blog and I'm bringing attention to it here. It is seriously good, full of information, and a must for anyone looking for an agent or publisher. Even if she doesn't look at the type of books you write, you'll still get the inside story on that side of the business, and occasional posts from other authors. Even better, she gives her full submission details on the blog.

Check it out at Rachelle Gardner Literary Agent. The link will take you straight to her post on what she is looking for in her Rants & Ramblings blog.

Rosemary

Novel Competition for Inspirational Romance

Rose & Crown Inspirational Romance publisher is running a New Novel Competition and the deadline has been extended to 31st October 2010. The novel can be between 40,000 and 150,00 words, but it must be a Christian Inspirational Romance to suit their guidelines. This is a UK publisher.


As might be expected, this is an imprint for the type of romance that absolutely does not go anywhere near the bedroom door! That aside, it can be set in any period and they cover most genres, apart from sci-fi, gothic and horror. Although at least one of the characters must practise the Christian faith, the novel does not have to be overtly Christian. And romance must be pivotal to the story.

At least it’s a different type of novel competition! Full details are on the Rose & Crown website for anyone interested.

Rosemary

First Novel Success!

Well, it has happened at last - I've had my first book accepted! My Regency novel, Dangerous Deceit, is being published by the Canadian company, Champagne Books. I'm absolutely thrilled as this was my very first novel and I've been trying to find the right publisher for years. But not as diligently as I might have been, since I'm also writing contemporary women's fiction and children's novels, in addition to short stories and articles. Now, however, I'm keen to write more historical romance and perhaps build a different personna (and eventually blog) for that type of writing. The company has already expressed their hope that we'll have a long and happy relationship. And I do too!

So, interesting question: do I spread myself around too much, or is it beneficial to have a finger in so many pies? I guess it depends on the writer's nature. I need the variety to stop me being bored, and because I love writing in very different areas. However, maybe novel success comes a little quicker if a writer concentrates on one book at a time and puts everything into selling it.

I don't have answers, as we are all different. But, already, this first novel success has made me want to develop the longer fiction so that another novel might be taken by a UK mainstream publisher. I guess every bit of success is encouragement to keep going!

I'll post the cover art, and more details, once they're available.

Meantime, I'm coming back down to earth.
Rosemary

Link to New My Weekly Guidelines

The My Weekly guidelines for October/November/December are hot off the press. All the details can be found on the Womagwriter blog.

Rosemary

Haiti - six months after the earthquake

Monday, 12th July 2010 was exactly six months since the Haiti earthquake. So far, sales of 100 Stories for Haiti has managed to raise about £3000 for the Red Cross.

The devastation on the island is far from over. If anyone would still like to contribute by buying the paperback, e-book, or audiobook, please check out the website.

You can also listen to the podcast.

Thank you,
Rosemary

Woman's Weekly - Link to Updates

The excellent womagwriterblog has some updated guidelines for Woman's Weekly. Please note that they only take emailed submissions from regular contributors. I received the ordinary guidelines which state that submissions should be sent to: Fiction Department, Woman's Weekly, IPC Media, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU.

Rosemary