10 Steps to a Fab Job as a Romance
Writer
Copyright Lori Soard - All
rights reserved
If you have always
believed your fantasies worthy of being read by
millions, now is the time to start using your runaway
imagination to your benefit. With thousands of
romance novels being published each year, it is
easier to get published today than it has ever
been in the past.
A career in romance
writing allows you to work from home, at your own
pace, and during the hours you prefer. Romance
writing generally pays better than other genres of
fiction, so you can make more money, or work
fewer hours, whichever you prefer. Finally,
this line of work lets you truly touch the hearts of
your readers, and give them the confidence to seek
love and happiness in their own lives.
No special
education or experience is necessary to break into
this career. Successful romance writers merely
require independence, creativity, and a determination
to succeed. If this sounds like you, follow these ten
steps based on the FabJob
Guide to Become a Romance Writer
to make your mark
in this field. Who knows, you may be the next rising
star!
1. Do some
reading
If you already love
to read romance novels, you are likely an ideal
candidate for writing them. If you are unfamiliar
with this type of novel, you will want to start off
by exploring the genre. If you haven't read a romance
lately, you might be surprised at the new trends
within the industry. Try reading a variety of genres
to get an idea of what you would enjoy writing, and
to familiarize yourself with the conventions of
each.
2. Develop your
skills
Many of the skills
you need to write will be developed as you practice,
so keep those pens moving. Keep in mind that becoming
a writer is an ongoing process. If you need some
feedback, a local or online writers critique group
can also help you further hone your writing skills.
If you find yourself stuck for ideas, there are
creativity exercises you can learn, and if your
grammar needs some help, brush up with a book or
quick course.
3. Get some
experience
So you want to list
publishing credits to help your chances of selling,
but you can't list those without selling, and it's
hard to sell without the credits. Sound like a
Catch-22? It is. Fortunately, you can get your feet
wet publishing articles and short stories in
magazines and ezines. Make sure you are familiar with
the writers' guidelines and the publication itself
before you submit. You may even consider accepting a
couple of non-paying assignments in order to build
your credentials.
4. Your proposal
package
It is important to
create a professional image when you submit your work
to an agent or editor, since editors are often
swamped with submissions and will only read those
that follow their guidelines. Most publishers want to
receive a 'proposal,' which consists of the first
three chapters, a synopsis of the plot and a cover
letter. Send them whatever their guidelines indicate,
and don't forget to include a SASE (self addressed
stamped envelope) for a reply or return of your
manuscript.
5. Target a
publisher
If you have read
widely in the romance genre, you will have an idea of
which publishers will be most interested in your
style of writing. In addition to the major publishers
(Harlequin, Kensington, etc.) be aware that there are
thousands of smaller and electronic presses that
initially may be more receptive. You will want to
send them your proposal package, addressed to the
current editor. Directories and the
FabJob
Guide to Become a Romance Writer
are useful for
finding contact information of publishers to submit
to.
6.
Self-publishing
What if your book
is so cutting edge that even the small presses don't
feel comfortable taking it on? If you have shopped
your book around and not received a positive
response, self-publishing may be the route for you.
Digital printing now allows for the cost-effective
printing of as few as one copy of your book at a
time, so you can set up your novel for around $100
and have it available to the public within a few
weeks.
7. Get an
agent
If you've got your
sights set on the large publishing houses, or are
terrified of negotiating, you may consider getting an
agent to help you find a home for your book. Once you
have found an agent you'd like to work with, ensure
that he or she has a good reputation in the industry.
Bear in mind that an agent will take about 10-15% of
everything you earn on your book.
8. Dealing with
editors
It's important to
have a good relationship with someone you hope to be
dealing with on an ongoing basis, so once you have
interest from an editor, establish and maintain a
professional relationship with him or her. Allow
three to six months for them to consider novel
proposals, and don't pester them with phone calls.
Once they have expressed interest, be business-like,
and make changes to your work as requested. A little
respect goes a long way in this business.
9.
Networking
Conferences, local
writing workshops and conventions are wonderful
places to meet fellow authors, editors, agents and
publicists. Many are even set up to allow writers to
meet on a one-to-one basis with agents and editors.
Not only are these situations great for networking,
but just joining a national or local writers
organization can bring you knowledge from the
workshops and conferences they
offer.
10.
Self-promotion
Building a
readership and increasing book sales are two of the
most important things authors can do to promote their
careers. If hiring a publicist isn't in your budget
(and you may be surprised to find it is) there are a
number of things you can do to promote yourself, such
as getting media attention, creating a website, and
doing book signings. Be creative, and be
persistent…it can only benefit you in the long
run.
About the
author: Lori Soard is co-founder and
Chairperson of World Romance Writers and co-founder
and past president of From The Heart, Romance Writers
of America Chapter. She moderates a writing workshop
on America Online, teaches writing courses and speaks
all over the country, and has won numerous contests
and writing awards. In addition to the more than a
thousand articles and short stories of hers that have
been published, Lori is the author of several books
including romance novels. She shares her experiences
and expert advice from more than 75 published romance
writers, editors and literary agents in the
FabJob
Guide to Become a Romance Writer
