Harlequin Presents Series Spotlight: The Path to Presents by Margaret Mayo
16 Comments June 29th, 2009 in 60th anniversary, author, books, writing Posted by Amy
How to celebrate the Presents spotlight this time?
With Margaret Mayo’s first sale story in rhyme!
And if you like what you read, why not take a look
at Bought for Marriage, Margaret’s July book!
~Amy
It began with one word that soon turned to two
And many more came as my thoughts followed through
The short story I’d planned grew longer and longer
And the plot it contained grew stronger and stronger
But I knew nothing about writing so who could I ask
Whether my work was good enough for this difficult task
I joined a writer’s circle without knowing a thing
And found a Mills & Boon writer who took me under her wing
It took me fifteen whole months to write my romance
And when Mills & Boon rejected it I felt in a trance
But they said very kindly I could send in another
And perhaps this one might suit a different publisher
So after five months I’d penned another novel
And sent it off hoping I did not have to grovel
Nothing was stopping me now that I’d started
But three months and no news I was feeling downhearted
I sent off another book and soon came a letter
Both novels accepted, I could not feel better
The excitement within me was happy not sad
I danced with my husband and the kids thought me mad
But the path to Presents was not yet quite complete
It took several more books before the States I did reach
I’m so proud now that my books are world wide
And this very month I’ve reached book seventy five
Margaret’s next North American release is Bought for Marriage, available now in stores and at eHarlequin.com. Her 75th novel The Santorini Marriage Bargain is also on sale this July in the UK from Mills & Boon Modern. Congratulations Margaret!
Margaret,
They’ve been a fantastic collection of books, too, your 75! And you have the enthusiasm left to write poetry. Amazing.
Here’s to the next 75!
Anne
Wow – 75! Congrats on the milestone, Margaret.
Loved the line about dancing with your husband and the kids thinking you mad. I know that feeling, too…
Fantastic! Love the poem
And huge congrats on such an amazing milestone!!!
Anne, when my father was alive and sometimes went to stay with his sister, we used to write to each other in rhyme – I guess it’s stuck with me.
My DH is good at it too and we’re always trying to outdo each other!
We’re thrilled and delighted you’re so prolific,
A world without your books would be truly horrific.
(sorry everyone. just trying to enter into the spirit but with none of Margaret’s skill, obviously)
Margaret, what an achievement! And seventy five books isn’t bad either!!!
x Abby
Margaret, that’s fantastic!! Love reading your story in rhyme! Congratulations on 75 books. Wow.
That’s terrific, Margaret. Seventy five books and still the inspiration is flowing!
The inspiration is still flowing, but not so swiftly. I used to finish a book one day and start another the next. Now it takes me days and sometimes weeks to think up another story. (I’m in that place now)
Sarah, loved your rhyme!!!
Congratulations Margaret. Having recently sold my first book I can’t even imagine 75. Well done. And loved the rhyme.
Hi Margaret,
This is my first post here and as a longtime Harlequin reader(almost half my life) I’d like to say congratulations on 75 novels, each one as good as the last! I own at least 10 of your titles-wow-a lot more to go!
I read my first Harlequin during a visit to a family friend, at the tender age of 10. She had grown children and no other means to keep me entertained while the ladies had a good gossip! It was a real eye-opener, but I can’t remember if it was one of yours.
The heroine’s name was Sian James and the hero’s was Blair Davenport. He wanted revenge on her because she broke up w/his best friend Neal, causing Neal to drink and drive and die in a fatal car crash.
If anyone remembers the author/title, I’d greatly appreciate it, because it was this first novel that has stayed with me and spurred my writing aspirations over the years. It had one of the best covers too!!
Raven
Many many congratulations on that very special book Margaret – what an achievement!
Here’s to the next 75!
Kate
Margaret congratulations on the 75 books! I know I’ve read quite a few of them, but 75? How is it possible you’ve got energy left for rhymes? I’m so impreesed.
Annie
Hi Raven,
I found your book! It’s THE ASKING PRICE by Amanda Browning:
http://www.fictiondb.com/author/amanda-browning~the-asking-price~6204~b.htm
~Amy
Many thanks to everyone for all your kind comments. I feel truly privileged. And thanks to Raven too for being a first time poster here. I love your name – maybe I could use it in one of my books?