Taking classes and submitting

cj Sez: I’ve written pretty much nothing over the holidaze so I’m resetting my creativity gene by taking an online class entitled Story Arc (through my Sisters-in-Crime/Guppy group). 

   The first half that ended January 12 included scene arc, chapter arc, character arc, secondary storylines, and a bunch of other almost ad infinitum topics. In other words, this online class/workshop will be a whole how-to shebang for successful novel writing crammed into twelve days. I even learned to plot a little. As a pathfinder writer, that’s a bit outside my comfort zone. Having to analyze my languishing work-in-progress is giving me fresh perspective and ideas...so many ideas that I now have three WIPs. I’m hoping to finish at least one of them this year. 

  Taking a class is a marvelous way to get the author juices flowing.

   Because I’ve become so ambitious, it seemed like a good idea to find out if my current eBook publisher (Crimson Romance, an imprint of Simon & Schuster) is accepting submissions—and they are. If you’re a romance writer, here are some of the guidelines:

Crimson Romance Writer’s Guidelines

Our digital-first romance line is open to submissions in five popular subgenres: romantic suspense, contemporary, paranormal, historical, and spicy romance. We’re looking for previously unpublished full-length novels (between 50,000 – 90,000 words) and novellas (between 30,000 – 50,000 words). All authors—agented or unagented, beginner or veteran writers—are welcome to submit any works that have not been previously published in whole or in part in any media, including self-publishing (Kindle, CreateSpace, etc.).

While your work can include other genre elements, Crimson Romances must focus first and foremost on a couple’s emotional journey together towards love. Romances, by nature, must be between consenting adults of any gender, race, creed, etc., and have a happily-ever-after or at least happy-for-now ending. We are strictly a romance publisher and will not look at manuscripts for memoirs or other non-fiction, women’s fiction or chick lit, young adult, mysteries and thrillers, horror, or general fiction. 

So if you’ve got a romance that’s a little offbeat, something other publishers won’t take a chance on? Send it our way! At Crimson, we believe variety is the spice of life — especially a reader’s life. We’re happy to consider a wide variety of plot lines and characters, but we’re always looking for:

Smart, savvy, confident heroines with strong goals

Heroes of all varieties — alpha, beta, anything in between! 

New twists on favorite themes

What they don’t want to see is also listed on the submission page. For more information on how and what, go to:  http://www.crimsonromance.com/submissions/

My footprints

  On the home front, the weather in Mobile, AL, has taken a decisive turn to winter, uncharacteristically so. In December, we had our first measurable snowfall since about 1995. We usually get “cold snaps.” That's when temperatures drop into the middle twenties for a night, then they climb back up into sweatshirt weather. Tonight I'll break out the down coat I brought with me from Michigan. The temperature is forecast to drop into the twenties and stay down for a few nights. We’re in for a hard freeze that the outside water faucets may not tolerate—even after precautions are taken. Water pipes in the deep south are not buried 42 inches or so deep as they are in the northern climes, so a long spell of freezing weather can do damage. Got my fingers crossed…you can cross yours for me, too, if you like.

  That’s it for this post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.

cj

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Romance stories…perfect for Valentine’s Day…a lot of gift for a little money:

Choosing Carter  — Kindle  /  Nook  /  Kobo   /  iTunes/iBook

Deadly Star —  Kindle  / Nook  / Kobo

“Bad Day at Round Rock” in The Posse a Western anthology of 8 short stories @99 cents

California Kisses—10 book publisher’s bundle @ 99 cents (includes Deadly Star)

The Great Outdoors  8 book publisher’s bundle @99 cents (includes Choosing Carter)

Bodies in Motion — 10 book publisher’s bundle @99 cents (includes Choosing Carter)