My Recent Comments

Hello Downunder Gals  I just wanted to pop in and say a quick hello! I wish I had more time to read and chat, but I am thrilled that all these blogs and such are going strong!

And for all the readers...pick up Diamonds Down Under, these books are fabulous!!

Hi Sue B!

No worries, I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have.  So keep em coming

On average I used to receive up to 300 pieces of unsolicited proposals.  It really varies from year to year, as does the number of authors we contract.  For a time Desire wasn't necessarily looking for new authors.  So the majority of those proposals were rejected.  However we are currently looking for new material so I'm hoping to find a few new authors if i can. 

Well believe it or not, I managed to lose my whole response that I wrote out!! So I will do my best to rewrite my original thoughts (oooh technology!!!)

To repsond to Katherine T's comments, there is certainly more factors that separate a Desire from a Presents other than the hero.  I think authors focus on this aspect because they have the most trouble creating a balance between alpha and not harsh.  In my experience this has been a common problem amongst unpublished authors, especially if they were used to writing for Desire's old guidlines.  You should definitely read up on recent Desires.  Some series that are out right now are The Dante Legacy by Day Leclaire, Kings of California by Maureen Child, and Diamonds Down Under by the famed down under gals  I think these are all great examples of what Desire is looking for. 

As for the heroines...they can own the company, but normally they've inherited it, and perhaps have some loans that need to be paid off.  The hero wants the land and will stop at nothing to get what he wants.  Typically the heroine is working for the hero, or as I mentioned above has something that he wants. 

To answer Celticlass, as of now I don't believe there has been talk to creat a Desire brief...although it's certainly something to look out for in the future.

And now for some fun questions and answers...much thanks Sue B

Most of the editors can acquire for different lines, however myself and Senior Editor Melissa Jeglinski work primarily for Desire.  We both can acquire, and MJ has an Editorial Assistant, Shana Smith, who helps with the production of the books.  Although I don't personally work with all of the authors, I used to work with almost all of them in the past.  I started out as an Editorial Assistant for Desire 3 years ago.  So I was constantly communicating with authors for various reasons.  Now I have my own author base, and am always looking for fresh meat! So keep those proposals coming!

 And I can say that Yvonne Lindsay is one of my authors...Hi Yvonne

Hmm a typical day...can be crazy! But I love every minute of it.  Normally I go back and forth editing manuscripts, reviewing proposals, writing copy, and performing acceptance reads.  For instance, this week I'm editing 3 manuscripts (wiping sweat from brow) as well as reviewing some proposals.  And of course the Q&A!

I wouldn't say I've had any outrageous reponses from new authors, but I have gotten screams and the 'no ways'.  It's a great feeling to make an author that happy!!

Haha I think that was everything I wrote out before...check in with you all later! 

These are all great questions!

When thinking of sensuality, I try to tell authors that most importantly there are no profanities or slang words.  We're below Blaze on the sizzle scale, so if you're familiar with the line you will have a good idea as to what we don't include.  Sexy and tasteful is the best route.

The most common problem I find with slush is that authors haven't done their research.  I'll get proposals for a lovely story that would have fit Desire 3 or 4 years ago.  I think authors have a tendancy to play down the conflict and alphaness of their heroes because they are fearful to complicate things.  Desire is very conflict driven, and the more layers the better! There's nothing like learning you married the twin sister of the woman you slept with years ago!

With that, what I love to see, and would be thrilled to see with the pitch are stories with conflict and drama. There needs to be more than just their emotional reservations keeping them apart.  I'm expecially excited about authors who have a potential series. We really like our authors to put out multiple books in the year, so seeing someone who already has something like that in the works is very appealing. 

Thank you for all the warm welcomes!! Especially from Yvonne, Emilie, and Maxine  It's always nice to get some hellos from the authors! And as you can see I've added a pic, although I am horrible at cropping and this is the best that I have at the moment

Back to Desire! Everyone seems right on regarding their comments on Desire and Presents.  As Emilie put it, Desire heroes have redeeming characteristics that keep them from being total jerks (if only all men ) Readers get to see the hero's soft side.  He will marry you for the heir, but will take care of you...and be nurturing at times.  He's out for revenge, but can feel for your situation as well.  His vulnerabilities are a little more upfront that with a Presents.

As for humor...Maureen and Emily are great examples of what we're looking for in Desires.  We aren't chick lit, and therefore don't want to delve too much into comedy.  But a few one liners definitely lighten the mood and, I think, make the characters more likeable.

To answer Abby's question regarding the heroine's journey...traditionally we like to keep the hero's journey at the forefront.  Although the heroine can have her moments of clarity, it is ultimately the hero who is changed by the woman.  But I'd certainly be interested in reading your take!

Looking forward to jumping in again a little later!!

Very excited to welcome Diana here with us today! Honestly, I'm a long time subscriber of Desires and even a long time reader of Presents, so I have a ton of questions. Figure I'll kick things off with one:

What is the most important aspect of the Desire heroine? Can you contrast her from the commonly known Presents heroine---does she need to be feisty? Or can she have a more quiet strength? That sort of thing.

A: Thank you for the welcome! The Desire heroine is vulnerable, but strong.  She has had a hard past, whether it be being jilted or having to help raise her family on her own.  She tends to be aware of this past and tries to keep her defenses up (of course then there's the whole love thing , ah love!) She is a nurturer deep down and wants to believe that the hero is good.  The most important thing about the heroine though, is that she can stand up for herself.  Just because she has fallen in love, doesn't mean that she can't remove herself from the situation once the dark moment arrives.  She is not completely submissive and challenges the hero to grow. 

Dee, I had to laugh when I saw your line about Desire not being the "American Harlequin Presents."  My VERY all-American husband always teases me about the locations when he catches Presents titles in my reading stack -- he keeps saying he knows I'm going to run off with a Greek tycoon or an Australian magnate!!  He's perfectly unruffled when he sees Desires in the stack!

My question for Diana is:  what locales do you/do you not prefer to see in Desire manuscripts? 

I've enjoyed several Desires based in the American West (Texas ranches, etc.) and several based in big cities -- what locations are most popular?

A: I wouldn't say there's one specific location I'd prefer to see, but I can say that there has been an increase in Sheik books/settings.  I'd like to see more of these, as well as more royals and rags-to-riches type stories.  And I certainly enjoy my Westerns too  As long as the hero owns the ranch, not just works there.  There has also been an increase in international settings.  However, the stories don't always take place in that one exotic location.  There's often traveling back and forth between the U.S.

Okay, I'll admit it, I have Desire synopsis I'm tinkering with -- funny, Desire was the first line I ever submitted to (20 years ago -- got a request for a full which was rejected for having too much sex, LOL -- Blaze author in training, I guess...), but I had an impulse and started writing it up, because Desires, being Blaze's passion cousin, really hit me as fun. I also like shorter formats, which I discovered with my upcoming anthology story.

Anyway, here's my thought on my hero, and I wonder if it's on base. He's wealthy, he's powerful, he's definitely alpha (he's also American) --to the heroine, he's coming off like a bit of a bastard, given their situation, but for the reader, we learn why he's acting the way he is, and it's actually showing his heroic nature, though obviously he has some growth moments ahead of him...and they have to find their way to each other, past the given obstacles.

I guess that's how I was separating out the Desire hero from the Presents hero -- to me, the Desire hero remains heroic perhaps, in a more visible way, where the Presents guys really can be full-on alpha hard-cases, they have a sharper learning curve, so to speak, than the Desire guy?

A:There has definitely been a shift in the Desire hero.  He is powerful, rich, and alpha.  As Sam said, the readers are more in tune with the hero's reservations.  Although he is out for revenge or has a 'what i want i get attitude' he has a past that has made him the way he is today.  And readers know it! Although he may not be soft on the outside, he is vulnerable on the inside, and readers get a chance to see moments of this throughout the story.  He isn't ruthless all the time.  We get to see his defenses fall as he learns to be a father, or sees his assistant in a new light.  These are some examples of what sets the Desire hero apart from the Presents hero.