Market Page
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So you want to sell your book. Getting it to the right editor can make all the difference.
This information comes from the Romance Writers of America conference in Washington 2009. Like 2007/8, it covers publishers with a leaning towards hot fiction. I’ve decided to leave in the former reports as some writers may like to compare how the market changed over the years.
Spotlight on Avon Books
Editors - Erica Tang, Asi Sogah, May Chen
See avonromanceblog.com – started so that can talk to readers and writers directly. Behind each character is a bio of the editors. Editors use the blog to talk about the books.
Tessa Woodward – talked about Harpercollins website and how they made it better. Can get to every individual author’s pages. All the videos made are also put on the page.
Submission Guidelines: http://www.harpercollins.com/imprints/avon/SubmissionGuidelines.aspx
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
(90,000—100,000 words)
At Avon, we’re seeking deliciously romantic historical novels for all parts of the list. These are love stories set primarily in Great Britain before 1900, and they are filled with all the promise—and passion—that Avon readers expect.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
(90,000—100,000 words)
We seek stories of emotional complexity, written by authors with unique voices. Books with humor, drama, romantic suspense—all types and tones can be right for Avon. If your manuscript is exciting, electrifying, and exceptional we want to know more.
PARANORMAL ROMANCE
(90,000—100,000 words)
Vampires, werewolves, and witches, oh my! We are seeking all types of paranormal romance, contemporary or historical. The darker the better.
EROTICA
(short stories 25,000—40,000 words/novels 80,000—90,000 words)
We are so excited to be at the forefront of this up-and-coming genre. The sexier the better is our motto. Avon Red began with two anthologies and we’ve now built up to 80,000 - 90,000 steamy one story novels. There are no holds barred in these super sensual stories. We’re looking for more sexy novels and novellas, so, if we’re going to need a cold shower after reading your manuscript, please send your query letter via e-mail today!
AVON A
(60,000—90,000 words)
Avon A publishes general commercial women’s fiction as well as quality nonfiction books that readers can relate to and get something out of. Both historical and contemporary stories are welcome. Our Avon A authors include Meg Cabot, Jacqueline Sheehan, and Tracy Grant.
How To Submit A Manuscript
Please note Avon’s new submission policy
To submit your romance or women’s fiction (only), please query first. You must query by e-mail. When you do so, please put QUERY in the subject line. Due to the overwhelming amount of spam e-mail received, subject lines that have manuscript titles often do not reach the editors. Your query should be brief, no more than a two-page description of your book. Do not send chapters or a full synopsis at this time. Also, please not send attachments—THEY WILL NOT BE OPENED. You will receive a response—either a decline or a request for more material—in approximately four to six weeks.
Please e-mail your query to mailto:avonromance@harpercollins.com?subject=QUERY.
Spotlight on Ballantine, Bantam Dell
Senior Editors – Shana Summers, Kate Collins
Kate is in charge of the romance list. Have had big restructuring changes. Now three different groups. Now share a production and publicity department. Still have separate editorial departments, all still acquiring as they did before. Have had several number one NYTimes best-selling authors. Have huge list of blockbuster authors eg Linda Howard, Kay Hooper, Tess Geritson, Danielle Steele. Linda Howard will be teaming with another author to write a paranormal series. After Death Angel readers wanted her to write more paranormal. Have Allison Brennan who is on the rise. She is starting a new paranormal series starring the seven deadly sins. She will also continue doing her FBI series books.
Can send query letters. Editors don’t accept email queries. Editor - Ann Groll is accepting queries for urban fantasy. Editors recommend that authors get an agent.
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10009, USA
Spotlight on Grand Central Publishing
Amy Pierpoint – Editorial Director
Alex Logan – Editor
Like to publish back on back books, published more closely together because market research has reported back to readers like to read this way.
What are they looking for?
Sexy historical. Across all sub genres the heat level is being turned up. Men in kilts are always a favorite. Paranormal have vampires, demons, genetically altered humans. Always looking for fresh, new ideas for the paranormal. Looking also for across the board contemporaries that can reach the widest audience. Also looking for - Psychological suspense, romantic thrillers – edgy, dark, scary.
Also looking Westerns – traditional charming stories. Like to publish across all sub genres.
Erotic romance – Lilly Feisty is their erotic writer “boy meets girl, girl likes to be spanked.” Still must be romantic. Ed. didn’t say if they were looking for more.
Also publish women’s fiction in trade paperback for stories that appeal to all age groups. There is a Latina interest program looking to reach out to the Latina interest groups.
Manuscript 85,000 – 95,000 word length. Agented only submissions. Exceptions are editors who judge contests or if you are at the conference if you pitch to editors. All editors read on e-readers now. Turn around time varies. Reading submissions that are about two months old. From one to three months for the agent to hear back. Questions: For a published author – buy on proposal and sample chapters. For a new author have to finish the entire book.
Spotlight on Harlequin – Single Title
Margaret Marbury Editorial Director for Single Title program at Harlequin
Valerie Gray – Executive Editor for Mira, Spice and Red Dress Ink which are now in Mira. Note: Editors are not acquiring for the chick lit genre at the moment.
Tara Parsons - Senior Editor of HQN and Luna
Margo Lipschultz – Editor HQN and Luna
Susan Swinwood – Senior Editor of Spice and Mira
Non-fiction program launched in October last year. Looking for non-fiction tailored to women. Deb Brody – Executive Editor. Memoir, health, beauty, cookbook, puzzle books. Single title having very good year. Books on NYT best selling list. Commerical fiction really thriving. Harlequin Teen – Senior Editor Natasha Wilson working out of the NY office. Want extraordinary larger than life books. Open to all genres, historical, paranormal, contemporary. Would love to see more historical. See www.harlequinteen.com
HQN home of big contemporary romance, also do paranormals. Will take a chance on new authors who they think have potential. Several authors made the NYT best seller list. Luna is single title fantasy with romantic elements. Publish up to twelve books a year. Want strong heroines, believable world building. Would love to add some urban fantasy to their list with the heroine coming to terms with her supernatural powers. Want a strong accessible voice. Word count 90-120 thousand words. Prefer agented submissions but will take queries and up to three chapters.
Spice is Harlequin’s erotic fiction program. Publish a wide variety of settings. Level of romance in Spice books. Spice is not traditional romance but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t romance, but don’t have to have the happily ever after. Further you stray from the traditional one hero and one heroine, the better the books sell. The stories are a little bit different – there is something different, something edgy, that separates it from the rest of the pack. How hot? “You can’t go hot enough.” Susan Swinwood yet to be surprised. Don’t be afraid to push the envelope. Sex is an integral part of the genre. Susan would like to see an erotic urban fantasy. The quantity needs to be more than just sexy romance. The erotic language is more explicit, no euphemisms for body parts. Spice is not all about sex. More than anything, the books need to be well written. Have a select group of authors that write for us. Your writing has to be pretty fantastic to be selected. Spice is in third year. This year has acquired three new authors. Publish twelve paperbacks per year. In 2007 introduced Spice Briefs. Between 5-15,000 words. Sold as digital short stories. Available at a number of retailers including Harlequin.com
Have had a number of authors make the transition from Spice Briefs to Spice. In March published first Spice Briefs anthology called Naughty Bits. Highlighted a selection of the best Spice Briefs. Editor - Laura Hyde looking after Spice Briefs. At the moment taking agented and unagented. That may change down the road. Refer to guidelines on e-harlequin. Between 85,000 – 100,000. Has had strong year.
Spotlight on Harlequin Category lines
Birgit Davis Todd – Executive Editor
Mary Terese Hussey – Executive Editor – Silhouette
Kimberley Young – Harlequin Romance
Looking for new voices for all their programs. Have published over 70 new authors this year. Publish books in 26 languages and in e-book format. Go to www.eharlequin.com for basic guidelines.
Harlequin romance – pure romance. Publish Rebecca Winters with her hundredth book. Publish stories set on ranches etc with characters that you can believe in. Also have romantic comedy stories eg Jessica Hart’s books, Shirley Jump a great example. Also have heart wrenching emotional stories. In Harlequin Romance a good ending is always guaranteed. Launching three new miniseries. Escape around the world. In her shoes – Cinderella stories with a modern twist. Feel good series. Want to walk in the heroine’s shoes and celebrate their journey to falling in love. Want aspirational heroes who will be there for the heroine. The focus is on the romance so don’t want explicit scenes. Want a rainbow of emotions. Take email submissions. Go to eharlequin for Writing Guidelines.
Tess Shapcott – Editor – Presents
Romantic fantasy, international settings, passionate excitement, intense emotion. Twelve titles a month to read.
Readers love settings in Europe, Mediterranean, South America America, Australia, luxurious hideaways, cattle ranches
Heroes – dark, powerful, ruthless. Millionaires.
Themes - alpha bosses, marriage of conveniences
Submit – 3 chapters and synopsis to the London office.
Visit: iheartspresents.com for first chapter competition.
Brenda Chin and Kathryn Lye – Blaze – Toronto Office
Blaze is harlequin’s sexiest series. Books are not erotica. Forbidden fantasies are a popular series, even time travel, chick lit. Blaze books are complex, want plots, subplots. Hooks are very important eg sexy hook guy who finds a woman’s sexy diary and uses it against her. The love triangle eg King Arthur’s story has worked since the beginning of time. Readers need to fall in love immediately with the heroes because of the immediate sexual nature of the books. While the heroines are every woman, the heroes are every men eg cops, firefighters, boy next door rather than millionaire sheiks. What makes a Blaze book different? Overwhelming sexual tension. “Are they going to do it now?” Also doing Blaze historical – has to be a Blaze book first. Strong heroine who is comfortable with her sexuality. Blaze encounters – two or more linked stories within a book.
Query letters are best because of the hook.
Christa Stoever – Editor - Silhouette Desire
Start reading the continuity titles because the editors come up with it in house. Like autocratic CEOS, Texas Cattlemen, Billionaires and Babies. Always looking for new authors signed by Diana Ventamiglia. Need to absorb the reader instantly, with high tension, high drama. Need to see conflict in first chapter. Looking for a first chapter that will sweep editor away. Not a lot of set up. Secret babies, revenge , marriage of convenience are popular themes. Conflict driven series. Desire hero is powerful, wealthy, may be self made. Does not have a cruel streak. Heroine’s point of view has more than fifty percent of the book. Very sensual stories. Not looking for suspense, paranormal, boys next door. If there is a foreign setting must be there for a reason. Send query to Diane Ventamiglia in the NY office or to Christa Stoever.
For submission guidelines: www.eharlequin.com
Spotlight on Kensington
Editor in chief – John Sognamiglio, Editor – Audrey La Fehr
Last privately owned publisher in this business of any significant size. Taken authors from first books and built them up to NYTimes best sellers. Give writers a chance to write what they want to write. Want exciting new stories and new trends. Treat authors equally. Kensington’s business has been up for the last three years. Sees itself as a mass market publishers. “We build authors. We build careers.” Looking for historical romance. Leading the genre right now. Always looking for the sexier side of romance. Looking for paranormal and paranormal suspense. Also do women’s fiction, contemporary stories that are not necessarily a romance. Looking for interesting ethnic fiction. Kensington will be looking at acquiring in e-book format as well as their print format.
www.kensingtonbooks.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=11273
Spotlight on Pocket Books
Editors– Lauren McKenna, Miki Nuding, Abby Zidle, Megan McKeever
Has authors Gena Showwalter, Kresley Cole, both NYTimes best selling authors. Lauren has bought numerous dark and sexy authors. Miki has bought several Regency/Scottish historical authors. Abby has bought Shayla Black – Tempt me with Darkness. Sexy paranormals. Abby has bought several romantic suspense authors, women’s fiction, romantic suspense.
Megan McKeever talked about Urban Fantasy. The focus is to save to world rather than to get the man. It is darker, grittier but has a cross over audience with paranormal. Also doing YA through MTV line. Have some fabulous time travels eg Seducing Mr Darcy. Do erotic romance, but won’t debut an erotic romance author because sales have dropped off. Bought one recently but toned down the sex, focused on the romance and put it out in mass market, so not looking for erotic romance at this time.
If you are writing paranormal you need to have read many of them, so you know the genre. Agented only.
Spotlight on Tor – Editor Heather Osborne
Doing one paranormal romance a month. Always has had an open door policy. Can send the submission to Heather Osborne.
Include a cover letter, a short synopsis and the first three chapters or the first fifty pages.
Interested in acquiring urban fantasy, also open to YA paranormal romance and YA urban fantasy. Editor Melissa Frame, Heather’s assistant is interested in acquiring that as well. Heather was at Ellora’s Cave so is comfortable with erotic content. Not doing an erotic line but can be sexy. Loves Steampunk. Cited Wild, Wild West with Will Smith as an example – “like James Bond in Victorian times, has a lot of magic mixed up with it”. Also open to seeing fantasy. Readers respond better to moderate level of sexiness. The paranormals tend to be hotter. If doesn’t have sex, won’t stop Heather from enjoying the book. Likes urban fantasy that has a love triangle going on. Leans towards female driven urban fantasy. Likes characters with flaws and vulnerability. Likes characters that are badass but also make mistakes. Who she is fighting or what her heritage is doesn’t matter to Heather. Heather takes 2 months. If haven’t heard after 9 months, drop her an email.
Submission guidelines www.Tor-Forge.com
St Martin’s Press
Editors – Jennifer Enderlin, Rose Hilliard, Monique Patterson
Ten most important things that you need to know about publishing and the ten most important things you need to know about St Martin’s Press.
Editors want to be transported. Need talent, hard work and luck. Publishing a labor of luck. “We want to find brand new authors.”
Like to start on the ground floor and build an author. Jennifer discussed the trend cycle when the publishers buy too many of the new hot thing but then if the publisher establishes a line, the publisher has to fill slots, quality goes down, contracts stop being renewed, line folds. Seen this happen with vampires, YA paranormal, chick lit. Once you see publishers creating lines, it’s time to head for the hills.
St Martins is waiting for the right books to come their way. They don’t publish by slots, so keep the quality really high. All of the authors are offered multi-book contracts because publisher is in it for the career. Publish in all areas of fiction. Can’t tell if your book is good on a verbal pitch. “Totally open to query letters from unpublished authors.” Jennifer likes hard copy. Says get a literary agent. If you want to find out who is the right literary agent for your book, read books and find out who the literary agent is. If rejected in the past, doesn’t matter because editor doesn’t remember.
St Martin’s Press
175 Fifth Avenue.
New York, NY 10010
Spotlights from San Francisco 2008
Harlequin and Silhouette
Looking for new voices and seasoned authors for all programs. There are three acquisition offices in Toronto, New York and London. The books are published across North America and the world. There are 1200 authors, 107 countries, 29 languages and 6 continents. Books are also are in e-book format and audio format.
Stories are there to entertain and emotionally engage the reader.
Mills and Boon Romance – 50-55,000 words
The books have changed to reflect the changing culture. Editors are looking for fresh contemporary stories with deep emotional depth. This doesn’t mean depressing storylines. The film Love Actually, touches on the tones that the editors are looking for. Editors want stories that give readers a “romantic fix”. Readers live the story through the heroine’s eyes. The heroine should be the type of woman who is your good friend. She should be a strong convincing woman. She can have flaws. The hero should the man you want to spend your life with. He should be slightly larger than life. You must have enough conflict to drive the relationship forward. The story should have growth of the characters as the reader moves through the story. The stories can take the readers around the world because they are international books. Universal emotions that every reader feels are important.
Send the first three chapters to the London office.
Mills and Boon Presents – 50,000
Best-selling series around the world. Readers want a glimpse into the rich and wealthy, pulse racing passion, British Billionaires, Latin Lovers, Desert Sheiks, virgin brides.
Passion drives a Presents novel. Marriage of convenience, royalty, secret pregnancies, revenge. See my 2007 report for more details about heroes and heroines.
Submit to the London Office. 3 Chapters and a synopsis.
Modern Heat – 55,000
Think of it as Present’s younger sister. Smolder with sensuality. Alpha male hero, larger than life, uncompromising, a little bit audacious, believable, three dimensional, great body, should take the reader’s breath away.
Sexual tension more evenly matched. Tap into 21st century fantasies eg. Sex with your boss.
Heroine – young urban girl-about-town. Not necessary for the hero and heroine to have a tragic past. Conflict should be believable but not depressing.
Silhouette Desire – 50-55,000
Powerful, passionate and provocative.
The hero is powerful, wealthy and a man who is used to getting what he wants but he is never cruel. The reader needs to swoon over the hero.
The heroine is strong willed and smart but also capable of making terrible mistakes. She is not a simpering walk flower.
There must be a strong arc of conflict/s driving this story. Increase the conflict as the story evolves. Boss/secretary romances, billionaires and babies, revenge, marriage of convenience
If not set in America must have a reason must have a reason eg, the Italian hero. At least one love scene is required.
Send queries to Editor Melissa Jeglinski at the NY office.
Silhouette Nocturne
Looking for books that are first of all romances. Books that are keeping up with the incredible surge in the paranormal market. Readers are insatiable right now for romance and fantasy. Current book bought, the hero is a dragon and the heroine is a vampire. Twilight cited as an example of an amazing genre. Looking at growing and developing in this market. Put the characters in a dark, brooding, sexy atmosphere. Starting up an e-book line called Nocturne Bites. 15,000 words in length.
For submission guidelines: www.eharlequin.com
St Martin’s Press
Editors – Jennifer Enderlin, Monique Patterson, Rose Hilliard, Katie Gilligan
Jennifer Enderlin’s Overview – Buys books rather than books that fit into a line. Book rather than author driven. Voice is author’s own unique fingerprint. Looks at unagented manuscripts but prefers an agent.
Monique Patterson - has been at St Martin’s for seven years. Works on contemporary, romantic suspense, erotic romance. Likes to grow author careers. Here to find great voices.
Rose Hilliard - is an associate editor. List is very selective and smaller than other houses but this means books get lead title treatment and authors get a greater push. Rose loves romance. Looking for the sub-genres. Loves heart and soul books where she loves the characters and cares about them. Wants to be emotionally moved from page one to the end.
Katie Gilligan - with Thomas Dunne Books. Looks for sassy, witty characters right from the start of the book. Katie buys the romantic mysteries. Wants to care about the character right from the beginning. Has bought books unagented but not that many.
Can send a query on paper if they haven’t met you. Personalise the first paragraph. If you have met the editor and they request the project, you can send the book. Editors try to answer query letters by three weeks.
St Martin’s Press
175 Fifth Avenue.
New York, NY 10010
Pocket Books (Paperback division of Simon & Schuster)
Editors – Lauren McKenna, Abby Zidle, Miki Nuding, Megan McKeever
Lauren McKenna - Pocket a division for Simon and Schuster. Publishes commercial women’s fiction. In trade paperback also publishes erotica, single title, urban fantasies, paranormal, historical. Lauren likes dark brooding heroes.
Abby Zidle – Been with Pocket for a year and a half. Acquires women fiction and romance, romance suspense
Miki Nuding – erotic romance, general women’s fiction, historical romances, romantic suspense. Also likes light, humorous and very sexy books. Calls these books, “the champagne of romances”. Straight Westerns don’t do too well at the moment but have one author. Also has Thea Devine, who wrote a very Paris Hilton book, also likes paranormal erotic romance. Does some anthologies with Ellora’s Cave.
Megan McKeever – general commercial women’s fiction, romance. Has some time-travel authors, does teen fiction.
Agented only submissions.
NAL
Editors - Claire Zion, Ellen Edwards, Cara Caesar, Kerry Donovan
Claire Zion’s overview - Publisher has had a really good year in romance fiction. In 2006 had one romance author who regularly made the printed NY times best-seller list. In 2007 had three. In 2008 have seven in first six months. Ten romance titles have made the best-seller list. This is a three-fold improvement. Publish authors as individuals. Tries to grow authors. Builds best sellers from the ground up.
Paranormal Romance, Contemporary romance, romantic suspense, historical fiction hot right now, based on real people right now, doing interesting new periods such as Charles 11 and the Tudor Period.
Accent program - books for women by women. Story elements with broad commercial appeal. Looking for unique voices to publish. Whistling in the Dark given as an example. Erotica a new genre for NAL. They are actively acquiring for Eclipse and Heat. Authors, Susanne Carr and Beatrice Small given as examples. Also doing dark, suspenseful erotica. Still open to vampires. Editors think they have established themselves as a whole sub-genre on their own.
To debut authors. The door is open.
Editors are open to a query letter, synopsis and up to three sample chapters.
NAL
395 Hudson St
New York, NY 10014
Kensington Publishing
Editors – Kate Duffy, Hillary Sares, John Scognamiglio, Audrey LaFehr
Publishes romance, mysteries, thrillers, westerns, true crime, fantasy, erotic romance, erotica
Kate Duffy - acquires romance, some mysteries, some thrillers. Brava started in 1999. Been going for ten years.
Hillary Sares – largest publisher of African American through their Dafina line. This is a huge growing business. Send to Selena James. Hillary has been an editor at Kensington for over 10 years. Great house for a project that doesn’t really fit the market. Romance, romantic suspense, historical romance and erotic romance. Looks at agent and unagented submissions.
John Scognamiglio – Editor-in-Chief. Overseas mystery program, contemporary, women’s fiction, historical romance, paranormal, romantic suspense, historical fiction, thrillers on their Pinacle list. For authors who haven’t been published before, they price them at 3.99 for the first book. The second book a year later is 4.99 to get the readers to return. Done some contemporary but this doesn’t seem to work as well. Do well with romantic suspense. Lot of success with erotica in Aphrodisia and Brava. John open to email queries. Turn around time on submissions is 3-4 months.
Audrey LaFehr - acquires romance, historical, contemporary romance and historical fiction. Excited about historicals with real historical figures, thrillers and erotic fictionfor Aphrodisia. Does lots of women’s fiction set both in America and other places for example, The Dowry Bride.
www.kensingtonbooks.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=11273
Tor
Editors - Heather Osbourne, Joselle Dyer
Heather Osbourne - Mainly publishers of paranormal romance. Time travel is tricky because after the time travel is done turns into a paranormal romance. Still looking vampire books. Looking for urban fantasy that has strong romantic elements. Wants a good old-fashioned futuristic romance. Currently doesn’t have any on the list.
Tor accepts unagented, unsolicited submissions. Don’t send a query letter. Likes to have a cover letter that tells a little bit about yourself, if you have met the editor, have contest or publishing credits, put that in. Include a short synopsis and the first three chapters or the first fifty pages.
Joselle Dyer – looking to acquire romantic suspense. Wants half romance and half suspense. Tired of FBI officers, police officers, CIA agents. Would like to see ordinary people who are put in jeopardy. Prefers cover letter, short synopsis and three chapters if published. If not published send entire manuscript. Both editors prefer paper submissions.
Word count on word is fine with Joselle.
Submission guidelines www.Tor-Forge.com
Bantam Dell
Shauna Summers – Senior Editor
Does 20-30 books a month in trade paperback and mass market. Does commercial fiction, has strong science fiction/fantasy list, literary, non-fiction, big best sellers, genre fiction, romance, romantic suspense, mysteries, historical romance, paranormal, also publishes classics.
Strong with genre fiction especially paranormal and science fiction. The company lets the authors develop their muse. Writers also doing single title regency set historical. Doesn’t think Chick Lit is dead but will not publish it as Chick Lit because publisher doesn’t like the term. Don’t give up because should write what you love.
Always mention that you have met Shauna at the conferences, although it is always about the book.
Snail mail only. Queries from unagented authors.
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10009, USA
Source Books
Editor – Deb Werksman
Known for marketing, PR and sales. Have had ten New York Times best sellers. Have done three picture books but two have been NY Times best sellers. Largest woman-owned trade paperback publisher in the States. Publisher has a Leo Burnett background so has a creative focus. Buy authors. Home of Georgette Heyer. Launched fiction imprint seven years ago. Dominate the Austen sequels in the market. Want to amplify this with other authors. Determined to get people in and will work with authors to do this. Number one publisher of romantic non-fiction. Last year launched into romantic fiction. By the end of next year will be publishing ten romances a month. Publishing established authors. Also publish new authors. Exploring every sub-genre. Looking to take established authors to the next level. Will give authors the opportunity to move from category to single title. For new authors taking agented and unagented submission. Looking for commercial women’s fiction with an unusual premise. Looking for heroines that readers can relate to. Someone smart, savvy, feisty, someone who has a lot to do with her life. Looking for a hero that the reader can fall in love with. For erotic romance will take them as hot as you can get them. However, will go from one end of the spectrum to the other. Jane Austen type books have sweet tone. A good hook is important.
Loves email submissions. Include a synopsis. Wants the whole manuscript.
This information comes from the Romance Writers of America conference in Dallas 2007. It covers many publishers with a leaning towards the ones that publish hot romance fiction, erotic romance and erotica. Feel free to contact Cathleen and ask questions about the different publishers. Cathleen has lots of writer friends in the industry. If she doesn’t know the answer to your question, she will try and find out. Enjoy! Avon Red Bantam Dell Ellora’s Cave Publishing Inc. Harlequin Spice Books Kensington Luna Mills and Boon Presents MIRA Red Sage Publishing Red Dress Ink. Pocket Books Samhain Publishing Source Books Casablanca St Martins Press TOR Virgin books
Avon Red Erotic Romance May Chen - Editor
Avon readers demanded hotter and hotter content. Program really evolving. One original trade title a month. Doing anthologies, short story collections, African-American collection, historical single title, paranormal. Have put titles into mass market reprint into Target. Women are more comfortable about what they want to read. Have short e-books of 5000 words. Avon still prefers happily ever after endings that doesn’t mean that you can’t have multiple partners while getting there. In mass market in Target it’s too early to tell how it is going.
Lucia Macro – Editorial Director. Looking for erotica that’s grown up from the romances. Books 75,000 words. Send a submission to Avon romance. Won’t open attachments. Make your submission original. Tell what the book is about and something about yourself. Read the guidelines and only send something that is appropriate. “Don’t tell them the sex scenes are based on your real life.”
Gets a hundred queries a week. It’s OK to follow up but not straight away. Don’t give up if you are rejected.
Being published by e-books is not a negative. To submit a query: avonromance@hapercollins.com
Bantam Dell
Romance Romantic Suspense Paranormal Science Fiction Erotica
Shauna Summers – Senior Editor
Bantam Dell is an all purpose publisher. Publishes 15 mass market, eight hardcovers, 8-10 trade paperback. Don’t have slots. Publish commercial, literary, non-fiction, big best sellers, genre fiction, romance, romantic suspense, mysteries, historical romance, paranormal also publishes classics. Strong with genre fiction especially paranormal and science fiction. Keri Arthur’s paranormal series is a good example. The company lets the authors develop their muse. At the moment, Shauna is sick of paranormal submissions. She has a lot on her list and currently doesn’t want anymore. However it is ultimately all about the book and will make room if the book is good. Starting doing erotica – House of Dark Lights by Louisa Burton. It has imaginative, paranormal elements. Have not started an imprint on Erotica. Erotica must have good writing, a story that is organic to the level of the sex. Doesn’t want a romance novel with a lot of sex scenes. Bantam Discovery is a new imprint. These are books that we are publishing in trade and mass market simultaneously. It is a way to celebrate different readers and try to find a different audience for a book. All the mass markets would be six dollars. No price for the trade paperback yet. Will be doing one book a month. Will include originals and imprints. The Adultery Club is one of their books. Will be doing ARCs for all of the books and coast to coast advertising.
Snail mail only. Queries from unagented authors. 1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10009, USA
Ellora’s Cave Publishing Inc.
Erotica Erotic romance Erotic romance with paranormal
Raelene Gorlinksy – Editor
“We were doing erotic romance when publishers were saying that women don’t want to read erotic books.”
Best known for their Romantica™ or erotic romance. Are first and primarily an e-book company. Books come out in print six to eighteen months after the e-book sale. Company almost seven years old.
With the erotic books the focus is on the romantic relationships as defined by their sexual relationship. There should be a happy ending but not necessarily a marriage. How did the relationship between the two characters change because of the sex scene? Once there is a commitment they cannot cheat on each other. Vampire, werewolf, shape-shifter is still hot with EC. BDSM is very hot and always has been because readers hesitate to buy it in a bookstore. Ménage a trois became very popular two years ago, two men and one woman. What is popular now is where the two men also have a sexual relationship between the men as well. The relationships between the two men in the books is not realistic but it is what women want them to be. What is also hot is angels e.g. the Nehalem, and succubae. Characters based on Christian, Greek or Roman mythology. Biggest imprint Ellora’s Cave Romantica. Have Exotica which the focus is on the erotic journey rather than her romantic journey. Other imprint is Cerridwen Press. Also doing the short sweet traditional Regency. These come out in print and e-book. Now two years old. Mainstream genre fiction. It includes non-erotic romance, mystery, suspense, paranormal, science fiction. Currently cannot accept any lesbian fiction. The romance can be sweet to very sensual but if it is too hot will go to Ellora’s Cave. The publisher will decide where it falls marketing wise. The Lotus Circle. Part of Ellora’s Cave parent company. A Metaphysical site - can buy taro readings, metaphysical products like taro cards. Do metaphysical and psychic books. Do the editing and production for the Lotus Circle books. Do not do paranormal like vampires etc. Can involve ghosts or people who are mediums. Currently two books in print. TLC do not do erotic. Can be highly sensual. Will also be doing print-to-go books for example numerology to go. Now eagerly looking for submissions. Look for the calls for submissions. For 2008 will have Jewels that are based on the birth stone of the month. Also doing an older woman and younger man series. Word count 30,000 words. These stories sell very well. Bulk of the readers are in 20, 30, 40 and 50s. Writers will get an initial response in the first eight to ten weeks. For submission guidelines go to www.ellorascave.com
Harlequin Spice Books
Erotic fiction.
Susan Pezzack-Swinwood - Editor
Looking for books that are more developed than a short story. Don’t require a traditional one man one woman relationship. Can have any number of partners. Can write some romance into your story but don’t want all of them the same. Launched with best selling authors and new authors. Have gone back to print with most of the titles. Will be publishing their first erotic anthology. Publishing six titles a year and increasing to 8-10 titles in the future. Branching into the erotic e-book market with Spice Briefs. The short stories will be fun and sexy and accessible to all. Looking to publish two Spice Briefs per month.
Launched Spice in May 2006 with five talented authors. Sales have been strong and the feedback from buyers and readers has been incredible, they are responding about the deeper story. The media attention has legitimized the genre. Tends to be trade paperback across the board. Don’t have immediate plans to publish in mass market but that could change. Have a long shelf life. This year will be publishing six new titles. Want erotic fiction that has to be very sexy, graphic, explicit sexual content. Want an exceptional story. Want Spice to be as high quality as they can make it. Don’t require a romance in the story. Want a female focused story. The story doesn’t have to have the happy ever after. Of course the book can have these things. Take the sexual content as far as you want. The editor can take the story as far as you want so long as it’s legal. Not looking for pure homosexual story. By and large the characters should be heterosexual. Erotica readers expect frank language. They don’t want euphemisms e.g. manhood. Looking to publish best of the best of Spice Briefs. Erotic fiction in various lengths is hot right now in e-book and print.
Word Count 90,000 – 130,000
For submission guidelines: www.eharlequin.com
Kensington Romance Erotic romance Paranormal Historicals Latina African-American
Kensington is the largest, privately owned publisher in the US. It has 7 percent of the mass market.
“We’re family owned and personal,” says editorial director, Kate Duffy. “We’re not numbers guys, we’re book guys.”
Imprints include
Zebra (contemporary, historical, paranormal mass market) Dafina and Kimani (African American) Brava – erotic romance Pinnacle – mysteries, thrillers, true crime New erotica line called Aphrodisia Also looking for Latina Zebra debut – priced at $3.99 to give push to new author. Debut program is mainly historicals because they do better. New in 2006 – trade paperback No YA, no Inspirational. Kate Duffy – Editorial Director.
Romance at Kensington is primarily Brava, Zebra and Dafina, the African-American romances. Look at everything that will be commercial. The 2008 is nearly full. Brava is staying at 3 titles a month. Brava is a trade paperback line. Will be bringing out one Brava a month in mass market to grow the line. Brava has historical and contemporary authors. Doing fewer anthologies because has many authors. Interested in Western Historicals eg anything by Dianne Whiteside. Won’t discount anything.
“If you have a new, unique spin on it – bring it on.”
Romantic Suspense and Thrillers word count 90-100,000 words. Historicals – 100,000.
Audrey LaFehr – Editorial Director
Aphrodisia - Doing four books a month so actively looking for authors, but not planning to go mass market just now, but that could change. So far the erotica is in third person. Word count – 75,000. Audrey is doing women’s fiction. The women’s fiction is often in first person. Audrey has acquired the Dowry Bride which takes you into a different culture. Also buying historical fiction in the Philippa Gregory mode with lots of historical detail.
“Audrey’s track record with women’s fiction is incredible.” Kate Duffy.
Turn around time 3-6 months. Authors are welcomed to call after 3 months. Authors are welcome to submit to another publisher. Say in cover letter that it is a multiple submission. If one editor turns it down, you can’t submit to another editor. This house if it wants you to revise something, either the editor asks to see it again or will offer a contract. Kensington doesn’t do guidelines.
John Sognamiglio – Editor
Looking for Urban Fantasy in trade paperback. The romance suspense is all written the 3rd person.
Take number of words per line, number of words per page ball park. If love a book will make the word count work.
John, Kate and Audrey are happy to be sent the whole book. Hilary Sares - Editor Acquires for Brava a very sexy romance line, Aphrodisia. Their books seem to be shelved in the romance section. The books have proved tremendously profitable. Shelved face out in bookshops so the readers can find them. “Where the guys in raincoats lurk. That is not our audience.” It’s not about the kink. It’s about the romance but the nature of the romance has changed. They are also about the man. The hero is important for these lines. Women have been hungry for this. The packaging is attractive so that no one has to be ashamed. This is what women really want, written by women for women. Trying more to develop more to develop the books. Trade paperback sells best.
“Writing erotica seems to have turbo charged a lot of careers.”
Takes non-agented submissions but not email submissions. Note that some details of the submission guidelines are different to what the editors have said, but my notes are from the “horses’ mouth” so to speak.
www.kensingtonbooks.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=11273
Luna
Fantasy with romantic elements
Margo Lipschultz – Associate Editor
Harlequin’s single title fantasy line with romantic elements. Publishing 12 books a year. Publishing urban fantasy and other world fantasy revolving around strong female protagonists many of whom are coming to terms with some sort of magical power trying to resolve their powers with their personalities and how they see themselves in the world. Want to appeal to core fantasy fans but also to branch out to a romance and mainstream readership. Looking for believable world building. Looking for fresh voices and worlds and characters we haven’t seen before. Need strong story line and fresh voice.
For submission guidelines: www.eharlequin.com
Mills and Boon Presents
Sexy category romance.
Tessa Shapcott - Editor
Vital to Presents is the alpha male, a global voice (because Presents is published all around the world) and conflict.
Presents promises the reader passion, sophisticated men, wealth, luxury and sophistication.
Must love the alpha male. He takes control and drives the romance. He is the aspiration of the heroine. The alpha male is a celebration of strength, yet he has a vulnerable side as well. So how do you create an alpha male? First thing you have to do is recognize that the alpha male is the ultimate nurturer who recognizes the heroine’s true goodness and worth. Build a list of his strengths and show them in the story. Know his flaws and have the heroine challenge them. The heroine and the storyline force him to change. Be clear about the heroine’s emotional and sexual needs .Through the heroine’s journey the reader gains insight into the hero.
The stronger the hero the stronger his motivations and his emotional conflict needs to be. The stronger the hero the stronger the heroine needs to be.
Have alpha heroes in fabulous international and glamorous settings. Readers love to read about Greece, dessert kingdoms, Mediterranean settings. The setting should reflect the international glamorous global feel. You must have an aspirational international setting. Choose a setting where you would like to go if money was no object. When you have done your research don’t write a travelogue. Don’t leave the editor asking: Where’s the romance?
Presents is rooted in reality but it is primarily an escapist read. Women readers step into the fantasy world. Warm places are favorites with readers or terrains where heroes are masters of their own word, for example - Texas, Australia and New Zealand. Don’t get bogged down with the local political set up. Create a world within a world. Your audience is looking to step into the hero and heroine’s own private world.
What makes a novel globally readable? You must tell universal emotional truths. Emotional truth that appeals to women of all cultures for example: love, lust loyalty, having a soul mate, unconditional love, contentment, passion and tenderness. The writer has to create universal characters that readers look up to.
Presents characters are intense. There is always drama in their lives and they always proceed with passion. This may not be how we live everyday life but this is a short, sharp fix for the reader. The characters must communicate with plenty of dialogue the get their feelings over to the reader.
The conflict has to arise from within the characters and if it does then the motivations arise from within the characters. Characterization, motivation and conflict cannot be separate issues.
Conflict Why does Presents need emotional conflict?
You cannot have a satisfying romance without it. Conflict generates emotional tension and sexual suspense. That is the essence of your story. Characters are driven by conflict. You need two characters the reader needs to be with. Conflict is not a continual argument. Conflict is internal and external.
Internal conflict grows out of his or her fundamental personality. This includes her life and background that shaped them. What are their motivations and aspirations? It also comes out of her emotional conflict that exists within the central relationship for example an unexpected pregnancy, an arranged marriage, a sort of Cinderella story. What are their motivations and aspirations?
External conflict needs to be used in conjunction with the internal conflict. Misunderstandings, forced proximity. Can help and flow the internal conflict a well. Always choose internal conflicts as the main driver of your story. Editors look for fresh twists on classic theme. Ideally construct two or three emotional conflicts over the course of the whole book. With the emotional and sexual tension - use the emotional conflict to help build the sexual tension. Emotional and sensual tension should be walking hand in hand.
For submission guidelines: www.eharlequin.com
MIRA
Fiction
Valerie Gray – Senior Editor – MIRA Books
Agented only imprint that has been going for thirteen years. Relationship focused line. Whether books have vampires for heroes or a wool weaver, all the stories have something to do with relationships. MIRA’s roots are in romance and that is where they are going to stay even if the genre is suspense. Want stories that are thought provoking that will resonate with readers even after they have turned that final page. Always looking for new authors and new voices. Publish historical fiction, paranormal and commercial literary fiction. Continue to be selective about what they are going to buy. Thrillers are popular right now as a current trend, especially with a strong female protagonist.
Red Sage Publishing Erotic romance novellas and e-books
Publisher- Alex Kendall
Company started in 1994, a time when no one had taken romance and erotica and put them together. There was also no e-books. Now with the electronic world will be starting e-books this year. Will be continuing with four anthologies. There is room for new authors at Red Sage. We look for a very particular type of book.
Tips to help you break in. Quality is essential. Have a new website and authors will be able to submit electronically. Want the first ten pages of your completed manuscript a one page synopsis and a cover letter telling about you. Needs to know word count of story, relevant credential and sub genre that your story will fit into publish historical, paranormal contemporary and suspense. So long as romantic and sexual content is in place. Focus on good strong heroes and heroines. Readers graduate towards a sophisticated and elegant type of story. Ninety percent of their writers were not published. Seventy percent of them went on to be published by New York. Secrets 1 is still being published. Every anthology remains in print which means continuous royalties. Authors say they make more per word writing for Red Sage than writing for the big publishers. Double Day book club has released every Secrets Anthology in hard back which means that authors get a hard back credit. Looking for under 30 thousand word but will go as low as 5 thousand. Our sense is the E-book reader prefers a shorter length. Heroines should be smart, confident, independant, Heroes should be strong, sex, intelligent, larger than life, some one the reader wants to love. Great conflict, imaginative sex scenes, writing quality. E-books will be taking greater risks with the sexual content. Looking at taking erotica as well. Getting into Secrets print is a tough sell right now because well stocked with authors. How to write for Red Sage. Advice from Angela Knight - Writer. A Harlequin editor had kicked her in the teeth saying that: “none of her readers would want to read about a cop who was posing as a stripper.” Red Sage would let her write vampires when nobody was publishing vampires, but Publisher, Alex Kendall bought it. Cindy Hwang, a Berkley read her work in the anthology and asked her to write for Berkley. She has now published seven books and reached many best seller lists. When writing for Secrets Angela says be careful you don’t make your plot so complicated that it can’t be resolved in one hundred pages. Keep the plot simple. Angela writes three love scenes at about ten pages long for each. Female readers need a while to get into the love scene. Need to give the female readers a good build up. Chapter one is not a good place to have a first sex scene. Need to establish your characters as doing something sympathetic right off the bat before you do the sex. Need to have that connection between your hero and heroine. Use the five senses to keep the taste, the texture and the smells to keep your reader involved in the story. Alesia Rashley - author and editor for Red Sage.
She likes to have a sexual premise. What is going on to bring these two people into a situation that these two people will have sex. Have a situation that is provocative. Look for different types of relationships. This is not porn or sex. This is a romantic relationship. The heroine’s goal shouldn’t be to fall in love but falling in love is what she gets. If you have a relationship with an editor that is who you want to submit to. Looking for 2009 for the print anthology. There is not a lot of room for lots of characters in one hundred pages.
For submission guidelines: http://eredsage.com/Submissions-sp8.html
Red Dress Ink.
Chick Lit
Kathryn Lye – Editor
Red Ink devoted to Chick Lit. Publishing one title per month in trade paper back. Continuing to look at lots of submissions. Interested in manuscripts that will appeal to the 18-24 area as this is the core audience. Concentrating on growing sales for the books they have acquired. Looking for fresh voices. Lighter rather than darker such as an issue book would probably appeal to the core audience.
Cathleen Ross’ note: This is a very difficult line to break into at the moment because there are not available slots.
85,000 – 95,000 word count.
For submission guidelines: www.eharlequin.com
Pocket Books (Paperback division of Simon & Schuster)
Hardcover and trade paperback Historical Contemporary romance Erotic romance Romantic suspense Lighthearted Paranormal MTV for teens Maggie Crawford – Editorial Director Pocket is always looking for new talent. They are only interested in agented submissions. Exceptions to the rule. If you meet the editor at a conference it is OK to pitch.
“They are looking for sexy in everything.”
Maggie Crawford – Senior Editor.
Looking for Erotica of the light variety, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, historicals. Edits Julia London. Also sexy women’s fiction that is close to erotica. Pocket open to new things. Open to sub genres.
Miki Nuding – Editor
Looking for chick lit, historicals in Victorian and Regency period – wants them sexy, likes sexy books with great emotional depth, loveable heroines, paranormals, other worlds, also humorous erotic romance.
Lauren McKenna – Editor
Doing 50 Cent urban street fiction. It is gritty African-American fiction. Also teen fiction. Also does Historical Regency England. Chick lit, romance fiction, paranormal fiction. Likes her heroes dark and wounded. “The more messed up the better.”
Young Adult. 50 – 75,000 words.
Lauren doesn’t want query letters because can’t get a sense of how you write.
Samhain Publishing
Erotica General fiction Romance Paranormal
Angela James - Editor Chrissie Brashir - Editor
General publisher that has been in publishing for just over a year and a half. Books start in electronic format. The books then go to print. Anything over 50,000 goes into print. Signed a contract with Ingrams to represent Samhain to the independent publishers across the nation. The top selling books are pitched to booksellers and will also give Ingrams the whole catalogue. The other books will be print on demand. Over 100,000 words the cover price of the book gets expensive. As far as e-books are concerned, it doesn’t matter. New imprint with Kensington.
Kensington and Samhain are getting together to create a new line of books. The first books will be the better known authors with Samhain then can start feeding the newer authors in the program so that the booksellers can get used to the quality.
In erotica multiple partners are doing very well. Unique paranormals are doing very well for example with demons, angels, shifters. Most of the shifters seem to be cats. Get a lot of werewolves and vampires. The publisher is getting hits from every continent. It’s a global market. Have an editor in England and Israel. Editors going to the RWA in Australia and New Zealand.
For submission guidelines: www.samhainpublishing.com
Source Books Casablanca
Women’s fiction Romance Historical Paranormal
Dominic Rock – President, publisher, CEO and owner of Source Books.
Publishes 250 books a year. Employs 75 people. Have had ten New York Times best sellers. One of the top ten independent book publishers in the country. They are the largest women-owned book publisher in America. What makes Source Books different? Publishes authors and works on their careers. Not interested in just one book. Interested in author achieving their careers. The company is known for their innovative marketing. 30% of their company is based on marketing. We take on how we bring you to market seriously. In 1997 bought a company called Casablanca. Sourcebooks Casablanca is the largest non-fiction publisher in America. In 2004 published Mr. Darcy takes a Wife. A very sexy book. It set the bar for all of the other Jane Austen sequels. In 2005 decided to publish women’s fiction.
Deb Werksman – Editor
In fall 2007 bringing out a romance fiction list. Will be reprints, a debut author and an experienced author looking to build her list. Doing lots of marketing to platform and launch those books successfully. Doing Stories to Make you Blush, which is an erotic anthology. In Spring 2008 will bring out some paranormals and a contemporary romance with a navy seal hero.
Deb is looking for single title romance fiction. 85,000-90,000 words in all the sub genres - paranormal, contemporary, historical – any time period up to 1900, erotic romance. Wants to fall in love with the hero. Wants to relate to the heroine or wants to feel that she represents her. Looking for the creation of a world, a wholly conceived environment for the characters.
When submitting: Put your contact information on every single page. A query is fine or a synopsis and a full manuscript in a Microsoft word file. You will get a confirmation email within 21 days and a response within 12-18 weeks. Doing their best to get a fast response. Her preference is email submission. In hard copy wants the first four chapters.
www.sourcebooks.com/content/authors_submission_guidelines.asp
St Martins Press
Romantic Suspense Urban Fantasy Historicals Contemporary women’s fiction Contemporary romance
Jennifer Enderlin - Editor
Accepts unagented manuscripts but must send a query letter first. Happy to have multiple submissions, but let publisher know if you have interest.
Rose Hilliard – Editor
Loves really strong heroes. Goes for voice and character. Her favorite romance author is Lisa Kleypas. Looks for stuff that is high concept. If you are a new author and you don’t have the big name you have to have the big idea. Doesn’t want email queries. Won’t get a response. Monique Patterson - Editor
Acquires African-American fiction. That is 50% of her list. Other 50% of her list is romance. Does general women’s fiction, contemporary, urban fantasy. Also does literary fiction, select amount of commercial non-fiction. Works with Sherrilyn Kenyon. Enjoys world building. Wants to be able to enjoy the world the character is in. It is important to Monique. Tries to respond to full manuscripts in 4-6 weeks. Fine to drop a postcard or call and check up if haven’t heard, but don’t do it after a few weeks. Has a soft spot for western historical but they are a tough sell right now. A lot of writers are doing series or trilogies and the editors see it as a good way to build an audience. Make sure that you mention it in your cover letter. All editors see e-published authors as a positive thing.
If get a three book contract would expect author to have the others books completed in a year’s time. It helps to say you have been to the conference and heard the editor speak. RWA membership helps too because the editor knows that the query will be professional.
Word count – Generally 100,000 words.
TOR
Paranormal Romantic Suspense Super sensual books
Heather Osborn – Editor
New person taking over the romance line. Background is editor of Ellora’s cave.
Looking to acquire more Romantic Suspense. Want plot heavy, action driven suspense. Themes that editors have bought recently: paranormal – other world types living with humans, demons, vampires, and a book with a cowboy demon hunter. A reincarnation book and a futuristic. All but one purchased this year had a paranormal bent. Heather is partial to paranormal. Likes kick-butt heroines. Heroines who are intelligent. Doesn’t want heroines put in jeopardy for the convenience of her plot. Doesn’t want heroines to be waiting to be rescued by the hero, she should be trying to rescue herself. Seen too many vampire paranormal romances. Thinks it is too hard to launch a new author with a vampire book. This editor is open to super-sensual books. The plan is one paranormal in mass market per month. 2008 is full but there is room in 2009. Tor always accepts unagented manuscripts but is only buying one book a month. Want the first three chapters and synopsis. Make sure the synopsis is complete. Doesn’t take electronic submissions. Doesn’t accept query letters. Include a cover letter. If have pitched to the editor make sure that you mention it in the cover letter.
Editors try to get back to you within four months for initial three chapters, but depending on the editor can take up to a year. You must include the SSAE. Will not read manuscript unless you do.
Melissa Singer – Editor
Melissa is acquiring general women’s fiction. Wants heroines over 35. Wants good historical fiction. If doing an era that is heavily trafficked do something different. Looking for mysteries. Likes wit but doesn’t like silly. Doing a limited amount of science fiction. Acquiring horror fiction. The line is that the horror books, doesn’t have much romance. Wants urban fantasy with kick-butt heroines. Hit her with your really cool monsters. “I love them.” Doesn’t approve of rape as a fictional tactic. Doesn’t like hard, core erotic stuff. Likes sensual stuff. The women’s fiction books will be in hardcover, trade paperback and may go into mass market. Wants to see fiction about older women and their lives. Wants to see a marriage that still has romance after twenty, thirty, forty years, marriages that are not focused on the children, but where the couple has to start again to save the marriage.
If you are rejected by the staff editor at TOR you are considered rejected for that project. If you are rejected by a consultant editor, you may still submit to an in-house editor.
For submission guidelines: www.Tor-Forge.com
Virgin books
Erotic Books
Adam Neville - Editor
Edits Black Lace, Cheek and Nexus.
Black Lace driven by female sexual fantasy. Important to Adam is good writing. Eclectic mix of writers from popular fiction to more literary. Also does short story collections. He will be starting novella anthologies soon. Has historicals, modern settings and novella anthologies. Cheek is erotic romance. All American writers and all American settings. Has a much lighter erotic touch. Nexus is BDSM imprint written by men and women. Also does erotic memoirs e.g. The Butcher, the Baker the Candle Stick Maker. Publishing company has been bought by Random House. Still have a lot of work to do to increase presence in US. Have found books stocked in self help to zoology in the US. Black Lace has always been in the mass market format. Adam will be reviewing the format for the US.
Submission Guidelines:
