Vicki Lewis Thompson Friend Or Foe?...P8 Congratulations on Receiving the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement the New RWA Award! the Ceremony Was Heaps of Fun

Edition #191 April 2009 The official journal of Romance Writers of Australia

Brisbane, Qld

Craft: Creating Inner Hearts Talk chats to 8-time RITA nominee, RWAmerica’s 2008 Nora Rob- Conflict...... p4 erts Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and author of more than 90 books... Vicki Lewis Thomp- son Interview (cont) ...... p6 Adverbs: Vicki Lewis Thompson Friend or Foe?...p8 Congratulations on receiving the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement The New RWA Award! The ceremony was heaps of fun. Can Website...... p9 you tell us about the night, your theory about authors with three names, and what Agent Profile: Kristen the award means to you?

Nelson Agency .p10 It was truly a Cinderella experience, so much so that I have a little gold pumpkin carriage sitting Insights Gained After on the shelf beside my RITA. I knew there was Publication...... p11 the potential for being nervous, so I just told myself that nervousness would spoil an amaz- Member ing experience, so I needed to get over myself! Spotlight ...... p12 Voilà , I wasn’t nervous! As for three names, after I got The Call that I was the award recipi- Member News & ent, I naturally went on the website to see the list of previous recipients, and that three-name Releases ...... p13 thing leaped out at me. You truly couldn’t miss it! It made me laugh, so I used it. The award Focus on: Erotic itself is priceless, a tangible representation of Romance ...... p14 25 successful years in the business. I will cher- ish it always, and bequeath it to my children, Events ...... p16 whether they want it or not.

Contest News ...p17 You’ve left your popular Nerd books and are writing the Hex series, with your third title out in March, Casual Hex. Was it difficult to leave the Nerds Critters & after seven books and focus on this new series?

Creators ...... p18 Yes, it was, but my agent, my publisher, and I concluded that something new was in order, because it’s good to quit while you’re ahead, right? I still get let- Market Watch ...p19 (Continued on page 6)

RWA Inc Info for Members Team Hearts Talk

Romance Writers of Australia Inc MEMBERSHIP QUERIES Sharon Arkell PO Box 1236, Neutral Bay NSW 2089 Plus if you’re not getting HT: Proofreading 0422 978 471 [email protected]

www.romanceaustralia.com To join ROMAUS, our online email group: Go to http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/ PRESIDENT Kelly Hunter romanceaustralia click on the ‘join this Deb Bennetto [email protected] group’ button and follow the instructions. Features Tina Clark SENIOR VICE Alison Ahearn PRESIDENT [email protected] [email protected]

SECOND Rachel Bailey For FACE-TO-FACE GROUPS throughout Aus- VICE [email protected] tralia, and queries on how to join an existing Rachael Blair PRESIDENT group or start one yourself: Julie-Anne Carter Member Announcements SECRETARY Judy McLeod [email protected] 0422 978 471 [email protected] To register for a CRITIQUE PARTNER email

MEMBERSHIP AJ Macpherson Rachel Bailey for more information. Catherine Evans REGISTRAR [email protected] [email protected] Contests & Proofreading

TREASURER Andrea Fuller INDIVIDUAL WRITERS SUPPORT SCHEME [email protected] For unpublished members. Priority given to those challenged by distance or unable to COMMITTEE access creative support by other means. Melissa Haack Robyn Grady, Louise Reynolds, Anne Cleary, Register for a one-off critique of either 1 or Member Spotlight Kiki Opdenberg 3 chapters by a published author / advanced unpublished writer. Sharon Arkell CONFERENCE CO-ORDINATOR PO Box 421, Buninyong VIC 3357 Alison Ahearn [email protected] [email protected]

AJ Macpherson CONTESTS CO-ORDINATOR Writer’s Life Lis Hoorweg [email protected] NATIONAL CONFERENCE For all current details and registration forms R*BY CO-ORDINATOR see www.romanceaustralia.com Louise Reynolds [email protected] CONTESTS Stephanie Mayne All deadlines, entry forms and sample score Layout PUBLISHED AUTHOR LIAISON sheets are at www.romanceaustralia.com in Bronwyn Jameson the members only section (you will need a [email protected] password), or in the Files section of the RWA Contest Alert yahoo group. ROMAUS EMAIL LIST MODERATOR [email protected] Tina Clark [email protected] Ingrid Rickersey Layout To obtain contest entry forms via mail, send WEB MISTRESS your request with a stamped, self-addressed Kiki Opdenberg envelope to: RWA Contests, 20 Waller Cres- [email protected] cent, Campbell ACT 2612

HEARTS TALK EDITOR Serena Tatti To join Contest Alert, RWA’s email alert for Rachel Bailey Proofreading [email protected] contest entrants, go to au.groups.yahoo.com/group/ Romance Writers of Australia Inc ABN 30 075 RWAContestAlert/ click on the ‘join this 409 728 is registered in NSW as an Incorpo- group’ in the right hand corner and follow rated Association the liability of whose mem- the instructions. bers is limited. Michelle Wood WEBSITE PASSWORDS Practicalities, Technicalities CONTACTING US: We love to hear from you, To gain access to our members only section: & Layout but would appreciate calls not be made after email [email protected] 8.30pm.

To SUGGEST AN ARTICLE OR OFFER TO Rachel Bailey Editor WRITE AN ARTICLE for Hearts Talk, email, Sue Burgess-Thompson Features REPRINT RIGHTS: Hearts Talk is the official publi- [email protected] cation of RWAust Inc and no part can be repro- Suzanne Brandyn Front Page Member Photos

duced or used for profit by RWA members or others Pam Collings Market Watch and Proofreading without prior permission from the Editor. Repro- Member photos on cover: (l-r) Carol Challis Layout duction rights exist between agreed parties on the condition that appropriate credit is given to Hearts Trish Morey, Fiona Gregory, Michelle Elms Layout Talk and the author of the article. Copyright re- Bronwyn Holdsworth, Rowena Bronwyn Jameson The Write Craft mains with the author. The views expressed in Hearts Talk do not necessarily reflect the official Cory Daniells, Lucy Forster, Helen Katsinis Deputy Editor and The Biz policy of RWA. All care is taken to check details Kylie Short, Erica Hayes, Sandii Manning Member Spotlight produced in these pages but no responsibility can Kiki Opdenberg The Back Page be taken if they are inaccurate. Please let us know Astrid Cooper, Joanna Challis, if we have published the wrong details and we will Doreen Sullivan Events Calendar & Articles do our best to correct the error in the next issue. Margie Stewart. Tracey Turner Editorial Assistant © Copyright 2008 Romance Writers of Australia Inc. Cover Heart Photo: Anita Mack. Malvina Yock Proofreading www.romanceaustralia.com 2 Hearts Talk - April 2009

From the Prez...

Back: Lis Hoorweg, Robyn committee). On Grady, Kiki Opdenberg. Front: Louise Reynolds, a sad note, we Alison Ahearn, Anna farewell Sec- Cleary, Rachel Bailey, Over Halfway There... Bronwyn Jameson ond Vice Presi- If you’re a plotter who writes to a three act story plan, the dent Tracey halfway mark in terms of word count sees you deeply O’Hara who enmeshed in the middle of act two. You know these has made the characters now and you’re beginning to drive them to- difficult choice wards the climax of the story and hopefully towards their to stand down happy ever after. You’re likely to have more than a cast from her com- of two by now. You may have a secondary plot playing mittee role this month. We’ll miss her and we wish her all out in addition to the primary story. Some parts of the the very best as her writing career heats up! story have already played out and paid off as you reward the reader who’s paying attention. You’re building mo- On a reshuffling note, Rachel Bailey has agreed to take mentum, not too much, not yet, but soon you’ll be ready on the Second Vice President’s role, and webmistress to give those story ponies free rein because, frankly, Kiki Opdenburg joins us as a general committee mem- that’s what you’ve promised your reader. Meanwhile, tick ber. Thank You, ladies. Most appreciated. something off the story to-do list. There does seem to be quite the Thank You theme de-

As Prez, it’s a fabulous feeling when the effort of con- veloping in this column. At the ftf we focussed strongly secutive RWA committees pays off. Last year RWA on ways to strengthen the volunteer culture within the called for donations towards the purchase and place- organisation. We currently have over 65 volunteers who ment of a memorial bench at the Canberra National Zoo undertake all sorts of tasks on behalf of RWA. Without to honour Paul Parv - long time RWA supporter and this support RWA could not and would not function. We’ll husband of Valerie, one of Australia’s pioneer writers of be doing a little management restructuring in the months romance. We raised over $1900 and ended up not only to come with the aim of making sure that all of our volun- with a bench but a glorious paved and landscaped gar- teers are supported in their duties. We’re hoping to thank den nook that’s peaceful and perfect. Those who at- them out loud and in public a little more often and to this tended the dedication of Paul’s bench took home warm end, we’ve arrived at a cunning yet simple plan. Each memories of a restful sitting place, generous and hospi- month the name of every RWA volunteer goes into a table zoo staff, a new awareness of the volunteer roles draw to win a writing related prize generously donated by Paul and Valerie undertook at the zoo, and I hope a feel- one of our members. The winner’s name and the prize are mentioned in HT, Romaus, and on our Website. ing of quiet achievement. To Tracey O’Hara who first mentioned the words Valerie and Paul, Zoo, and Bench Please meet April’s Volunteer of the Month! together in the same sentence and who then called the zoo and got the ball rolling, to everyone who donated Pam Collings: HT proofreader, Mar- money, to Andrea Fuller our trusty treasurer who kept ket Watch collator, Valerie Parv Award track of the monies, to AJ Macpherson who took over the contest co-ordinator, and zoo liaison role when Tracey’s specialist skills were BIAW co-ordinator. needed for website duties, and to everyone who at- Pam wins a multi-signed tended the presentation and in particular Anne Gracie copy of Sizzle, Se- and Marion Lennox who travelled far to be there, Thank duce, & Simmer Romance & reci- You. Together we took the spark of an idea and saw it pes – a sinfully sweet selection by Aus- through to completion and it feels so good. tralia’s favourite romance authors, col- On another feel good note for a job well done, congratu- lected by Marion Lennox. Congratula- lations to the two new groups of graduating Bootcam- tions Pam, and Thank You. pers. More Thank You’s are in order – to Rachel Bailey our Bootcamps instigator, and all the organisers, pre- Here’s wishing you windfalls, whatever weather you senters, and participants who saw the program through. need, and the magic of spinning stories. And may all your writing flow. Our executive face-to-face (ftf) meeting was productive, exhausting, and fun (see photo on right of some of the Kelly Hunter RWA Road Show ’09 Have you booked your tickets yet?

23rd May, Good Earth Hotel, Perth, WA $100 RWA members; $110 non RWA members FMI, email Julie-Anne: [email protected] www.romanceaustralia.com Hearts Talk - April 2009 3

The Write Craft with Bronwyn Jameson

Sarah Mayberry on CreatingCreating StrongStrong InnerInner ConflictConflict forfor youryour CharactersCharacters

It may sound crazy, but creating believable Once your characters’ attraction to one reasons for your hero and heroine to NOT fall another has overcome the external reasons for in love with each other is essential to creating a them not to be together, it’s time for their successful romance. Without some kind of personal issues to get in the way. Which is block in their way, watching your hero and where internal conflict comes in. heroine fall in love would be pleasant, but not very entertaining. We all want to be happy, but Internal Conflict - Character driven we want our heroes and heroines to go on a The Internal Conflict or Block is the journey to find love. We want them to earn it, struggle that goes on within a character that and that’s where internal and external conflicts makes them vulnerable or stops them taking come in. I’m only going to touch lightly on risks or reaching for what they want. In other external conflicts in this article, words, this is the character’s because, in my experience, coming “Without some kind of block reasons for why falling in love is a up with the external block for your in their way, watching your scary thing for them. hero and heroine is the simpler of In Can’t Get Enough, Claire was hero and heroine fall in love the two conflicts to generate since afraid to make herself vulnerable it’s the aspect of the novel that is would be pleasant, but not to Jack because her troubled, usually easily summarised on the very entertaining. ” distant relationship with her father back cover of the book, and it’s had left her feeling she was usually the thumbnail we use when we intrinsically unlovable. Jack was afraid to describe the initial scenario of our story to a allow himself to fall in love because he’d lost friend or colleague. his twin brother and had never really dealt with his grief. External Conflict - Plot driven In my recent Blaze, Below The Belt, Jamie The External Conflict or External Block, as refuses to allow herself to be vulnerable to it’s sometimes called, is any situation, event or love because a past lover took terrible person outside of the character’s control that advantage of her and her family during a time blocks or opposes the character’s a crisis. Jamie is also subconsciously desire/goals. So, essentially, this is the punishing/seeking redemption for plot’s reason for the hero and heroine herself in the boxing ring because she to not get along. In my first book, believes she let down her father, and Can’t Get Enough, Claire was forced is therefore responsible for his to take on playboy Jack as the editor subsequent suicide. of her magazine in order to appease Both of the above situations an old-fashioned client. In the first of resulted in my heroes and heroines my Daytime Diva books, Take On conducting fierce internal battles Me, Sadie returns from holiday to find between their fears, wants and needs. the man who humiliated her in high And, in the end, deciding to be brave school has been hired as her and take the leap of faith into trusting temporary subordinate. their lover and making themselves In both of the above scenarios, it’s vulnerable. easy to see at least one reason why these people are going to have trouble getting it Finding your characters’ inner conflict together. Either they have very separate, even In my opinion, tapping into a character’s opposite, ambitions, or they’re worried about vulnerabilities is what makes them a real and the professional repercussions of giving in to empathetic person for the reader to engage their attraction for one another. with. It also, handily, provides my characters with reasons why NOT to fall in love.

www.romanceaustralia.com 4 Hearts Talk - April 2009

The Write Craft with Bronwyn Jameson

Sarah Mayberry on as much as possible. For example, if I had a Creating Strong Inner Conflict for your Characters playboy character whose deepest fear was to be trapped in an unhappy marriage in the same continued... way that his father was, pitting him against a So, how do you make your characters woman whose greatest fear was abandonment vulnerable? I think you need to find their fear. would create excellent internal conflict for What is this person more afraid of than both of them. Both characters are each other’s anything else in the world? Are they: worst nightmares - seen through her eyes, . Afraid of being rejected? he’s a serial abandoner; seen through his . Afraid of being abandoned? eyes, she’s a ball and chain. But in finding . Afraid of being ridiculed? each other and falling in love, these two . Afraid of being wrong? characters challenge each other to . Afraid of letting someone down? overcome their deepest fears. If you can . Afraid of hurting someone? create two characters who help each other . Afraid of being hurt? to heal in this way, I believe you’re on to a . Afraid of being weak? real emotional winner. . Afraid of being trapped? Once you have a fear nailed down, you The journey of self-discovery need to come up with a reason for that fear. A last but very important point - What happened to this person to make obviously, while these fears and them fear being rejected/abandoned/ motivations are working subconsciously ridiculed? Do they have issues with one of within your characters, fuelling their their parents or a sibling? Did they have a behaviour, their internal monologues, their formative childhood experience? Were they reactions, etc, they are not consciously aware bullied at school? Overlooked by boys? of them at the beginning of your story. A Laughed at by girls? Did they lose a loved character who knows their own fears is an one? Have a terrible accident? Or have they actualised character and he or she isn’t going suffered a painful betrayal? Were they fat or to be much fun to play with. At the start of scrawny? Did they have terrible acne? A limp? your story, your characters have problems but A speech impediment? they believe they’re coping just fine, thank you Once you have your character’s weak spot, very much. It’s going through the ins and outs or fear, and the reasons for that fear, suddenly of your plot, dealing with the external blocks you also have backstory and history. to their attraction to the hero/heroine Half the battle is won. “A character who knows that brings them up against their internal blocks and forces them to Do my bits match your bits? their own fears is an discover/acknowledge the fears that Once you’ve found your actualised character and have held them back from life and characters’ internal conflicts/fears, he or she isn’t going to be love. In dealing with their fears - or it’s good to put your hero and much fun to play with.” deciding to take the leap of faith into heroine beside each other to see how love and trust - they become whole. their particular problems are going to rub up against each other. Sometimes you Sarah has two books available locally in might find that you’ve created two characters April: A Natural Father, HMB SuperRomance who are afraid of the same thing, for different Duo, and Amorous Liaisons, a HQ Blaze in the reasons. This is not necessarily a bad thing - Mother’s Day Gift Pack. Read excerpts at her you just have to figure in their common fear to website www.sarahmayberry.com/. Most of each step in the story. Imagine the lack of Sarah’s backlist, including Take On Me and communication and game playing that would Below The Belt, are available as eBooks from take place between two characters who are http://ebooks.eharlequin.com/. both afraid of letting someone down, for example. Sometimes when I start thinking about a book, one character and all their messy flaws will come to me more easily than the other. In those cases, I like to really look at that known character’s fear and use it against them to find the perfect heroine/hero to stimulate their fear www.romanceaustralia.com Hearts Talk - April 2009 5

Author Interview

Vicki Lewis Thompson (Continued from page 1) ters asking for the nerds to return, and maybe someday they will, but I love the challenge of I started out new directions. with Tempta- tion, which Why do you think the Nerd books were so gave me my first contract. popular? Loved that line. Lots of readers tend to be nerds – we read all After my sec- the time, right? But I think the real draw was the ond Temptation Superman story, which was my inspiration for all came out, I was the nerd books. Clark Kent becomes Super- approached to man, and it’s a theme I’ve loved ever since I write Superro- was a kid. I heart Clark Kent, but Superman is mance, which HOT. taught me so much in terms Can you tell us about the process of creating of writing a the world that the Hex books are set in? e.g. longer book. did you write a list of rules for the magic be- Love and Laughter was one of my favourite fore you began plotting the story, or did you lines, because I’m such a fan of romantic com- start with the characters, etc. edy, but eventually that morphed into Duets, and I was honoured to be asked to write the first I had SO much fun creating Big Knob, Indiana! I Duets, along with Christie Ridgway. I was fur- wanted a place that would be least likely to be ther honoured to be asked to write the first open to witches and wizards, and made up a Blaze, NOTORIOUS, and now I’ll return to Blaze small, conservative town in Indiana. I used to for this new ranch series. I do love cowboys, so live in the Midwest, which helped me visualize it’ll be fun. Big Knob. I didn’t write a list of rules, because that’s not my way of working. I usually like to During your category career was it your in- plunge in ASAP and make up the rules as I go. tention to eventually write single title ro- I started with the matchmaking witch and wiz- mance? How did the transition come about? ard, Dorcas and Ambrose, and banished them to Big Knob for a magical transgression. I was I love writing category, and moving to single title nearly halfway through the first book before I was simply a matter of seeing whether I could realized I needed something more, and George, do it. As it turns out, I really enjoy having a foot the Dragon with ADD, showed up. I can’t imag- in each camp, so beginning in 2010, I’ll be doing ine this series without George, and yet he was- both! To me, that’s the best of both worlds. n’t part of the original concept. Category books are sleek and focused, while single titles allow you room to stretch. I enjoy The small community is a theme in many of each format for different reasons. your books – is that something you’ve consciously created? Do you have any advice for authors consid-

ering a switch from category to single title? Yes and no. It doesn’t always work for a story, but I love it when it does. The small Alaskan I sure do. Never burn any bridges. Each venue town in NERD GONE WILD had me in stitches, has its pros and cons, and you may decide, as I and I wanted something similar when I created have, to take advantage of both. Limiting your- Big Knob. Here’s a sneak preview of things to self to one or the other may put restrictions on come – I’m creating a similar community I’ll un- your creativity, and you don’t want to do that! veil in the summer of 2010, because Harlequin Blaze has persuaded me to write a series set on What made you go back to category ro- a Wyoming ranch. The series will have three mance with your contribution to Winter books out every summer for three years, and Heat? I’m so excited! As I mentioned, I kept my connections with Har- You had a successful career writing for sev- lequin, and some great offers came along as a eral Harlequin lines, including Blaze, Temp- result. This was one. The Blaze project is an- tation, Superromance, Love and Laughter, other. I’ve discovered that the key to keeping and Duets. Were the changes between lines fresh as a writer is to stay out of ruts. I’m having at your request, or were you asked to write a blast doing all sorts of new things. for different lines?

www.romanceaustralia.com 6 Hearts Talk - April 2009

Author Interview Can you describe your writ- I need to hunker down and isolate myself so I ing process – are you a plot- can meet my deadline. ter or a pantser? Do you have any advice for unpublished writ- Can you tell I’m a pantser? In ers? order to sell certain concepts, I have to come up with some- Absolutely. Take yourself and your writing seri- thing. At the moment I’m work- ously. Eric Maisel said it very well when I lis- ing on a NASCAR anthology tened to him at a conference. He taught me to for Harlequin. How’s that for a repeat: “I matter, and my writing matters.” Make departure? I needed a plot, but I’ve kept it loose that a mantra. Write for a specified time every in hopes they won’t ask for more detail, because day if you can – five days a week if you need to I love the discovery process as I write. Stephen take a break for family obligations on weekends. King (bless you, Stephen!) said his writing proc- Writing is like any exercise – you get better the ess was like digging up dinosaur bones. I com- more you do it. I highly recommend THE ART- pletely relate to that. But many times you have IST’S WAY by Julia Cameron, and I’m on my to sell a story on the basis of a synopsis, so I do second pass through that book. The workaday the best I can to write one. world is not particularly receptive to creative types, so you’ll have to fight for the space and Your dialogue is snappy, tight and funny. time to write your books. Do it. We need to hear Does it appear in the book as you hear it in what you have to say. your head or do you need to work at it? What can we look forward to next from you? On good days, it appears as I hear it in my head. On tough days, I work at it. The funny thing is CASUAL HEX, the third book in the hex series, that both methods produce the same results. On comes out March 3. Those who enjoyed my the days I feel as if I’m slogging through mud, the nerd stories kept asking for a nerd heroine, and story is about the same as the days when I feel here she is! Gwen Dubois is definitely a nerd that I’m touched by genius. The main thing is to girl, and she’s pursued by two gorgeous guys. produce pages and leave the judgment of those What a cool fantasy! In December, I have a pages up to someone else. (Thank you, Julia Blaze anthology with my two Soapbox Queen Cameron!) buddies, Jennifer LaBrecque and Rhonda Nel- son, titled BETTER NAUGHTY THAN NICE. You blog on the Soap Box Queens, attend 2010 is a blockbuster year for me, with two sin- conferences and make regular appearances gle titles, BLONDE WITH A WAND and CHICK at RWAmerica chapter meetings. How do you WITH A CHARM coming out in February and find balance between writing and your writ- March. My NASCAR novella also comes out in ing-related activities? February, 2010. Then get ready for the Blaze series based on the Last Chance Ranch coming It’s a constant juggling act. I love to meet peo- out in June, July, and August. I’m going to be a ple, both online and face-to-face, but that doesn’t busy girl! get the writing done. What usually happens is that I look at the calendar, go EEEK, and realize Questions by: Tina Marie Clark, Tracey O’hara, Amy Andrews and Rachel Bailey

Paul Parv Memorial Bench

Heartfelt thanks

After Anne Gracie officially dedicated the bench created in memory of Paul, she handed me a card containing the names of the individual contributors. I was stunned by the length of the list. Far too many to mention, although I intend to put all the names on my website with photos of the occasion.

Saying thank you feels barely enough, but Paul was a man of few words. He would have looked at the bench, sur- rounded by gardens and the huge bush rocks he loved, and said something like, "About time" while clasping his hands over his head in the Rocky pose that showed his pleasure with himself and the world.

You all know how deeply I feel his loss. Now I have a special place within the most special of places to me, the National Zoo & Aquar- ium, where his spirit is all around me. The zoo management and staff were extraordinary, while AJ Macpherson stylishly organised the day, and Tracey O'Hara organised me, surely one of the harder jobs. Mine was made easier and more joyous by the presence of so many dear friends, both here and with us in spirit. "Feel the love" might be a cliché but it's also a truism. I still feel it, and I thank you with all my heart. Valerie Parv www.romanceaustralia.com Hearts Talk - April 2009 7

Practicalities, Technicalities with Michelle Wood ADVERBS: Friend or Foe? by Michelle Douglas The adverb is not your friend - Stephen King. Be sparing in the use of adverbs – Strunk and White. Most adverbs are unnecessary – William Zinsser. I am dead to adverbs; they cannot excite me – Mark Twain. Adverbs are another indication of writing failure – William Sloane. Oh dear, these comments aren’t painting a particularly this mean, then, that we should go through our prose pleasant picture of adverbs, are they? I’m seeing news with wooden stakes to drive through the heart of each headlines – Adverb Bites The Hand That Feeds It! Un- and every adverb that ends in -ly? ruly Adverb Sends Blockbusting Novel Plummeting To Its Death! Adverb Bores Crowd Silly! So what exactly is Absolutely and utterly not! an adverb? And why are so many successful, published writers telling us to treat them as the hairy, scary Henry James says: I adore adverbs; they are the only vampire monsters of the writing world? qualifications I really much respect. John Gardner gives a wonderful example when he says: Wilson rocks Adverbs add meaning to verbs, adjectives or other ad- slowly and conscientiously—a startling word that verbs. Simply put, an adverb tells us how, when or makes the scene spring to life. He also adds: adverbs where something happened. Some examples: are either the dullest tools or the sharpest in the nov- elist’s toolbox. How did the lovers kiss? The lovers kissed passionately. So, how can we tell a good adverb from a bad one? When will the lovers marry? The lovers will get married tomorrow. One of the main gripes about adverbs is that they are Where did the lovers meet? redundant – too often they merely repeat the meaning The lovers met in the garden. of the verb. Eg, She ran quickly through the woods/He shouted loudly at the dogs/She tiptoed quietly to the In this light adverbs don’t seem all that sinister. In door. In all of these instances removing the adverb fact, it looks as if they’re downright essential. So why does not change the meaning of the sentence. In fact, are we told to drive stakes through their hearts, cut removing the adverb makes each sentence stronger. off their heads and stuff them with garlic? For a start, wouldn’t it be foolhardy to avoid time and place ad- So, when is an adverb good? John Gardner gave us the verbs? We need to let our readers know when and answer above – when it startles. An adverb startles where events in our stories happen if want those sto- when it modifies the verb in an unexpected way. ries to make any sense at all. But all these doyens of the writing world can’t be wrong... so what’s the se- She smiled happily. She smiled sadly. cret? Which do you think is stronger? In the first example ‘happily’ is redundant. The sentence reads better The secret is... not all adverbs are created equally. without it. Smiled and sadly, however, is an unlikely Stephen King isn’t talking about time and place ad- pairing. The adverb ‘sadly’ immediately changes our verbs when he says: The road to hell is paved with perception of that smile. The song title ‘Killing Me adverbs. He’s talking about adverbs that describe how Softly,’ is another example of a good adverb. the action was done – adverbs primarily ending in -ly (passionately, quickly, heavily). These are the ones A word of warning, though, these wonderful and star- that can suck the life out of our prose and set us on tling adverbs carry more weight when they are used that path to hell. This is why Dwight Swain (author of with a light hand. Stephen King’s problem with adverbs Techniques of the Selling Author) suggests substituting is their tendency to sprout up like dandelions. I for one action for the adverb. Hence, “The lovers kissed pas- do not want a story riddled with noxious weeds. Ad- sionately” becomes, “His lips slammed to hers. Desire verbs, like any of the tools at a writer’s disposal, are burst to life and she arched against him, her fingers only useful if we give them the right curling into his hair to draw him closer, a silent order job to do. So, the next time you for him not to stop.” pick up you work-in-progress check it over and rate your adverbs – are Which one, as a reader, do you experience? Which one they really doing the job you want?

creates a picture in your mind? Michelle's third romance The Aristo- crat And The Single Mum is an April As writers, it is our job to create an experience for our release and has received 4½ stars readers. We’ve all heard the maxim ‘Show don’t tell.’ from Romantic Times. For more info Generally speaking, adverbs ending in -ly tell, they on Michelle and her books please visit don’t show, and they’re the sign of a lazy writer. Does her website at www.michelle-douglas.com www.romanceaustralia.com 8 Hearts Talk - April 2009

Our RWA - Website with Kiki RWA’s New Website

RWA recently launched its new website after several months of research, planning and con- sultation. It features a new streamlined design, intuitive easy-to-use navigation and a huge amount of new content about RWA and its members.

This new site contains more content, improved layout and navigation and more chances for you to interact with your fellow RWA members.

Much of the content will be familiar to members as it has been imported from the old site, but we have taken the opportunity of a redesign to add new material The section headed About RWA is intended to provide information for non-members on both the organization and romance as a literary genre, and may eventually contain material for school and university students.

Our members-only section is still being developed. This will contain minutes of General Meetings, reports from sub-committees, contests, conferences and industry news. Your electronic, full-colour version of Hearts Talk We are hoping the new RWA Online will make it much will be available here. easier to communicate with members. Only one-third of members currently subscribe to Romaus, our online Yahoo group, and we hope to create a better online experience for all our members through the website and other online ventures, such as an official Facebook and Myspace presence. Just search for “Romance Writers of Australia” and you will find us there.

Some areas of the new site are still under development, and more material will be added over the next few months. If you have suggestions for additions or correc- tions to the content please contact Kiki and her web team at [email protected].

The new structure will allow us to expand and extend the functionality and content of the site in a more or- dered way. If you would like to make a comment about the site, please let us know.

The URL remains the same: http://www.romanceaustralia.com

Coming Soon! RWA Web Team

We couldn’t have done it without the invaluable The web team is hard at work to provide you with an work from our team of tireless volunteers. even better experience! Look out for some of these over the rest of the year: Special thanks go to:  Membership survey: Your chance to tell us what Vanessa Barneveld Helen Katsinis you want from RWA! Tina Clark AJ Macpherson  Shopping Cart system: merchandise, contests, Pam Collings Tracey O’Hara conference, all in one easy, secure place Diane Curran Kiki Opdenberg  Searchable databases Tracy Dean Louise Reynolds  Photo galleries Natalie Hatch Monique Wood  And much, much more! www.romanceaustralia.com Hearts Talk - April 2009 9

Agent Profile The Nelson Literary Agency Sara Megibow

Tell us a bit about your agency. Is by Patricia Briggs on a plane trip and tique so I romance a big part of the profile? loved it. In terms of sub-genre, I like will know

I have worked at the Nelson Literary everything – from paranormal to con- how to do Agency since 2006 (and loved every temporary to romantic suspense to better?” minute of it!) Recently, I was pro- chick-lit. But, I definitely want to see Unfortu- moted to Associate Literary Agent, strong writing, complex characters nately, we which means I can start taking on my and a unique plot. I steer away from just don’t own projects (Yippeee!). Watching stories with a generic premise or awk- have time the agency work, I feel like the most ward world building. for critiques – even exciting advantage we have is the On the flipside, what are you see- short ones. fabulous reputation of our President ing way too much of lately? and Literary Agent Kristin Nelson. So, I guess Speaking for myself (and myself She has made it her mission to only the ques- only), I feel a little overwhelmed with take on projects that she absolutely tion I would like to be asked is, vampires and werewolves (and loves! Therefore, when she takes “Where can I go for a critique of my ghosts and demons). Don’t get me something on, it tends to sell and sell work before submitting to an agent?” wrong – I LOVE paranormals! But at big. Editors always read what she And, here’s my answer: this point, I would have to feel like the submits because they always know it world-building was really unique to 1) a writing group or critique group will be strong. In fact, we even have get excited about a vampire project. (online or in person) editors calling us asking if we have 2) www.evileditor.blogspot.com a anything they can see. One thing I am seeing across the fabulous website where an editor board is sample pages in which the If you look on our website right now, takes query letters and comments on writer has too much “data dump” in we currently have 24 clients. In terms them line-by-line the first 30 pages. This is where the of romance authors, 11 of the 24 are 3) www.writers.net or www.bksp.org hero or heroine is introduced in a published in romance and women’s (online writer resources) scene drinking a cup of coffee or fiction. So, I’d say YES – romance is 4) Kristin’s blog has listed most of our looking out over a vista and thinking a big part of our agency’s profile. authors original query letters with about the past few years/ the fate of We’ve had an amazing couple of Kristin’s thoughts as she read them. the world/ the mistakes s/he has years with young adult novels. And, of www.pubrants.blogspot.com made. It’s particularly awkward in a course we also represent science 5) A conference (especially if you’re a fantasy or paranormal setting be- fiction, fantasy, middle grade and member of RWA. The best query let- cause I want to feel engrossed in the commercial and literary fiction. ters I see come from RWA members world, not lectured-to about it. hands down!!!) Are you looking for anything in What’s the one question you al- 6) Finally, that litmus test that I have particular? ways hope someone will ask? mentioned before – read the back When looking at romance submis- One of the toughest things about my cover copy of some books currently sions, I love super sexy and intelli- job is having to send out that auto- on the shelves. Does your query letter gent. For example, I adore everything matic rejection letter. I get how tough have that same tone (and length)? written by Pamela Clare and Sherry this industry is. Frequently, people will Thomas. Recently, Carolyn Jewel’s An extended version of this inter- email me back and say, “Why? Why historical romance SCANDAL blew view is now on our website: did you reject me? Can I have a cri- me away, and I read MOON CALLED www.romanceaustralia.com. What’s your agency’s submission process? story). We have a secure internet database for sample pages and we email the password along with the “accept” To submit a project, first make sure the work is complete email once we’ve reviewed the query. Then, from there and finished with the editing process. Then, double check we would ask for the full novel. We request 2-4 full manu- that it is in a genre that we represent. scripts a month (we read 100-200 email queries a day).

Now, the fun stuff – we ask writers to submit a query let- Here’s what we’re looking for: a polished, professional ter to us via email. We don’t accept snail mail, phone pitch paragraph (again, it should sound like the back calls or office visits and no attachments on the email. The cover of a novel). We’re also evaluating for superior writ- query letter should be about one page long and the “pitch ing and a unique concept. It may go without saying, but paragraph” should sound as much as possible like the the query letter should be professional (like an interview). back cover of a novel. We have sample query letters on our website as well as FAQs and resources. Typically, we respond to query letters in 2-10 days, sample pages in 2-8 weeks and full manuscripts also in 2-8 If Kristin and I are intrigued by a query letter, we will ask weeks. We’re not perfect, but we do try to stay on top of for the first 30 pages of the work (no synopsis, just the things. www.nelsonagency.com www.romanceaustralia.com 10 Hearts Talk - April 2009

The Biz with Helen Katsinis

Insights gained after publication Learning Curve: Part Two A continuation of our wonderful published authors telling us, ‘What I learned after I was published’.

Melanie Milburne present them with a light romantic US versus Aussie terminology. I do Harlequin Presents comedy (or vice versa). write with the US spellchecker even though the words look wrong to me. & M&B Medicals Although I felt my whole life had

You should always treat the unpub- changed, what I did from day to day It sounds obvious but as a wannabe lished as if they are published. I re- stayed pretty much the same. writer receiving multiple rejections, it’s easy to forget editors are people member so well the pain and frustra- That you don't have to travel this too. I know they are now and, in my tion of rejection and it is important to journey alone - there's a wonderful experience, they’re very nice people keep the flame of hope alive for oth- community of romance writers out who are all horrendously busy, so I ers on the journey. They could be there who are only too happy to do my best to be a low maintenance the next New York Times bestseller! share their wisdom and knowledge author. Let others praise your achievements, with you (and who will nod in all the don’t do it yourself. right spots). Stuck will be released in the US in April by Avalon. Visit Elisabeth at Develop a disciplined approach to The Aristocrat and the Single Mum www.elisabethrose.com.au your writing. It is just like any other will be released in April. Visit Michelle at www.michelle-douglas.com career. If you were a teacher you Nikki Logan wouldn’t consistently turn up late for Harlequin Romance classes or come unprepared. Keep to your deadlines or change them if “Writers on their 30th It really is just a business! Dang! Was imagining there'd be more fairy- you anticipate a problem with meet- book still have to ing them. Your editor will thank you dust to rub up against on this side of for it and will also look for opportuni- pitch a great idea, put the 'contract' line. The story that felt touched-by-magic in un-pubbed land ties for you to fill in slots others have in the hard yards…” not. is purely content over here. And I'm a content-provider. Forty people are Enjoy the process of writing not just involved in turning the idea I had a the finished product. Enjoy each year ago into a book that will sell, word and phrase, enjoy your charac- Elisabeth Rose and my role - even as originating ters meeting for the first time and Avalon Books author - is no more weighted than falling in love. Enjoy every minute, & The Wild Rose Press anyone else's. The primary differ- as being a writer, either published or ence is they still have a job if the unpublished, is such a privilege. Waiting is still part of the deal. I book bombs :) Writers on their 30th imagined that after publication things book still have to pitch a great idea, For a list of Melanie’s current and would move faster. To an extent they coming soon releases, visit her web- put in the hard yards, endure disap- site www.melaniemilburne.com.au do. My Avalon editor always re- pointments, and be better than the sponds quickly to my questions but person who's just joined the line. Michelle Douglas the wait time to hear about my latest Every one of us has to keep improv- manuscript is generally measured in Harlequin Romance ing, keep selling more than our last months. book. Keep reading, keep research- That being published is a huge thrill, I’ve learned editors come and go as ing, know the marketplace, and but staying published is hard work. do publishers and lines but the world know your network. To write to my strengths, and to al- keeps turning and I keep on writing. I But would I cross back over to the ways (ALWAYS) keep my prospec- have other non-Avalon suitable pro- other side? Not on your life. It's FAS- tive reader in mind. Oh, I'd heard this jects and I’ve discovered rejections CINATING over here, everything is a million times, but I didn’t realise its from agents and other houses are just so new and challenging and for- inherent wisdom and truth until my still part of the game, although I sus- eign. Even the bad bits are good bits third book - the book from hell - the pected that may be the case. because I'm LEARNING and, hope- book I rewrote... twice! Your first Avalon’s guidelines are strict regard- fully, mastering this new adventure. book is picked up because of ing sexual content and swearing. And what is life without a dose of ‘something special'. Your editor(s) Because I’m up to my fifth book for adventure? want you to develop that 'something them I know what will work and what special’. So if you're known for emo- Nikki’s debut Love On a Rooftop (W/T) won’t. My revisions are therefore tional, weepy reads, don't expect will be released in January 2010. Visit usually minimal, mainly in regard to your editor(s) to jump with joy if you Nikki at www.nikkilogan.com.au www.romanceaustralia.com Hearts Talk - April 2009 11

Member Spotlight with Melissa Haack

We’d like to introduce you to Rob Hap

Welcome Rob, to Member You’re a self-confessed romantic at What genres are you targeting Spotlight! First off, from a heart. What do you think of the al- and why? man’s perspective, why ro- pha hero? mance writing? Really I have no special genre I am targeting, depends a lot on my Back in my schooling days, I story. Sweet would be the genre of used to write different stories the story I am writing at present. on many subjects, but they Again I have a half finished project would all end up with romance. which would come under Blaze, Then I found a box of Mills & plus I have some short stories un- Boon books and I was fascinated der Medical. by them. After reading those books I started to buy them myself and thought these are the If you could be any male author, stories I would enjoy writing. who would it be and why?

You’ve worked in hospitals Bryce Courtney. I like the way he where you’ve done everything writes, plus his own personal trau- from operating theatre techni- matic life comes out in his writing. cian to running a fracture clinic and applying plasters. Any female author? Also in hospitality where you My thoughts on the alpha male are a were awarded second place modern version where we are all Barbara Cartland. She was my first for a ‘Bloody Gregory’ cocktail equal so I try to have both hero and taste of romantic writings. I feel drink in 1984 while working in heroine as equals, if that makes her historical writings are fascinat- hotels/restaurants as a cock- sense. I seem to have the heroine a ing allowing a lot of detail to bring tail dispenser and barman. little dominant to the extreme that the reader right into the settings. Has such an eclectic career the heroine challenges the hero for helped formulate the stories in control. Marion Lennox writes wonderful your head? stories that you the reader straight away feel for the story line. Jackie Thirty five years full time in the Do you borrow any of your wife's Collins. Completely different to Hospital/ Medical industry, plus traits (all good I'm sure!) for the my previous favourite authors, Barman/ Waiter/ Cocktail dis- heroines in your novels? where she writes right into the penser - I dealt with all sorts of crux of the story that leaves noth- people, from the very wealthy Yes, I suppose I would use Diane’s (my ing to the imagination. to the poor. Between them they wife’s) traits in different ways. Actu- had many stories of their lives, ally my mother was a dominant trials and tribulations. This at woman so it would be more like her if And finally, what is your favour- times has given me the inspira- I was comparing. ite happily ever after moment? tion to write, and given me story ideas to start with. If you could plan your wedding day To be lying on a air mattress in a again, what would you do differ- swimming pool writing and reading What do your family and ently? romantic novels, of course the lap- friends think of your aspira- top on my lap. I always feel like tion to become an author? Great question. I wish I could go back I’m in heaven when I am laying in a in time and do our wedding again. My pool or the ocean. Naturally I I never made it public at work dream wedding would be in an old would like to be a successful ro- about my ambitions to become country Church - on a hill; invite only mance author with a series of great an author. Those of my family close friends and have family arrive in romantic novels... and friends who know, kept dig- horse and carriage. Reception would ging me ‘when will I finish my be in an ole country inn. This ideal novel.’ As I had been writing place is situated just outside Ballarat If you know an RWA member who and aiming to be an author for at a place called Dean on the road to you’d like to see spotlighted, email so long, the novelty has worn Daylesford. us at [email protected] off for them. www.romanceaustralia.com 12 Hearts Talk - April 2009

Member Announcements with Deb Bennetto

Member News

THE WINS: THE LISTS: Amy Andrews was recently awarded a 2008 Cataro- Borders Group (used to be Waldenbooks) bestsellers: mance Reviewers Choice Award for Dr Romano's Christ- Helen Bianchin The Italian’s Ruthless Marriage Demand mas Baby. #2; Melanie Milburn The Fiorenza Forced Marriage #3; Maxine Sullivan The C.O.O. Must Marry #3; Yvonne Jess Dee (with Lorelei James & Jayne Rylon) won the Lindsay Convenient Marriage, Inconvenient Husband #5; EPPIE award for best complete (erotic/romantic) anthol- Lindsay Armstrong The Billionaire Boss’s Innocent Bride ogy with The Menage and More Anthology. Her story A #6; Margaret Way The Australian’s Society Bride #10. Question of Trust is now available in e-format. NYT and Publishers Weekly Hardcover Fiction bestsellers Romance Readers of Australia 2008 Awards: Melanie list: Stephanie Laurens Temptation and Surrender. Milburne’s The Marciano Love-Child won the Most Popu- lar Category/Series Romance Novel. Anna Campbell’s Long and Short Reviews’ Top 10 best of 2008 (short story Untouched won the Best Historical Romance and category): Adrienne Ross’s The Subject of Polka Dots. Stephanie Laurens won Best Romance Author. THE MISC: Paula Roe’s Boardrooms & A Billionaire Heir (Silhouette Desire) won the Houston Bay Area’s Judge a Book By Its Astrid Cooper’s Still Life (romantic clock punk set in an Cover (series contemporary) 2008. alternative Renaissance Venice) will appear in the Can- berra Speculative Fiction Guild’s anthology Masques. RWA Australia members who did us proud in the RWNZ 2008 Strictly Single Competition. Editor’s Placings: Nikki Valerie Parv will mastermind an anthology of romance Benyon 1st, Kylie Short 2nd, Susy Rogers 3rd, Allison inspired stories (Allen & Unwin, late 2009 release). As Withers 4th. Agent’s Placings: Nikki Benyon 1st, Allison well as her own introduction and story, Valerie aims to Withers 2nd, Susy Rogers 3rd, Kylie Short 4th. include stories from Bronwyn Parry, Anna Jacobs, Judy Neumann, AJ Macpherson & Alexis Fleming.

June Ann Monks SEA OF HOPE Member New Releases Eternal Press

Michelle Douglas Yvonne Lindsay Trish Morey THE ARISTOCRAT AND SECRET BABY, PUBLIC THE GREEK BOSS'S DE- THE SINGLE MUM AFFAIR MAND / THE ITALIAN HM&B Sweet Silhouette Desire BOSS'S SECRET CHILD HM&B Ultimate Collection

Barbara Hannay Fiona Lowe Anne Oliver HER CATTLEMAN BOSS THE DOCTOR CLAIMS HOT BOSS, WICKED HM&B Sweet HIS BRIDE NIGHTS HM&B Medical HM&B Sexy Sensation

Giulietta Jones Carol Marinelli Denise Rossetti DAREDEVIL AND ENGLISH DOCTOR, TAILSPIN DORMOUSE ITALIAN BRIDE Ellora’s Cave The Wild Rose Press HM&B Medical

Miranda Lee Sarah Mayberry Margaret Way HIS BRIDE FOR ONE A NATURAL FATHER THE AUSTRALIAN’S SOCI- NIGHT HM&B Superromance ETY BRIDE HM&B Continuities HM&B Sweet

Marion Lennox Sarah Mayberry Janet Wood A ROYAL PROPOSITION/ AMOROUS LIASONS HEARTS OF GOLD THEIR BABY BARGAIN HM&B Mothers Day Gift Severn House HM&B Ultimate Collection Selection www.romanceaustralia.com Hearts Talk - April 2009 13

Subgenre in Focus: Erotic Romance

by Denise Rossetti

Erotic Romance

What is Erotic imprints, generally available in both print and in ebook format. Romance?

Raelene Gorlinksy, Manag- So how can Erotic Romance and Erotica be defined? The ing Editor of Ellora’s Cave, terms are often used interchangeably. And how do they points out that many submitting writers aren’t clear on differ from a book that’s hot or steamy or sensual? what actually constitutes an Erotic Romance. In any romance, the author takes the reader along on They often tend to one extreme or the other. They may every emotional step of the relationship journey. The HEA go so overboard with the sex that what they are sending is obligatory. In a hot romance, we have all this, but the us is basically raunchy porn. Or they go the other way sexual action is pretty explicit as well. However, there will and seem to think that any story that even mentions sex generally be only two or three sex scenes in the book and would be considered erotic. We get submissions – which the writer will work up to it. In general, the vocabulary is the submitter labels hot and erotic -- where the extent of relatively discreet and the sex isn’t kinky. In fact, the sex the sexual tension is that the hero and heroine are em- could be toned down without damaging the storyline. barrassed when they notice the bulge in his trousers. (It's always called the bulge.) And the only sex is in the final In an Erotic Romance, a romantic relationship develops chapter, where the h/h finally fall into bed together and between characters and is expressed through sexual in- have a little non-explicit vanilla sex. teraction. It might be kinky in any number of ways, but there’s an HEA (happily ever after). Angela Knight de- The romance market has heated up in the last couple of fined it this way: years, with authors including blisteringly hot sex scenes, regardless of subgenre. Pub- Erotic romances are romances in which the focus of the Some Aussie lishers are also more than story is on the growth of a loving relationship between at Erotica & Erotic willing to slap the erotic label least two characters which ends in a permanent commit- Romance Authors on their books. In fact, it’s al- ment between them. Sexual encounters play such an im- most standard – but this portant role in the development of the romance that if the Lexxie Couper makes the market more than love scenes were removed, key plot events would be Jess Dee a little confusing for the aspir- missing and the story would collapse. [my bold] Alysha Ellis ing writer. The HEA is not an intrinsic part of Erotica, though it may Alexis Fleming Erotic Romance and Erotica be included. Erotica is more about the sexual journey of Keziah Hill used to be the preserve of the characters and romance may, or may not develop. Amarinda Jones online publishers. But when Sami Lee sexually explicit novels and As for Romantica, this is a term trademarked by Ellora’s Maggie Nash epublishing went through the Cave – note, by the way, Romance first, Erotica second.

Christina Phillips roof together, the powerful print houses noted the Explicit Versus Crude Cathleen Ross strength of the demand. Now Denise Rossetti Berkley, Avon, Kensington If you’re worried about language, then remember that Tracie Sommers and the others have erotic explicit does not equal crude - and crude most definitely does not equal erotic. The writing of Emma Holly is a

www.romanceaustralia.com 14 Hearts Talk - April 2009

Subgenre in Focus: Erotic Romance case in point. It’s lyrical, sensual and com- limit to the boundaries and we’re ap- plex. Incredibly graphic, but not overbur- proaching it pretty fast. I’ve certainly dened with those words. reached mine.  Editors are jaded. Suz Gower, my El- If something squicks you out, do not write lora’s Cave editor, refers to her ‘tingle it! Your discomfort will show. Nothing turns meter’ with a sorrowful shake of the a reader off faster. You need to be relaxed head. You’ll need to be pretty good to to write good sex. Drink a glass of wine, set it off! have fun and see if you can make yourself breathless!  You’ll make very little money in epublishing unless you’re with one of the big- ger houses like Ellora’s Cave. The Good News

Being epublished – Where is the market for Erotic  If you’re prepared to work hard enough Romance and Erotica now? (say, four books a year, plus promotion) The newest subgenre in the field is homo- you can make a decent living. erotic romance – that’s right, explicit male/ Online You might get picked up by a big New  male romance written by straight women Publishers: York publisher. They’re still out there for other straight women. At the moment, looking for erotic stories. it’s exclusively online, but it remains to be Ellora’s Cave (still  There’s a home somewhere for any seen how long the print houses will wait the biggest), length work, from short story to novella and what action they will take. Fascinating! Samhain, to novel. Torquere Press is a leader in Gay and Les- bian erotic fiction, although all erotic online Loose ID,  Less stressful than print publication and publishers offer it to some degree. Torquere Press, you get to learn how to work with an Changeling, editor. The market is saturated, but there seems Total e-Bound,  No advances, but 35% to 40% of royal- no end to readers’ desire for explicit ro- Liquid Silver, ties and cheques usually come monthly. mance, in both ebook and print. Paranor- mals give scope for all kind of sexual ad- Amber Quill,  You don’t need an agent. ventures, with dark, brooding vampires and Aspen Mountain,

shapeshifters remaining popular, or there’s Being print published – eXtasy, BDSM for the ultimate in bossy heroes. But Dreamspinner.  Usually means an agent, either before you could write in any subgenre and suc- And others. the contract or after. ceed, provided your story is good enough.  Opens up your work to a huge new Erotic romance and world of readers that online publishing Readers are still hungry for well-written epublisher Compari- cannot reach. Erotic Romance and Erotica. Which is the son Site for sales fig- whole point, really. No amount of sex is a ures and other useful  Should make you more money. You’ll literary ‘get out of jail’ card for lazy writing. get an advance and hopefully, royalties. information.  Puts you with the ‘big girls’ and sets you Denise Rossetti started out writing erotic www.erecsite.com/ on a career trajectory. fantasies and paranormals for Ellora’s Cave. She has also written novellas for Avon Red and Berkley. The first of her erotic fantasy The Bad News series for Berkley, The Flame and the Print Shadow, was released last year. The second,  There’s an awful lot of truly abysmal Thief of Light, will be available in November Publishers:

stuff out there - shallow characters, ba- 2009. nal plots, pedestrian sex, clichés galore, Visit Denise at www.deniserossetti.com for Berkley Heat, poorly edited junk. excerpts, a newsletter and a blog. Berkley  Readers are jaded. I’m thinking there’s a Sensation, Harlequin Spice, Harlequin Blaze, Avon Red, Kensington Aphrodisia, Black Lace, Red Sage, St. Martin’s. And others. www.romanceaustralia.com Hearts Talk - April 2009 15

Events Calendar with Doreen Sullivan In Person Events

@ Sunday 19 April @ Thursday 14 May Making it Good Enough to Publish ~ Melaina Publishers and Agents Seminar, Part 1 ~ Annette Faranda Barlow & Lyn Tranter When: 10am-4pm When: 6:30pm Where: NSW Writers' Centre Where: Queensland Writers' Centre Cost: Members $99, Members Concession $85, Non- Cost: $65 QWC members, $55 concession members, Members $125 $110 non-members FMI + Bookings: www.nswwriterscentre.org.au/ FMI + Bookings: (07) 3839 1243 or www.qwc.asn.au/ProgramsEvents/Events/Seminars.aspx @ Saturday 2 May Writing Commercial Fiction and Getting it Pub- @ Saturday 30 May lished ~ Kirsty Brooks Writing an Effective Synopsis ~ Janet Blagg When: 2.00-5.00pm When: 1.00-4.00pm Where: SA Writers' Centre Where: Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers' Centre, WA Cost: $55 Members; $77 Non-members Cost: $25 Members; $40 Non-members FMI + Bookings: (08) 8223 7662 or email sawrit- FMI + Bookings: (08) 9294 1872 [email protected] or https://secure.sawc.org.au/events/ or email [email protected] or http://kspf.iinet.net.au/events.html @ Monday to Friday 4-8 May Introduction to Book Publishing and Professional @ Weekly, March to September Editing ~ Jude McGee Pen 'n' Publish Workshops ~ Sarah Evans & Others When: 10am-4pm Where: Bridgetown, WA Cost: Members $550, Members’ Concession $450, Non- Cost: Free Members $750 FMI: Sarah Evans at [email protected] FMI + Bookings: www.nswwriterscentre.org.au/ or (08) 9761 2156.

Online Events

Julie Rowe, a 2006 Golden Heart double finalist, moderates the Announce Online Writing Classes list.

The Announce Online Writing Classes list notifies subscribers of around 25 to 35 workshops available each month. Most tutorials are sponsored by Romance Writers of America chapters, but on occasion other reputable teachers are handpicked too. Interested? Subscribe by sending an e-mail to [email protected].

And don’t forget our Perth Roadshow!

We have sessions to suit both the novice and experienced writer. How to build your world, create the to-die-for hero and have him/her talking as they should, will all be explored and presented in tutorials, from authors whose knowledge on these topics keep them selling books. Two sessions will run at once, with choices from:

* Deep POV, * Sealed Section, * World Building, * Urban Fantasy/Paranormal, * Dialogue, * Heroes, and an * author Q&A session.

When: 23rd May, 2009 Where: Good Earth Hotel, Perth, WA Speakers: Keri Arthur, Kelly Hunter, Denise Rossetti

Cost: $100 RWA member; $110 non RWA member

If you have any questions, email Julie-Anne: [email protected]

Also, if anyone has any donations they would like to make as prizes etc to the Roadshow, we will gratefully accept them. Please email Julie-Anne.

www.romanceaustralia.com 16 Hearts Talk - April 2009

Contest Page with Catherine Evans

Emerald Contest Congratulations to the following entrants who Contests! go to Round 2 of the Emerald

Single Title: Category: Vanessa Barneveld Felicity Bent Contest Updates Michelle De Rooy Carole Carey Closing Dates Robyn Enlund Tina Clark First Kiss 3rd April, 2009 Cathryn Hein Imelda Evans Finalists should be Iona Jones Sharon Francesca announced at the end Valerie Parv Award Terese Jones Louise Groarke of March, so check the website for the latest Leisl Leighton Enisa Hasic news. Finalists will be AJ McPherson (2 entries) Barbara Jeffcott Geris (2 sent to Joanne Grant Valerie Parv Award Amy Matthews entries) (nee Carr) at HM&B for There’s only a few days Joanne Robertson Helen Lacey ranking, and should be to get your entries in for Kylie Short (3 entries) Leisl Leighton announced in early the last contest of the Suzanne Webb Mary McCarthy May. RWA Contest year. Helene Young Kathryn Power Entries must be Rebecca Sampson postmarked by 3rd April. See the website for Deborah Shattock details. Suzanne Webb Chris Weston

Little Gems Are you looking for more contests to Congratulations to the winners enter? and placegetters in the Little In Australia, each state has a Writers’ Centre. Membership Gems Contest. 16 stories from of the centre will give you access to the list of many 72 entries earned a place in the competitions being held right across Australia in various Turquoise Anthology this year. forms of writing.

Special congratulations to Bev, Katie & Vanda Romance Writers of America Contests are also listed in a nice chart at Stephie Smith’s web page. It has all the details you need if you would like to enter any of those. 1. First Love Last Love - Bev Lewis http://www.stephiesmith.com/contests.html 2. The Confession - Katie Calloway 3. Unbroken Bonds - Vanda Vedas Donna Caubarreaux also lists the competitions run by the

Romance Writers of America on her website – http://contestdivas.blogspot.com Donna Allen - Pickled Fairies From her website you can sign up to receive email Lilian Begelhole - The Perfect Escort updates of all the contest dates. Fiona Gregory - A Happy New Year Bronwyn Houldsworth - There's None So Blind Clare Jude - The Turquoise Lady Other Contests Dorothy Martin - Almost Missing Peter Patricia Poppenbeek - Turquoise the Cat The Katharine Susannah Prichard Speculative Fiction Awards 2009. Closing date: 5pm Friday May 29, 2009. Louise Reynolds - The Girl With the Turquoise Words: Minimum 1500, Eyes maximum 3500. All forms of Lesley Ann Smith -Tempest Speculative Fiction welcome. Mary Warwick - Vanity Unfair For further information, including Conditions of Entry, Michelle Wood - The Parcel please contact KSP on 08 Monique Wood - The Boss's Wife 9294 1872 or kspf.iinet.net.au/ Janet Woods - Living Next Door To Harris www.romanceaustralia.com Hearts Talk - April 2009 17

Writer’s Life with AJ Macpherson

CRITTERS ...and Creators

Whether you’re al- more slowly this time, trying to work out what on earth ready published, al- they’re getting at most there or just c. Suck back sobs because obviously your book is terri- starting out, if you’re ble, your writing is terrible, and in fact you are terrible writing seriously then your stories are being read by d. Decide the CP/judge/agent/editor has just missed the other people. point. Or they’re jealous. Or stupid. e. See what they’re getting at, but wonder if you really Embracing any kind of critical feedback can be tough, want to make the changes or if that would be sacrific- especially if it clashes with your voice or your creative ing your creative vision. vision. And although you might expect it to all get easier as you become more experienced or after you get pub- Most of us will have experienced every one of these re- lished, this isn’t necessarily so. The processes may sponses at some point in our writing careers, and it can change but critical feedback never stops being instruc- depend on the source and the expectations. “Crit part- tive — and potentially painful. ners who want to edit your story in line with the way they would tell it are tampering with your voice,” says Kirsty It’s not you, it’s me Hale, a multiple contest finalist. “Let your crit partner For some people their only feedback comes from a read- know you are looking for a ‘big picture’ critique, rather ing-addicted friend, their mother, sister or than a line edit. Your voice will escape intact and you still husband. Other avenues include the ano- gain value from the critique.” nymity of contests, paid services such as Once you are agented But still we write, and still we put it out editors and manuscript assessors, and or have sold, acting on there. Why? Because we want to have that feedback from agents or critique partners. feedback stops being a career. We want to write the best we can. Once you are published, you can add the And acting on critical feedback doesn’t editor, assistant editors and even the mar- matter of choice; you’ll mean we are sacrificing our voices or sell- keting department. be required to make ing out on our creative vision. When you invite feedback on your writing the changes. Amy Andrews, Medical Author, knows the by submitting it to CPs, contests, agents or value of critiquing. “I have several crit part- editors you’re essentially asking the ques- ners now. Some are published, some not tion: What’s wrong with it? Ouch! and they're quite a diverse bunch which I think is a ne- Anna Cleary (Mills & Boon Sexy Sensation) understands cessity. They each look at a book in different ways and this tricky aspect of feedback. “Criticism is a two-headed see different things which can only be to my benefit. I snake. It can inject you either with poison or the elixir of couldn't do what I do without them - their advice is in- life, so take care how you grab that slitherer by the tail,” valuable and their suggestions can be spot on.” she says. “I think writers as a group are sensitive people, Once you are agented or have sold, acting on feedback and we all have vulnerable moments to the opinions of stops being a matter others. If we don't choose our critics carefully, our confi- of choice; you’ll be Tips for a Happy Marriage: dence can be blasted into toxic shock. I know when mine required to make the Creativity & Criticism takes a hit, my muse turns her face to the wall.“ changes. And you’ll need to find a way to 1. Be specific if seeking feed- Of course, without anyone to spot the holes and the back and ask for clarification if shortcuts you don’t see yourself, it’s nearly impossible to do this whether the you don’t understand. improve. You can produce good stories without critique suggested changes partners or an agent, but at some point most writers are in synch with 2. Be aware of the critiquer’s seek feedback in an effort to take their writing to the next your creative vision knowledge and ability to com- level, usually as they pursue their first sale. or your voice, or not. municate. This is where experi- Condition critical ence with digesting 3. Allow time to get over any feedback that does- emotional reaction, to think How have you reacted to criticism? Consider the follow- n’t resonate for you about comments and their impli- ing. Do you: can be priceless. cations. a. Bounce off furniture as you run to your computer, al- Harnessing the 4. Find a way to incorporate un- most blinded by the light bulbs going off over your wanted changes so that they do head. critical beast work for your vision and your b. Scratch your head as you read the comments again, Critique partners are voice.

www.romanceaustralia.com 18 Hearts Talk - April 2009

Writer’s Life with AJ Macpherson a valuable resource at all stages of your career. And no- “When we put our work out in the public domain, we invite where is their worth more apparent than when their sug- criticism. That's an unavoidable fact. The only alternative gestions run contrary to your expectations. Amy Andrews is NOT to put our work out in the public domain, i.e. no offers this advice: “Occasionally I'll disagree with some of publishing contracts for us! Is that what we want?” So the feedback and this is where you have to believe in asks Anna Campbell, award-winning historical author. your voice and go with your gut. But as a general rule if She goes on: “For most of us, the answer is an unequivo- more than one of them have a problem with a particular cal no! I think as writers, we need to cultivate a thick skin area then that's a major red flag and whilst ultimately the against criticism. One of the benefits of entering a lot of creative decisions rest with me, I'd be crazy to ig- contests before publication or having a good critique part- nore such sage advice.” ner or group is that we get used to hearing varying reactions to our work and we also learn to sift the useful com- “Overall, I've been really lucky,” Anna Cleary points out. ments from the rest.” “For several years I belonged to a writers group, and had a bunch of useful, thoughtful critics I trusted absolutely. Criticism is a constant companion in the Our group worked because we drew up some stringent writer’s life. It can be enlightening, frustrat- critiquing rules and stuck to them. Rules about treating ing, devastating. But it also acts like a per- each other’s work with respect, finding the positives in sonal trainer for authors, as it makes us every piece, not overloading some poor quivering suppli- grow and stretch, and build those writing cant with negatives, etc.” muscles. And yes, those thick skins, too.

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 information hereafter and cannot be held responsible for its accuracy and recommends readers verify names and addresses before submitting. Ref: Cynthia Sterling newsletter, publishers. AE will retain the rights to some time checking out Publisher’s Publishers Lunch, RWA members produce each property in film, televi- Lunch. According to them, in the time sion and new media. Authors will period from 16th February to 15th Jenny Bent has left Trident Media share in profits, across all platforms." March (when I’m writing this), they Group and started her own agency, They are looking to acquire up to 12 had a total of 610 deals reported to The Bent Agency. partial or completed manuscripts in them. That’s just the ones that have http://thebentagency.com/ the coming year. They are interested been reported. Of course, this is fic-

in women's fiction, young adult, mid- tion and non-fiction and covers all Jill Marsal and Kevan Lyon (profiled dle grade and chapter books. They genres as well but it is good to see in Feb HT) have just recently formed will accept queries from unagented as that authors are still able to sell their their own agency - Marsal Lyon Lit- well as agented writers. For more hard work. So keep writing and keep erary Agency. Contact details: information and submission guide- trying by sending your work out to Marsal Lyon Literary Agency lines see publishers. One of the next lot of [email protected] www.MarsalLyonLiteraryAgency.com www.alloyentertainment.com/. (Follow deals might just be you! (coming soon!) the links for The Collaborative.) Romance on the Rise on the USA Flash Fiction Online Today Best Seller List Clarkesworld Magazine is an online (www.flashfictiononline.com/ From USA Today, 4/3/09 publication featuring fantasy, science submit.html) publishes short stories of fiction and horror short stories be- This week, one-quarter of the list's 500-1000 words in any genre. No tween 1000 and 4000 words. Submit erotica, porn, profanity or graphic sex top 50 books are romance novels, and online through their submission form. of violence. Payment is $50 for first 20% of the books new to the list are For guidelines, including a detailed electronic rights. in that category. It could be a sign of list of their likes and dislikes see: the times. Romance, especially para- http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/ Featherproof Books is launching a normal romance, and science-fiction/ submissions/ subscription-based imprint called Pa- fantasy novels are "outperforming all per Egg Books, which will determine Alloy Entertainment, the company other categories" at Borders, says behind the Gossip Girls and Sister- print runs of its titles by the number of buyer Micha Hershman. "There is subscribers who sign up for the pro- hood of the Traveling Pants, is look- some escapism going on. There's gram at $20/year. ing for new writers and new ideas for clearly an element of 'How do I get a program they've dubbed The Col- News is a bit scarce at the moment out of the daily grind?' " Romances laborative. According to their website and with all the doom and gloom over new to the list include Montana "Our team will lend creative expertise, the recession with companies being Creeds: Dylan by Linda Lael Miller marketing capabilities and the AE taken over or folding, employees be- (No. 9), The Grand Finale by Janet brand to authors with solid concepts ing sacked, and reports of lists closed Evanovich (No. 12) and One Day at a and strong voices. Acquired projects until further notice, I thought it would will be shaped by The Collaborative, Time by Danielle Steel (No. 13). benefit everyone to see what good before ultimately being submitted to http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/ things are happening. So I spent news/2009-03-04-book-buzz_N.htm www.romanceaustralia.com Hearts Talk - April 2009 19 Bits, Pieces, Snippets, Stuff & Web-a-rama The Back Page with Kiki

Romance books Soft Harry Potter for hard cash —a man’s secret pleasure A soft cover copy of the first Harry Potter book ever sold was auctioned for In the US around a quarter of ro- $19,000 to a collector. The winning bidder, a book collector from Dubai, mance readers are now men, up bought the book for his wife, who is a fan of the Harry Potter series. from just seven percent in 2002. "Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone," was one of only 200 copies

The biggest growth in the romance from the first printing issued with illustrated wrappers by London publisher market is from the developing world. Bloomsbury. The 1997 book includes an illustrated card signed by author J. In India, 20 percent of romance K. Rowling. readers are men and South African The amount was double the previous record for a soft cover version of a men make up a similar slice of their Harry Potter book. English and Afrikaans romance novel buyers. Audrey Niffenegger Sells Her Blog of the Month And they do more than just read. Next Book for $4.8 Million Paperback Writer’s “Writing 911” In last year’s Mills & Boon Voice of From the NY Times: "Niffenegger takes emergency calls from writers Africa competition to unearth South has sold a new manuscript for close like the following: to $5 million, according to people African romance writers were sur- prised to find that a large number of with knowledge of the Operator: Publishing 911, what's negotiations. It is an the entries came from male writers. your emergency? especially significant

Author: I've just seen my new sum at a time of re- Write Or Die trenchment and eco- cover art and it's horrible. Need help staying on track with your nomic uncertainty in word goal? Write or Die introduces Operator: How horrible is it, the publishing world." consequences if you do not write. ma'am?

Set goals, choose your mode, and Author: Do you remember that Small Press—Big Winner in the write away, or else! book that came out in January with Economic Downturn

www.lab.drwicked.com/ bright metallic glow-in-the-dark Many independent publishers man- pink albino Robin Hood on the aged to find ways to grow both their Harlequin to Launch Teen cover? sales and profits in 2008, despite the Romance Line Operator: (winces) Yes, ma'am. economic crisis. The secret lies in In April 2009, Harlequin will launch frugality—forgoing advances in favor the Harlequin Teen imprint. Accord- Author: Worse than that. of offering higher royalties. They also ing to eHarlequin.com, Harlequin Read more at: teach their authors to self-promote Teen is “fresh, authentic teen fiction pbackwriter.blogspot.com/2009/03/ and are often on the forefront of new featuring extraordinary characters publishing-911.html reading experiences like audiobooks and extraordinary stories set in con- and digital releases. temporary, paranormal, fantasy, science-fiction and historical worlds.” It’s all about the cover art Senior editor for the line is Natashya Alana Ruoso of Harlequin talks covers at Cover Café. Wilson, and submission guidelines and more information can be found Find out fun facts like it takes less than 20 people to de- at eHarlequin.com. sign over 150 covers every month, all of them in Canada. It takes almost a year to get from concept to cover. How much input do authors really have? What makes a Love vintage ro- cover great? See some prime examples and follow one mance covers? cover through its different stages and revisions at The University of www.covercafe.com/BTSCBHq-2.shtml Wisconsin Mil- waukee has col- lected the best Gadget of the Month: EcoNav Stephen King vintage nurse Take the greener route with a Kindles Bestseller romance covers in one long, GPS that not only gets you to Stephen King has released handy list. From your destination, but will also help a second e-novella that is naughty nurses to you choose the most planet- available now called Ur. nurses in danger, friendly route possible by analyzing various The novella was written they’re all present and accounted route options and giving you an eco-related specifically for the Kindle readout of the potential cost to yourself and for. www.uwm.edu/Library/special/ and is already a bestseller. the environment. Of course riding your bike nurse_romance/ You can download Ur for or walking would be even greener. archive_romance.htm $2.99 at Amazon.com.