Are you engaged?

"I'm looking for a good story, well told."

Perhaps not what you want to hear from your true love, but that is what builds a lifelong romance with a reader and the stories you create.

And for Harlequin and Silhouette series romance, forming that long-term relationship, delivering on that promise, building trust, understanding, respect and growing with that relationship—well, that's what it's all about.

Continually refreshing and revitalizing the series franchise is a demanding and challenging task—but that hasn't changed in the many decades Harlequin, Silhouette and Mills & Boon have been delighting readers around the world.

What does Series Relevance Mean to You?

I thought I'd go to the source and report back! For Randall Toye, Director Global Series (pictured here), it's all about engaging the reader. Connecting with her—whether it is with her fantasies or her realities, it's all about touching her, telling stories that make her laugh, make her cry, sweep her away. Stories that have her closing her book feeling good, refreshed, revitalized, reaffirmed.

The key focus is a good story, well told. The basic building blocks? Character, Structure, Pacing, Payoff. Easy to list. Not so easy to deliver. As one author beautifully articulated: "Just because they're easy to read doesn't mean they're easy to write!" Quite the opposite. The series romance, like a sonnet, is a beautiful, disciplined, elegant, and demanding creative form.

In addition to ensuring we consistently deliver a good story well told, the editorial team has also been working on addressing issues of both language and character responses. Many genres have stock phrases and characters—Romance does, as do Westerns, Mystery, etc.

Those familiar elements can be part of what defines a genre and what we love about it—but they are also what can make a genre feel tired, unoriginal, or if not refreshed, can feel dated. For romance, those can be the moments and language that feels "cheesy" which can be distancing, and a reader turn-off. But be warned. There is such a thing as "Good cheese." We know it when we see it....

And to make things more complex, these lessons vary from series to series. Brand promise and reader expectations vary, so what relevance means is interpreted differently within each series.

Engaging the reader must start with the first sentence and continue with a compelling first chapter. Not to say the rest of the story isn't vital, but if the reader doesn't get past the first sentence/first chapter, it's moot, isn't it?

Randall, Dianne and I were all at a Novelists Inc. conference with Harlan Coben as the keynote speaker. He talked about the importance of the first sentence for him and gave a great example, which I will paraphrase, "When the second bullet hit my chest, I thought of my daughter." I still remember that sentence and think about how many questions that sentence generated. Questions we are compelled to read on to find out about. Good lesson!

The challenge is to continue to appeal to current readers while reaching out to new readers and re-connecting with lapsed readers with something genuinely different, that will appeal. As authors and editors continue to work to refresh and invigorate series, we will also be launching a number of new lines and are actively looking for new authors, new voices and submissions.

You can always check out eHarlequin's Writing Guidelines at the bottom of their home page for information on what's new, who is looking, what they're looking for. Here are just a few new lines launching in the coming months....

Kimani Romance
Launch June, 2006: At Kimani Press, you will find the new home to three of the industry's leading imprints targeting the African-American reader including: Arabesque, Sepia and New Spirit. Starting in July 2006, Kimani Press launches Kimani Romance, the industry's only African-American series romance program.

Silhouette Nocturne
Launch October, 2006: Nocturne is looking for stories that deliver a dark, very sexy read that will entertain readers and take them from everyday life to an atmospheric, complex, paranormal world filled with characters struggling with life and death issues. These stories will be fast-paced, action-packed and mission-oriented, with a strong level of sensuality.

Harlequin Everlasting
Launch February 2007: The love of a lifetime across a lifetime! Looking for emotionally intense stories emphasizing richly drawn, believable characters whose complex interplay over time create a compelling tapestry. The focus is on the sweep of people, personalty, setting and story, not just the romantic relationship and its initial resolution.

Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical.
Launch October, 2007: This new brand in the Steeple Hill imprint is a series of historical romances featuring Christian characters facing the many challenges of life and love in a variety of historical time periods.

In addition to all of the above, there are about four more new Kimani programs, Mills & Boon X-Tra Sensual, new Silhouette Desire guidelines and of course the just launched Spice guidelines listed on eHarlequin's writing guidles (click link above or go to www.eHarlequin.com.

We are very engaged....

Show and Tell

If Descartes were alive today, do you think he’d say “I Google, therefore I am?” Hmmm. No, not quite passive enough. More like, “I can be Googled, therefore I must exist.”

While I am irritated with aspects of Google (am on AAP board--Association of American Publishers--copyright issues, lawsuits, etc.) that doesn't take away from the delightful sense of arrival in seeing my blog appear on a Google search.

I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge those pioneers of the Early Days of my blogging infancy. I think my first appearance was in Harlequin Blaze author Jill Shalvis’s Blog (scroll down to photo about 1/2 way. July 28, 2005. Cute, eh? When you reach the bears you have gone too far. Are you listening Timothy Treadwell?) James Pearson of Audible.com, Silhouette Intimate Moments author Suzanne McMinn and I sat together for a very enjoyable eHarlequin lunch at the Reno RWA. Naturally those eHarlequin authors were totally web savvy and taught me a thing or two!

Then of course there was the always ahead-of the-curve Literary Agent Irene Goodman’s invitation to guest blog on her site to introduce the New Business team.

Now there is an ever expanding circle of bloggers and websites that are connecting us so amazinginly by our mutual interests and shared passions. My first link—and let me tell you, I was as excited as though it was my first date—was Mills & Boon Historical author Michelle Styles.

Let me just correct that analogy. I don't think I ever was really asked out on a date, now that I think about it, so this really was VERY exciting! There was that warm fuzzy moment, like being picked to be on the team.

Other front runners in the blogsphere were Harlequin Blaze author Jill Monroe, Silhouette Intimate Moment author Loreth Anne White, Silhouette Desire author Nalini Singh and HQN author Beth Ciotta. It's a pleasure to be part of the team. Many authors have experienced this for years with listserves, chat rooms and email loops, but it is very cool to be part of this virtual circle, expanding and connecting us.

I was thinking of people going off to "find themselves" and realizing what an impossible task that is. We only have to look at the connections we make to realize we are a thousand selves, aren't we?

Going Global—Harlequin's own World Cup!

It's just like the World Cup. Only it happens every year. And it's always in Canada, somewhere sort of near Toronto. And we don't actually play soccer. But we do come from all over the world!

And I do mean all over—representatives from Australia , Brazil, Eastern Europe (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia), France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Italy, Japan, Nordic (Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark), Spain (Portugal and Latin America), Switzerland and the United Kingdom. And the US and Canada too, of course.

Unlike many multi-nationals, team Harlequin not only meets, we like each other, work together, help each other, share ideas and learn from each other.

There are diverse challenges and opportunities in each country—from getting Manga on cell phones in Japan, to managing one of the largest translation networks in a country, to the at times enormous challenge of simply getting the books physically out there and available to readers in a country with little available infrastructure.

Here is Team Harlequin—Go Global! As you can see, not only has there been a request for volunteers for goalie, but many are demonstrating their excellent goal keeping skills.

Not only do I think this team is incredibly creative, smart, entrepreneurial and savvy, they are very snappy dressers and have amazing shoes. Hands down, this group is the most fun and without a doubt, the best dancers.

Their goal keeping skills...? In a word? Enthusiastic!

eBestsellers and Rogue Angels

Well, Malle and her team are the eBook mavens, so it's OK to brag, but I have to say it was pretty cool to see my recent recommended reading (Blood Ties: The Turning) turn up at #2 on eReader's bestseller list, Thriller in the top 15 (hey, it's a hardcover) and those irrepressible Harlequin Presents (hot hot hot) continuing to give Dan Brown a run for his money. And Carly Phillips is always a pleasure to see heating us up just that little bit extra!




Also just finished reading the first in the Rogue Angel series, Destiny, and really enjoyed it! Its a bit of Lara Croft as Indiana Jones channeling The Da Vinci Code while wrapped with a touch of Witchblade.

I liked Annja Creed. And an ancient order tied to the Vatican...a fortune buried in the caves of France, a sword, a martyr, a monster, a mystery, a myth, masses of monks. Really, who could ask for anything more? Check out the reviews and you'll see I am not alone in my positive opinion of Rogue Angel!

I am a big fan of Gold Eagle (very fierce eagle logo, Stephen Colbert would be pleased)—one of Harlequin's least known imprints as it is men's adventure. No sex or romance, just death and destruction.

Some Gold Eagle titles are available on audio. Otherwise, they're in bookstores in men's adventure section, internet bookstores or do a search on Mack Bolan. He is out there. Find him before he finds you.

Mack Bolan—The Executioner, if you have to ask—and his team are capable of taking out just about anything. Really. Not only does Gold Eagle publish Mack and his Stony Man team, but two other series, Outlanders and Deathlands, post-apocalyptic continuities.

Deathlands is my favorite—truly a nuclear family! My dream is to someday licence a Kristy Wroth action figure (she has prehensile hair, quite a challenge, but surely Todd MacFarlane could figure it out, don't you think?).

I digress. Obviously the Rogue Angel series is more girl friendly, but don't let that put you off. It's really fun.

Just Trying to Get Some Long Tail

Have returned from the BEA (Book Expo America) and lived to tell the tale.

Now that I’m in New Business, I have a lot to learn, so I went a number of the seminars and forums. Learned how to embrace collaboration from Don Tapscott (interesting); learned about Blogging and how to better serve my readers (your attention span is VERY short. One screen is about all you can handle. I’ve been telling you far too much. Sorry!)

I also need to get more connected. This same blog is also available on http://www.isabelsblog.com and I’ve signed up with Technorati.com as well. Check out my Technorati Profile. Blogging is not the place to be shy and retiring.

Was among the many who attended The Future of Publishing in the Digital Age (wouldn’t you want to know the answer to that?). Given by Carly Fiorina, the room was packed. She has a book coming out (big surprise). The whole experience was a great example of Marketing coming up with a selling title and then forgetting to mention it to the author or whatever. Carly quickly informed us that she had no answers, only questions (Please, I think we can all come up with those on our own!) and had only recently even heard of Wikipedia (not something I’d share).


The most impressive thing about the entire event was Carly’s hair. If it was done with tinfoil, they must have used rolls of it. And hours. Many hours. I didn’t put any money down, because no way to verify, but I was wondering if they went the bathing cap/crochet hook route. It was that impressive. That would be significantly painful though, and I was wondering, given all that she’s gone through, if she had the stomach for it.

Listened to Chris Anderson on The Long Tail, which I’ve mentioned in prior post (and if you click on Long Tail, it’ll take you to the Wikipedia definition). His book is coming out, and seems worthwhile. He coined the term to articulate the idea of small sales and niche content—a new way of looking at the market.

It was interesting listening to a lot of these guys laying claim to word coinage in their forums, like planting flags on the moon. Very…you know.

And you’ll be intrigued to know there is not only a Long Tail, but a Big Head as well. Are you following me?

Yes, there were moments when I felt that the 21st century was afloat with countless spermatozoa searching for…I’d better stop now! I’ve gone on long enough and your attention span is flagging.

READ THIS BOOK!!

Blood Ties Book One: The Turning
by Jennifer Armintrout
MIRA, June 2006

But don't take my word for it. Publisher's Weekly says: "Armintrout's bold debut, the first book in a violent vampire series, bares its fangs early, unafraid to spill blood and vital organs from its very first pages....

"The book's level of gory detail—the narrator is, after all, a newly minted emergency room doctor—may put off all but the most stalwart of readers, but if you've got the stomach for it, this fast, furious novel is a squirm-inducing treat."

Well, I don’t think there’s anything in The Turning that will do anything other than delight anyone who enjoys the genre. And I really mean delight.

I love the genre, but there’s a lot of same old same old out there, and strangely there are some writers that decide to be different by making their vampires...nice. Really, I’m not kidding. I loved this story, loved the heroine, loved the crazy situation she finds herself in, loved the humor, human-ness, sexiness, tension between the characters, pragmatism, realism and utter otherworldliness too.

Check out Jennifer Armintrout who created this excellent tale. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan and can be contacted through her website. This is her first novel—pretty amazing.

And what does her editor have to say? Well I just thought I’d go straight to Sasha Bogin and ask her to share some of her thoughts...."I was thrilled when The Turning was put in my hands—thank you Mary Theresa Hussey for passing it to MIRA from Luna and Stacy Boyd for her initial work on the manuscript (it takes a village!).

"The Turning is like reading a Quentin Tarantino film, with its pop culture references, witty dialogue, edgy voice and gritty genre realism. After I read the first chapter I literally jumped in the air with excitement at getting this book sent my way. And it just got better.

"It's a story that appeals to all ages—but I think it has special appeal to younger MTV-influenced people such as myself who will connect with the fresh voice fused with vampire folklore.

"The Turning is different than many books in the genre because of its contemporary nature: the mixture of humor and sexiness, well-written prose and occasional enthralling gore. (Yes, I have the stomach...And if you can watch ER you do too!)

"Even someone who doesn't ordinarily read vampire fiction will enjoy the story because of its contemporary voice—and the fact that the book contains a more serious theme and focus on humanity—or lack thereof—and what defines us as human beings.

"The author and I spent hours talking about editorial direction and cover design—and telling everyone who would listen to read the book...And I really hope that everyone does!"

Mothers and award winners…perfect together!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Did you know that Harlequin will be celebrating by giving away half a million Superromances with newspapers, delivered to homes in the State of Georgia between May 12-14? We gave away books earlier this year on Valentine’s Day and got some of the loveliest thank you notes!

The sampler contains $1.00 off coupon for any Harlequin or Silhouette book and $2.00 off any Superromance, so we’re working on spreading the word….

Last week, there was a sampling initiative at Walmart, and on Friday, May 12th, Harlequin will hold a Mother’s Day event for 4,000 employees of Sears Holdings Corporation. Sears Holdings Corporation is the parent of Kmart and Sears, Roebuck and Co. Brenda Novak will be part of the event, signing copies of her book A FAMILY OF HER OWN.

Other amazing and delightful news….

Karen Harper has won the Mary Higgins Clark Award for DARK ANGEL!
The Mary Higgins Clark Award is sponsored by Simon & Schuster and given to authors who write suspense fiction, Mary Higgins Clark style. The award was presented on Wednesday April 26th at the Mystery Writers of America party. The award ceremony recognizes suspense books published in 2005.

Haunting suspense, tender romance and an evocative look at the complexities of Amish life — Dark Angel is simply riveting! — Tess Gerritsen

Don’t forget to look for her next title, HURRICANE, coming out in June!

We were so thrilled when Hannah Alexander won a Christy for HIDEAWAY—Steeple Hill’s very first Christy Award. This year the 2006 Christy Awards finalists are announced and Two Steeple Hill titles nominated in three categories, which is, frankly, very cool.

THE ROAD TO HOME (April 2005) by Vanessa Del Fabbro is nominated in both Contemporary (Series, Sequels and Novellas) and First Novel Categories

And Susan May Warren’s IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING (September 2005) has been nominated in the Romance Category.

Consult http://www.christyawards.com/ in the coming days for a full list of finalists. The 2006 Christy Awards will be given on July 8, 2006, in Denver, Colorado.

Celebrating our inner and our external mothers and our award winners…may your May be delightful!