Whoa! Still Snoopy Dancing...

Bestial Cravings is still at #1 across the board at The Wild Rose Press. This is amazing and such a high:) I do know that it won't last forever and I see my dear friend Helen Hardt has a new release this week so...


CONGRATULATIONS!!! ON YOUR NEW RELEASE, HELEN:)

It is actually a collection of hot western's called Lawmen and Outlaws. I know I can't wait to delve into that one.

Also, as you can see, I've finally gotten my internet back up. Wow! It is really quite frustrating not knowing what is going on in cyberworld:)

Finally, I wanted to mention, I was making my blog rounds this morning and discovered that Callie Lynn Wolfe, Senior Editor of the Black Rose line at TWRP is hosting Pink Fuzzy Slipper Writers today on their blog. She has posted some interesting pointers on what she looks for in submissions. Check her out.

Well, I'm off to do some weed pulling in the front gardens today. Is it me or do they really get out of control fast, nasty little weed critters.

Talk to all soon,

D~

Please welcome Eilidh MacKenzie, Black Rose Editor, TWRP

Hello, Eilidh!

As you may all know, Eilidh is an editor at The Wild Rose Press . Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with us about the things you see in submissions that are either off kilter in this case with Scottish research and other taboos we authors tend to not notice that take a manuscript down into the slush pile of sudden death.

I for one am happy to sit back and listen to the things that both irritate you enough to reject a manuscript as well give you positive cause to accept a manuscript. So without further adieu take it, Eilidh.


Thank you, Dayana. I edit for the Wild Rose Press’s Black and Champagne Rose lines and I’m happy to talk about what I look for in a manuscript. I’ll be popping in all day to answer questions, so feel free to comment.

Factual and historical accuracy is very important to me. Thorough research makes your story ring true and your readers can experience a different world. As a Scot working in romance publishing, I sometimes cringe at the descriptions of Scottish people and history. Subs come over my desk asserting that all of Scotland’s strong young men were killed in the battles with the English. Well, that was true 260 years ago, but a generation later, there was a whole new crop of strong young men.

I’ve lost count of the historical or time travel stories, whose hero, seven hundred or a thousand years ago, is the stereotypical kilted Highlander, the noble underdog, struggling against oppression by the English. Actually, when the Scots weren’t cattle raiding and pillaging their own Highland and Lowland neighbors, they made outright invasions of English territory. The English perpetrated horrific retaliations, but if you bang on a beehive, you gotta expect to be stung.

And they didn’t wear kilts back then! In fact, when the modern kilt became popular in the nineteenth century, it was a fashion statement stimulated by Queen Victoria’s romance with the Highlands. By the time Highlanders fought in kilts, they were fighting for the English, in the British army.

Okay, I’ve calmed down a bit now. I must admit that, of course, Highlanders wore a form of the kilt centuries ago and yes, they fought against the English, but probably not as much as they fought amongst themselves. The original kilt—the belted plaid—showed up around 1600. It was a vast plaid blanket, maybe five feet wide and up to twenty feet long. The wearer scrunched it by handfuls up the middle of the length and belted the bundle around his waist. The plaid fell below the waist to about the knee, and the top half was draped and pinned about the torso.

Sounds awkward, but this was actually a practical garment in the gales, rain, and snow of the Highlands. The naturally dyed colors blended with the heather and gorse of the mountains, so your rival clansmen didn’t catch you stealing their cattle, and the layers of wool kept some warmth trapped against the body. Scratchy, yes, but a linen shirt under the plaid made it comfortable. At night, you could wrap the plaid around yourself, and a friend, if you were lucky, for a cosy sleeping bag.

What does all this have to do with romance novels? Those Highland warriors make superb alpha male heroes. I would dearly love to see manuscripts showing the realities of Highland life, instead of the softened, cartoonish, pretend Scots that never existed. Two excellent resources for learning about the Scotland that actually was are The Emperor’s New Kilt: The Two Secret Histories of Scotland, by Jan-Andrew Henderson, and How the Scots Invented the Modern World, by Arthur Herman.

Here’s tae us; wha’s like us?
Damn few, and they’re a’ deid.
(a Scottish toast)

Eilidh MacKenzie

Today's guest is Rene Stephens, Editor Black Rose Line at The Wild Rose Press

Good morning and thank you, Dayana, for having me here today. For someone who grew up reading Edgar Allan Poe, Robert Louis Stevenson, Mary Shelley and, of course, Bram Stoker, it should come as no great surprise, I edit for the dark side of the Garden. It was perhaps, five or maybe ten minutes after I came to The Wild Rose Press that I ended up on the Black Rose line.

Today, I’d like to talk a bit about the darker side of the garden where werewolves howl, vampires lurk and strange things go bump in the night…right alongside love and romance. The point I’d like to make is that despite Black Rose being the home to the darker creatures, it is nonetheless also a romance line. It is a subtle distinction that many miss.

Too often in our jobs, stories come to us that include a preternatural creature with a little sex thrown in, and the writer believes it is enough. Likewise, a romance story may be submitted with a preternatural creature tossed in as an afterthought. Do these stories work? Not typically. If you don’t love romance, if you don’t read romance, it's will difficult to write a great Black Rose story. If you don’t love creatures such as vampires, werewolves and ghosts, it will be difficult to write a great Black Rose story.

If, on the other hand, you are a great fan of romance and creatures that go bump in the night, then I would ask you to do three things. One: write a great story. Two: put in it tip-top shape. And, three: send it my way!

Happy writing.

Rene Stephens
Editor, Black Rose Imprint
The Wild Rose Press
rene@thewildrosepress.com

Please welcome Nicole D'Arienzo Managing Editor, Historical Division and Kathy Cottrelle, Senior Editor, Last Rose of Summer, The Wild Rose Press

Perfecting your Pitch

This past weekend, my fellow senior editor, Kathy Cottrell (Last Rose of Summer line) and I traveled to the New Jersey Romance Writers conference in Iselin, NJ. Meeting so many of our authors and spending time with fellow TWRP editors was a lot of fun. It was such a delight to hear from so many of you who love what we do and are grateful we’re here. Rest assured, the feeling is mutual!

As the conference closed and Kath and I headed back home, our discussion turned to our conference experiences. One of the things we both noticed was a lack of preparedness on the part of many of the authors pitching to us. I admit I was quite taken aback by this; I’ve been around the publishing industry for some 20 years and one of the first lessons I learned was “perfecting your pitch.” This is not to say that the authors who came prepared to pitch had any more of a chance of being asked to submit their story than those who were not prepared, but I think a little bit of practice might have helped put them at ease. And it certainly would have helped me to understand what type of story they were pitching.

Let me explain. I had several authors sit down and immediately say “Okay, my heroine has long auburn hair and big green eyes. My hero is tall with dark hair and light blue eyes…” STOP! Hold the presses. While I would never interrupt an author sitting across from me babbling nervously like this, it is at this point my eyes begin to glaze over and I think: this is going to take a while. Honestly, if the first thing you can tell me about your characters is what they look like, it makes me wonder why I should care about them. Saying something like “my heroine is a spoiled socialite who has just lost everything. My hero is the guy who has been hired to kill her” would certainly grab my attention a lot faster.

Also, know ahead of time what it is you want to pitch. Don’t simply plop yourself in the chair and say “I’ve been writing since 1982. I have about 40 stories written. What are you looking for?” Instead of showing me what a polished professional you are, this makes me wonder why, after 40 stories, you are still not published and what on earth have I gotten myself into?

Being prepared will also help you avoid prattling on and saying “and then this happens…and then this happens…and then this happens…” over and over.

Luckily for you, two highly intelligent and capable women (at least we used to think we were!) managed to get ourselves hopelessly lost driving in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and had many, many long hours to discuss this very situation. *G*

Here is our two-for-the-price-of-one blog on Perfecting Your Pitch.

Greet the editor with a firm, confident handshake and introduce yourself. “Hi, nice to meet you.
Nicole, Kathy my name is Rose Author and I’d like to tell you about my ninety-thousand word contemporary story entitled The Great American Novel. It’s set in New Jersey and is about two highly intelligent women getting themselves hopelessly lost and the heroes who save them.”

Then give us a 25 word blurb about your story: “Scarlett O’Hara really just wants to get home. But she can’t get off the New Jersey Turnpike to save her life. Rhett Butler offers to give her more than just directions.”

Then sit back and let the editor ask you some questions. I might say something like “Describe the conflict for me.” Or “What is Rhett’s goal?” “How do the secondary characters, if any, help move the plot forward?” Be prepared to talk about these things.

Also, be prepared to answer questions such as: who you like to read, who you think you write like, which line at TWRP you’re targeting. Also if your story contains a lot of technical details (medicine, nursing, law enforcement, DA’s, history) be prepared to tell us a little bit about how you have come to be an expert in this field. For example, if your story involves Faberge eggs, you might say: “I’m a member of Faberge Egg Makers of America and regularly present online workshops on Faberge eggs through history.”

So as nerve-wracking as pitching can be, try to remember that you have something to sell and the editor is looking to buy.

A little bit of prep work goes a long way toward perfecting your pitch!

Oh Look! A Hummingbird! Please welcome Natasha Bacchus, Senior Editor of the Hummbird Dept, The Wild Rose Press

From an Editor’s Perspective
“Don’t die with your dreams crumpled in your back pocket.” I don’t know who said that, but he was right. If you want to be a writer, then start now, and start writing...

When it comes to being an author, there are two steps, “Write the book and get it published.” Of course, it’s not that simple. Consider 85% of the people who begin writing a novel never finish. Add to that, the statistic which says only 20% of the people who try to get a contract are successful. It means of 100 who start writing, only 15 finish their story, and of that 15 only 3 of those people will get a contract, and that sounds damn depressing...but is it, really?

Nope.

It’s hard to get published, but not impossible. To that end, here are five tips from me. Take and leave them as you will, bearing in mind these are just my observations from working in the industry. The tone of these tips is blunt. I’d rather tell it to you straight, than try to be politically correct. I don’t think PC behaviour helps people, and I for one, would rather hear the unvarnished truth than not.

Tip #1: You don’t need mega talent to be published.
It helps, don’t get me wrong, and certainly, your readers will thank you if you have some skill. In truth, however, talent is the smallest piece you need. What you really need in order to be published is perseverance and persistence.

So what if you get rejected? Do you get every job you apply for? Do you win every race you enter? Do you find love every time with every partner or date? Of course not. So if you get rejected, (and let me say this with love) suck it up.

Dean Koontz was rejected 75 times, Stephen King 96. Janet Evanovich wrote for 10 years before getting her first contract and her Stephanie Plum series didn’t even make it to the big time until the 5th book. John Grisham had to self-publish A Time to Kill, and Dr. Seuss knocked on over 30 doors before finding someone who offer him a contract.

What does this mean? It means that while talent plays a role in getting published, what really matters is perseverance and the willingness to keep trying.
Reading about authors who hit it big with their first story, get the multi-million dollar contract with the first book can inspire at the same time it leaves you depressed. But bear in mind that we each have our own journey and our path is not the same as another’s. Andrew Davidson, made news with his 1.2 million dollar advance for his first book, Gargoyle. His first book. Sounds like magic until you realize he tried for over 15 years to get his work published. Overnight success? Nope. But he IS a success, not because of the huge advance, but because he kept trying. He believed in his story and that was what mattered.

Tip #2: It’s not about you.
Yes, folks, despite what your mother and children’s programming taught you, your existence does not create any obligation in anyone. Too often, I meet writers who feel that somehow, because they’ve written a book, the rest of us should bow down in awe and wonder. And while we may be on bended knee, I assure you, it’s because the air is cleaner down here on the ground. I’m not saying this to be rude or obnoxious. Rather, I’d like to see some of you take a look at yourselves and put your life into perspective.

Is writing a book hard, thankless, and soul-searing? Yes. Is it more of a challenge than someone else’s pursuit of their dream? No. You’re pursuing your dream. It’s no better or worse than the person who’s chasing after that law degree or who wants to be a veterinarian.

Do the work necessary to keep yourself in the game, and keep your attitude in check.
I met a multi-published author at a conference. She was furious at an agent she’d met. Here’s the background. She pitched her story to the agent, who said, “I like your story, I like the idea of someone killing off wildlife, but I’m not sure about using the scientific name. If you’re willing to change the book, so the animal is called by its generic name, I’d like to take a look.” And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what set this writer off. Never mind that no one would have known what animal she was talking about because no one really speaks Latin anymore, never mind that the change the agent asked for was minor and did nothing to change the organic structure of the story, she was mortally offended by the request.

“It’s my art,” she said, with a sniff, “And I won’t change it for anyone.”
Then she wonders why her readership is low. Gee, let me think. Could it be because you’re writing for yourself and not for the average reader? Hey, we’re all impressed that you know Latin, we’re all thrilled you can wield four-syllable words, but give me a break, lady. This isn’t about you. It’s about the readers. If you’re writing to show them how smart you are, they’ll return the favour, put down your book, and go to an author who knows how to treat them with respect and dignity.

Tip #3: Explanation will kill you.
You’ve written your book, you’ve polished it until it gleams—the very shine of it is causing eye damage and the sun is complaining that “it’s just too bright.” And now, having printed off every precious page, you hand it over to a trustworthy friend. They sit down and begin to read. You sit beside them, watching their every breath, tracking every movement of their eye. Their brow furrows and your heart stops, your breath ceases.

“Wait a second,” says your friend. “This hero is coming across like a jerk. He’s totally rude to the heroine when he doesn’t need to be.”

“Well, yes,” you answer, “but there’s a reason. See men in his generation weren’t touchy-feely.”

“Yes,” says your friend, “but he’s really coming off like an ass.”

“You just don’t understand.”

No, sweetheart, YOU are the one who doesn’t understand. Heroes are heroes because THEY ARE HEROIC. Can you have an unsympathetic hero? Of course, but here’s the catch, HE STILL HAS TO BE A CHARACTER READERS CAN IDENTIFY WITH.

Look at television shows: House, Stargate Atlantis. Both feature protagonists that aren’t stereotypically heroic (House= Dr. House, Stargate Atlantis = Dr. Rodney McKay). If you watch these shows, then you know these guys won’t win any congeniality awards, never be the Boy Scout of the group, but, BUT, people LOVE these characters. Why? Because, despite their arrogance, brittle personalities, superficial nature, they are heroic. They show their humanity, they are capable of being vulnerable, caring, and that speaks to readers.

They are honest about who and what they are, and when push comes to shove, these are guys who will do the right thing/stay true to their driving desire. Viewers know this within 5 minutes of watching the show.

If your reader can’t pinpoint that your hero will be the hero, you need to rewrite. Or else, what are you going to do? Put a note in your book explaining your character’s background? Sit down with every person who reads your book and justify why this guy is being such a jerk when there’s no need to be?

I know that sounds so rude, but it’s the truth. If your character is inconsistent or faulty, dear heart, the problem isn’t the reader, it’s the way the character’s been written. Being a writer means being able to go back to the page over and again, and making your characters multi-dimensional and ensuring they come across they way they need to.

Tip #4: Be Strong in Yourself
Tip #3 said to listen to your readers’ comments. Tip #4 seems conflicting: stay strong in yourself, but as crazy as it sounds, you need both to be a successful writer.

If your character really IS a jerk and his redemption is what the story is about, then yes, stick with it. But if he’s supposed to be swoon-worthy and your readers seem to be suffering from nausea rather than fluttering hearts, then go back to the drawing board.

Successful writers know how to evoke the right emotion in their reader. It takes time, patience, writing and re-writing, but it’s what you need to do if you want to make it in this industry.

Tip #4 means knowing your story inside and out, knowing every nuance and twist. If it take your 3 years to write it, then so be it. Don’t rush, don’t force it.

Tip#5: Educate Yourself
Know how to do more than turn on your computer; know what grammar is, and the difference between effect and affect.

I wouldn’t trust a carpenter who only knew how to use his hammer, and I don’t trust an author who doesn’t take the time to educate and continually educate him/herself in their industry.

Part of this tip is knowing what works for you as a writer. Don’t force a story voice. Readers can sense it. So, even though you’ve heard erotica is all the rage, if it doesn’t feel right when you’re writing it, and a sweet sensuality is more your style, stick with that.

Integrity always sells.

Ladies, gentlemen, writing is hard work. This isn’t for the faint of heart, and this isn’t a job for wusses. When you encounter a setback, whether it’s a blank page, a rejection or a bad review, pull yourself up and keep going. Like the man said, “Don’t die with your dreams crumpled in your back pocket.”

Natasha Bacchus
Senior Editor, Hummingbirds
The Wild Rose Press