Issue #14
February, 2006
Dear Romance Writer:
It’s February and a beautiful February it is in South Florida. A belated happy Valentine’s day to you. I hope it has been a wonderful one so far. Traditionally this is the month of romance and it is also black history month. Double the reason to celebrate.
That said, I hope many of you were able to join us for our early Valentine’s day bash held on February 12th. It’s one full year since Romantically Yours was launched and excerpts from our exciting chats are included in this issue. Hopefully it will wet your appetite for more of these exciting chat opportunities with some of your favorite literary personnel.
In the event you missed the posting, you can still enter the contests. The criteria are listed below and the deadline for submitting is March 31st, 2006. Good luck!
Remember – We're here to help you achieve your publishing dreams. Email me at Mkinggamble@awaionline.com with topics you would like to see addressed in teleconferences, workshops or future issues of Romantically Yours.
Romantically yours,
Marcia King-Gamble
Editor of Romantically Yours
P.S. Curl up with a copy of my February release Designed for You. Read the four-star review in Romantic Times Book Club. Go to: www.romantictimes.com
Contests
“The Hook Up”
(unpublished authors only)
Hook us in your first chapter (not to exceed 15 pages.) Sizzle and intrigue. This should be the best hook up between hero and heroine.
Winners receive critiques by contemporary/ historical author and Romance Advisory Board Member – Sandra Madden and Romantic Suspense Best Seller Roxannne St. Claire.
All contest submissions should be emailed to memberservices@awaionline.com as Word (.DOC) attachments. The deadline for submissions is March 31st, 2006.
PRE-VALENTINE’S BASH
In the event you missed our Pre-Valentine’s Chats, I’ve included some excerpts.
Excerpts from the Feb 12, 2006 2.00 p.m. chat with authors, Walden best selling authors Linda Conrad and Anna DeStefano, pouplar Harlequin author, Michelle Monkou, and cover model Peter DeCicco:
Marcia (Chat Moderator): Okay, it's 2.00 p.m. Happy Valentine's Day all. Guests, please introduce yourselves.
Linda: I have written 12 Sihouette Desires and now have moved on to Silhouette Intimate Moments with a six-book series
Michelle: I write contemporary romances. Wrote for BET and now that Harlequin has bought the BET Books section, guess I'm writing for Kimani Press.
Michelle: What about you Anna - what do you write?
Anna: I'm a Harlequin author, too.
Chat Attendee: And Anna is very good!
Marcia: Tell us about your latest, Anna.
Anna: I have two new books out this year from Superromance--longer, emotional stories about family and life. Kick butt guys (like Peter) that love all the right ways, and always from the heart.
Anna: Peter, you still there? What're you up to lately--feed our imaginations ;O)
Peter: We are shooting the 2007 "Real Men Calendar 2007
Peter: John DeSalvo and Fabio have agreed to do it
Chat Attendee: Good...I have no calender now....I have to wait for 2007?
Anna: Which month(s) are you going to be in '07???
Peter: October
Marcia: Linda and Anna, you have been Waldenbooks best sellers both. Share, share, share.
Chat Attendee: Wow congrats Linda and Anna!
Michelle: Yes, please share. Being a Waldenbooks best seller is definitely on my goals list
Chat Attendee: I am enjoying a chance to "hang out" with all you successfully published writers. Thank you for having this event. I'm hoping some of their success rubs off LOL
Chat Attendee: Every author should be able to have a say about her cover
Anna: Waldenbooks releases a series best seller list each month, and I was lucky enough to catch the wave my debut book, The Unknown Daughter. The sequal to that one is out this month, The Runaway Daughter. I had so much fun going back and writing about the family again.
Chat Attendee: So why don't authors have say about their covers?
Anna: At Harlequin, they're packaging several books within the same line each month and have to make sure everything fits.
Anna: Sometimes you get lucky. My Feb. cover is amazing. Great guy, adorable baby.
Marcia: And at times regrettably the publisher doesn't quite get your characters so you live with a hero that sigh doesn't look a thing like you imagined him to be.
Chat Attendee: Thats what I mean the author knows what the cover should be about
Linda: Each of my 12 Desires have been on the Waldenbooks list. We'll see about the new IMs
Chat Attendee: To any of you - how did you "break in" with your first book?
Chat Attendee: Oh I have a writing question - what do you do when you hit a block?
Michelle: When I hit a block, I get a writing pad. Actually writing, forming the words, helps me
Chat Attendee: What about titles? Who decide that?
Linda: Break in -- I wrote what Harlequin wanted at the time. Amnesia cowboy, hidden baby, FBI heroine Ha!
Anna: I write pretty outside of the box for Harelquin's series, and thankfully that's what they're looking for at Superromance--almost mainstream in feel.
Linda: Blocks - I pick up a good romance and fall in love with writing all over again
Chat Attendee: LOL Linda - in the same book?
Anna: It also takes a lot of hard work--you ladies waiting your turn know that. A lot of false-starts until you get it right.
Michelle: My first book got messed up between a bad agent and the publisher. A year later, a friend of mine got her first book published and asked the new editor to read my book. I resubmitted and a month later, it was bought
Excerpts from the 8.00 p.m. chat with NY Times Bestseller Carla Neggers, Editor Monica Harris, National Best Seller Sandra Kitt and Romantic Suspense favorite, Roxanne St. Claire:
Marcia: Okay everyone is on. Roxanne how about you starting?
Marcia: Roxanne writes wonderful suspense novels.
Roxanne: Sure! I'm Roxanne but everyone calls me Rocki. I write romantic suspense for Pocket Books, short contemp for Silhouette, and I just signed up to do two of the NASCAR books for Harlequin. I'm in Florida, where it's COLD today!
Marcia: Monica, tell us a little about you.
Monica: Well, I'm based in Manhattan. I'm now celebrating my 20th year in publishing (eek!). Although I'm best known for being a romance editor (Arabesque, historicals, regencies and women-in-jeopardy), I've done a little of everything. Now I'm editing for Dorchester and WalkWorthy Press as well as others.
Marcia: So what would everyone like to talk about?
Sandra: How we can be of assistance to your students?
Roxanne: Writing!
Chat Attendee: OK I have a ? for anyone - did you ever have a dream that turned into a story - short or long story?
Sandra: No, but I've used parts of dreams in stories
Roxanne: I have not ever translated a dream into a book. I have had some killer ideas and plot solutions come to me just as I am waking up, however.
Carla: Not that I can think of, although i sometimes dream about books I'm working on -- esp. if I'm late!
Monica: That happens to me, too.
Sandra: Me, too. I often work out problems with my books, in my dreams
Chat Attendee: Yes - maybe I'm just peculiar - but I dreamed up an entire short story and sold it before I even wrote it. Must've been a killer query and writing sample.
Roxanne: Once when I was writing my first manuscript, I remember have that tingly, giddy sensation that I was falling in love -- but I'd been married for 10 years! Then I realized I was falling in love with my hero. For some reason, that was profound, because he was *real*
Chat Attendee: I also did that last week and wrote a story that I think wants to be a novel.
Roxanne: LOL, let 'er loose!
Sandra: I do dream profusely, in full technicolor, but my stories come from other sources
Marcia: Monica you are very quiet. What types of manuscripts are you looking for these days?
Sandra: Thanks for asking, Marcia. That was my question to Monica as well
Monica: Am I? I'm always fascinated by how authors work. I'm looking for novel that can take a familiar idea and make it special. You ladies are experts at it but you know it doesn't come easy.
Marcia: Are you acquiring for Dorchester exclusively?
Chat Attendee: Monica - what "branch" of romance are you seeking?
Carla: I'm curious -- what's WalkWorthy Press?
Monica: So far as aquisitions go, yes, only for Dorchester. But I do edit for other houses and for individuals who need a little boost before delivering the manuscript.
Monica: For Dorchester, I am looking specifically for African American romances; the first will be launched this month. WalkWorthy is a Christian publisher and I edit their romances as well.
Marcia: Roxanne what are you working on?
Roxanne: I just finished two novellas -- both Christmas stories for two different publishers -- and, as I am dreading, I start a new book tomorrow. I did my usual -- cleaned my office top to bottom, which is like some psychological cleansing before starting anew.
Roxanne: Carla, are you doing anything different for the launch of a hc?
Carla: I love p.1, ch. 1! Anything is possible.
Carla: Having a mmpb on the NYT helps. For the launch -- a new photo...the rest is still in the works.
Roxanne: Eeesh. Not me. I like chapter four or five. Then I'm into it, full swing.
Chat Attendee: Rocki, if you don't mind my asking, what is it about page 1 you dread?
Roxanne: Yep. Having a mmpb on the NYT sure does help. ;-) How many books did you write before you achieved that honor?
Monica: I have a question: as experienced authors, is there anything you see the "new" kids doing that surprises you or do you see changes in what readers are interested in?
Roxanne: What I dread....hmmm. I'll be honest. It's not knowing my characters well enough.
Marcia: Chapter one gets your engines revved though.
Sandra: I see changes in what readers want. But that's also based on the new readership! I find that the 'younger' reader has upped the ante on expectations in books.
Roxanne: I see new authors getting back to back to back release dates -- even three within three months. It's really a boost to your career to get something like that. I wish I had figured out the whole "connected books" thing earlier.
Carla: Monica, I hear from so many teenagers who are reading my books -- it's heartening.
Chat Attendee: teens reading - wonderful!
Sandra: One of the things I'm thrilled about is the number of men who are reading my books. I'm actually interviewing three and posting the results on my website.
Monica: Roxanne, do you think it may drain the new author's energy or creativity?
Marcia: I'm seeing more and more chic-lit voices.
HAPPENINGS:
Mark your calendar for these upcoming noteworthy events:
Romantic Times Book Lovers Convention
Writers Conference
Hilton Hotel Resort
Daytona Beach, Florida
May 16-20, 2006
www.romantictimes.com
Book Exposition America (BEA)
Washington Convention Center
Washington, D. C.
May 19-21
www.bookexpoamerica.com
Romance Writers of America National Conference
Atlanta, Georgia
Members and non-members welcome
Participate in the workshops, Literacy book signing, and Golden Heart Awards
July 26-29, 2006
www.rwanational.org/conferences.cfm
In keeping with our romantic theme, what could be more fitting than an interview with hunky cover model Peter Decicco (www.peterdecicco.com). Peter is not only stunning to look at but he’s a nice guy and smart too. He currently works for an investment company. Peter can be seen up close and personal this May 16-21 at the Romantic Times Convention in Daytona Beach, Florida (www.rtconvention.com). Come and help fill his dance card. All proceeds are donated to literacy.
INTERVIEW WITH PETER DECICCO
RY: What was it about the cover model business that attracted you and how long have you been in the business?
PD: About 5 years. I thought because of my hair length that I would have an advantage in this industry. Many models have short hair and this was the one place that having longer hair was an advantage.
RY: How did you get started? And did you have any help along the way?
PD: A friend of Katherine Falks, (owner and publisher of Romantic Times Book Club Magazine) her name was River, discovered me in a night club and asked if I wanted to compete in the Mr. Romance competition. So I went to the Orlando pre convention and had a lot of fun. I met author Susan Grace and she and her daughter Suzie were kind enough to give me pointers and help with my costumes. She is like my big sister.
RY: Annually, Romantic Times www.romantictimes.com has a Mr. Romance contest. As a previous participant, and one of the more popular cover models, can you tell us about how this contest works?
PD: Yes, it is sort of like a male beauty pageant with a talent competition, posing, and answering questions from the audience and from the judges. They look for personality, physique, and how you interact with the readers and fans. It was a lot harder than I expected in that we had a lot of rehearsing to do and a lot went into the costumes and into a dance routine. Plus we had to be practicing 8 hours a day so you are judged throughout the week and also there is the contest. You wear a costume and pose with women. You are also asked questions from judges and from the audience. Also, they have a readers’ choice award where the fans choose their favorite.
RY: Would you recommend this business to other attractive young men? How would they get started? And what can they expect?
PD: There are a few select group of models who do many of the covers in New York. If you do not live in New York, it would be tough. Many of the artists live there. A lot of publishers now use computer generated models for the artwork on the covers or existing stock photos and the business is not something you could make a living at unless you were a John DeSalvo.
He has done more covers than Fabio, Maybe 2,000. If someone is looking to have fun and get on a few covers, that is something different. But I think young attractive people should focus on other types of modeling with more lucrative opportunities.
RY: Can you describe a typical day in the life of a cover model?
PD: I work at an investment firm for most of the time so it is basically work, going to the gym, sleeping and cardio in the morning. I wish I had the time to pursue acting. I will be taking classes again soon.2% of all the actors in the USA are working on a consistent basis. It is a tough business. So I decided to put time into the investment firm
I try to eat healthy and work out 5 days a week. I am getting into boxing.
RY: What would you say has been your most challenging shoot to date and what has been your most exciting?
PD: I actually shot for Heather Graham on a fantasy picture book.
I had to actually shoot in a fountain, laying down, in very cold water.
Also, I really enjoyed shooting for COS Productions in California for a romance trailer. We were on a mountain with generators in pitch blackness. And there was a werewolf running around, "another actor"
And at one point, the generator ran out and the werewolf had some fun scaring the crew. The people were great and the shooting of the trailer was a great experience.
RY: You and several other cover models came up with an idea for a Cover model Calendar. Can you tell us what prompted you to create this marketing concept? Do you have any more marketing concepts planned?
PD: Well there was a call for the calendar from the romance industry, but my mistake was that we made it too late. The stores buy calendars one year before they are out. So right now, the new calendar we will be shooting in 2006 will come out in 2008. We sold almost 4,000 calendars.
RY: Most of our readers are familiar with how a literary agent works but aren't sure how representation works with a cover model, what role does an agent plays in a cover model's life?
PD: I do not have an agent. Most places I worked with deal direct as they do not want to pay an additional fee. Of course if you are more well known, you may have to give a percentage to your agent. I believe that if I was younger, I probably would have been more involved in television commercials. They pay a lot better.
RY: Over the years you've met many, many authors, if you could live your dream and become an author's exclusive cover model (this author excluded) who would you choose and why? Be honest now.
PD: Well, if you are excluded I would have to choose Christeen Feehan.
I love her stories and though I have been in 2 trailers for her, I have not been on a cover. She is a wonderful person and recently helped my friend Tori with her Lion Sanctuary which was damaged from the hurricane. www.destinybigcats.com
RY: And finally, what's next for Peter DeCicco? What are your plans this year, industry related or not?
PD: Well, I am shooting a calendar in March so I am trying to get back in shape after the holidays. I may take some more acting classes and audition for some things if time allows. You really have to balance yourself and it isn't easy sometimes. Though I love the romance industry, it really hasn’t been that lucrative for me. Probably because I am not in New York City. I am sure if I had the time and lived in NY, I may have been able to meet more of the artists.
WHO’S ACQUIRING:
Ellora’s Cave:
Accepting all Erotic Romance genres with Female Dominance. Vampire/Shapeshifters, Futuristic, and Bondage/Male Dominance welcome. Looking for Gay and Lesbian stories. Minimum word length 20,000 prefer over 50,000.
Harlequin:
African-American Line
Looking for Series Romance manuscripts, 70,000-75,000 words, for the new Kimani line, as well as girlfriend stories with hip humor and stories with family melodrama.
Everlasting:
Seeking stories following the life and relationships of one couple. It could be years or an entire lifetime. Looking for emotionally intense stories with a strong emphasis on characterization. Can vary. 75,000-words in length. Guidelines available on eHarlequin.com
Kensington Publishing:
Seeking Erotic Romances for Aphrodisia. Very sexually explicit. 80,000 words for novels and 20,000 for novellas. Also looking for paranormal romances and sci-fi/fantasy. Must be edgy and cutting-edge.
COMING NEXT MONTH:
An interview with Gayle Wilson – President of Romance Writers of America
ABOUT ROMANTICALLY YOURS
Romantically Yours is a FREE monthly newsletter for students of American
Writers & Artists Inc.'s Romance Writing Course - "Writing for Love
and Money."
We want to hear from you. Please send comments, news, research, or story
ideas directly to Marcia King-Gamble at romanticallyyours@awaionline.com.
American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
memberservices@awaionline.com
© 2006 American Writers & Artists Inc.