Modern Heat Writing Competition!
21 Comments July 18th, 2008 in Modern Heat, writing contest Posted by AmyIntroducing Editor Joanne Carr and an exciting opportunity for all aspiring Modern Heat authors!
Many of you may already know me, but I thought I’d take the time to introduce myself properly. My name is Joanne Carr and I have been working at Harlequin Mills & Boon for just over five years. I was an avid reader of Mills & Boon before joining the company, so getting a job in Editorial was like a dream come true! I am currently managing the Modern Heat series whilst Senior Editor Bryony Green is on maternity leave.
But I am not just here to say ‘hi” – I have something exciting to tell you…
Based on the success of the Instant Seduction competition that we ran earlier this year, we have decided to call on all aspiring Modern Heat authors and are launching:
The FEEL THE HEAT writing competition!
Do you have a fresh, vibrant, sassy voice and a passion for sexy alpha heroes? Can you write sparky dialogue, create great sensual tension and hot love-scenes?
If so, then we want to hear from you!
Details:
- Email your first chapter and synopsis of a Modern Heat novel to: feeltheheat@hmb.co.uk by 15th September 2008
- The WINNER receives an editor for a year!
- TWO RUNNERS-UP will be given critiques of their first chapter entries and an editorial telephone consultation!
- The winner will be announced October 1st 2008
The Modern Heat guidelines can be found here Writing Contest: Mills & Boon Modern Heat Writing Guidelines and I have asked some of our existing Modern Heat authors to blog throughout this period to share writing tips and their experiences.
If you look through the I Heart Presents archives (particularly for November and December 2007) you will find many useful tips and guidelines that are relevant for this competition.
And now for the serious part!
Rules:
- Your entry must be aimed at Modern Heat
- Your entry must NOT have been submitted previously to Harlequin Mills & Boon
- Only ONE entry per person
- Submissions received after the closing date will NOT be assessed!
More detailed legal rules will be posted at a later date.
We look forward to hearing from you soon and I will be back to give you updates!
Updated to add: official rules are now available here.
Tagged with: editor Joanne Carr • Feel the Heat Writing Competition • Modern Heat Writing Competition
21 Responses to “Modern Heat Writing Competition!”
- 1 Pingback on Jul 22nd, 2008 at 4:49 pm
- 2 Pingback on Jul 23rd, 2008 at 11:22 pm
- 3 Pingback on Sep 25th, 2008 at 11:45 am
- 4 Pingback on Sep 25th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Oohhh… this is the most exciting news in an age! Thanks so much for running antoher fantabulous contest! Good luck everyone!
RACH!
Oh this is awesome! I can attest to how fabulous winning truly is, so polish up those entries and get ready!! The work you will do as the winner is not for the faint of heart, but you will learn so much from the experience. I can promise you that!
And now I must slink off to work on the revisions I’ve been given for my Spanish magnate….
Fabulous news, Joanne.
With Kate Hardy winning the UK’s Romance Prize, Anne Oliver the Ozzie Romance Book of the Year Award and myself and Kelly Hunter both finalling in this year’s RITAs, Modern Heat is really buzzing at the moment (if I do say so myself!).
It’s a great line to write for and as a Mod Hot author I can testify to what a great bunch of editors we have on the line. Anyone who gets the use of them for a whole year is going to really up their game.
Lots of luck to you all.
Heidi
Yay!! Another chance to write for Modern Heat.
I thought the Instant seduction comp was for aspiring Modern Heat authors as well as Presents. Weren’t there enough entries specifically targetting Modern Heat?
Oh wow – I am soooo excited!
Thanks Joanne for the exciting news – I’m thrilled you’re running a competition specifically targeting MD – yeah!
Good luck everyone
Cheers, Joanne
A new contest. How exciting! Good luck, everyone!
I can’t tell you what a pleasure it is to write for Modern Heat.
I love the fun element in the books, and those sizzling heroes.
There’s opportunity for you to really let your imagination fly in Modern Heat- and the more fun you have the more you will convey that enjoyment to the reader.
The lighthearted elements also allow you to point up the emotion as the H and h draw closer together as their story unfolds.
Enjoy the journey, everyone, and my warmest wishes to all of you.
Susan
Oh wow, what exciting news to come back to after a couple of months out of action due to 70 hour a week “day job” insanity. This will give me the focus I need to get back into writing again (well, I actually have been writing, but a 300 page training manual doesn’t really make my heart beat faster in the same way that a sexy hero and some sizzling romance does!)
Good luck to everyone who enters, and keep writing Lynn Raye, there are a lot of us waiting for your book to appear!
Can we enter using a pen name (if real names are given too, but not used in any publicity?)
Fantastic!! I can’t wait. What a fab opportunity. I’m glad Modern Heat finally gets it’s own competition as I think it’s very different from the Modern/Presents series.
As Heidi said, Modern Heat does seem to be buzzing at the moment – does this mean we may be getting more than 2 of them a month in the future? They certainly seem popular enough and I for one would be very glad
Ooh goody! A new novel to plan, with just enough time. And now that we have the feedback from the Instant Seduction competition, I think the standard might be a little higher from us all. It’ll be a tough decision choosing a winner this time
- Madeline
Modern Heats are one my favorite category romance series. What a great
chance for all aspiring writers to get the foot in the door
It also gives us chance to sharpen and hone our writing skills.
Since I have time, I am going to enter “Feel the Heat” Competition.
Hello all,
This may be a silly question, but are Modern Heat’s sold in Australia? I’ve not seen them (though I may simply have missed them in the bookstore). Are they sold under a different title, as most Harlequin novels are down here?
I desperately want to get my hands on a copy, not only for the flirtatious romance, but for research for the Mod Heat competition!
Thank you
Good luck to everyone planning to enter! I’m already feeling the heat
Madeline
Hi Madeline,
my DH once told me there’s no such thing as a silly question (and it suits me to believe him.)
Modern Heat is Sexy Sensation downunder.
Enjoy your research and good luck with your entry,
Robyn
I’ll do well to remember that, Robyn. Thank you for the advice (or rather, your dearest’s). And Sexy Sensation – I’ve logged that away for my next trip to the 2nd hand book store. I love their range of Harlequin novels. Covers the whole back wall
Thanks again,
Madeline
I am working on the ” Feel the Heat” competition and would like some
good suggestions and tips how to write good Modern Heat two-page
synopsis.
Thank You
Jane
First I just wanted thank the Modern Heat authors for their excellent
articles on writing these new modern romances.
Even though, ithe contest has ended, we aspiring writers need their
advice and input on writing romance fiction.
Well, I started out writing for the Modern Heat contest, but it didn’t
seem to jell. I am kicking myself that I didn’t stick with it.
But that hasn’t daunted me. I still want to be a Modern Heat Rising
Star. Now, that the pressure is off, I’ll take my time study and
writing Modern Heat romances.
Good Luck to those who submitteed.
Jane
I’m interested in how many submissions were received. I recall it was a mind-blowing 600+ last time around. I wonder whether we managed to band together and exceed that?
Best of luck everyone
Madeline