Hi, all!
It is really taking me a while to get back in gear after the RWA conference in San Francisco and the few days after of my family's vacation in SF. Part of that is because I came home pumped up about some new story ideas and I have been working hard on a new proposal or two. Another reason is that *as soon as* we got home, my son was back to school (Or marching band practice anyway) which involved me driving two trips a day to the high school, dealing with his freshman jitters, and getting back into the early morning routine. (after staying up late to watch the Olympics)
But enough with the excuses...Here are a few of the tidbits I came away with following a meeting of the SRS authors and editors while in San Francisco.
1) Covers are constantly being tweaked to see what works best. Romancy (is that a word?) couple covers and romancy titles seem to work the best. Hero only covers work well if there is only one out in a month.
2) Look for covers to be brighter in coming months...not so dark. Yea!
3) Starting in November, the author's name will be in bigger letters. As an author, I like that! And they are tweaking the fonts used.
4) If you want to write for the line, they are open to new writers! Send the editors your proposals!
5) Some favorite Harlequin authors are coming to write for SRS. Example: Jennifer Greene
6) The editors still want classic hooks- babies, cowboys, cops...with strong emotion and the focus on the romance. The line is backing off of paranormal elements, I hear. A psychic detective is okay, but paranormal stories generally need to be sent to Nocturne.
7) SRS has several great continuities coming up you won't want to miss! Starting in September is "The Coltons: Family First" -- a new series about a fan favorite family: the Coltons! In 2009, the year Harlequin celebrates 60 years of publishing, look for the Love in Sixty Seconds series.
8) A commercial- Don't forget that the SRS authors and readers can chat about books, writing or whatever strikes us to discuss at the monthly chats...every second Wednesday night of each month at 9 p.m. ET in the eHarlequin chat room! Prizes!
That's all for now!
As Arnold said: "I'll be back!"
Beth C
Beth Cornelison- www.bethcornelison.com
DUTY TO PROTECT- Silhouette Romantic Suspense- July 2008
RANCHER'S REDEMPTION- Silhouette Romantic Suspense- Oct 2008
