Harlequin Enterprises is holding a Great American Romance Contest. (More details at www.eharlequin.com)
I don't know much about it, but a reader has asked us the following: "Do any of you Harlequin authors have words of advice or hints/tips for those of us getting ready to enter the Great American Romance contest?"
I guess my biggest piece of advice would be to make sure that you have an American romance. Many times when I read contest entries targeted toward my line, I can tell that the entrant really doesn't have a grasp of "home, hearth, and family." For example, our heroes are not alpha males like you would find in a Harlequin Presents. No matter how well your story is written, a wrong hero will knock you out of the ball park.
Same goes for sensuality level. While Americans can have a range, these books do not have a focus on heat and passion of say, Blaze. Sex is not about having sex for pleasure so much as it is really developing a connection--if that makes sense. Harlequin American Romance editors have been known to tone down anything seen as too overboard--so make sure your heroine isn't salivating over your hero too much.
I've asked the other authors to pop in here as well.
Michele
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2 comments:
Michele, great advice on the hero and differing senusal levels in Americans. Many of our releases have "hot" love scenes but for the most part our language/wording is tamer than what might be found in a Blaze.
Another important aspect of the line is the role community plays in the story. However, in a contest where you're limited to the first chapter it can be difficult to "show" the community and how the hero or heroine interact with their setting. My advice would be to touch upon this in the synopsis. Show the role the community plays in your story and the character's relationship to the setting.
Thanks Michele and Marin for some great advice! I'm trying to polish up an entry and get it in on time.
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