Writing for Harlequin Mills & Boon

Anglea

I've read some of the stories and really liked them, was surprised by the comments. I've never come across anything like that before in writing contests, usually everyone is very supportive of each other.

Glad you are still feeling positive Jei-Jei

freeoffers

Haven't messaged here for quite sometime but was intrigued about the scriptwriting competition. I was asked to write a script some time ago but it just wasn't the right time. Having read part of a script for the pilot of Heroes I actually want to try it sometime.

Someone wrote on here that competition for the romantic genre was quite fierce. I reckon it's quite fierce for most genres. Some agents get 300 pieces of work a day. I sent my book to an agent and its going to take 2 months for them to get back to me with an answer.

Went to the romanceisnotdead website and had a quick browse at Beguiling the Enemy and Secrets and Seduction. Some of the comments were quite harsh but these are folks looking to get published so they have to expect that. The only other thing I would say is that it is so hard to tell how good a book will be from one or two chapters. Have the writers actually completed their novels?

I did like some of the ideas on there and it brings home how important the trio of characters, storyline and writing style are in a book. Sometimes you wouldn't think that by some of the tripe on offer at the moment.

Did anyone here make it into the top 20?

@jei jei

"I received some really lovely comments from Nikky Logan and learnt that people thought I could write..."

No matter how confident we are it is nice to hear that isn't it?

SlopingBird

I've been following it. Sadly, I wasn't shortlisted, but I've enjoyed the buzz and think I recognised one entry as being from a former workmate who also said she wanted to write romantic fiction - if that's the case, New Voices definitely did what it set out to do. I only got a few comments but all were favourable, which was nice. On reflection, I think my set-up might have been a bit too slow, but, hey, it's all about learning and getting better. Few publishers do what M & B are doing so I think they should be applauded for their efforts.

I'll definitely being checking out the second chapters.

freeoffers

Anglea wrote: »

I've read some of the stories and really liked them, was surprised by the comments. I've never come across anything like that before in writing contests, usually everyone is very supportive of each other.

Having looked at the comments again have to agree with you Anglea.
A few are very picky. After all, these are not finished novels ready for publication. Some of the comments were pretty brutal.

Its easy to find fault in the work of others and reminds me of what I read somewhere about editors: even if your piece is perfectly written they’ll find something about it to change because its their job. For some its their job to criticise others. How many of the critics actually entered the MB competition I wonder???? Anyway, kudos to all those who entered. :T

Anglea

Just found this on the freebies thread -


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/47946483#Comment_47946483

freeoffers

Anglea wrote: »

Just found this on the freebies thread -


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/47946483#Comment_47946483

I'm not a romance guy usually but may as well give MB a try. Nice one

Jei-jei

I came across these and fell off my chair laughing.

Please note the naughty covers are naughty - but hilarious.

http://worldoflongmire.com/features/romance_novels/readers_covers.htm
http://worldoflongmire.com/features/romance_novels/readers_naughty_covers.htm

Jei-jei

Has anyone here completed a romance novel or short story?

If so, are you looking to upload them anywhere in particular? Best place to do so?

Or are you mainly looking for agents/publishing houses?

Currently looking at the pros and cons..

lincroft1710

Jei-jei wrote: »

I came across these and fell off my chair laughing.

Please note the naughty covers are naughty - but hilarious.

http://worldoflongmire.com/features/romance_novels/readers_covers.htm
http://worldoflongmire.com/features/romance_novels/readers_naughty_covers.htm

This site gets a very unsafe rating from Web of Trust

Jei-jei

lincroft1710 wrote: »

This site gets a very unsafe rating from Web of Trust

Not entirely surprised. A lot of ratings are community based - plus it pillories romance...

I went to download the WOT app and it told me the the publisher was unverified....:D