As a new author, it’s a bit daunting to follow up such amazing posts by the other Modern Heat authors. But these wonderful, informative posts are just examples of how really, really, cool it is to be part of this line. In the future when I’m asked, “What excites you about writing for Modern Heat?” I can send folks here. Who wouldn’t be excited to be in the pool with such talented writers? Especially when they’re so wonderful and generous about sharing what they know with those of us still in the shallow end!
And these authors are creating such wonderful stories, I can’t wait to get my hands on the new releases each month. The range of possibilities in the line and the fresh, fun takes on our favorite romance themes make Modern Heat a very exciting place for a new author to be.
Needless to say, I’m very thrilled to be part of it.
I targeted Modern Heat because I’d read some of the authors and thought, “That’s my kind of book.” Heroes who were Alpha without being unapproachable. Heroines who were strong and spunky and gave as good as they got. And the books just sparkled with electricity–the dialogue, the pacing, the sizzling sexual tension. It seemed like a long shot–after all, the books were so good–but I hoped my voice and my characters might find a good fit.
I submitted the old fashioned way: three chapters and a synopsis sent snail mail. Wonder of wonders, I received a request for the full within weeks (not months like with some other houses–the editors at Mills and Boon are amazing). When the revision letter came a few months later, it contained magical words: “We love your voice.”
After four years of writing and submitting and never being quite right, I’d finally found the place that “got” me. It was one of those moments where I swear I could hear the background music swell and the angel choirs sing. It was the high point of my writing career—at least, of course, until I got to hear those even more fabulous words: “We want to buy your book.”
It’s amazing the response I get when I tell people I’m the newest Modern Heat author–the reputation of the line is definitely growing and creating a buzz. The two RITA finals this year show the strength and appeal of this line. I just can’t believe my book is going to share shelf space with the incredible books I love to read.
It’s a dream come true.
So the best of luck to everyone who entered the contest–fingers crossed for your dream come true!
And I’d love to hear why you’re excited about Modern Heat!
Kimberly
www.booksbykimberly.com
p.s. Kimberly is running an I (Heart) Harlequin contest at her site The Writing Playground!
Hey my chapter sister! You know how thrilled I am for you. Can’t wait to buy your book!! And from what I’ve read of your work, I’d say you’re a perfect fit in the line. Definitely not a long shot.
Greetings from another chapter sister as well as a website mate. I can’t wait to read your book. I picked up a few of the Modern Heats and love them. They’re sassy and spunky and fun, yet filled with romance and have the absolutely required HEA.
It’s been fun sharing this ride with you and I look forward to many more.
Hey Kim,
Great to hear your story. I can’t wait to read your book.
All the best
C
Kim, it was great to meet you in San Francisco! You’re so hilarious and fun (not to mention glamorous!). I’m so glad you found your writing “home” with Presents!
*hugs*
Jennie
Hi Lynn and Marilyn. Thanks for the show of support. Our chapter rocks!
Thanks clarisa–I hope you’ll let me know what you think of the book. (And be sure to go enter the contest! Lots of books to be given away!)
Jennie, Jennie, Jennie– you’re so good for my ego. (Have y’all seen her picture? Talk about glam!)
If I didn’t know better, I’d say they came up with the Modern Heat line just for you, Kimberly. It fits your voice to a tee.
Since I entered the Feel the Heat contest, I’m hoping I’m a snug fit, too.
I love modern heat for a number of reasons! Alpha males make me melt and I can’t stand a wimpy heroine. Plus I love sexy, charged reads, and Modern Heat has it all! They are great escape books, and also quick reads. I enjoy sitting down, falling in the love with the characters, glued to each and every sentence, and several hours later sighing as I read the last page.
I can’t wait to read your new book Kimberly! And thanks for the luck on the contest
Cheers!
Hi Kimberly,
Your post was lovely and very encouraging. I love Modern Heat books for all of the obvious reasons that have been spelled out in so many terrific posts. And I already know that if this is the line that fits you then I’m going to love your debut as much as the rest of ‘em.
150 of us hopeful and aspiring writers entered the competition so it’s going to be a tough call for the editors I imagine. But reading your story is just an extra layer of hope for us because submitting through the normal channels can work too if a ‘voice’ is right. So regardless of the outcome I’m pretty sure the majority of us will continue to dream and aim for Mod Heat.
All the best for a blossoming Mod Heat career,
Aideen.
michellel– I agree totally about the wimpy heroines. I love how MH heroines are someone I’d like to be friends with.
Aideen– I am living proof that the slush pile still works. This contest is great because you get to sub electronically and you know when you’ll hear something back, but I hope none of the entrants forget that they can still submit the old fashioned way.
And here’s something for everyone who entered this contest: I entered the Instant Seduction contest earlier this year. As we all know, I didn’t win.
If you don’t win, don’t think you’ll never sell! Keep writing!
Kimberly, thats good to hear that you entered, didn’t win and still sold! I’m having so much fun writing this, and I’ve come up with a ton more ideas for future manuscripts, that I do plan on continuing to submit.
Great inspiration! Thank you!
Kim,
Hey, it’s my turn to chime in!
I am really bad because I order the MH books from the M&B site every month. (So yours will be up on Dec. 1!) I love the strong, feisty heroines and the lovable, roguish heroes.
And, I want to say a huge thanks for the sage advice in your most recent post. I also needed to hear what you had to say to Aideen.
I look forward to reading your first Modern Heat!
Barbara
Thanks for the nice words, Kim. I’m feeling oh-so-glamorous as I sit here sweating in my workout clothes after being on the treadmill. (I just got back from London for the Association of Mills & Boon Authors luncheon–awfully fun but I gained 5 pounds in five days. ACK! Who knew that strawberry bellinis and vindaloos-with-naan could be so fattening?!)
Best of luck to Aideen and all the aspiring Modern Heat writers. Hope you hear good news soon!!
Jennie
Hi Jennie,
Just wanted to pop in and say thanks for the luck being sent our way. It’s a long shot but hey, somebody’s got to win right? It was a fun exercise and I’m delighted I had the courage to submit.
All the best,
Aideen.
Hi there Kimberly,
Mega congratulations on your TWO book sales, and without even having read them I love your delightful and distinctive voice too! Can’t wait for that first book to blaze off the Aussie shelves.
Now tell me again…what was the name?
And do you know when its coming out in Aus???
cheers..
anna
Kimberly, you’re living our dream!
I can hardly believe that you were contacted within weeks of submitting. My first two submissions took 6 months before I heard back, and then my most recent two both took 3 months. All of which were politely declined, but I’m still soldiering on. I just submitted another last Monday, not to mention my Feel the Heat entry. Maybe when I finally write a winner, it’ll only take a few weeks too!
Congratulations though – after four years of trying, you deserve this:-) And I’d also like to know when it’s being released in Australia! Make sure to let us all know.
Madeline
Thanks for all the kind words, y’all.
The Secret Mistress Arrangement will be out in the UK in Jan, and the US in April. The Millionaire’s Misbehaving Mistress has UK release of April, but I don’t know the US date yet. And I’m not sure about the Australia dates for either. I’m starting to get very excited as it gets closer and more real.
I can’t stress this enough: keep writing. Eventually you’ll find the right place for your voice and your book.
Thanks so much, Kimberly, for posting this lovely blog. It’s so full of energy and hope for future Modern Heat authors! I’m excited for you, and I can’t wait to read your book. So tell us, girl. When is it coming out?
I love Modern Heat because they’re such smart, sexy reads. I’ve always adored international settings, and combined with spunky heroines, sexy alpha males with real conflict in which they’re forced in a crucible where they have to deal with each other is too yummy to resist!
Good luck to everyone who has entered, and I’m looking forward to hearing who wins!
Never mind — I see your book will be out in April for the US. Too long!!! Ah, well. I’ll just have to wait.
Kim, great post. Blimey, I’m dying to read your book and I love the title of your second. The Misbehaving Mistress sounds like a gal I could definitely identify with…
And Madeline, can I just say I had to wait eight months to get a two line form rejection on my first submission to Silhouette, which was very dispiriting but you’ve done the right thing by getting right back in there. As Kim says, keep plugging away and you’ll get there in the end.
Kimberly! So great to see you here! I love your excitement at about becoming a MH author and I can’t wait to read your stories. =)
Good luck to everyone in the MH contest! (Hang in there, Madeline =) )
Robbie
glorite–I know, April seems a ways away. I’m sad I won’t be able to see my book on the shelves in the UK in Jan. I think I’m going to beg everyone in the UK to take a picture of it on the shelf and send it to me.
And I told y’all the MH authors were a great group! Aren’t they fab to come by and be so excited and encouraging?
Kimberly: I just read about your wonderful news.
I enjoy reading Modern Heats and didn’t stick to writing and submitting for
the “Feel the Heat’ Competition. I was going to give up writing for this
new Modern Romance line, but after reading about how you get
“The Call’ the regular way. You’ve motivated me to keep on writing,
targeting and submitting stories about sexy, Alpha heroes and
alluring, sassy, independent heroines.
Thanks for your encouragement.
Jane O’Connor
Great post Kimberly! And I’m a lucky slush pilee too – it definitely still works
Usually the MH books are released in Australasia 2 months after the UK release – so your Secret Mistress Arrangement should be out here in NZ (and Oz) in March 09!!!
(Of course, they might change things, but this is how its been working the last year or so!)
Best wishes to all of you waiting on the FTH contest – keep on writing!
~Natalie
Oh, Jane, I’m so glad to hear my story has motivated you.
The slush pile may not be glamorous or flashy, but like Nat said, it still works
~Waves to Natalie~ The thought of SMA being Down Under that soon just makes me giddy.
March? Okay – I’ll be on the lookout in bookstores around then. I’m looking forward to it.
And thank you for your encouraging words, Heidi and Robbie. Eight months is a long time to be rewarded with a no thankyou. But it is really heartening to know that the slush pile can get you there in the end. I’m not going to give up until the editors know me on a first name basis (or at least one of them!)
An aspiring romance author couldn’t ask for a more supportive group of women. Thank you all. And with the Feel the Heat winners being announced on Tuesday – Good Luck!
Madeline
Wow, this is all so encouraging! Definite motivation to never give up. Rejection sucks, but here’s living proof you should pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again.
Good luck to everyone who’s entered the FTH comp – not long to wait now, though I’m sure it’ll feel like an age!
And a message for Aideen and all of the sisters – I haven’t forgotten you guys! I’ve been trying to post on our usual blog since Saturday but it just isn’t taking the entry. What a time to go belly-up, but rest assured I’ll keep trying!
Jilly
Jilly,
We all know perfectly well what you’ve been doing since you last posted….
Aideen.
(I’m STILL not thinking about Simon Cowell but I AM still eating ice cream with various toppings).
Kimberly!
Thanks for the encouraging post! How exciting to have your first book coming out! I can feel the excitement here and I know you must be beside yourself! We’ll all be watching for your new release. I like that Misbehaving Mistress too! Sounds intriguing! Enjoy the ride and thanks for sharing with us!
Hugs,
MARIAN STEVENS
I was researching at Google Modern Heat Billionaire Heroes and found
this site:”In Pictures: Youngest Billionaires – Forbes.com.
I thought it would interested all Modern Heat authors and writers.
Good Luck on the Feel the Heat Competition
Jane