A special thank you to the fantastic Blaze authors!

I love my gifts, you’re all too generous! And the video compilation of photos shown at the Blaze party was amazing. I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there. It’s a pleasure to work with all of you and I wish each of you every success!

With best wishes,
Kathryn

Ever had a look at Harlequin’s writing guidelines for series?

Recently, as part of a larger project, I reviewed all the guidelines and was surprised to find the same language and examples used several times, as well as general rather than specific advice. It seemed odd to me particularly since their purpose is to differentiate one series from another. I considered a number of alternate ways to change both the content and the presentation of this information. And in the end I opted for an approach that considered the series as destinations. That is, destinations for your books.

While still keeping the content to one page, I changed the name “guidelines” to “Info Sheet” and regarded each series’ info sheet as the home of all things pertaining to that series. For instance, in one or two sentences, what makes it distinct from other series, what timely feature about the series should be brought to a prospective authors’ attention and what one example and more importantly why is the movie/tv/book example relatable to the series. Also included were “Did You Know?” and “Links” sections, the former revealing fast facts about the series, its authors, etc. and the latter directing people to the particular series’ Facebook page, author blogs, Twitter accounts, or for instance, eHarlequin threads that have to do with the series in some way.

This was only an exercise, so we’ll see if any changes to the existing guidelines are eventually approved and put in place. In the meantime, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts about the topic…Are the guidelines helpful in their current form? What’s missing that would be helpful to have? Is there another different approach as to how we could communicate the direction for the individual series?

Happy summer, everyone!
Kathryn

Lately my colleagues have been talking a lot about predictability in our series books. What it means. Why readers have mentioned it often as a pet peeve. And how should we work to eliminate it or reduce it, while still making sure we deliver on our promise of a happy ending. It’s an elusive topic to pin down.

Since we know how the romance will end, the focus has to be on the journey. And the journey is made up of all the basic elements: story structure, plot, characterization, and conflict. So where does the unpredictability come in? Maybe it’s top level and involves changing up the usual benchmarks that denote the progression of the relationship, or maybe it’s more subtle and has to do with a hero or heroine reacting and taking the story in a direction the reader wouldn’t have anticipated, while keeping true to the character archetype.

We’re collecting recent series books that have an unpredictable element in it, so if you’ve got one or one comes to mind that you’ve read, let me know, I’d appreciate it. Fyi that you’ll be hearing more from us on this topic in the summer.

Meanwhile, happy spring!
Kathryn

As we enjoy the merrymaking of the current festive season, it reminds me of the popularity of holiday-themed romances. They remain typically strong sellers. I have to admit, I, too, am a sucker for reading about a couple beneath the mistletoe or smooching under the fireworks. With a backdrop of communal goodwill no matter the time of year, the warm sentiments seem to lend particularly well to the core story of discovering another person and falling in love. It’s a great partnership!

Though from my perspective, as an editor, when I work on these stories it seems odd due to our production schedule. Sometimes it is difficult to feel the ol’ Christmas spirit of a future December book in the middle of a July heat wave, and vice versa, editing that hot summer fling story while the snowflakes fall outside my window! It must be the same for authors?

Inspiration… ah yes, we all need that!

Happy New Year!
Kathryn

As editors we are often asked by published and unpublished authors whether participating, placing in and winning writing contests makes an impact with us or not. My personal point of view is that they do.

While you can submit to Harlequin series at any time, of course, coming to an editor’s attention through this particular channel does make the editor realize that the person’s peers (and fellow romance readers) have seen the merit in this work and so passed it on through preliminary stages.

I’ve recently completed judging the finalists’ entries for an RWA chapter’s writing contest. It was a diverse mix of five very different voices and stories, especially for the series romance category. Some fine writing, and unique twists on tried and true themes were present. And much appreciated by this editor!

I imagine authors see contests from both sides, in terms of entering (costs, registration, etc.) and any rewards…?

All best,
Kathryn

Greetings, Blaze Babes!

First, my regrets for Orlando! I’ll definitely miss seeing everyone. Sounds like you’ll have a fantastic time at the Harry Potter ride and display. Very jealous.

If you’re attending M&M at the beginning of October, be sure to let me know, I’ll be there, and am looking forward to a great conference.

Lately, I’ve been preoccupied with tackling the slush pile. It’s always an eye-opener, in the best sense. I love to read what authors find interesting in terms of premises and characters and the compelling romances that result.

I’ve also been editing Blaze novels that’ll be released in December. No matter how many I’ve done, it still seems really odd to me to be basking in high temperatures and sunny skies, but reading and working on romances that are all about wintery Christmas!

I promise to have better stuff with my next blog post in September! I have to confess that I’m consumed by the World Cup right now! Ole!

Hello Blaze faithful—

What a fantastic blog! Congrats to everyone. Your participation has made this a truly special spot on the world wide web.

Thanks for the invite to join in!

Though I do work with authors on other series, primarily I’m assigned to acquire for and work on Blaze. I particularly like the brazen, but still feminine heroines, and the contemporary mindset of the main characters, even if they’re riding horseback on a dusty Texas trail in the 1880’s or traversing Scottish highlands a century before that and using time travel to get there!

August’s lineup of titles offers something for every reader who enjoys a sexy story, plus…

Unbridled by Tori Carrington is a modern day Beauty and the Beast tale with an uptown-girl heroine and a rough-and-tumble Marine.

It’s definitely The Personal Touch when Lori Borrill’s hot power couple start a sexy, romantic fling.

Hot Under Pressure is the first book in Kathleen O’Reilly’s brand-new trilogy, featuring unusual places and circumstances for the hero and heroine’s first meet.

The popular Encounters format continues with Sliding into Home from Joanne Rock.

Jill Shalvis’s Storm Watch is the latest compelling romance in the Uniformly Hot! miniseries, highlighting the National Guard.

And another from Kate Hoffmann in the now near-legendary Mighty Quinns family with The Mighty Quinns: Callum.

I hope you’re all enjoying a fantastic summer as we enter the “dog days” of August. Keep safe.

Kathryn

And remember to include the phrase “Blaze books are blazing hot” to get your name in the draw for copies of our latest Blaze releases.