Meet The Editors: Introducing Kelli Martin

Are you looking to acquire any Christian category romances for Kimani or Kimani New Spirit? I notice that currently, the New Spirit imprint mostly entails bigger women's fiction-type stories. I've sensed there may be a need for more AA Christian category romances.

Good question! There is definitely room for more AA romance revolving around Christian/Inspirational themes. We will continue to publish select Christian/Inspirational titles under Kimani Press. Kimani Romance focuses on some pretty sexy stories, which have some content that are usually outside the realm of what the Christian/Inspirational market demands.  

Hi Dee! Thanks so much for the warm welcome. I'm really glad to be here.

You know, we will definitely do more interracial love stories and romances! It's a huge part of how we live today and should--and will--be depicted in our books.

Now, let me say that Kimani Romance's core will always be African-Americans falling in love with one another; that's our mission and we're going to hold true to that.

 But we will do some terrific novels featuring love stories across African-American, white, African, Caribbean, Asian-American and Hispanic cultures. As long as the writing portrays both cultures in an authentic and insightful and knowledgeable manner, this is new territory we are excited about exploring.

One of our goals for Kimani Romance is to make sure it reflects trends in society and that it keeps up with the contemporary, sophisticated, fun-loving, relationship/love-focused African-American female reader--in all her evolving glory.

What is your vision for the line?  Are there any new programs on the horizon that will excite the writers and the readers?

 Shirley

Looove that question: My dream would be to come in tomorrow morning and to find 2 different types of novels on my desk: First, a fun, sexy and emotionally moving continuity series that revolved around a prominent African-American family that had a strong philanthropic or social justice background. Think a young, hip Black Kennedys in NY or Atl, followed by drama, drama and more drama!

The tone of the novels would be hip and stylish and fun, with some sassy and slyly funny undertones--but still very moving. 

And the many love scenes have got to be hot, hot hot! In my editorial letters, I'm always telling authors to have fun with their love scenes; really go there! 

The vision for Kimani Romance is to continue publishing established romance writers as successfully as we currently do; and to continue being "Love's Ultimate Destination" for African-American women readers.

Just as importantly, we're committed to breaking out emerging, newer authors. We're adding some "ripped from the headlines" storylines. We're making sure each book drama-filled and entertaining. We're setting more romance novels in the arts or social service arenas; and making sure some characters are stylish and trendsetting. We really just want to keep up with our readers--and cover as wide an age group demographic as possible.

The most crucial thing we're committed to: making sure each book is as well-written, dramatically plotted, tautly developed and editorially tight and sound as possible.

We want each reader to be sooo moved and fulfilled when she turns that last page!

That is a good question. Here's what I think:

1. If an author is trying to write women's fiction, no, I do not think you have to fundamentally change the story you have written or the story you are most passionate about writing. There are no hard and fast rules about what type of content goes into literary fiction or women's fiction. Just that it adheres to what makes a novel: a beginning, a middle, an end, with conflict, tension, climax, denouement and resolution.

Now, if you are writing specifically for a category genre like romance or suspense or erotica, yes, I believe your novel does have to fit that particular criteria. There is a particular format and particular elements that make up genres like romance, mystery, thriller, etc., so if you're trying to publish in one of those areas, yes, your story should reflect the genre's needs/"requirements".

Having said that, though, the subject matter, plot, characters should be what you're most passionate about. 

2. As an editor, the advice I would you give a new author trying to get that first break is to write, write and rewrite; to be patient and be persistent; to get a literary agent; to subscribe to PublishersMarketplace.com to see what agents and editors are buying and selling and to see which agents are accepting new writers; and most important, to take a fiction writing workshop.

Taking a workshop is crucial. You get objective feedback from reading classmates and from a trained professional. You learn what you're terrific at and what you can improve upon. And you learn solid fiction writing building blocks like "Basic Elements That Make a Novel a Good One."

Last, my advice is to read, read read! I'm always amazed at how many writers do not read published books. Reading makes you a better writer. You learn so much about character, sentence structure, what's selling, what's not...plus, it gets you out of your own characters' heads for a while. And that is just as important as staying in them.

3. The page length varies from publishing house to publishing. At Kimani Romance, our books are 70,000 words or roughly 250-270 double-spaced, regular-font, regular margined manuscript pages.

Hi Kelli,

Thanks for taking the time to answer questions. I'd like echo Kimberly's question about paranormal romances. Is there any chance we'll be seeing them in the Kimani Romance line? Is it something Kimani Press is interested in at all?

 best,

Gwyneth 

Gwyneth,

Good question. There has been nothing paranormal since CREEPIN'.

wj

So glad to see familiar "faces"! Keep the questions coming.

At Kimani Romance, we do have a couple subgenres like "Romance on the Run" which focuses on action-packed plots and hero/heroine in dangerous jobs. And Gwyneth Bolton's Hightower series about a family of cops and firemen has some suspenseful subplots. So we'd love to continue doing suspense, making sure, though, that the romance is prominent while the suspense is in the background.

We'll definitely do some more lighthearted fare, some steamier books...I'll be honest, though; we don't have any paranormal at this time. And I rarely see it cross my desk.

Kimani Romance's mission is contemporary romance so we won't be straying too far from that.

I totally agree that there needs to be more multicultural characters in that subgenre, so if a really great paranormal was submitted to me, I'd consider it. But I'm not overtly looking for it.

But I am definitely looking for sexy novels with more suspenseful, mystery, thriller elements. The romance must be prominent, though!

I'd like to join the group who's like to see more types of storylines.  With romance as the core, paranormals, time travels, poltiical intrigues, psychological thrillers, would all be welcome.

As you all know African-Americans thirst for adventure in reading is limitless.  We know with Kimani we're going to get a romance, but the packaging around the romance adds to the flavor of the story.

 Kelli, I hope you're open to this.

Shirley 

Since I edit and acquire for Kimani Romance exclusively, I'll let my colleagues address the New Spirit and Kimani Tru questions. They've got up-to-the-minute info on those lines of books while I'm all about the sexy romance!

I wanted to be clear that all Kimani Romances will not have the socialite, bourgie background. That was just an example of a dream proposal for a continuity series for me and what some of our books will revolve around.

Could be novels set in the art world, at a museum, at a hospital, or in the fashion design business or you could have a character that is in the party planning business or works at a university or at a magazine....just some progressive, exciting diversity in what our characters do and the worlds in which they live.

That's a very good question and an issue that has been raised more and more during the years I've edited in this industry.

For better or for worse, it is true that publishing houses are looking more and more to what sells and to a book's sales figures. It is a for-profit business, after all, and the world in which we live. And plus, there are just so many books being published these days! So there's that volume issue too.

Having said that, though, I so hear you, Michelle. My plan is actually 4-fold:

First, I grow an author through my editorial letters. I really enjoy teaching through my letters so they tend to be very detailed and thorough. One of my favorite things to do in life! An author grows by learnng to write better and better.

2nd, at Kimani Romance we are starting to publish each author roughly 2 times a year. So your fans are seeing more of you, your author platform is growing and your writing craft is strengthening.

3rd, I am constantly looking at emerging authors with only a few books, but very well-reviewed books, under their belts and renewing their contracts.

And 4th, all of the publishing houses I have worked at have spaces on their lists for writers who might quite not be at their top sales level yet, but who are terrific, appealing writers. There continue to be room for those authors to always be published.

Kelli

My question concerns continuities...Are they any continuities planned for 2009.  I know that there's the Broddocks this summer...

wj

"Gotta run for shelter, Gotta ruun for shaade" Was that Kool in the Gang...? (Old school, I know).

Now we're getting to the meat of it! For Kimani Romance, the love scenes can be steamy. Now, I'm not talking not Vivid Entertainment or Skinemax steamy: that's another type of genre.

But in the recent editorial letters I've written, I've suggested for authors to "really go there!" in their love scenes. Longer, creative scenes; have fun with describing what the hero and heroine are physically doing and saying! Have fun with the actual positions! Have fun with the actual action! Have music playing and get creative with where the love scene is taking place! Some scenes can be slow & tender and others can be more, uh, fast-paced and exciting. (Can I write that here, Wayne and Dee?)

But be sure not to go over the top and protection is still important. Steamy, it's getting hot in here seduction--though definitely not excessive/over the top, and certainly not pornographic--is a good, healthy thing! And it's what your readers like to read.

Loooove the continuities! Yes, we've got The Braddocks this summer, a sexy, terrific series revolving around a political family inTexas.

And in 2009, there are 3 continuities we're really excited about: 1) couples meet, fall in love and fear for their lives amidst a dangerous hurricane; 2) Three women get shocking, unexpected surprises for Mother's Day; 3) and for Fall, college classmates reunite during Homecoming for their 10-year reunion and find love and come to terms with their lives.

Kelli

No problem. I'm glad to hear what you're saying about the steam factor...

I've been told that my love scenes are hot but tasteful and I'm glad you emphasised that.  Love scenes should be about each character giving into their senses..touch, smell, sight and even taste..and hearing...music works.

wj

Now if we could just get those "Scratch N Sniff" covers I've been lobbying for years about! See those coming anytime soon, Kelli? I can see cross marketing for men's colognes on the man chest covers. *swoon!*

I love continuities, love going on with the characters or minor characters who get their own stories.  The three you mentioned are great and I know of some author continuities that I'm involved in.

Also looooovvvvvveeee the idea of knowing you'll have two books a year so there is continuity in releasing and keeping the author out there.

Great work, Kelli.

 Shirley

Did someone say scratch 'n sniff? LOL

Welcome aboard Kelli!!

ooooo, Cece, great question about MIRA.

 Shirley

Good day to all! :-)

This question is for Glenda Howard. I'd like to break into the Inspirational category romance genre. Is the New Spirit line looking to expand and publish category-type romances(romances like Kimani, only with an inspirational message and no sex?)? I notice that there haven't been a whole lot of titles published under New Spirit lately, and was wondering if that was going to change? I've also noticed that the titles that have been published under New Spirit are longer novels, that remind me more of women's fiction (although romance may be a subplot.) I'd like to see some category romances published under New Spirit...

I've scrolled through the messages and see that someone posed a similar question to Kelli, and Kimani appears to only be publishing select inspirational titles. So I'd wondered if New Spirit would be publishing more category romances?

~Thanks!~

Thanks so very much to everyone for such a warm welcome! I really appreciate it and it feels very invigorating.

As an editor and as an imprint, we're absolutely dedicated to growing our authors, particularly in the 4 specific ways I wrote earlier in the chain.

And yes, doesn't Mira do some fantasic books? That's one of the great things about Harlequin: the wide breadth of high quality books we publish.

To be honest, my goal is to publish an author's best books, to shape each book into something moving and taut and to publish that for Kimani Romance. I'm not really looking to eventually push an author to Mira or any other imprint. I don't see Kimani as a stepping stone to something bigger or better; I feel pretty strongly that our program is tight and fantastic and enjoyable as it is, and that it will continue to get better and better, with even higher quality books. So that's my goal. But it's all for Kimani.

Now if a talented Kimani Romance author comes to me and says that she and her agent think she's ready for single title trade, then my response will be to try to find a place for her on the Kimani Press list. And if the author and her agent still want to go to Mira or something similar then I'll be sorry to see them leave the fold, but I'll certainly understand and really wish them the best of luck, and hopefully keep in touch.

But my goal is not to groom an author for Mira; it's to help him/her be the best writer she can be and to publish them at Kimani.

I think I understand the question....? One of the biggest pieces of advice I give writers is to focus on the core story and in romances, on the core two characters. I believe if a writer focuses too much on minor characters then the narrative gets too busy, too overwhelming and too hard for the writer to control and to keep straight. And too many subplots and too many characters make it hard for the reader to thoroughly enjoy the novel because she's not sure with whom her sympathies should lie and she's confused about all the backstory and numerous subplots.

So if a character is secondary, I say keep them very minor and just that--secondary.

You mean if like a voodoo priestess is the paranormal force in a romance? hhmm I guess it could work if the tone was right. Tongue in cheek/satires can work in some mainstream fiction, but seems like a hard thing to pull off in category romance. Does anyone know of a successful one that worked well? The reader comes to romance with a certain set of expectations and may feel put off if those expectations aren't met.

But I do think lighthearted romantic comedies and the lighter, funny side of romance is a route we'd love to see some Kimani Romances take.