Edition #197 October 2009 The official journal of Romance Writers of Australia
Coffs Harbour, NSW R♥BY Winners Setting...... p4 Marion Lennox / MarionMarion LennoxLennox Trish Morey Cont... p6
Writer’s Life: Writing && TrishTrish MoreyMorey with Babies...... p8 Bronwyn Jameson chats with two of RWA’s best-loved Har- lequin authors, Marion Lennox and Trish Morey, winners of Clayton’s Conf .... p9 2009 Romantic Book of the Year (R♥BY) Awards in the Short Sweet and Short Sexy categories respectively. Our RWA: The Emerald Marion Lennox has been writing romance since she was knee Award ...... p10 high to a grasshopper, which anyone who's met Marion will real- ize was quite some time ago. She's just sold her eightieth ro- Brisbane Conference mance, but continues with the belief that she has the best job in Report ...... p11 the universe. Marion's been nominated for the R♥BY every year since its inception and is now a two-time winner. She's won the Member prestigious US RITA award twice as well. Her books are fun, Spotlight ...... p12 lighthearted celebrations of the human spirit and the power of romance to conquer all, and her latest US release more than proves that after 2 weeks as #1 Series Bestseller on the Borders/Waldenbooks list. Member News & Releases ...... p13 Trish Morey always fancied herself as a writer, so why she be- came a Chartered Accountant is anyone's guess. In 1992 she Focus on: Sagas, spied an article saying Mills&Boon was actively seeking new authors and with two young children at home, this was her UK Style...... p14 Eureka moment—becoming an author for HM&B was her des- tiny! It only took 11 years to convince Harlequin to come to the Events ...... p16 party. Trish writes for the Sexy/Presents series, is a four times Borders/Waldenbooks #1 Bestseller and also had the immense Contest News ..... p17 honour of winning the R♥BY Award twice, in 2006 with The Italian Boss's Secret Child and now in 2009, with The Italian All About Boss's Mistress of Revenge.
Twitter ...... p18 Congratulations on winning 2009 R♥BY Awards, the second for you both. I sensed from your acceptance speeches that the second time IS as good as the first... Market Watch..... p19 Marion: It's unbelievable. I try and read each new author in the lines I write for, and (Continued on page 6)
RWA Inc Info for Members Team Hearts Talk
Rachael Blair Romance Writers of Australia Inc WEB MISTRESS Member Announcements PO Box 1236, Neutral Bay NSW 2089 Kiki Lon [email protected] 0429 233 764 www.romanceaustralia.com WEBSITE PASSWORDS: To gain access to our members only section, email Romance Writers of Australia Inc ABN 30 075 [email protected] Carol Challis 409 728 is registered in NSW as an Incorpo- Layout rated Association the liability of whose mem- ROMAUS EMAIL LIST MODERATOR bers is limited. Diane Curren
[email protected] RWA COMMITTEE To join ROMAUS, our online email group: Beverley Eikli PRESIDENT Alison Ahearn Go to http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/ The Write Craft [email protected] romanceaustralia click on the ‘join this group’ button and follow the instructions. SENIOR VICE Louise Reynolds PRESIDENT [email protected] RWA SOCIAL MEDIA Clare Karacsonyi SECOND VP Rachel Bailey BLOG Proofreading http://romanceaustralia.wordpress.com/ SECRETARY / AJ Macpherson REGISTRAR [email protected] TWITTER www.twitter.com/RWAus
TREASURER Bronwyn Turner FACEBOOK [email protected] www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53338877477 Helen Katsinis The Last Word & Web Liaison MINUTES Wendy Nichols MY SPACE SEC. [email protected] www.myspace.com/rwaustralia
COMMITTEE MEMBERS MEMBERSHIP QUERIES Kiki Lon, Lis Hoorweg, Diane Curren, Rowena Plus if you’re not getting HT: Marion Lennox Lindquist, Lisa Barry [email protected] The Writer’s Life
CONFERENCE CO-ORDINATORS For through- Kandy Shepherd & Carla Molino FACE-TO-FACE GROUPS out Australia, and queries on how to join an [email protected] existing group or start one yourself: Sandii Manning [email protected] For all current details and registration forms Member Spotlight for the 2010 national conference in Sydney see: www.romanceaustralia.com To register for a CRITIQUE PARTNER email Melissa Smith for more information.
[email protected] PUBLISHED AUTHOR LIAISON Stephanie Mayne Annie West Layout [email protected] INDIVIDUAL WRITERS SUPPORT SCHEME For unpublished members. Pri- R♥BY CO-ORDINATOR ority given to those challenged by distance Louise Reynolds or unable to access creative support by [email protected] other means. Register for a one-off critique Serena Tatti of either 1 or 3 chapters by a published Proofreading HEARTS TALK EDITOR author / advanced unpublished writer. Sharon Arkell Rachel Bailey [email protected] [email protected]
REPRINT RIGHTS: Hearts Talk is the official publi- CONTESTS CO-ORDINATOR cation of RWAust Inc and no part can be repro- Malvina Yock Lis Hoorweg [email protected] duced or used for profit by RWA members or others Proofreading without prior permission from the Editor. Repro- All deadlines, entry forms and sample score duction rights exist between agreed parties on the sheets are at www.romanceaustralia.com in condition that appropriate credit is given to Hearts Talk and the author of the article. Copyright re- the members only section (you will need a Rachel Bailey Editor password), or in the Files section of the RWA mains with the author. The views expressed in Hearts Talk do not necessarily reflect the official Deb Bennetto Features Contest Alert yahoo group. policy of RWA. All care is taken to check details Suzanne Brandyn Front Page Member Photos produced in these pages but no responsibility can For contest entry forms via mail, send re- Frances Burke Proofreading quest with a stamped, self-addressed enve- be taken if they are inaccurate. Please let us know if we have published the wrong details and we will Pam Collings Market Watch and Proofreading lope to: RWA Contests, 20 Waller Crescent, do our best to correct the error in the next issue. Michelle Elms Layout Campbell ACT 2612 © Copyright 2009 Romance Writers of Australia Inc. Catherine Evans Contests & Proofreading To join Contest Alert, RWA’s email alert for Bronwyn Jameson Feature Author Interview contest entrants, go to Member photos on cover: (l-r)
au.groups.yahoo.com/group/ AJ Macpherson The Biz RWAContestAlert/ click on the ‘join this Maxine Sullivan, Melissa Smith, Ingrid Rickersey Layout group’ in the right hand corner and follow Anna Hackett, Annie West, Bec Sampson Page Two the instructions. Sandie Hudson, Ally Blake, Doreen Sullivan Events Calendar & Features
JUDGE CO-ORDINATOR Suzanne Brandyn, CC Coburn, Mel Teshco Member Spotlight Serena Tatti Mel Teshco. Tracey Turner Editorial Assistant [email protected] Michelle Wood Practicalities, Technicalities Cover Heart Photo: Jenn McLeod www.romanceaustralia.com 2 Hearts Talk - October 2009
From the Prez...
dron of enthusiasm that Ghosts of Presidents Past… has embraced us all. So watch this space! Anyone who saw last month’s column probably got a Unfortunately, Robyn chuckle out of the pic snapped by our erstwhile HT Grady has had to step editor of myself and Kelly Hunter with Anne Gracie aside as minutes secretary hovering gypsy-style in the background. It’s a cute and we welcome Lisa photo and we were laughing like crazy while it was Barry (one of our fabulous being taken. Brissy conference team) But, it’s also a hell of a lot to live up to. in her place. I’d like to thank Robyn for her time Our wonderful organisation had thrived, come back on the committee. She will be missed. from the brink and flourished under the guidance of women such as these. Before I finish I’d like to especially thank my immedi- ate predecessor, Kelly Hunter – not just for her leader- Err….anyone for a cup of pressure? ship qualities, her grace under pressure and her quiet Luckily I have the perfect anti-dote for new- insightfulness (or her damn good books for that mat- presidentitis. A crack team of wonderful women— ter) but for setting such a high benchmark. The dedicated volunteers—committed to, and passionate growth of our volunteer culture, in particular, under about, RWA. Kelly’s guidance, has been a wonderful legacy. I only hope that I can continue to carry the blazing torch she W12 (writers twelve aka your national executive) has passed on and that together with the executive— have hit the ground running with an enthusiasm that and you, the members—we can make RWA all it can beggars belief. be.
Already a series of think tanks made up of executive Until next month, may the Muse be with you. and non-exec members (targeted for their expertise in specific areas) of RWA have been mulling over issues AA involving sponsorship, media, scholarships, building Volunteer of the Month! relationships with libraries and ways in which we can Roseanne Smiles: National Con- “give-back” to the membership. ference Team. Rose- anne wins a copy of Our long range plans for the coming year involve Heart & Craft tackling things such as the constitution (which is in edited by Valerie dire need of an overhaul) and a comprehensive mem- Parv. bership survey. Congratulations Roseanne and All these things are bubbling away madly in this caul- Thank You.
RWA’s New Judge Coordinator
I recently took on the position of RWA Judge [email protected] Coordinator and am in the process of updating the list of volunteer judges. This is a new role in RWA Please include your name, email address, postal and I’ll be the main point of contact for all judges in address and phone number, likes and dislikes in each of the contests. reading (what do you prefer to read, and more im- portantly, what you dislike. If you can be specific The Romance Writers of Australia has some won- about the various lines, even better). derful competitions with great feedback and prizes, but we rely on the kindness of judges. Judging can be a very rewarding experience.
The competition season is now in full swing so if Thanks in advance. you feel you'd like to be involved as a judge, could Serena Tatti, Judge Coordinator you please contact me with your details at: [email protected] www.romanceaustralia.com Hearts Talk - October 2009 3
The Write Craft with Beverley Eikli
STELLARSTELLAR SETTINGSSETTINGS:: Bringing your story to life
Is the setting just window dressing?
By Nicola Marsh
he crux of any good story is character and emotion. Using the taste and smell of food You can set your story in Vegas or Paris or the wilds of particular to this region enhances this TT Africa but unless your readers care about your scene. Packs more punch than: characters, and those characters are strongly motivated and “Hungry, Tamara stopped at a believable, setting is irrelevant. roadside vendor, bought her usual But if used correctly, as an adjunct to your powerfully favourite prawns and continued on written story, the setting can bring your book alive. her way.” Here’s another example: Is the setting evocative? How many of you have read a book set in Paris and can “I thought Goa was settled by the visualise the Eiffel Tower, the Place de la Concorde, Portugese?” Montmarte? A Roman book, with the Colosseum, the Spanish Tamara nodded, browsing the Steps? Venice with its charming waterways and gondolas? market stall’s brightly coloured powders for the Holi Mention a city in the world and anyone will have an instant festival tomorrow. “It was. That’s why you see so many mental image of what that place looks like. Why stop there? If Portugese inspired buildings and a lot of the population you can layer in sounds, smells and the ‘feel’ of a place, you’ll are Catholic. Apparently thousands of people make the really bring your story alive. pilgrimage to see St. Francis Xavier’s body at the basilica That’s what I hoped to evoke with my current release, A here every five years.” Trip With The Tycoon (Harlequin Sweet). Set predominantly in Ethan trailed his fingers through a mound of sunshine India, I didn’t settle for one city. I wanted to bring this yellow powder and earned a frown from the vendor for his magical, mystical country alive, so I deliberately took my trouble. readers on a journey. A train journey in particular, on the “If it’s predominantly Catholic, what’s with this Holi luxurious Palace on Wheels travelling through Rajasthan, festival? Isn’t that Hindu?” visiting exotic destinations like Jaipur (the Pink City), Udaipur “Uh-huh. But like most of India, there are so many (with its famous Lake Palace) and Agra (home of the Taj different religions and castes living side by side that Mahal). Throw in an extended stay in Goa, and readers are everyone’s pretty tolerant of the different festivals.” She guaranteed a satisfying armchair travel. pointed to several piles of powder, smiling at the vendor I also layered the story with sights, sounds, aromas and who began shovelling mini mountains of the stuff into clear foods, a good way to enhance the setting. plastic bags. “I think it’s fabulous everyone gets involved. Here are two examples: It’s such a joyous occasion that you can’t help but get swept up in the fun. At least, that’s what mum told me.” “Prawns today, Missie?” He nodded, pointing to the bags being thrust into her Smiling, she stopped at one of the many food vendors hands. “So tell me about it. All I know is everyone goes scattered along the roadside leading to Colva Beach. She’d berserk and throws colour on everyone else.” been starving when she’d arrived here her first day and the Upon hearing this, the vendor frowned again and shook tantalising aromas of seafood sizzling in garlic and tumeric his head, while she handed him rupees and laughed. had led her straight here. “Come on, I’ll enlighten you over a cup of masala chai.” “Two please.” “Sounds good.” She held up two fingers for reinforcement, knowing the He held out his hand for her carry-all and she gratefully wizened old man would give her four, just like he had the gave it to him. Choosing every colour of the rainbow for previous times she’d stopped here. Not that she was Holi mightn’t be such a great idea if she had to lug all complaining but the waistbands of her skirts sure were. those kilos back to the hut. His wide, toothless grin warmed her heart as she “Do the colours mean anything?” handed over the rupees and juggled the hot prawns, waving She nodded, instantly transported back to the first time the skewer around and blowing on them before biting into she’d heard about Holi, sitting on her mum’s knee. She’d the delicious, crispy flesh, savouring the freshness of the just learned to make her first chapatti that same day, and seafood drenched in spicy masala. had had so much fun rolling the balls of dough into flat She devoured the first prawn in two bites, saliva pooling breads, standing on a stool next to the stove as her mum in her mouth at the anticipatory bite of the next as she fried them. strolled past another vendor selling a fiery fish vindaloo She’d been five at the time and her dad had come home that smelled as good as the prawns. after work, scoffed three with jam and pronounced them better than her mum’s.
www.romanceaustralia.com 4 Hearts Talk - October 2009
The Write Craft with Beverley Eikli
Nicola Marsh Stellar Settings: Bringing your story to life continued... It’d been a magical day, one of those days where her put in a little extra groundwork. mum was reminiscing about India, eager to tell stories and Contact people who live in the area to gather details and she’d lapped it up. Yet another thing she missed. give your setting authenticity. People who live in an area can “Green’s for vitality, red is purity, blue is calmness and give you specifics, such as weather in a certain month, names yellow is piety.” of local newspapers, local slang. He squinted through the bag. “So what happens when Ask friends/family for referrals to local people from that you mix the lot together?” country/city. Talking to people from an area can help bring it “You’ll find out.” alive. My grandmother was partially raised in Goa and hearing her food stories helped me layer that richness in my story. Weaving a local festival, using description of the event, the Read reference books written by people living in the area. colours, etc…in dialogue brings this scene alive, and avoids a Look for sensory details, local language to describe events and chunky exposition of information I needed to get across. places. Here’s an example closer to home, from Three Times A The Internet is every author’s friend when it comes to Bridesmaid (Harlequin Romance May 2010) research. But a word of warning: sites can be inaccurate, so choose wisely. Blogs from locals living in an area can be Stepping into the lofty open plan room serving as particularly useful. Web cams are also useful for seeing what lounge, dining and entertaining area, her mouth fell open an area looks like: weather, traffic, cars people drive, etc… as she took in the black sheer drapes framing the floor to Tourist information bureaus are a wealth of local ceiling windows and the giant chandelier hanging from an knowledge, and are particularly good for adding local flavour ornate ceiling, the leopard print furniture, the black marble (eg. things to do, yearly festivities, etc…) floors and the eclectic mix of candelabras, African animal figurines “World building of a Is it okay to use your and coloured glass bottles. imagination? A few dimmed down lights reflected place, imagined or Writers invent settings all the time. off the ebony marble floors, shimmering otherwise, can suck World building of a place, imagined or like an oil slick beneath her feet while a reader into a book otherwise, can suck a reader into a book and Melbourne’s city skyline glittered and make them make them crave the sequel. through the sheer black chiffon like crave the sequel.” If you’ve chosen a real setting, using jewels scattered against an ermine cape. your imagination to layer in details of smell, The overall effect was surreal, taste, feel, can only enhance the picture sophisticated and decadent. A bit like the man himself, the you’re painting for your reader. man she’d first glimpsed in that photo accompanying the In the example above from A Trip With The Tycoon, article online: suave, confident, a guy on top of his game, a Tamara buys spicy prawns from a street vendor. Goa is famous guy ready to take on the world and win. for its seafood and while I haven’t been there, I imagined street Bryce’s apartment was very James Bond while her vendors selling a variety of spicy seafood dishes. home in a quiet South Yarra street channelled Little House on the Prairie, from its green and cream checkered sofas to Is accuracy important? its soft honey oak polished boards, its antique fireplace to If your setting is front and centre (eg. historicals), how you the lemon walls. portray a setting is crucial. Nothing yanks a reader out of a The two places were worlds apart. story more than an incongruous detail that doesn’t fit a specific Standing in his apartment reinforced what she’d always time period. So check historical timelines, fashions, foods, thought, always known: they were two very different whether a building existed or an event happened, topography of people. the land, etc…to ensure authenticity. She’d been kidding herself. I love choosing settings for my books. The perfect setting Seeing the apartment through the heroine Eve’s eyes, adds a richness to the story, the perfect backdrop a canvas for having her mentally compare it to her own, gives us a good your strongly motivated characters contrast between trendy inner city Melbourne and her suburban to strut their stuff. home. Check facts. Be inventive. Most of all, have fun creating your Is first-hand research essential? vibrant setting. I set the bulk of my novels in Melbourne, which makes for easy first-hand research. No prizes for guessing why I’ve set Happy writing! books in Acland Street (St. Kilda), Lygon St. (Carlton) and the Nicola’s current release, A Trip With Docklands…food research a must for authenticity! The Tycoon, received 4 ½ stars from So did I travel to India? Unfortunately not, but I lived Romantic Times. “Sterling characters, an vicariously through relatives who had just returned from the exotic setting and crackling sexual tension Palace on Wheels trip. Their finer details and photos enabled make for a great read. The realistically paced romance is also refreshing.” And if me to layer in a richness I might’ve had lacking using the you’re after another Indian fix, the prequel, Internet alone. One Indian Summer, is available now as a If you’ve chosen a setting you’ve never visited, it pays to free online read at www.eharlequin.com. www.romanceaustralia.com Hearts Talk - October 2009 5
Author Interview with Bronwyn Jameson MarionMarion LennoxLennox && TrishTrish MoreyMorey
(Continued from page 1) what that gives me is a huge sense of wonder Marion: Trish and I that I'm still being published at all! We have come from very similar fabulous young authors with wonderful fresh backgrounds—I was a voices, so many of them from Downunder. I stats lecturer, she was an love what I do. I love that my work's out accountant. Therefore there alongside writers I loved when I was an we're dry, dusty number emerging writer, and also alongside the cur- crunchers, right? So the rently emerging writers whose work leaves way to get where we are me feeling the art of romance is growing is crunch those numbers, stronger all the time. work out the probability of getting a book published—and then do what we did, ignore Trish: Second time is better than the first, if probability completely, don't even think about superannuation, that’s possible, simply because of the odds. and dive right in. However I do think my background makes There’s just no way it can happen twice! So my plotting easier—I'm logical and methodical and I can't bear yes, it’s kind of amazing. Especially given plot holes. the competition—we truly have the most awesome writers Downunder and I really Trish: Marion's right, dry’n’dusty’r’us! Actually, the wonder- have to pay homage to my fellow finalists ful thing about an accounting background is it's just so crea- this year, Carol Marinelli, Miranda Lee and tive, it’s the perfect breeding ground for writing fiction. Paula Roe, who write awesome books. It had Plus, in accounting, everything has to reconcile and balance in to have been a close thing and I am incredi- the end, much like needing to get your hero and heroine to bly blessed to have scraped through. overcome their conflicts to get to their HEA. It might sound weird, but like Marion said, I’m sure that number crunching Your bio's both mention writing from an background helps. early age. Do you remember your first sto- rytelling venture? And your first romance? (Trish, did yours feature an Italian boss?) Marion: Back in the olden days our teacher used to write pairs of sentences on the board Trish: LOL. Gosh no, my first submission was called and we had to join them without using `and'. “Headlong into Love” because my heroine was doing her first It was maybe the most interminable lesson in jump and her parachute landed over the hero’s sports car, the the known universe. He wrote really, really same guy who turns out to be her new boss come Monday. I slowly which gave me time to turn them into wish I had thought about making him an Italian boss. Maybe I stories—with not an `and' in sight. And... might have sold earlier. Although, given my fabulous premise, sorry.... But... he didn’t appreciate them one maybe not... bit. Marion: Mine was a medical when the current med line was Trish: I'm thinking it was a fib, or maybe Doctor Nurse Romances. Only I didn't even know there were just a wee embellishment of the truth
www.romanceaustralia.com 6 Hearts Talk - October 2009
Author Interview with Bronwyn Jameson want to write, and I let my voice have its way without trying to another I couldn’t say no to. Brides, bodies, fit into what I perceived `they' wanted. McAlister's Baby was missing diamonds, killers on the run, a picked up straight away and I haven't looked back. wounded cop disguised as Santa Claus, a shoot up in a wedding chapel in Dallas Voice is the only thing that differentiates me—and you—from (Oooh, that was me and I loved it!!!) We the thousands of submissions that cross an editor's desk. Be- managed to tie the three books together into a lieve in your voice and actively nurture it. fabulous messy, wonderful Christmas triple Trish: What Marion said. romance—Her Christmas Hero—and we still grin every time we think about it. Earlier you both referred to the depth of the talent pool in our part of the world... Do you have a theory on why so many It was all great fun but it means I have six Downunder authors write such wonderful books? books released in four months this year—and afterwards I needed a wee lie down. Marion: We have a powerful assembly of Downunder authors who've made it internationally with very different writing Trish: While Marion’s having a wee rest, I’ll styles, but whatever style we write, we know where to find mention the October Bestsellers Collection respect, encouragement and mentoring. The voluntary nature featuring two of my earlier stories, Stolen by of RWA never ceases to take my breath away—the generosity the Sheikh and For Revenge...Or Pleasure?, of spirit that sees us getting stronger and stronger as an one of my favourites. (Marion’s got an Octo- international romance voice. ber Bestseller Collection out too, featuring her R♥BY winning title, His Island Bride plus There is also a tiny thought that most Aussie blokes wouldn’t another, but she couldn’t fit it in.) be caught dead serenading their lady from under a balcony— and we need to get our romance somewhere. Then in March 2010, watch out for His Mis- tress for a Million, in which a lowly Aussie Trish: Too true! If I can add one more thing, I think our inter- backpacker slash cleaner in a dodgy London national success is a bit like the way Aussie food has devel- hotel, gets whisked off to Santorini to play oped, if that makes sense. We have the climate in which to mistress to a gorgeous Greek tycoon. For a grow the best produce and we have the pick of the best from million dollars? Who wouldn’t say yes? cuisines around the world at our fingertips, whether it be Mexi- can, Chinese, Thai, Greek, Italian, good old English pub fare or Marion Lennox, Current & Upcoming Releases whatever. We really have a global palate. A Special Kind Of Family, HM&B Medical, Sept. Bestseller Collection: His Island Bride (2009 It’s the same with our reading/movie/telly fare. We have the R♥BY winner), In Dr Darling’s Care, Sweet, Oct. pick of the best in the world and I really believe that helps writ- Her Christmas Hero: HMB Special Release An- ers Downunder to achieve that sought after “global voice”. thology, Oct. And by global voice, I mean a voice that will work with readers Claimed: Secret Royal Son, Sweet, Oct. all around the world. Harlequin publishes in more than thirty Betrothed: To The People's Prince, Sweet, Nov. languages worldwide and they really want to find authors Crowned: The Palace Nanny, Sweet, Dec. whose voices can transcend borders and work in any language. Trish Morey, Current & Upcoming Releases The Italian Boss's Mistress Of Revenge (2009 I know you’ve not been resting on your laurels but working R♥BY winner), The Best Love Stories of 2009 hard to keep your fans happy with more fabulous stories. Tell Anthology, Sept. us about your current/upcoming releases... The Ruthless Greek's Virgin Princess, Sexy, Sept. Bestseller Collection: The Mancini Marriage Bar- Marion: I did bite off a wee bit more than I could chew last gain, For Revenge...Or Pleasure?, Sexy, Oct. year. Firstly I decided to write my three part Marrying His Maj- Stolen By The Sheikh, HM&B The Sheikh Collec- esty series. Then I was asked to be part of the Karedes Royal tion Bk 2, Nov. series for Presents—and wow, how could I say no? I slid in a His Mistress For A Million, Sexy, March 2010. medical—I love my medical readers—and then… well, my Christmas Anthology with Anne Stuart and Tina Leonard was All available from www.millsandboon.com.au
RWA moves forward into Social Networking In a bid to help promote both our association and our MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/rwaustralia members, the web team have joined a number of social Shelfari: http://www.shelfari.com/rwaustralia networks. From Twitter to Facebook, Goodreads to Twitter: http://twitter.com/RWAus Shelfari, we are working hard to publicize our mem- bers’ recent releases, debut novels and soon to be re- If you haven’t been to visit our blog leased novels. You can find us on the following net- http://romanceaustralia.wordpress.com/ drop by and works: read our Author Spotlights, Craft Articles, Blog Bites and member’s news and updates. Bebo: http://www.bebo.com/rwaustralia Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/nyzp57 Happy Net Surfing Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/rwaustralia Sandie & the social media team www.romanceaustralia.com Hearts Talk - October 2009 7
A Writer’s Life with Marion Lennox Birthing Books After Babies:
Nicola Marsh
Nic, you sold your first novel while pregnant touch to keep us smil- with your first baby. Do you even vaguely ing. He thinks it’s okay remember how life was then? now, as long as I be- I do remember, but it’s a bit surreal… What come the next Nora did I do with all that time? Mind you, I was Roberts and can keep working full time as a physiotherapist and him in the style to which writing at weekends and nights, so it isn’t he wishes to be accus- all that different to now. Except the tired- tomed later (his quote, not mine!) ness factor, which has escalated tenfold! Since you’ve sold, you’ve had 2 babies, pub- First book on shelves, getting that baby lished 21 books and ended up as a cover girl out—is it a fair comparison? in India. Can you tell us how that hap- Considering they were only months apart, a pened? Is it hard to reconcile the glamorous fair comparison indeed! Though strolling public persona with what’s happening be- into the shops and seeing my book on the hind the scenes? shelf for the first time was a tad less painful You don’t think I look glamorous all the than the other birthing process. time? In full make-up, fab clothes, immacu- lately coiffed hair, sitting at my computer How soon did you get back to writing after every night belting out words? birth? Did your head feel the same? How When I do library talks or attend confer- could you drum up romance, keep it alive, ences, I often wonder what people would when your life revolved around this new think if they saw my ‘working outfit’ of PJs, little person? old comfy pink fluffy robe and fuzzy flippers Hmm… At the risk of sounding absolutely (oops, my secret’s out!) mad, I wrote 2 books in the first 2 months after I gave birth. Maybe I was high on hor- I really enjoy the laid-back, comfortable mones, maybe it was all the free time I had working from home aspect of writing, yet to actually write (newborns nap a lot and I adore slipping into my ‘author face’ (as was used to writing in snatches), but those hubby calls it) when I’m out for work. I think words poured out. As for drumming up ro- it’s part of the fun. mance…I think staring at a gorgeous little As for being an Indian cover girl, it was all bub all day, cuddling him, caring for him, rather coincidental. Harlequin Mills and made me feel like I could do anything in the Boon was launching in India and I was ap- world. The writing just seemed to flow. proached for several newspaper interviews. The fatigue factor affects mums, and not An editor of an Anglo-Indian magazine (my just mums of babies. It’s hard to feel ro- background) saw me and asked for an inter- mantic while you’re taking care of a house- view. I agreed, not knowing I’d be on the hold, raising a family and oh, that’s right, cover of the magazine, which was distrib- writing as a job to pay bills and not just uted to countries like the USA, UK, Canada, fluffing around with a hobby as some Australia, Singapore and UAE! friends and family think! That said, I think And then baby number two... Rumour has it it’s important to keep you’ve had little sleep with both bubs but romance alive - in be- you've kept on writing. How much harder is tween propping open it when you have baby plus toddler? your eyes with match- Ah…the rumours would be true! Both my sticks. gorgeous boys had eczema so they scratched themselves silly at night. Sleep was limited, Personally, Hubby and I but compared to what some mums have to may not see much of deal with, I count myself lucky. Besides, I can each other these days, always catch up on those years of sleep later, but we always have a right? quick quip or a light
www.romanceaustralia.com 8 Hearts Talk - October 2009
A Writer’s Life with Marion Lennox
Life is certainly more hectic writing with a year old, I spend my toddler and a baby, but in a routine with day running around one child, the rest fitted in. I was already a after him. I love my night writer with first bub, so nothing life, I wouldn’t have it changed. any other way. My writing schedule has- All you writers out there saying `I'll write my n’t changed much novel when I have time… words of advice, since I had the first baby as, when I’m with Nic?' my kids, I devote my time to them. So it’s Honestly? You’ll never have the time unless writing early morning, during naps and late you make it, which involves sacrifices. at night when they’re asleep. I’m assuming Whether sacrificing sleep by getting up an it’ll get easier when the youngest is at school hour before the family or working late after and I can work ‘regular’ hours. And get they’re in bed, sacrificing your favourite TV more sleep! And watch more TV! Yay!
shows, sacrificing regular coffee catch-ups Nicola Marsh currently writes for Harlequin Mills with the girls, you need to find that time and Boon Romance & Modern Heat/Presents series, somewhere. I do all these things and at has published 21 books and sold over 1.5 million times it’s a pain, but then I look at each com- copies worldwide. She’s a Neilson Bookscan & pleted book and I’m beyond satisfied. Waldenbooks bestseller, has finalled in several awards including the prestigious HOLT Medallion, Booksellers’ Best, Golden Quill, Laurel Wreath, The kids are now 5 & 2. Is life getting easier? More than Magic and won several CataRomace Re- Life is very structured, what with school runs viewers’ Choice Awards. She blogs daily and loves and volunteering at school and doing the to hear from readers. For more information about rest of the stuff mums do. With an active 2 her books, visit www.nicolamarsh.com
Clayton’s Conference
Clayton’s Fun in our PJs By Sandie Hudson While RWA members attended the all day long, I cannot think of any Do It Already (Sexual Tension): national conference in Brisbane (14th that adequately show (not tell) my 1st Dana Scully to 16th August), many of us at home appreciation to those who so gener- The Synopsis Award: enjoyed the 2009 Clayton’s Confer- ously donated to the giveaway and 1st Julie-Ann Carter ence—the online alternative. With an prize pool. Our sincere thanks to the unprecedented number of members RWA members who donated novels, Most Ludicrous Romance Plot: signed up for a weekend of fun and bookmarks, magnets, postcards and 1st Neely Lyon educational writing challenges, au- st bag fillers. Best Cover: 1 (below) Sue Thompson thor chats and workshops, it was a 2009 was the year of the Inaugural st great success with a fabulous line-up Best PJ Shot: 1 Dana Scully Clayton’s Conference Awards night. of presenters: Anne Whitfield, Diane Thank you to Nikki and Kiki in Bris- As coordinator of the 2009 Clayton’s Curran, Fran Tann, Heather Brown, bane who Twittered each announce- Conference, I’d like to thank my Joanna Challis, Rhian Cahill, Valerie ment so those of us at home could partners in crime—Diane Curran and Parv, and Zana Bell. Each gave freely share in the celebration, while hav- Rhian Cahill—for their help and sup- of their time and industry knowledge ing our own fun and excitement an- port over the weekend. To the Clay- to share their perspective of the ro- nouncing the winners from seven ton’s members—a big thank you for mance writing industry. challenge categories. joining in the chats and challenges. Clayton’s Conference participants To the RWA For those who haven’t visited the networked over the weekend, mak- members who new RWA blog http:// ing new friends as well as tackling a donated time romanceaustralia.wordpress.com range of interesting writing chal- and/or prizes— here are the winners (placegetters lenges, with prizes awarded to those you have who participated in the challenges. are also listed on the blog): shown what big This year, each Clayton’s Conference It’s Hot in Here (Best First Kiss): and beautiful participant also received a goodie 1st Heather Brown hearts you all bag. have. Until Fractured Fairy Tale: next year—yes st While as a writer I deal with words 1 Jenn McLeod I will be back. www.romanceaustralia.com Hearts Talk - October 2009 9
Our RWA by Deb Bennetto The Emerald Award A Jewel in RWA’s Contest Calendar Crown
If that publishing contract is proving rather elusive you’ve by RWA’s growing membership. Each section has its own only got a few weeks to brush up your manuscript in manager—Bev Lewis for the category section and Debbie readiness for the Emerald Contest 2010 which will poten- Cox for the single title section. tially give six unpublished writers the opportunity to have What does it mean to win this contest? CC Coburn, win- their full manuscript read by either a top editor or agent. ner of the inaugural Emerald Contest in the single title As one of the premier contests for unpublished writers in category, was headhunted by Dr. Glen Thomas to join his the RWA calendar, the Emerald Award is unique in that it Masters in Writing program at Queensland University of is the only one to emulate the submission process. Writ- Technology. This led to CC applying and being awarded ers are advised not to enter unless they have a complete a Career Development Grant of $5000 from Arts Queen- manuscript because even though only the first three sland to attend the Romance Writers of America national chapters are submitted for round one judging, should conference in 2008. It was there CC received “the call” in their entry proceed to round two then the full manuscript person from Harlequin Senior Executive Editor, Paula would have to be sent in within a few days. Eykelhof and Kathleen Schreibling, Editor of Harlequin American Romance. Kylie Short, who writes as Kylie Griffin, has entered the Emerald every year since it began. She says, 'I can't ex- Winner of the 2006 category section was Rachel Robin- press how much I value the Emerald and it being a full son who went onto repeat her victory in 2007 and now manuscript competition. Putting a whole book out there writes for Silhouette Desire as Rachel Bailey. ‘Both Emer- for feedback is a whole different ball game to submitting ald wins were instrumental in my writing career,’ she three chapters and a synopsis. And designing the Emer- says. Among the benefits, they garnered her direct feed- ald so that it mirrors the submission process really does back from editors and made for a stronger query letter to prepare you for "the real thing".' her now agent. ‘Obviously, I’m a fan of the Emerald!’ Over the years she's been entering the Emerald (and the For 2007 single title winner, Melanie Scott, winning the Emma Darcy before that), she's seen a huge change in award gave her valuable confirmation she was doing the quality and quantity of feedback made on score something right. Says Melanie, ‘The book that won the sheets to the point where now the majority of judges Emerald was my first try at a single title length story and make constructive criticism on things like punctuation and also a change from the contemporaries I'd been writing to grammar, plot elements, character development, craft urban fantasy, so I wasn't at all sure of what I was doing.’ and style feedback etc. Says Kylie, 'I really, really appre- Frances Maslen, winner of the 2008 category section be- ciated those who gave a balance of comments—specifics lieves entering competitions is well worth the effort. She on what worked well and what needed improving.' This says, 'Judges often put so much effort into their feedback year Kylie, in a remarkable feat, had her three entries all and it's a great way to get a fresh perspective on some- reach the finals and ultimately win second, third and thing you, as the writer, can no longer see with fresh fourth places. eyes. Even if the comments don't lead to changes in the For entrant Monique Wood, having reader judges works manuscript, I had comments that reduced me to tears well. ‘The feedback I received was extremely useful. The because they were so kind, and what better feeling can readers were able to appreciate the entry for the story/ there be than reading that someone you don't even know characters, and weren't overly focused on craft/structure/ really, really loved your story?' technical elements. It's like having a non-writing friend or Carolyn Comito, winner of the 2008 single title section, family member read your manuscript, but the bonus is the agrees that the feedback she received was invaluable. 'It reader is anonymous, so they can't be biased!' was wonderful to know that real readers of the genre con- The inaugural Emerald Award kicked off in 2005 to re- nected with my story and one even contacted me pri- place the Emma Darcy Award. When Emma Darcy vately via the contest coordinator to say how much she launched the Emma Darcy Award early in the 1990's she enjoyed my entry. Winning the Emerald was definitely a had a threefold aim, to: emulate the entry process; get highlight in my writing career,' she says. novice writers to finish their book; and get feedback from The Emerald Award opens 16 Oct & closes 27 Nov 2009. the target audience—readers rather than fellow writers. In For entry forms: www.romanceaustralia.com pre-internet days, it also provided Australian and New Zealand writers, disadvantaged by being half a world Emerald Winners: away, with a valuable foot in the door with publishers. 2009 Single Title: AJ Macpherson Category: Helen Lacey The Emerald still retains many of the characteristics of 2008 Single Title: Carolyn Comito Category: Frances Maslen the Emma Darcy: the full manuscript is required for round two, judges are still readers rather than writers but now 2007 Single Title: Melanie Scott Category: Rachel Robinson/Bailey the Emerald is split into two sections, category and single title to cater for the diverse range of work being produced 2006 Single Title: CC Coburn Category: Rachel Robinson/Bailey www.romanceaustralia.com 10 Hearts Talk - October 2009
Our RWA by Alison Ahearn Hot August Nights Report
What an absolutely fantastic time was had by all in Brisbane last month! RWA’s 18th annual conference lived up to its name proving to be hot, hot, hot—and that wasn’t just the gorgeous warm win- ter weather!! This year we had unprecedented de- mand and had to close registrations much earlier than it was ever antici- pated. 130 delegates attended the Friday workshop. year we went multi-media and the results were spec- 242 attended the conference proper. 252 frocked up for tacular. Thanks to Robyn Grady for being our hostess the spectacular Harlequin Arabian Nights Cocktail Party with the mostest and to Tina Clarke whose wonderful and an amazing 218 attended our gala event, the annual PowerPoint presentation added a touch of sparkle and a Awards Dinner. There was a total of 114 pitches and whiff of Hollywood to our night of nights. over 70 newbies. My thanks also go to the wonderful team of volunteers Our international guests—Mary Jo Putney, Mary-Theresa without whom the conference would not have hap- Hussey and Melissa Jeglinksi—delighted one and all with pened—Meredith Webber, Louise Ousby, Lisa Barry and personal insights, unflagging enthusiasm and the odd Denise Rossetti. Also thanks to Fiona Gregory, Roseanne request or two J It was also wonderful to see Clare Smiles and Wendy Nichols. And to all the others—from Forster, our Aussie agent and Annette Barlow from Allen the husbands who helped with pitch timing to the team & Unwin give so unstintingly of their time. of “ants” who helped with the bag stuffing and gift I think it’s fair to say that moving away from the plenary wrapping. And to all our sponsors from the continued style of previous conferences and offering a more work- support of Harlequin right down to the many individuals shop intensive programme was very successful as was who donated gifts. the round table set-ups which seemed to promote inter- And of course to the delegates who make a conference action and friendliness as well as providing everyone so memorable. Thanks for the company and for the with a place to sit as they ate. The Sebel and Citigate many, many words of thanks and praise you gave the location was superb—smack bang in the middle of the team over the weekend—it means a lot to know our hard city and their staff were simply marvelous. work is appreciated. The Awards Dinner rates a very special mention. This I look forward to seeing you all again at Coogee in 2010. 2009 ROMA Award 2008 Cover Romance in the Media
Winner: Contest (Print) Lisa Chant &
Winners as voted by the dele- Michelle McLochlan gates at Hot August Nights. of The Weekender Sunshine Coast Pub- lishing Pty. Ltd. (22/1/ Long Novel: 2009) "True Romantic" Denise Rossetti, The Flame and the Shadow Finalists:
(TV) Evelyn Ek (Segment Producer) Short Novel: Kim Watkins, Steven Quartermain 3-way tie (presenters) 9am with David and Kim, Channel 10 Friday 8th May Meredith Webber, 2009 "Interview with Anne Gracie" The Sheikh Surgeon's Baby (Print) Margaret Burin, Williams- Meredith Webber, town Advertiser, 21/1/09 Desert Doctor, Secret Sheikh "Novel Way to Woo Readers."
Abby Gaines, (Print) Fiona Purdon, The Courier The Diaper Diaries Mail, Brisbane 19/07/09 "Fans Thirsty for Blood." www.romanceaustralia.com Hearts Talk - October 2009 11
Member Spotlight With Sandii Manning
We’d like to introduce you to Helen Lacey, the winner of the 2009 Emerald (category section).
Helen Lacey
This month’s Spotlight is on the If you could invite a group of lovely Helen Lacey who won the people—from any time period—to Emerald in the category section. dinner, who would you invite? Helen will long be remembered for her honest, shocked and funny Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott, acceptance speech at the confer- James Cameron, Neil Armstrong & ence. I donned my Larry King Louise Cusack (Who’d slap me suspenders, slicked back my hair around the head if I had a party and got down to business. with Neil Armstrong and didn’t invite her too!)
Can you tell us a little about Growing up you wanted to... yourself and where you live? Be a writer, ride my horse at the I live on the glorious Fraser Coast Olympics, be taller. in sunny Queensland. My husband and I had a sea change a couple of How long did it take you to finish Do you belong to a critique years ago and moved from Brisbane your Emerald award winning group? Face to face or remote? and now have our own business (I manuscript and where did the previously worked as a retail man- story idea come from? I belong to the most wonderful ager for 20 years). I run the admin- writing support group and we’ve istrative side of things so am now My Emerald MS was about book been together for nearly eighteen at home during the day. number twenty—which sounds like years. a lot but I sent my first submission How do you balance writing and to M&B in 1987, so really that’s With the amazing Helen Bianchin, working? less than one a year. CC Coburn, Louise Cusack, Lesley Millar and Noela Cowell, I feel I really like to write at night This MS took just three months to incredibly fortunate to have the between 9pm and about 1 am. I write—a first for me. I woke up at support and friendship of this out- think because it’s so quiet and 2am with an idea and it just rushed standing and talented group of there’s just me, my story, the odd out. I knew I wanted to have a sin- women. bellow of a cow or neigh of a horse gle dad hero and horses in my and the sound of ocean coming story, because horses are such a We still get together every 1—2 through my office window. big part of my life and I married a months and spend the day talking single dad—so I guess the idea about our work, sharing ideas etc. Who are you targeting? came from what I know. Any tips for members wanting to Silhouette Special Edition Your last meal would be? enter the Emerald next year?
Where do you get your story Probably some type of pasta Just to write the best book you can ideas from? and trust in it enough to put it out Your favourite part of this there. I get my ideas from everywhere— year’s conference? songs, movies, magazines, people What now for your manuscript? in the street, people I know—just I only got to the awards dinner this from life I guess. I’m always on the year—so I guess that was my My MS is with an editor at the mo- look out for ideas, always wonder- favourite part. ment, so I’m just waiting for a re- ing about people’s lives and why sponse and getting on with the people react to things the way If you could do one thing over next story. they do. what would it be? Favourite Authors? How long have you been a mem- I wouldn’t have gotten that Flock ber of RWA? Of Seagulls haircut in the 80’s. Jane Austen, Ruth Wind, Virginia Andrews, Christine Rimmer, Du Seventeen years. Words of wisdom from your Maurier, Winston Graham. mother growing up? Your writing plans for next year? Coming soon: watch out for our A true friend will always tell you Just to keep writing and keep Spotlight on AJ Macpherson, the win- when you have spinach in your ner of the 2009 Emerald (Single Title). submitting. teeth! www.romanceaustralia.com 12 Hearts Talk - October 2009
Member Announcements with Rachael Blair
Send your news and releases to: [email protected] by the 15th of the previous month. Please note that new releases will only be featured once, so authors may choose whether that’s their Australian, overseas, digital or print release.
Member News
THE SALES: THE LISTS: Astrid Cooper had work accepted in Allen & Unwin an- Anne Gracie's To Catch A Bride hit the top 10 Barnes & thology In Search Of Angels, with a Oct 2009 release. Noble romance mass market bestsellers list. Annie West sold her 11th title to HMB. Scandal: His Borders Group Series Bestsellers during Aug/Sept: Majesty's Love Child will be a 2010 release, as part of a #1 Marion Lennox The Prince's Captive Wife continuity. Also writing for the continuity are RWA’s #3 Miranda Lee The Billionaire's Bride Of Vengeance Trish Morey & Carol Marinelli. #5 Melanie Milburne Bound By The Marcolini Diamonds #6 Paula Roe The Magnate's Baby Promise THE REVIEWS: #7 Robyn Donald Innocent Mistress, Royal Wife Kate Loveday’s An Independent Woman has received a #9 Nicola Marsh Two Weeks In The Magnate's Bed five star review from AussieAuthors.com. #9 Trish Morey The Ruthless Greek's Virgin Princess
Member New Releases
Ally Blake Robyn Grady Marion Lennox GETTING RED-HOT WITH THE BILLIONAIRE’S FAKE CANDY CANES AND THE ROGUE ENGAGEMENT CROSSFIRE HMB Sexy Sensation Silhouette Desire in HER CHRISTMAS HERO HMB Anthology
Heather Brown Anna Hackett Carol Marinelli FORBIDDEN LOVE TAKEN BY THE SOUTH SECRET SHEIK, SECRET (Historical M/M Anthology) WIND BABY Noble Romance Publishing Nocturne Bites HMB Sweet
Rhian Cahill Barbara Hannay Nicola Marsh SINGAPORE FLING EXPECTING MIRACLE A TRIP WITH THE Noble Romance Publishing TWINS TYCOON HMB Sweet HMB Sweet
Anna Cleary Erica Hayes Fiona McArthur AT THE BOSS’S BECK AND SHADOWFAE PREGNANT WIFE, CALL St Martin’s Press FATHER NEEDED HMB Sexy Sensation HMB Medical
Robyn Donald Miranda Lee Melanie Milburne RICH, RUTHLESS AND LOVE SLAVE TO THE THE FUTURE KING’S SECRETLY ROYAL SHIEK LOVE CHILD HMB Sexy HMB Continuities HMB Continuities
Erin Grace Marion Lennox Trish Morey SECRETS CLAIMED: SECRET ROYAL THE MANCINI MARRIAGE Lyrical Press Inc SON BARGAIN/FOR REVENGE HMB Sweet OR PLEASURE? HMB Bestseller Collection
Anne Gracie Marion Lennox Janet Woods TO CATCH A BRIDE HIS ISLAND BRIDE/IN SALTING THE WOUND Berkley Sensation DOCTOR DARLINGS CARE Severn House HMB Bestseller Collection www.romanceaustralia.com Hearts Talk - October 2009 13
Subgenre in Focus: Sagas: UK Style
Sagas: UK Style By Anna Jacobs
WHAT IS A SAGA? was lived that’s important: cooking, clothes, pastimes, work. In the UK, sagas are a clearly defined and very popular historical genre with its own shelving in bookshops. Benita Brown says, ‘sagas are linked to the past by the They’re not usually generational stories but are more like memories of generations of the readers' own families. Of the old Norse sagas. Protagonists, especially the hero- course there is romance in them but also so much more: ines, battle against overwhelming odds—and win, thus birth, love, ambition, success, tragedy, death, the whole providing an uplifting tale of personal triumph. of life!’
I would call sagas romantic fiction, not pure romances. That’s why they’re so enjoyable to write! Basic elements include: HEROINES working class woman (or women) battling the odds very carefully researched historical background, The heroine usually starts off poor and vulnerable, though especially of working class life rags to riches stories are popular. Catherine Cookson’s early books were ground-breaking, because until then the regional focus middle and upper classes had dominated fiction for a long central romance (often sub-plots also include ro- time. mances) Janet Woods says, ‘I often write my main female charac- a complex story with several sub-plots, often lead- ters from a young age. For instance, in my current re- ing to several books in a series lease Hearts Of Gold the heroine is fourteen when she's happy ending left destitute on an Australian goldfield. It's a hook that draws instant reader sympathy, and one that wouldn't fit HISTORICAL DETAIL easily into a pure romance.’
Saga author Jean Fullerton says: ‘The historical detail in HEROES a good saga is almost a character in its own right. Fans of the genre tell me time and time again how much they love There is more latitude with heroes than heroines, but reading about everyday things that they either remember many of them are working class too, very rarely upper as a child or that their mothers told them about. If I want class. Even if they’re alpha males, it’s not they who domi- to give my readers the maximum enjoyment out of my nate the story, it’s the heroine. But they can form wonder- books, which I do, then I have to work hard to ensure that ful partnerships with the heroines to beat the odds all my period detail is spot on.’ stacked against them. I love the freedom to create any sort of hero to suit a particular story. I agree with Jean. I have a wall of research books, folders full of notes and other research storage and retrieval sys- COMPLEX PLOTS tems. It’s not enough to nip on the Internet to check a Most sagas are complex, with several sub-plots. They’re fact. You have to be sure of the historical background and usually told “herringbone fashion” with plot threads, char- tone behind that fact. acters and POVs alternating. (NB this does not mean RWA Saga Authors: ‘head hopping’!) As a reader, I sometimes wonder how Anna Jacobs Authors are not giving history lessons, but slip in the history it’ll all come together, but it always does in the end. As a Anne Whitfield smoothly as part of the story writer, I find it stimulating to keep so many plot threads Janet Woods background. It’s how daily life alive and weave them together into an inevitable and
www.romanceaustralia.com 14 Hearts Talk - October 2009
Subgenre in Focus: Sagas: UK Style compelling conclusion. UK Editor Says: Jean Fullerton says, ‘They are multi-layered stories that Comment from an editor who handles several top UK affirm women of all ages as wives, mothers, daughters saga authors and sisters, and are absolutely packed with adventure, intrigue and painstakingly researched period detail.’ The most important thing in a saga is heart—readers look to sagas to be inspired by characters they can THE ROMANCE ELEMENT believe in, and care about, and weep for. The ability to do this is a gift and not everyone can do it, but it's the There is always a romance at the heart of a saga. Indeed, single most important thing I want to see. The other my first visualizations of the plot are of the heroine’s story things I look for before I even consider taking on a book and then the hero’s, and how they get together. They add up to: excellent writing; believable dialogue; might not be together at the start, but they move steadily controlled and vivid descriptions, a gripping plot. towards deep involvement. Not that research and accuracy aren't absolutely Sagas are not usually graphic sexually and I think most of essential. Readers aren't idiots—they know lots of my readers would recoil from that, but I’ve seen many history, either because they've visited museums and wonderful love scenes that make you sigh with the pleas- historic houses, or because they've read lots of books. ure and rightness of the pair-bonding. If a novel is set relatively recently, a reader could well In addition, sagas offer great emotional depth, what my have been there and remember it well, or could have editor calls ‘heart’. If I don’t bring tears to my own eyes listened to someone of the right age describe how several times when I’m writing a story (both happy and things were, in the world wars or the depression for in- sad tears) then I don’t consider it good enough. stance. A reader who spots a mistake stops believing in the whole story, so there mustn't be any if at all possi- HISTORICAL PERIODS ble. Good saga writers are good historians, and great saga writers write historical novels every bit as accurate Most sagas these days are set in the twentieth century, and ambitious as writers who are labelled 'historical with fewer in the nineteenth century. The genre has been novelists'. dominated by World War II stories for a decade or so, with a fair sprinkling of WWI stories (which I prefer writ- Sagas can be set anywhere. They usually have a ing). But authors seem to be moving on now to the post- British connection—but often, some of a novel's war period. I’ve written sagas set from 1760 (Like No settings are colonial or European or American, or take Other) to 1926 (Freedom’s Land) so far. some of the characters to wars (World Wars I and II especially, but I've also published books with Boer War REGIONAL SETTINGS and Crimean War scenes). Sagas tend to have strong regional UK settings. Indeed, authors usually specialize in a certain area. I started by THE DISADVANTAGES writing books set in Lancashire because I grew up there. I see two main disadvantages to writing sagas. Firstly, it’s When I want to include dialect, I only have to remember not as easy to sell foreign language rights – presumably how my grandma spoke. However, once I was estab- because sagas have such a regional ‘Englishy’ flavour. It lished, I started setting sagas in Australia, where I now is, however, easy to sell large print and audio rights. Sec- live, and these have sold well, too. ondly, it’s not easy to sell to the US because editors at the publishing houses there seem to CLOG AND SHAWL SAGAS think sagas won’t sell. This attitude is Sagas set in the northern industrial areas of England surprising because LaVyrle Spencer’s (e.g. Lancashire, Yorkshire, Northumberland) were ‘Morning Glory’ is an archetypal saga in originally the most popular of all and have become known format, as well as being a brilliant story. as ‘clog and shawl sagas’ or ‘trouble at the mill’ tales. It just isn’t labelled a ‘saga’. However, the genre has broadened its base considerably since then. WHAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM THIS GENRE LENGTHS Whether you want to write sagas Most sagas are at least 100,000 words long, but I think or not, I think there’s a lot to be they’re shorter on average than they used to be. My con- learned from reading and studying tracts now ask for stories ‘of at least 100,000 words’, them. There is a skill to writing where they used to ask for ‘120,000 words’. complex plots, creating realistic historical backgrounds and plumb- MARKETS ing great emotional depth. The genre has been selling really well in the UK for dec- ades. I notice that Harlequin UK has put out one or two Anna Jacobs grew up in the UK, in sagas recently and Penguin Australia has just released industrial Lancashire, and emi- one. The genre is not hitting the heights of popularity at grated to Western Australia in 1973. the moment, but the main authors are still selling solidly. Her 46th novel, Freedom’s Land (My editor approves of this market summary, by the way.) was published in July. You can visit her at: www.annajacobs.com www.romanceaustralia.com Hearts Talk - October 2009 15
Events Calendar with Doreen Sullivan
Send your events to: [email protected] by the 15th of the month prior to your event. In Person Events
(Costings Code: M-member. MC-Member concession. NM-Non-members.)
@ Sunday 11 October Cost: $55 M, $60 NM The Opportunities of Romance FMI + Bookings: @ Saturdays, 7, 14, 21, 28 Nov Fiction ~ Anne Gracie http://users.northnet.com.au/ Even More Awesome When: 10.00am--4.00pm ~newc/ Foursome: a Deeper Look at the Where: NSW Writers' Centre OR (02) 6772 7210 OR e-mail Building Blocks of Creative Cost: $85 MC, $99 M, $125 NM [email protected] Writing ~ Valerie Parv FMI + Bookings: When: 1.00pm--4.00pm www.nswwriterscentre.org.au/ OR Where: ACT Writers' Centre [email protected] @ Thursday 29 October Cost: $200 M, $184 MC, $250 NM Publishers and Agents Seminar, FMI + Bookings: Part 2 ~ www.actwriters.org.au/ @ Sundays 18, 25 Oct, Alexandra Payne & Gaby Naher workshops09.html#Even_more_awes 1, 8, 15 & 22 Nov When: 6.30pm ome_foursome:_a_deeper World Building using Real Where: Queensland Writers' Centre OR (02) 6262 9191 History ~ Gillian Polack Seminar Room When: 1.00pm--4.00pm Cost: $65 M, $55 MC, $110 NM Where: ACT Writers' Centre FMI + Bookings: @ Love, Romance and Getting it Cost: $270 M, $216 MC, $320 NM www.qwc.asn.au/ProgramsEvents/ Right FMI + Bookings: Events/Seminars.aspx#publishers2 Isolde Martyn and the www.actwriters.org.au/ OR (07) 3839 1243 Turramurra Women's Fiction workshops09.html#World_building_ Group using_real_history When: 10.00am--4.00pm OR (02) 6262 9191 @ Wednesday 4 November Where: New South Wales Writers' Synopsis Blues; Walk Out That Centre Door ~ Sophie Cunningham Cost: $99 M, $85 MC, $125 NM @ Saturday 24 October When: 5.30pm--7.00pm FMI + Bookings: Polishing for Publication ~ Where: Byron Bay Community Centre www.nswwriterscentre.org.au/ Wendy James Cost: $20 M, $25 NM OR (02) 9555 9757 When: 10.00am--4.00pm FMI + Bookings: www.nrwc.org.au/ Where: New England Writers' Centre OR e-mail [email protected] OR phone (02) 6685 5115.
Online Want to be in an Events RWA BIAW?
BIAW is a “Book in a Week” which means Julie Rowe, a 2006 Golden you set yourself a challenge for the number of Heart double finalist, moderates the words you want to write during that week and Announce Online Writing Classes list. report your word count at the end of each day. The Announce Online Writing Classes Many members find it acutely motivating to have the support of list notifies subscribers of around 25 meeting a challenge with others, and knowing you need to report your to 35 workshops available each totals at the end of the day. month. Most tutorials are sponsored So why not have a go? by Romance Writers of Upcoming BIAWs America chapters, but on occasion 5-11 October other reputable teachers are 2-8 November handpicked too. 30 Nov–6 December
Interested? Weekly Challenges 2000 word goal for the day every Monday except Subscribe by sending an e-mail to BIAW weeks. Announceonlinewritingclasses- [email protected] Email [email protected] for more information or with your goal.
www.romanceaustralia.com 16 Hearts Talk - October 2009
Contest Page with Catherine Evans Contests! Other Writing Contests
If writing contests are your thing – there are enough to keep you busy for the entire year!
RWA 2010 Contest dates Some members, like Kylie Griffin, belong to Romance Writers of Australia, New Zealand and America. Kylie Selling Synopsis – says, “For me, cross membership into RWNZ was for CLOSES October 9th - SO HURRY!! access to their writing competitions. RWA & RWNZ have very similar contests - for category & single title, Emerald - partials & a synopsis as well as full manuscript. It gave opens Oct 16; CLOSES Nov 27, 2009 me double the feedback and it gave me twice the chance to get in front of an editor or agent if I finalled.” Little Gems (Topaz) - opens Dec 18; CLOSES Jan 29, 2010 The RWNZ contests are similar to the RWAus Little Gems Cover contest - ones and you need to be opens Dec 18; CLOSES Jan 29, 2010 a member of RWNZ to enter. Strictly Single (similar to the STALI and closing on First Kiss - Closing Dates 25th September 2009!) opens Jan 1; 2010 Contest Closing Dates HMB Great Beginnings (similar to the HMB High CLOSES Feb Five) 12, 2010 2009 Clendon Award (similar to the Emerald Award) 9 Oct - Selling Synopsis Chapter Short Story (similar to the Little Gems) Valerie Parv 27 Nov – Emerald Award – opens Dates for the new contest year are not yet available, but keep an eye on the website if you’re Feb15; Closes 2010 29 Jan – Little Gems (Topaz) interested – Romance Writers NZ: March 26, 2010 29 Jan – Little Gems cover www.romancewriters.co.nz/ 12 Feb – First Kiss RBY will close 26 Mar – Valerie Parv Award early Feb (date to be advised) Romance Writers of America The STALI and High Five contests have RWAmerica have a pile of contests, some open to members only and already closed (25 Sept). others open to all. The two national contests are the RITA (for published romance fiction novels) and the Golden Heart (for unpublished fiction romance manuscripts). Valerie Parv Award For more information, go to www.rwanational.org/ Change to Entry Conditions
The Valerie Parv Award is open to RWA members and non-members. This year Outside the Romance Industry a list of contests can be found on the websites of each State there were almost 100 entries. To help with Writers’ Centres – keeping the number of entries to a NSW Writers’ Centre www.nswwriterscentre.org.au manageable level, it has been decided that Qld Writers’ Centre www.qwc.asn.au each entrant shall be allowed to enter only WA Writers’ Centre www.writerswritingwa.org 1 manuscript. Vic Writers’ Centre www.vwc.org.au SA Writers’ Centre www.sawriters.on.net NT Writers’ Centre www.ntwriters.com.au Stephie Smith has a great website listing all Tas Writers’ Centre www.tasmanianwriters.org the American contests. ACT Writers’ Centre www.actwriters.org.au Have a look at - www.stephiesmith.com/ contests.html OR Donna Caubarreaux also has a blog where you can join a yahoo group contest alert. There’s also the FAW, http://contestdivas.blogspot.com/ who hold contests - Fellowship of Australian Writers www.writers.asn.au www.romanceaustralia.com Hearts Talk - October 2009 17
Practicalities, Technicalities with Michelle Wood
There’s Something A-Tweet on the Web By Kiki Lon
Personal websites, blogging, chat Once you’re set up with your own Twitter username rooms. You’ve mastered the internet and have maybe customised your page with a photo, and are savvy on your promo. “Yes, but a link to your website and a short blurb, it’s time to are you on Twitter?” someone asks and get following. you’re back to square one. A great place to start is www.twitter.com/rwaus, Is Twitter just another Facebook? Is it text messag- RWA’s official Twitter account. If you click on the ing the web? And most importantly, do you need it? ‘Followers’ link, you can find many of our authors who are already tweeting. By clicking on the ‘follow’ The answer to the last one is simple. No, you don’t button next to their names, you can follow them, need Twitter any more than you need a blog or Face- too. book account website. You can do just fine without them, and many do. But just as many people find tweeting, sending little messages via the Twitter client out into the world, fun and a great networking Next Steps tool. Once you’ve sent and read your first few tweets, you How can you get involved? I’m glad you asked. might see a few things that will still confuse you. When you send a message with @username at the beginning, it's understood that your message is in- What is Twitter? tended for that specific user, but all your followers can still see the tweet. Twitter (www.twitter.com) is a free social network- ing and micro-blogging service that enables its users To send a friend a private tweet, use the Direct com- to send and read text-based messages known as mand: d username message. tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 Messages can be forwarded as well. This is known as characters displayed on the author's profile page and Re-Tweeting, RT for short. Usually, the original delivered to the author's subscribers. sender of the message will be included, i.e. RT If that sounds a lot like a cross-over between a text @username. message and a Facebook update to you, you’re on # tags are used to topic tag a message. These range the right track. If the idea of broadcasting your life from the silly to serious and help people search for 140 characters at a time doesn’t appeal to you, or specific news items across Twitter. Try searching for you could care less about your friends’ status up- #rwaus09 to see all the tweets sent in regards to dates, Twitter probably isn’t the right tool for you. RWA’s conference in Brisbane this year. If you love the idea of little bits of instant connec-
tion, however, here are a few tips to get the most out of your Twitter life. Advanced Twitter
Once you’ve set yourself up on Twitter and are com- How to become one of the fortable with the basics, you are ready to use Twitter to promote yourself and your work, catch up with Tweeple friends and network to your heart’s content. First things first, get an account. You can’t tweet Get in touch with the RWA webteam at our Twitter without an account to do it on. Second, I’d recom- account (Just tweet your question or comment mend that you get a desktop client. There are several @rwaus) and let us know about your Twitter experi- great options out there for both Mac and PC. Tweet- ence. Tweet you there! Deck for PC and Twitterific for the Mac are both highly recommended. They make sorting your Twit- Kiki Lon is RWA’s webmistress and the Manager ter friends into categories easier and help you keep of Online Services. She also writes books. You can track of who mentions you, too. visit her at: http://kikifu.wordpress.com/ and she blogs at: http://weloveya.wordpress.com/
www.romanceaustralia.com 18 Hearts Talk - October 2009
Market Watch with Pam Collings
Information on markets is sourced from websites and other publications and reported in good faith. RWA Inc. does not investigate the informa- tion hereafter and cannot be held responsible for its accuracy and recommends readers verify names and addresses before submitting. This month’s focus is conference Spot- Don’t ring, don’t talk – WRITE! tations of their work, so the name of the lights (with Harlequin next month). Thanks Let it sit a few months before sending. author is linked to a certain type of book. to Cath Evans, Helen Katsinis & Meredith Revision, revision, revision. Have it the She talked of proposed changes to copy- Webber for their marvellous notes. best you can before you send it in. right laws in Aust and the impact on earn-
Read widely. ings for both Aust authors & publishers, ALLEN & UNWIN—Annette Barlow Don’t pretty it up—just plain font, one- and the problems overseas companies by Cath Evans www.allenandunwin.com sided, B&W, bound with rubber band. dumping cheap books in Aust will cause. Annette gave an overview: A&U, the larg- Don’t send originals or photos, they She’s excited by Aust outback stories, est independent book publisher in Austra- won’t be returned. romantic suspense, thrillers & mysteries. lia, with 250 books published/year. Arena Don’t send marketing plans or launch is the popular fiction and non-fiction arm. details—just manuscript. Once you’ve The Knight Agency—Melissa Jeglinski A&U also distribute for Bloomsbury and sold, then worry about marketing. by Helen Katsinis other overseas publishers. Put energy into your writing. Have 6 acquiring agents All manuscripts, regardless of genre, go Check shops for similar types of books. Represent a vast range of genres through the same submission process. Don’t ever give up. Agency agreement has 90 day no- A&U seek manuscripts that will sell well Stick with groups (eg RWA, crit grp). signing (not necessarily the most creative). Once Enter contests. Commission is 15% national, 20% a manuscript is found, then the acquiring Try to get published in newspapers and overseas as they use co-agents editor has to “sell it” in-house by giving magazines. comparisons in the same genre, the target Melissa looks after general submis- Cover letter, synopsis, include where audience, expected sales, etc. A&U sions: [email protected] your book might fit in market, what it’s needs the whole company on board with a You can follow their blog and some like (make that real, not what you’d like book, which makes 70-90 people to in- agents have an individual blog it to be like!), if you had a book group crease word-of-mouth sales. About 95% read it anonymously and you collated Everything is electronic—no paper sub of the “spark” books picked and sold in- those results, that can be added. Con- Some publishers only want North house end up on the shelves. American English rights, but agency test results can be included. Relationships in the publishing industry Rejection is not personal. Sometimes will look for markets elsewhere. are important. You need your editor/ A&U miss a gem because of volumes With YA, too many Twilight-based publisher to have integrity and shared of manuscripts. books sent in. Be nice to see themes vision. Most authors need an agent. Use courses, contests, mentors, self- with extra twist, eg historical YA. With promotion, as much as client A&U are looking for: Popular fiction, help, etc. that are available. wants to. Would rather have them strong characters, romance infused into Multiple submissions okay if they know. working on next book. other genres (eg. literary romance, histori- Tell them if you get an offer asap. Website important, book more so. cal time slip, romantic travel or memoir, A couple of authors resist editing. Editing crime, historical crime, chick-lit crime, Continue writing when waiting to hear is suggestion not a demand. Editors don’t back from agents and publishers. cosy crime, outback romance, chick-lit, expect you to make all changes and ex- Remember sometimes it comes down hen-lit, erotic romance), a good hook for pect some resistance because authors booksellers (e.g. Fleur Macdonald writes to “the right book at the right time”. have to love their story. Editors know outback romance and lives in outback most authors hate structural review. Any Query letter WA), stories with heart (want to invite the mandatory editorial changes are sorted Questions don’t always grab. Eg what characters for dinner, be their friends, out before contract is negotiated. would you do if...? don’t ever want to finish with them), be- Two or three lines about the book. lievable plot, don’t dabble around the CURTIS BROWN—Clare Forster Descriptions of characters. edges of issues—get to the heart. Acquir- by Meredith Webber ing through Friday Pitch with Louise Short, to the point and professional. Thurtell, although this may soon end due CB Aust is 20% owned by CB UK but Story needs to have an ending. Don’t to bulk of submissions. doesn’t mean they use only CB to seek leave it hanging. deals for authors overseas. Have 3½ In economic downturn, riskier projects are Compare voice with other works, or agents: Clare (Melb), 2 agents in Sydney, more difficult to sell. Looking for the “new” combination of works. and the 2IC in Syd handling some authors Nora Roberts, Rachel Treasure, Janet Relevant personal information— (making her the ½!). Doesn’t mean Syd Evanovich, Stephenie Meyer. If they love organisations belong to, contest finals. it but have something similar, may be a agents only handle Syd authors—have freedom to take on anyone, anywhere, if Receives 50—75 queries per day. case of waiting or may suggest you sub- convinced can find a publisher for book. mit widely. Erotica—boundaries depend Relationship between author & agent: on stories themselves. Major concern is Agents work closely with publishers and Business/friendship relationship. how will be sold/bought in a bookshop. author to package new book to best ad- Agent works for you but be kind. vantage. Publishers take the biggest risk In Aust, very difficult to introduce new Be reasonable with agent. author with big numbers of books (in Aust, as they put up the money to produce the Ask for updates: where your books are usually a big print run is 8–10 000 books). book without knowing if it’ll sell, but con- versely, a runaway bestseller means pub- going, who they’re with, when will agent SUBMISSION TIPS lisher has money to risk to buy a book hear back, what plan is for you the au- Important to follow guidelines on web- from an unknown author. Because agent thor, and be reasonable about times to site. And check them again—they do and publisher are together building a base work on things.
change. for author, they like the author to produce Melissa Jeglinski currently has 15 clients No unsolicited manuscripts due to one book a year, to keep name out, and and wants to double by next year. sheer volume they have. This may build reader base and sales figures. At the change as submissions lessen. same time they’re building reader expec- www.romanceaustralia.com Hearts Talk - October 2009 19 Snippets & buzz The Last Word from the front lines with HelsKat
Free Downloads! Classic I do like my free stuff Typo… Smart Bitches, Mills & Boon UK have are cele- Trashy brating their first year of Books releasing eBooks and are giving noted this 10 eBooks away at: typo in the www.everyonesreading.com monthly Mills & Boon newsletter (or is it a new direction of M&B books?) The title is
meant to be The Virgin Secretary’s Impossible Boss. Whoops! Keri Arthur’s Full Moon Rising (the 1st in the Riley Jensen Literary Agent More oppose Guardian series, Nathan Bransford’s Google’s set in Melbourne Book Publishing Book about a rare Glossary Settlement and join the Open Book Alliance half-vampire, including: Amazon, Microsoft, Yahoo, SFWA, www.tinyurl.com/mkucct half-werewolf and the New York Library Association. hybrid) is avail- able for free download at BRONWYN PARRY inter- www.suvudu.com/freelibrary viewed by Graeme Blundell
in The Australian. Reminder: Harlequin tinyurl.com/n7rw3r The international conference for the Inter- national Association for the Study of Popular are celebrating their Go Bronwyn! 60th Anniversary this Romance was held in August in Brisbane. year and are giving Some news footage: away free eBooks at The Book vs The Kindle: ABC News: http://tinyurl.com/qbx4nt www.harlequincelebrates.com 10 part Youtube videos Brisbane Times: http://tinyurl.com/qxaoe5
A bit of tongue-in-cheek Tolkien Trust and Harper humour from a bookstore Harlequin Sales Stats in Australia UK have settled Lord of in San Francisco. the Rings film suit. So youtube.com/user/ “Harlequin is the number one romance fiction publisher in the world, selling over here comes The Hobbit! GreenAppleBooks 130 million books a year, with a worldwide Woohoo! Source: scifitv readership of 50 million women. In Australia, more than one in every five "Wooed women spice paperbacks sold is published by Harlequin.” up book sales” source: B&T marketing/advertising/PR A Market- place pod- cast and New York Times breaks embargoes transcript: The NYT has broken 2 embargoes in the last how women and romantic week, releasing by reviews before set dates fiction are helping the Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol and Ted book market in this eco- Kennedy’s memoir. In the case of the latter, nomic downtime. Hachette has hired a private investigator to tinyurl.com/n6r6av discover the leak. Source: Galleycat
Book publishing in new TV series… “CBS has landed a highly sought multicamera comedy script by "Will & Grace" alumna Gail Lerner. The project, tentatively titled "Open Books," has received a pilot com- mitment from the network. It revolves around book editor June and her circle of friends.” Source: Reuters