Writing for Harlequin Mills & Boon

glowgirl_2

Well done stsarina on finishing your book and getting it out there:beer:

Angela, I would love to read something that made me laugh and didn't center around men/relationships or how you look, I think there is a huge gap in the market for intelligent humor.

I had a dreadful day yesterday, I felt very very despondent after I went on the M&B site and read a few book blurbs and thought oh no my book is utter tripe compared to these:( and they are the polite words;) does anyone else get these moments? how do you get over them, cos I just shouted at everyone and took to my bed:rotfl:I've finished the first three chapters and in fact most of the book, but it needs detail, today or tomorrow I'm going to print off the 3 chapters and edit them by hand, next week I'm going to give my book a title and write a synopsis and send it off:eek: As it stand atm my book has a 53,000 approx word count, on the site it says modern romance should be 50,000 words, does anyone know if they are flexible on this?:)

Anglea

Hi glowgirl

I always thought it was between 50-55 thousand and I just looked on the writer's guidelines, they are out of date so it may have been changed since then.

http://www.wewriteromance.com/guidelines/harlequin_presents.html

When you said that you don't like your book in contrast to the blurbs, do you mean the plot?

It could be that once you edit the whole book, you'll end up with less words just in case they only want 50,000 for this imprint.

Many years ago I used to do some book editing for others.

Lots of people that write too much often go round the houses to put their point across and don't recognise they repeat the same thing many times.

It can also be hard for them to let go of a character or situation that the publisher thinks should be eliminated.

glowgirl_2

Thank you Angela, I got the word count from here http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/AAModernR.asp it could well be out of date and I also think your right that it needs professional editing, I just went on the home page of M&B yesterday and all the other books sounded so much more interesting than mine, the whole plot sounded more exciting and the characters sounded more developed, I wanted to buy some of them right then but I guess thats what the blurbs job is;), I cant envisage anyone ever saying I fancy reading that, right now about my book but it could be that I'm too close to it and I need a helping hand in marketing strategies:rotfl:

I'm having a better day today I've printed off the three chapters and I was pleased to find that it reads much better on paper, not much editing to do (in my eyes anyway:o), mainly typos so tomorrow I'll finish that and have a go at the synopsis and a title - at least I'll know I gave it my best shot if nothing comes of it - thanks again for the reply:)

Anglea

Hi glowgirl,

So there is a 5,000 word difference between in the two guidlines we have looked at. Perhaps you ought to email MB before you send anything off.

As to worrying about your book not being exciting enough, I know the answer to that and so do you. The blurb is especially written to make the book sound really appealing to the readers.

And don't forget not everyone has the same taste. I'm always getting books that sound fantastic from the blurbs (funny word ) then find them very disappointing.

Good luck with reading and editing, I would also leave it a few days and do it again and see it with fresh eyes. Sometimes you will find something glaringly obvious you missed the first time.

What often happens is that when you are reading anything, the brain does a little trick and convinces you that you are seeing something totally different.

I often find when I'm doing a reply like this one, I often edit it many times as I'm going along because I find very strange errors. Then when I finally post and read it on the thread, I see something else I overlooked - yet I could have sworn was correct when I wrote it.

glowgirl_2

I totally agree with leaving it a few days which is what I'm going to do and I often repeat myself or leave bits out with longer posts too and bad spelling sometimes as well, especially if I'm tired, I am stupidly scared of sending the chapters in so I'm going to take my chances on the word count, thank you so much for your help and support, now can you make me laugh?:D

Anglea

Before I forget glowgirl - are you going to print up a duplicate set, so you can send yourself a copy in the post for copyright purposes?

glowgirl_2

Anglea wrote: »

Before I forget glowgirl - are you going to print up a duplicate set, so you can send yourself a copy in the post for copyright purposes?

I never thought of that, am I right in saying I leave it in the sealed envelope when its delivered? Thanks again:)

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

There is a first time for everything. Surely I can do this one day?

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

Maybe buy some Barbara Castle? famous Pink Meringue of a woman who died in last two years to add to my knowledge plus gets some books in on 70 books a year Reading List on Goodreads.

Anglea

glowgirl wrote: »

I never thought of that, am I right in saying I leave it in the sealed envelope when its delivered? Thanks again:)

Yes, don't open the envelope.