Harlequin Presents Writing Competition 2009: the Winners!
268 Comments December 11th, 2009 in editor, writing contest Posted by Amy
by editor Joanne Grant
We launched The Harlequin Presents Writing Competition 2009 on July 6th this year and from the moment the announcement went out, we were overwhelmed by the response! There was so much excitement and buzz and it is fair to say that the buzz has continued right through to now – the moment everyone has been waiting for…
From 544 to 4…we have our winners and runners-up!
We found it so hard to choose between our final shortlist that we decided to honour both streams of editorial, so we have two winners and two runners-up! They are:
Presents/Modern
Winner
CAPTURED: HIS RUNAWAY MISTRESS by Susanna Carr
Runner-up
THE BILLIONAIRE’S PROUD MISTRESS by Maggie Marr
Modern Heat
Winner
THE BOSS’S INTIMATE TAKEOVER by Gill Clegg
Runner-up
SHOES, LIES AND VIDEOTAPE by Joanne Pibworth
Once we had decided on our winners and contacted them (it was so exciting to call them all up to break the good news!), we discovered that both of our Presents/Modern winners were North American and have some recent publishing experience, whereas both of our Modern Heat winners are from the UK and are unpublished. It is so great to think that through our competition we have found talent from both sides of the pond with such different levels of experience.
Both winners, Susanna and Gill, win an editor for a year, and our runners-up, Maggie and Joanne, have won a consultation on their entries with an editor. Please join me, and the editorial team, in congratulating them!
We would also like to thank all of you who entered and for your continued interest and enthusiasm! Although we cannot give individual feedback on the majority go the submissions, we will be sending out an email to each and every one of you. Our aim is for all responses to be sent no later than December 18th.
We will be sharing the winning chapters and our thoughts on them in the coming months, so be sure to come back and visit is regularly!
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Congratulations Susanna, Maggie, Gill and Joanne!
~Amy
Congratulations guys.
Congratulations to the winners!
Congratulations to you all! I hope the two winners have a great experience with their editor, and that it sees a published book at the end of the year for them. Well done ladies!
Woohoo to all the winners!!! I’ll be looking out for your names =)
Robbie
Wohoo – huge congrats to all FOUR of you! As a runner-up from Feel THe Heat… I promise you’re in for a wonderful experience!!
Can’t wait to read all your chaps!
Rach!
Congratulations! Well done to all
Congratulations to all the winners and I wish you the very best!
Thank you to the editors for your hard work.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Congrats ladies!
Happy writing
Huge congrats to the winners. That’s some mega achievement out of 500+ entries!!
Can’t wait to read the winning chapters now!
Congrats to the winners! Very well done. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the holiday just that litte bit more.
congratulations to all. Read this and two familiar names leapt out. Two!!!
Oh My Goodness!!! Jilly and Joanne, I’ve been so privileged to read both of your entries prior to you entering them and I’m SO thrilled I can’t begin to tell you.
So proud of you Jilly. Yours has been such a fantastic journey and you are such a deserving winner! I’m so happy I’m crying. Happy tears. Lots of them! This is unbelievably good news. Now, having scanned the headlines, I must go back and read the actual post.
Robyn
Jilly, everything that Robyn has just said. WOW!!! You’re one awesome writer and nothing makes me happier to realise that the editors have noticed this too, LOL!
I’m thinking that all the excitement of late is getting to be too much for me and this idiot grinning thing is seriously starting to worry me.
Congratulations of course to the other three ladies, can’t wait to read your stories.
woohoo, the celebrations continue…
Aideen.
Jilly, did I actually forget to mention that you’re AWESOME? Thank goodness I’ve got Aideen to remind me when I’ve slipped up.
And hey, my idiot grin was still lingering after Maisey’s call. Now I’ll be grinning till well after New Year’s.
Honestly girls it’s a wonder I can even type at the moment! This is the BEST news!!
Robyn
Congratulations! 4 winners in awesome. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to offer the contest.
Two winners! Wow and huge congratulations to all four of you. I’m really looking forward to reading your chapters and even better I hope we get to hear your ‘call’ stories real soon.
Jilly! I’ve popped out of bed at 3:30 am to see the results and I’m so pleased for you!! I got the chance to read Gill’s entry too and it is to fantastic!! She’s such a wonderful person and an incredible writer!! One of my sisters in crime.
Love love love love!!
Maisey
I have to say, when Jilly (Gill) posted her chapter to our critique group, the unanimous response was ‘don’t change a word. Just hit send’.
Oh wow! So exciting!! Way to go, Jilly! And everyone else. Sorry, just too thrilled for my darling sister!!
Many many congratulations to the winners and the runners up. What a fantastic achievement to be selected out of such a large number of entries.
Enjoy your time working with an editor and I’ll hope to look forward to reading your books some time in the future
Kate
Awesome result Susanna, Maggie, Gill and Joanne! Go you good things and out of all those entries! All the best with the editors and I’ll be on the look out for your books too!
Dayley
Millions of congrats to the winners and runners-up – can’t wait to read the entries!
From Greece a big applause to the winners! Hope to read more of you soon! And for all who joined the contest and have no fingernails left (like me
): applause for us as well! This contest has really been a thrilling experience. I felt part of a big worldwide family of aspiring writers, and wow… it felt so good! So thanks for sharing your expectations and fears with the other competitors. Keep writing!
Sunny greetings from Greece,
Audrey
Congrats to the winners! And a Merry Christmas everyone.
Just a suggestion for next year – I would love to also see a list of all those that made the final cut, just to see if what we submitted was along the right track or way off the ball park.
Huge congrats to the winners! And, more importantly, I am sooooo thrilled to see your name up there Jilly (Gill). We are so proud of you!
Looking forward to reading the entries.
Congratulations to the winners – well done! To all the other entrants – keep writing.
Looking forward to reading the winners entries.
Congratulations to our winners!
Awesome win to have bested 540 other entries.
Way to go! Look forward to seeing the winning chapters.
Congratulations to the winners. I am looking forward to seeing their names on my bookshelves. I also want to thank the editors of Presents and Modern Heat for offering this competition. I have enjoyed the challenge and inspiration. Don’t be surprised to find more submissions coming across your desks from my direction. The insight you shared has given me the confidence to be bolder.
Congratulations to all of the winners. Looking forward to reading all of the winning chapters.
Chris.
Well done to all who entered and a hearty HOORAY to the winners and runners up. What a nice way to start the holidays. I will look forward to seeing all four of you in print very soon
Congratulations to all four of you!!! I can’t wait to read your chapters!!!
Trenda
Huge Congratulations to the winners: all 4!
Must concur with Nina Baker:
“Just a suggestion for next year – I would love to also see a list of all those that made the final cut, just to see if what we submitted was along the right track or way off the ball park.”
Why not display the final cut from this year to aid in submissions for 2010s competion.
Congratulations Susannah, Maggie, Gill and Joanne.
You must be briming with pride. Can’t wait to read your entries. All the best.
Also I would like to thank the editors for undertaking such a mammoth task, and Amy for being with us through out this time. It truly was an amazing experience. Thank you.
Suzanne
Many congratulations to our four winners – way to go, Ladies!!!!
Look forward to reading your winning entries – and your future books!!!!
A big thank you to Editorial for all their hard work and encouragement!!
Hope you all have a wonderful Festive Season!
Cheers,
Leonie
Congrats to all the winners! You must be so excited. Enjoy!
CONGRATULATIONS LADIES Susanna, Maggie, Gill & Joanne.
Well Done!!
The titles of your submissions were brilliant! What a great early Christmas gift for you and your families.
Can’t wait to read them!
Best of luck for the future.
Christine
Wow, two winners and two runners-up! Fabulous news.
Congratulations, Susanna, Maggie, Gill and Joanne!! Well done! 
Wishing you all the best,
Gail
Congratulations to all the winners and runners up! Brilliant news,
x Abby
Susanna, maggie, Gill & Joanne, CONGRATULATIONS. I know how hard you all worked and how hard you all hoped and dreamed. Well, it’s all paid off. Well done Girls.Enjoy the rest of your journey with your editors and I’m looking forward to hearing all about it.
A very happy christmas and a bright new year to all.
a big thank you to Mills & Boon for everything.
Wow. Popping in again to say you four won over 540 other people. That’s amazing. Well done.
To those of you feeling dejected, I wanted to say that two years ago I entered the IS comp with no feedback and last year I entered FtH with no feedback. And last week, I got The Call from a submission that went through the traditional channels.
Don’t give up!
Maisey
Congratulations to the winners, I look forward to reading your entries.
Oh and thanks to Maisey for the encouragement for the dejected among us, it’s much appreciated
Good job, you four!
Very well done, and I look forward to seeing any published books that might eventually come out of this process.
Congrats to the winners and runners up! I’m a runner up from the Feel the Heat contest and can say, it’s a fantastic experience. I am still working with my editor – haven’t got there yet but inching closer.
Oh and as another MH writer – go Gill!
Thank you! I’m thrilled to be one of the winners and I also want to congratulate Maggie, Gill and Joanne. Special thanks to the editorial team for hosting this competition and giving us a chance to go after our dreams!
Wow!!!! Just logged on here to find all of these wonderful comments, so can I please say thank you to every one of you guys for taking the time and the trouble to post them.
It’s been one heck of a journey for everyone. 544 people have taken that journey, and now that it’s over I know there are probably a lot of disappointed people out there. But look for the positives, take them on board, and above all, never give up. Just like Maisey, I entered the FtH comp last year and didn’t receive any feedback. Now this!!! So please take heart, and remember perseverance is the key to achieving your dream. It may sound like a cliche, but that doesn’t make it any less true.
And huge congrats to Susanna and Maggie and Joanne. Hope only good things come out of this for all of you! And of course loads of thanks to all of the eds who’ve had such a task on their hands!
And can I just take a personal moment to thank a special group of people? I know that without them I couldn’t have done this. Their support and encouragement – and most of all their love
– has kept me going, no matter what, and I owe you guys big time! Purely alphabetically. Aideen, Barbara, Jane, Maisey and Robyn. Love you to pieces. Goes without saying 
Cyber hugs to everyone,
Gill C (Jilly) x
Jilly, you lovely woman!! Now you’re going to make us all cry!
You deserve this, lady! You’re one heckuva writer.
Must add that my captcha is paul withdraw…huh?
( This is my first post on iheartpresents and I have to confess to finding it terrifying!)
Wow, thank you all so much for your kind words. I’m on cloud nine today, and just feel so incredibly lucky – and of course grateful to the editors for running the competition.
Huge congrats to Gill, Susanna and Maggie, I can’t wait to read your chapters.
Being part of the competition has been a big old roller coaster ride for all 544 of us hasn’t it, wishing everyone bucket loads of luck and success in the future.
I am going to drink wine now – which won’t surprise anyone who knows me!
Joanne
x
Congratulations to the winners- Susanna, Maggie, Joanne, and most especially the wonderfully talented Gill, aka our sister Jilly!
Love you loads Jilly, such well deserved success, and you’ve made me cry again with your post, darn you…
Can I say- nah nah nah nah nah- told you you had the winning chapter as soon as I read it!
Okay, now I’m home from work at last and it’s time to crack that bubbly!
Congrats to you, Joanne!
Also, big hugs and hopes for full requests to the other 540 of us who entered!
Congratulations to the winners and all the best to the rest of the ladies.
I am so thrilled for everyone! However, I must tell you especially for Susanna Carr. We live in the same town and belong to the Seattle RWA Chapters. This year at the conference we spent an entire evening talking about the Presents we were reading. We had a wonderful time talking about all of the wonderful releases we had just finished.
You might want to stop by her website and see what’s she’s reading and writing. Susanna writes fun and sassy romances.
I’m looking forward to reading all of these new marvelous authors.
Wow! Congratulations, Susanna! All those books…
http://www.susannacarr.com/books/main.htm
Congratulations, ladies! How exciting!
Mega Congrats to the winners! Y’all must be floating!
(And to the other 540, don’t be discouraged. Congrats for making such a big step in even entering! Keep writing!)
First, I am overwhelmed by all the good wishes and congratulations! Thank you so very much. Also, I am humbled because I know what hard work writing is and to actually place amongst 500+ entries is absolutely thrilling. Congratulations to everyone who pursued their dreams and entered!
A giant congratulations to Susanna, Gill, and Joanne!!!
Finally, thank you to the entire editorial staff at Mills & Book/Harlequin. This was a huge undertaking! I am so very excited to get an opportunity to work with such an amazing editor.
Thank you so much!
Much love,
xoMaggie
Congratulations to all the winners! I’m really excited for all of you and look forward to reading your published books very soon.
Thank You, maisie, for the kind and encouraging words re your 3 comp. entries and well done on your call. It’s lovely of you to share that with us today. All the best.
OOpps, not maisie,(sorry)draw Maisey!!LOL.
Mena, it’s just such a complicated name.
No, really.
Congratulations to all of you, and I’m looking forward to seeing your published books glowing from every shop!
All the best
anna
I spelled it the Irish way. LOL. But originally it is scotish and is derived from Margaret which means ‘Pearl’. And that is what your post has given us. A pearl of wisdom – don’t give up.
Slán
Mena xxx
Now that was just sweet!
But it’s so true. We can’t give up. As Gill mentioned, she received the form letter from the last comp, as did I. And this time she won!!
Maisey
What more inspiration do we need.
I, for one, know that my true love is with the ‘Romance line’ and that my H&H were ‘forced’ to enter this competition in the hope that one of those sweet editors might offer me the encouragment to go on and submit to the line of my heart. I’m still hoping for those encouraging words and even if they don’t come, you, Maisey and Gill, have shown me how important it is to keep going. And, anyway, I enjoy it, so what have I got to loose. LOL. xxx
Mena, if you know the line of your heart, just sub to it anyway! Your love for those sweet stories of the magic of falling in love will shine!
LOL, Mena. That very thing happened to me in the IS comp last year, although you’re way ahead of me since I didn’t know then that Romance was where my voice suited
The main thing is to keep writing!
Robyn
Wow! Four winners! Congratulations, you guys!!
I enjoyed participating in this wonderful contest and want to thank all the editorial staff for all their hard work. Thanks, also, to Amy and the Harlequin authors who encouraged, answered questions, and kept us informed.
I’m looking forward to the next one!
Congrats to the winners, I know you have all worked very hard on your submissions. I, however, am a bit sad to learn that one of the winners is already a published author of 10+ books. Maybe I’m naive, and I know the contest was open to everyone, but you would think that someone who has that many publishing credits under their belt wouldn’t have a hard time getting a catalog booked published. Kudos to you Susanna for being so popular already. And Maggie, who already has two books published as well.
Learning this information soured me just a bit considering all the work a new author has to go through to get published that first time. I guess the “new talent” that Harlequin was looking for wasn’t really “new” afterall…
I wish the best of luck to those who tried and didn’t get that heart stopping phone call. Your day will come. And super congrats to the other winner/runner-up, whom I assume this contest could be your big break.
Hi Janelle, I was lucky enough to read both Jilly and Joanne’s Modern Heat chapters prior to the comp. This is definitely their big break, and very well deserved too. These are the kind of girls that, if you don’t win yourself (and LOL I didn’t even enter) you really hope will win since they have AMAZING undiscovered voices.
Robyn
Janelle, I know how you feel and I expect many of the participants feel the same. An unpublished author really isn’t in the same league as one who is published. There is a huge difference. Ten books! Wow! Not all competitors apparently were on the same footing.
Huge congratualtions anyway. Special congrats to the Modern Heat winners Gill and Joanne, you must be over the moon!
Sue
Echoing Janelle’s sentiments…truthfully, I was disappointed as well…it’s difficult enough for an aspiring author, even more discouraging for a novice writer to compete with a published author…
Reflecting on the 2009 writing competition announcement, “Yes, the moment all you aspiring authors have been waiting for has arrived”…I think the results contradict the original message to aspiring authors…
I am in agreement with Janelle as well. It is not sour grapes, just a huge disappointment to learn that published authors won the contest. I was also under the impression that it was new authors that Harlequin was interested in and not people who already have established themselves with 10 books. Even 2 is 2 more than 98% of those who entered in earnest and honestly believed we were on an even playing field. Getting a break as a new author is hard and contests like this one and other for unpublished authors are a chance to get noticed. To learn that published authors are winning the unpublished author contes is disheartening and make one wonder why bother.
I am not saying the entries were not worthy of publication. I am sure the gals who won( published ones) are vey nice ladies and that their work is excellent, but that does not make it fair. When the commitee learned they were published, the decent thing to do would have been to ask them to submit in the usual way to an editor for consideration and then give the prize to the next two in line.
A list of those who made the final cut would be very nice, especially in lue of the results. At least those who came close may have something to lift their spirit and faith in contests again.
To the two ladies who won and are not published…KUDOS and all the best in getting your work published.
My sister informed me of this competition. She was very enthused about entering a writing competition for aspiring authors. After seeing the results of the competition and reading the valid frustrations expressed by others here, as a long time reader, customer, and follower, both at my home and at my workplace (director for a library), I was very disappointed in Harlequin. Obviously, aspiring has multiple meanings to fit the situation. I think there are some obvious doubts here about the integrity of the competition that could have rippling effects. I for one will not be making any future purchases at home or other.
Congratulations to the winners who obviously came up with the most marketable manuscripts.
So much for fairy-tale endings. It’s the glamorous-already-a- Princess gal who gets to marry Prince Charming this time. Cinderella sits at home with her formulaic rejection letter.
Gill and Joanne, you are living the dream though. Well done, I have no doubt it is richly deserved and the result of lots of hard work. I look forward to seeing your novels published.
Congrats to the winners and runner ups – well done!!
Am looking forward to reading your first chaps
I know how you all feel. I didn’t win either. I didn’t place either. Deep down I thought perhaps I might have placed, but it’s obvious there are better writers, better manuscripts. I accept that fact, as one day mine will be better. lol… well, fingers and toes crossed.
Harlequin stipulated that they were looking for new authors for their line, published or unpublished. We were all aware this was the case when we entered.
Let’s hope we get some constructive feedback. If not, keep writing. I am.
Suzanne
writing competition 2009
official rule #5:
This contest is open to entrants who are 18 years of age or older and is void wherever prohibited by law; all applicable laws and regulations apply. Employees and immediate family members of Harlequin Enterprises Ltd and Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited, including contracted authors, their parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and all other agencies, entities and persons connected with the use, marketing or conduct of this Contest are not eligible to enter. By acceptance of a prize, the winner consents to use of his/her name, photograph or other likeness for purposes of advertising, trade and promotion on behalf of Harlequin Enterprises Limited and Harlequin Mills & Boon, without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.
According to the rules of this contest, if Ms. Carr is indeed already a contracted Harlequin author (the word is she has a Harlequin SPICE title out in March 2010), then she is ineligible for this contest.
Oh heavens Long Time Reader, I didn’t realise she is already contracted by Harlequin. I presumed by another publishing house.
Yes, I agree then that she is disqualified.
I think if this is the case, Harlequin will sort it out.
Suzanne
Congratulations to all the winners!
It’s not looking good it also says she has had a Spice Brief short story published in 2007.
Whoo hoo! the plot thickens…ouch! cliche! I’m tickled that this contest has wrapped w/ the wonderful winners! Enjoy your spoils! Mega Congrats to everyone, especially the writers in the winners circle, the editors & everyone who participated! Now onward to the next one…such fun! Thank you M&B/Harlequin!
Wow, congratulations to everyone who entered – it is so hard (whether it’s your first time or your fortieth) to put your stuff out there.
But what a palaver is developing! And frankly, it’s getting a big ugly.
You know, I guess someone will work out the rule thing, but I just want to say a huge honkin’ congratulations to our four winners, Susannah, Maggie, Gill and Joanne. To be picked from such a massive number of entries – all kudos to you.
Like I said, someone will work out the rule thing, but frankly I don’t care if you’re published or unpublished, short or tall or little green women from Mars – it’s a mega achievement.
And if I can say anything to the people thinking it unfair that published authors feature in the winners list (because I know some of you are hurting) – you know, being published is not always an advantage in a contest like this.
This contest is all about having a Presents voice. This contest is about finding new and exciting voices for the Presents line up. If you’re already published and already writing one style of book – what’s to say you have the voice to write a Presents? It’s not a one size fits all line. Being published is not a free pass.
It’s just as mammoth a task for someone say published in chicklit to write a Presents, as someone who has never been published but has the voice. Because it’s all about voice.
Sure, maybe the fact someone’s been writing a while helps in the polishing department, but it’s no guarantee. Voice shines through.
And the other thing worth remembering that’s been mentioned a few times here but seems to have got lost in the “it’s not fair” posts, is that other authors have been picked up who didn’t final and didn’t rate a mention in the winners announcement. Tina Duncan for Presents is one of them. Came nowhere. But the editors saw something in her writing and asked for more and she sold. Now writing her third or fourth Presents I believe, and all because she entered the ihearts contest.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO WIN TO SELL!! Sure, this seems an attractive short cut and everyone wants to win. But your work may be on the list for follow up. And don’t forget that how most people sell is by reading and reading and writing and writing and submitting and submitting.
That method still works for the bulk of new authors bought. So, in the words of a major sportswear manufacter, just do it.
And all the best to you.
Congrats to all winners! Massive massive achievment and well said Trish, you don’t have to sell to get somewhere.
I first subbed through the slush pile and was lucky to get invaluable feedback on my ms and a with comps slip that I used with my very next partial subbed – and now I’m about to sub my full ms.
I don’t know anything about the intricacies of the competition, but I do know that writing is a tough business. It doesn’t matter whether you’re published, or unpublished – it’s still tough. My advice? Just concentrate on making your own book the very best it can be. Maybe it didn’t stand out this time. So go back and do the work and concentrate on making it stand out next time. Do the hard thing and look honestly at your work. Put it in a cupboard for a couple of months and then read it cold. Are you gripped? Are you in love with these characters? Do you care about them? Rejection and disappointment are part of the business and that doesn’t go away even when you’re published. If you want to be a writer you cannot let any of that knock you over, but if it does knock you over then you have to get up again. Fast. Block out all those external factors that sap confidence and focus on making your book stand out. Make it better. If you send in a story that wows the editors, they’re going to be in touch with you, competition or no competition. Remember that excellent line from the film Kung Fu Panda – I say it all the time to my children – ‘The secret ingredient is you.’ Lick your wounds for a day and then switch the computer back on and start work. That’s what writers do. Good luck!
Thanks, Robyn, for your encouragment. And thanks to to Trish and Sarah for their insight and wise words. Get back to work. Thats what writers do!! Well said.
Pity to see some people upset over the outcome. FWIW, I entered, didn’t place, and I’ve previously published six novels in the UK (not Harlequin). As I said elsewhere, there are so many factors at play in a writing comp., it’s not worth getting too depressed about the outcome. I’m looking to get back into fiction after a break of several years, but entering a contest isn’t necessarily the easiest way to go about that – though it was fun, putting the entry together, and a good discipline.
Onward and upward!
Had to just pop back to say to all those who didn’t get that winning call and are feeling a little peeved at the moment…
Keep your eyes on the prize here, ladies. This isn’t about winning a competition, it’s about getting published. Yes, it would have been fantastic to win but remember the prize is to have editorial feedback… And anyone whose work was considered good enough will definitely get editorial feedback from this competition, whether they won or not.
If you get a form rejection, it’s very disappointing and I know just how you feel (because I’ve had a few) but it was because your work wasn’t there yet or isn’t right for the line and the fact that someone else won instead won’t have any bearing on that whatsoever. So honestly, don’t waste time and effort getting your knickers in a twist about this, get back to what matters, which is your writing.
And best of luck to you all.
Janette, all the best with your full submission! Congratulations on your request. That’s awesome!
It is very easy to sit back and say nothing or to praise and send best wishes to your friend/club/critique mates. Published authors who tell those of us struggling to get noticed that we should be happy for the winners regardless of the fact they are already published and just try harder is an insult. You are published, but remember what it was like when you were new and praying with every ounce of your soul that someone would take notice of your passion and talent. It is much easier to smile, say ‘oh well, better luck next time’ and pretend what happened here is not unfair and not in any way bias than to speak up and risk being put down for your honesty.
How many of the 544 aspiring authors…and that was what this contest was for, are honestly disappointed in what happened and how Harlequin handled this contest? How many waited with baited breath for weeks on end in hopes that this might be a chance for a newbie to be noticed and have the opportunity to learn and polish their work. How many can honestly say they are truely happy for the winners knowing the rules have been bent and grumble under your breath or even worse may give up trying because there is not way you can compete with authors who have already had the benifit of editorial advice and guidance? If a contest is offered for unpublished authors, the least one would expect is that an unpublished author would get their chance to shine.
Again, no one is saying that the winners are not deserving of publication. But but the fact remains they are published, some multiple times and this was supposed to be for unpublished authors. What is being said is that a published author has the inside track on this and if a contest is offered to NEW authors that have not been published, it is only fair to expect it to be so. Yes, Heidi, getting published is the key and to do so, you must get your work noticed and for those who entered this knowing they violated the rules right from the start, should not have been considered the winners. It is not actually their fault because Harlequin should have handled this in a much better way.
If every contest, election etc has rules that are bent and twisted to suit the outcome, what is the point. NO it is not sour grapes and had a person who was not already published won, I would have been disappointed yes, but sincerly happy for the winners. To say I am impressed or please with the outcome would be a lie. Was harlequin’s stand on this to be fair or even ethical…I will leave that up to you…the people who entered not those sitting back in judgement.
Congrats to all the winners!
While I must admit that my eyebrows raised a little when I read the HP winners were published, the fact that the MH set of winners were unknowns like me made the outcome a positive one.
I know a lot of people have said that being a published author is just as difficult to break into as being unpublished. Honestly, I’d like to test out that theory myself!
Published or unpublished, I wish you the best of luck. I’m really excited to read the entries and I hope I can read them soon!
And you know as I sit here thinking about it…
I guess with the unpublished winners, you can’t help but feel that this is the biggest excitement of their lives right now. I’m sure the published authors would beg to differ, but while I’m sure they’re excited- they’ve already had the experience of working with an editor and receiving “The Call.”
Not trying to take anything away from their win, I just feel that it’s an added accomplishment to add to their bio’s…
Oh well, I guess I’m sounding like sour grapes… It’s not like I think I would have won if they hadn’t. It’s just a little harder to be excited for their win.
I’ve never been one to shy away from a bit on conflict (in fact my husband seems to think I thrive on it!), so after reading the posts here today I’d thought I’d chime in with my two cents.
What’s happened has happened. For those of you aspiring authors who feel cheated, that’s perfectly acceptable in my opinion. It is of course going to be disappointing to many when they realise people with previous editorial experience have placed. Previous and/or current it doesn’t matter which. It’s done. But I have to admit that I am heartened to see talened and respected authors here offering the sort of advice that, at the end of the day, is what really matters. Writing. Getting back to what we all love best. This situation cannot deter those of us who have a dream, it’s simply not possible.
I didn’t enter this competition but I’d like to take this opportunity to throw the spotlight on the MH winner and runner up, if that’s ok. My dear sister Jilly (Gill) had the winning entry and what does all this tell you about her first chapter? That it’s the best first chapter you’ll ever read, that it’s of impeccably high standards. I couldn’t be prouder of this woman. And I didnt’ have the pleasure of reading Joanne’s entry but another sister of mine did and reported that it too is truly brilliant. So, how about that? Two undiscovered voices coveting top places? Fantastic, the stuff dreams are made of.
I wish everyone all the best and I urge people to not give up. Check out Maisey Yates blog for all the encouragment you need,
Aideen.
Well said, Aideen!
Of course it’s disappointing not to place, all of us who entered worked hard and sent in the best story we could, hoping for some recognition. It feels discouraging to be beaten by previous published authors. Plaese don’t take this as minimising that feeling- I have it too.
But unless the published writers were under contract to Harlequin at the time they submitted, the rules haven’t been broken.
The editors read all the entries, and chose as the winners the best ones that fitted what they are looking for right now. Writers new to Presents/ Modern Heat, but not necessarily new writers.
Having read my writing buddy Gill’s entry before she submitted it, I already knew my story had no chance of winning! Her chapter is quite simply, sensational. Mine was merely good. (Okay, I did still hope for runner-up!)
I’m equally sure that Joanne, Susanna, and Maggie’s chapters are also fabulous and better than mine.
It’s not over for any of us. We do what writers who want to succeed do. We get back to reading, looking at what the lines are publishing right now. We get back to writing, learning all we can to make our writing the best it can be. And we take the chance of getting hurt all over again by submitting.
We don’t have to wait for a competition. We can get our writing in front of the editors any time we want. Just email in three chapters and a synopsis. Doesn’t even have to cost us a stamp anymore.
Congratulations to the winners!
As far as rules, etc, I’ll leave that to the editorial staff. I understand the disappointment, though. I really do. But please, please, please do NOT allow this to let you decide you might as well give up. If you give up, you will never get noticed, never get there, etc. Don’t let the disappointment defeat you!!!
I won the first competition and I was not published. And yes, I am now published and I love my job and love my editor to pieces. But at least two writers who entered the same competition as I did have also been published, though neither of them were runners up. Tina Duncan, who I believe got feedback in the first competition, worked and worked and worked and sold her book (due out in January!) and Maisey Yates, who got no feedback at all, has just become the newest (and youngest!) Presents/Modern writer after a lot of hard work and nearly two years of revisions. These ladies did not give up, in spite of disappointments. (Even had I already been published, this would not have affected their outcome.)
So please don’t let this defeat you, even if you feel it’s unfair.
Be disappointed. No one can tell you don’t have a right to be. But I really do urge you not to give up because of it or because you feel you didn’t get a fair shake. Be determined to succeed anyway.
I swear to you that if you work hard and write an awesome story that fits the line, you WILL get noticed. It might take time. It might take a lot of time. As a published author who just had my 4th book accepted, I can tell you that I still have to rewrite (massively on the 4th!) and work really hard to get my stories accepted. It’s not an automatic pass because I’m an author in the line.
Much good luck to all of you. And congratulations again to the winners.
Again UBER congrats to Gill and Joanne!! You ladies deserve your shining moment.
For the rest of your trying to quell our disapointment with the outcome – don’t. The last thing I want to hear is that a published author has just as hard of a time getting published as an unknown. You know and I know that isn’t true – period. Sure, maybe only if you have had one book published….but 14? I don’t think so. Don’t tell me that someone with that many publishing credits has a hard time breaking into a new line. (That’s assuming that Susanna isn’t having a Harlequin Spice published in 2010 or a Spice brief already published) They already have publisher, editors and maybe an agent who will push their projects through. If they don’t have an agent, it’s easier for them to get one because of their publishing credits. Those of us who are unpublished have to rely on one page query letters and contests in order to get our foot in the door. Wouldn’t we just LOVE to have the opportunity to have our MS sitting on the desk of and agent/editor KNOWING that it’s actually going to be read?
I’m not afraid to say it – shame on the other two winners for stealing someone elses spotlight. I for one would never enter a contest looking for “new talent” if I had 14 books published. I would remember the days when I struggled just to get someone to read my MS and the frusterations that come with getting published that first time. I’m curious, Susanna, was this just something else to add to your ever growing bio?
If I sound mad, it’s because I am. Not because I didn’t win, because in my heart I don’t think I would have (my book turned out better suited for the Silhouette Desire line). The publishing game generally isn’t fair when you are a newbie and I have come to an understanding with that. But nothing – I mean NOTHING will make me appreciate the winning entries of the other two authors. If their books come out, I won’t buy them and eventhough it may not do any good, I will make sure that everyone I know (writing groups, fellow RWA members, etc) know the fallacy under which they were published. Two thumbs down for you Harlequin.
I understand the contest was open to everyone but maybe Harlequin should have been more descriptive on their meaning of “new talent”. I don’t think I have ever had something come back and smack me in the face quite so hard as when I learned to bio of the two HP winners.
Believe you me, this only make me more determined to prove that there are unpublished “aspiring” authors out their who will someday make their mark, just like Gill and Joanne. For the other 550 authors who entered and didn’t make the cut – keeping writing and keep climbing because one day you will succeed.
If I have one request, it’s that Harlequin publish the rankings of the other entries. I’m curious to know if an “aspiring” author would have won if Susanna wouldn’t have stuck her nose in where it didn’t belong.
Lynn Raye Harris,
May I say, when you first won and wrote about “The Call” I was blown away by your humility and encouragement to those of us who didn’t win.
Now as a published author, you are still giving us your all.
I am a big fan of yours for not only your writing capabilities but your personal attributes as what appears to be a fabulous and warm person.
Thank you and whether or not I myself ever get that “call” please know you have a huge fan who always smiles when I see your name.
Love ya,
Karen in California
If the contest was only for unpublished writers, and Susanna and Maggie hadn’t entered, the best any of us could have possibly got is third runner-up. Jilly and Joanne’s entries are still better than ours.
Having read Jilly’s already, and my friend Robyn having read Joanne’s, I have no doubt at all of that. The editors actually added an extra winner. They didn’t have to do that.
If I get a full request from this contest, I still have the attention of an editor, so I’m really not much worse off than if I was third runner-up. If I get an R, my story had no chance of winning, no matter who entered or didn’t enter.
The editors will give all the entries with strong potential a chance. And competitions are not the only way to get our stories seen. Maisey proves that!
Well under contract to have a novel printed in March, is under contract isn’t it? Oh well, it will be sorted out nevertheless.
I can’t wait to get some feedback as I said, and if I don’t…well I will still keep on writing. It’s in my blood. lol…I have withdrawals if I don’t write.
I just wanted to say a huge thanks to Heidi and all the other authors popping by to offer encouragement. It’s really appreciated.
Janelle,
I love you for your comments as well. Although I still believe in my own talents and ability, I think I cried most of the morning yesterday feeling like a failure.
Today, I feel more inspired and this blog today has helped ease some of the things I felt yesterday.
Thank you so much.
Karen in California
Just adding…and I know I’m repeating…
Success comes from these competitions. Look at the lovely Lynn Raye Harris and Lucy King, and I’m sure it will come for our lovely winners this time!
But, success also comes from other places. For me, a ‘failed’ contest was the beginning of my journey. The contest is only one way to do it. My success came from the good old-fashioned method. Submitting. So, don’t let this discourage you and submit submit submit!!
All the best!
Trish, I don’t think it’s turning ugly at all. Participants who believe that the competition was unfair have a right to voice their disconent. The judging criteria were ‘voice, content and writing skills’ in equal measure. Not voice alone. How can the writing skills of a struggling, unpublished author compare to an author who has 14 books to her name?
Although I entered, aiming at Presents/Modern, I didn’t expect to win or even place, so wasn’t disappointed by the result. But I was shocked that a person of such calibre had won. Similarly, I was under the impression that the contest was for less experienced writers.
Mulberry, your friends, who deservedly won, were aiming at MH. We have no way of knowing what the other entries aimed at Presents/Modern were like.
Lynn, thanks for your much needed words of encouragement. I for one will keep working towards my goal.
Sue
True, Sue, I do know what mine, aimed at Presents, was like!
The original rules were one winner, two runners-up. The editors decided to add a new winner, to have one winner and one runner-up from each line.
If the editors stuck to the original rules, there was going to be just one overall winner, regardless of which line the entry was aimed for.
Jilly’s and Joanne’s still would have beaten mine, fair and square.
Mulberry
I would hope that someone who has been published multiple times and has had the benifit of editorial guidance and critiques would have polished chapters. As for no one else having a better chapter, I think you are pushing it a bit far. They said it was a tough decision and I am sure if they had not had the benifit of already being published there may have been a few equally talented NEW authors that ended up being over looked. If you took them back to before they ever saw an editorial correction etc, you may find they finished lower than many.
Being their friend, it is hard for you to see past the need to protect and defend. I honestly did not know if my own chapter was good enough. I paid to have it critiqued before I send it in so it was as polished as possible as many of you had your crit groups do. I agree with Janelle, no matter how much their friends try to defend them, OR the established Harlequin authors try to smooth things over,they had no right to enter a contest for newbies. How would they have felt if this had happened when they were not published? If they are as great as you say they are( and I am sure they are not wonderful, I am sure they are…must be to be published so many times)
As for Gill’s sister defending her…what else would you expect of a sister??? Had Gill been a newbie and lost to a published author she would be singing a different tune.
As for those who think they are getting a call for a full submission or even a partial…ask last years runner ups if they ever got published???
I guess what is boils down to is we can beat this dead horse all we like, but it will never get up and run. Harlequin made their choice and even though it was a very poor call on the editorial staff’s part and unethical, in the end they are the ones who have the final say.
To the 500 who did not get the call…Keep working, someone will notice you and appreciate your talent.
Here it is:
http://www.susannacarr.com/coming.htm
Susanna Carr is publishing a Harlequin Spice called “Naughty Bits 2″ in March of 2010.
Shame…shame…shame…shame…shame…shame.
And for the one who said Harlequin didn’t have to pick four winners…you’re right. Maybe they knew they did something wrong when they picked such a qualified published author and runner-up so they felt the need to pick two aspiring authors to go along with it.
Frustrated and Confused, I think you do have things confused. My friend Gill, whose chapter I was lucky enough to read before she entered it, IS an unpublished newbie! And another friend read Joanne, the other unpublished newbie’s entry, before she subbed it. So I know for a fact their chapters were superb, and far better than mine.
I’m not defending the decision of a multi-pubbed author to enter.
I’m just saying, according to the original rules, even if unpublished writers were disallowed, the best any other entrant could hope for is third runner up.
I can say that because I know for a fact that there were two entries from other unpubbed writers, Gill and Joanne, that were way way more suited to publication than mine and any of the other unpublished entrants.
Losing to published writers doesn’t feel like what the contest was supposed to be about. But my entry and anyone else’s would not have had a chance of winning anyway, without the editors changing the rules to have two winners. Gill and Joanne, the two unpublished winners, wrote better than I did. Full stop.
I’m sure Susanna’s win is not against the contest rules, or Harlequin wouldn’t have done it. They created an extra winners position. We can’t ask them to change the rules to ban a published winner, but still change the rules to have two winners!
Gill and Joanne deserve all the success in the world, and please don’t diminish that!
I just want to re-iterate that contests like this are not the only way to get our writing in front of the editors, so not winning or running up doesn’t stop any of us submitting and still having a chance of getting published.
I’m going to stay out of the discussion now, because it seems feelings are so strong over this that even supporting the unpublished winners is upsetting people.
It is odd to see that Carr has a novel out with Harlequin in March, I agree. Perhaps the editors will elucidate the situation for those who are upset.
Meanwhile, to ‘frustrated and confused’ – would be nice to have a real name to put to your comments – I accept that you don’t want published authors telling you it’s still hard to get work published when you’re established, but I’m afraid it’s true. Nothing ever gets easy in publishing. You move up a level, but face exactly the same fears and challenges when submitting new work.
My books were not published by HMB, and were not even romances, so I am every bit a beginner as any other non-HMB writer when it comes to knowing how series romance should be structured/written etc. I know more about contracts and deadlines and proofing, perhaps, but that’s about it. I’ve had several Harlequin rejections already, and I never assume that being published elsewhere will be an advantage … though I can sympathise that it may look like it is.
I’m sorry you’re upset, for what it’s worth.
So I just read Maggie Marr’s blog and wow! Seems like becoming runner up in the HP contest was quite fun to her… Not life changing…. Not earth shattering… But a sweet and amusing diversion to her day.
Check it out. http://www.maggiemarr.com/blog.html
Reading that blog made my stomache churn and threaten to heave its few contents. Nice to see it was a life changing event for her…hardy har har….
Yes, so much fun that she “dashed” off a little chapter in between revisions of her soon to be published novel… And nice that she approves of Bryony who she “looked up!” to make sure she was worthy to review her cute little chapter.
Ok, I’m officially being catty… I’m done.
Sorry Sue, it looks the colour of ugly to me.
Frustrated and confused said “Published authors who tell those of us struggling to get noticed that we should be happy for the winners regardless of the fact they are already published and just try harder is an insult”
I don’t think I did. I said that I was happy for the winners regardless. Take it as an insult if you like, but that certainly wasn’t my intention.
“You are published, but remember what it was like when you were new and praying with every ounce of your soul that someone would take notice of your passion and talent”
You know,I do remember. All eleven years of submissions and rejections and tears. Oh yeah. I remember once waiting eighteen months for a response on a partial, thinking it wouldn’t matter if it took so long if it was a positive response, hoping, praying, holding my breath. I remember the agony of getting that partial back only when the complete ms finalled in a contest and the partial was sent back with the full with the judges brief comments. I remember there was ten long years when there was not one new Presents author bought, when there were no ihearts contests, when there was no editor for a year, when there was no leg up. I remember my youngest of four going to school and not being able to justify staying at home to write any longer. I remember three months in the job from hell. I remember that just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, that my luck had to change, that it had to be my turn to sell because I knew in my heart I would one day be published, my husband was diagnosed with leukemia.
Thank you, frustrated and confused, but you don’t have to tell me to remember. Those unpublished years are carved on my soul.
And what did those long years teach me? That nothing is fair, that publishing is a tough gig, that the only way to sell is to work at my craft and get better and better and that it was more productive putting my angst and frustrations into my writing to make my next ms the one they couldn’t turn down rather than railing on about injustice and how it’s not fair.
544 first chapters read in little over a month – that’s like golddust!! I really take my hat off to the editors for achieving such a mammoth task. How lucky are *all* the entrants!
And whoever it was who wrote comments on the winners blog saying she is ineligible, that was one really low act. I hope you’re proud of yourself.
ummm – this is probably gonna get lost in all of this, but thanks Trish.
Thanks to all the pubbed and recently pubbed authors who have popped into offer words of wisdom and encouragement. As Maisey put it – success comes from comps but it also comes from other places, ie sub the old fashioned way. I too entered the comp – and yep it is dissapointing not to win, but hey, life goes on. Pick yourself up and work on that new story!
Just looked at that Harlequin Spice book Susanna Carr is supposed to be publishing, and it’s an anthology which, as far as I can tell, features one short story by her. (Unless I’ve misunderstood.) That doesn’t seem to me to be outside the rules at all. And while Maggie Marr does come across as somewhat dismissive of her success, there’s nothing in the rules about published authors entering – as long as they aren’t contracted Harlequin authors. So everything appears to be above board, as far as I can tell.
Time to chill, everyone?
Okay, I was going to steer clear of this, but have come back to say, Trish, you are an absolute star and you have made me cry.
We all have the same chance. The editors have judged on suitability for the line and writing ability.
We all still have the same chance. Harlequin is wide open to new writers, unlike other publishers.
Some of us may get full requests from the comp. Some of us may get rejections.
We all have the same opportunity to sub, sub, and sub again, until we get there.
You’ve got the right idea Jane – or as my teenage niece would say – cillax…
I second that Mulberry, spot on.
I don’t know any of the winners – haven’t read any of the entries but seriously – should we not give these women a time to shine???
Well first off. Huge, huge congrats to the winners! They are all well deserved if only for the fact that they *must* have shown promise to even get over that very high 1st hurdle!
I have read the (raging!) debate about whether the already published authors should be published by Harlequin – but to be honest I don’t want to enter into this heated debate. All I will say is that at the end of the day – Harlequin is in the publishing game – a very competitive, fierce and hard environment – especially with the global economy as it is. They are out to sell books. Full stop. End of story.
As an unpub author I was just pleased that they gave us the opportunity to enter into a competition in the first place! So kudos to the editors on what must have been a huge challenge considering the number of entries they had.
Thank you, Trish. Such well-spoken words. My heart goes out to you. Something we truly want is never easy to achieve. Would we really appreciate it, if it was? And, BTW, I adore your books.
Mulberry, I agree with you as well. My new motto is “sub, sub, sub.”
It is time to move on and appreciate the things we do have in life.
Abbi
Trish,
You are fantastic! The fact that you never gave up regardless of what life threw at you, well…you’re an inspiration to all of us.
I entered this contest knowing that I had a chance to get one chapter of my work in front of an editor. Up until then it was Q&S.
Even though I didn’t place I am absolutely thrilled for the four that did. Their writing must have been highly exceptional to beat out 540 other entrants. That being the case, it was a highly deserved win.
I’m hoping to get some feedback from one of the editors but if not, I know how to address an envelope and send emails. LOL
“So I just read Maggie Marr’s blog and wow! Seems like becoming runner up in the HP contest was quite fun to her… Not life changing…. Not earth shattering… But a sweet and amusing diversion to her day.
Check it out. http://www.maggiemarr.com/blog.html”
Yeah but she sure is getting a lot of publicity for her new book, talk about a win-win. Same with the other Modern winner.
Somebody else said M&B sell books and it’s a business. I couldn’t agree more but it seems to me M&B sell books by sellng fantasies. Getting published is a fantasy for many many writers and I’d like to know how many M&B titles are sold to aspiring M&B authors-it’s a marketing strategy to foster that fantasy.
Everyone knows publishing is a tough game and that’s why these competitions are so popular. We all lap up the fantasy that maybe, just maybe they offer a way to catch an editor’s eye. If it’s not us, then we want the vicarious thrill of some other wannabe having that life-changing call and we imagine that next time it’ll be us.
The reality of a multi-published author with an established audience and marketing strategy just happening to win shatters the fantasy that I thought this competition was all about. We know that somebody with a string of women’s fiction/romance titles is more likely to get pulled from the slush pile, that’s just common sense but one wonders what the point of this competition was if it wasn’t to inspire novices.
I feel the fantasy has been crapped on, but that’s just my opinion of HMB’s marketing I’m sure there is method in their madness.
I’m going to wait for the Editors at Harlequin to respond. I don’t care who wins, published or unpublished as long as they have followed the rules which clearly state,
Employees and immediate family members of Harlequin Enterprises Ltd and Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited, including contracted authors, their parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and all other agencies, entities and persons connected with the use, marketing or conduct of this Contest are not eligible to enter.
A contracted author is not eligible to enter.
Okay have a lovely evening.
And best of luck to all winners and runner ups. 
Hi Everybody, especially Trish!!
I’ve taken a good long breath before writing this.
The best people won.
As with anything in life – the more you learn the better you become.
I bet if you asked any of Harlequin’s published authors if it gets any easier, the more they write, the answer would be a resounding – no!
I knew I would not win. But I had to give it a try and press the send button.
We are all, as writers, trying to reach a certain destination – to entertain the public, give them a few hours of pure escapism and pleasure in a world that is tougher by the day.
Each of us will take a different road with many turns and twists before we get to the end. In many ways, the emotional ups and downs, feelings running high one moment and deep lows the next, reflect the books we are trying to create.
The journey for each of us will be special and unique – we each have our own personal inner map directing us on our way.
I LOVE writing. I can’t help it and do it every single day. I love the world I enter each time I pick up a pen or click a keyboard. I love my characters – especially when they take on a life of their own – it’s magical.
My aim in life, is to bring a tiny piece of that magic to a reader and have her tell me she’s had a ball. That she laughed till she cried or had a white knuckle ride.
I, for one, have lots to learn and can’t wait to read the winning chapters. I do not care if they have been published before or not.
Bring it on!!
Trish – love you and love your books – keep rockin!
ChristineXX
For Trish,
These brackets are my arms.
(XXX) & (XXX)
A friend and collegue of my fathers had multiple sclerosis, I went to school with his kids, he died this summer and his favourite saying was “As I slide down the banister of life you’re just a splinter in my arse.”
I myself spent 36 hrs on a life support machine, 18 months in hospital -tied up in traction for 12 of those weeks. All because of a motorcycle accident and blood issues because I was married to a Jehovah’s Witness at the time, when I was 23. I spent 5 yrs alienated from my own family.
Believe me, WE REALLY SHOULD NOT SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF.
Girls, I suggest if you have your writing as polished as it can possibly be (and I think I read that someone paid to have their chapter crit.) then just sub it through the normal channel???
M&B/harliquin offer a UNIQUE chance to sub material without an agent. lets get back to business here.
And hey, all-together-now….
“It’s beginning to feel a lot like christmas….”
xx
A big congrats to the fabulous four selected for the win and first runner up–two in Presents and two in Modern Heat. It takes hard work to get where you are today!
Ditto Suzanne.
I feel that Harlequin should have spelled out exactly in the rules for the public who could enter this contest and who could possibly win, open to everybody published or not, with the exception of Harlequin employees, and a published author with multiple books can win this contest. But is that still a level playing field? If I had thought for one minute that say Nora Roberts could have entered this contest and won, would I have participated? I can’t speak for others, but I would say a resoundingly no for myself. It never crossed my mind not once that my work would be going up against a published author, nor did it cross my mind that a published author would want to enter a contest aimed, if you believe the tagline for the competition, at aspiring authors. In my mind, that would be like Stephanie Meyer and her $75 million dollar self, entering a novice vampire story contest next week. It’s apples and oranges. Personally, if I ran Harlequin and wanted to continue scouting for “new” talent, I would offer two separate competitions in the future, and save myself the hassle, the blog hassle, the legal hassle and otherwise.
This is how Maggie ended her blog, “I am humbled. And honored. And thrilled. Thank you Joanne. Thank you Bryony. Thank you Harlequin. And thank you to my good friend, the psychic, Ally.”
It is excited enough for my standards.
If as an unpublished author, you do not want to compete against a published author, then do not enter contests that allow them. You might also want to think about who you will be competing against should your book be published. After all, as once you are on the book shelf you will be competing against published authors with established fan bases. A contest such as this can only better prepare you for the reality of publishing.
Conratulations to all of the winners. My condolences to all of those who did not win, and my deepest hope that Harlequin give each of you the feedback that you are looking for on your entries. The best contests provide that for all of the participants.
I told myself that I wasn’t going to come back to this site, but I have to address Maria’s comment about unpublished authors not entering this contest against published authors. I don’t know if she was addressing my earlier comment or not, but I did say in my original post that I didn’t know that published authors could compete in the contest. I reiterate, had I known, I would not have entered. As for the statement about competing against published books on the bookshelf, I would have expected that, but not in the aspiring authors writing competition.
By the way, you misspelled congratulations.
Congratulations to ALL the winners. Writing a category novel is difficult no matter how many times you’ve been published elsewhere. I have friends published in ST who tried for years to write for HMB but just couldn’t pin down the lines/voice/emotion. At the end of the day, they’re looking for the very best authors for those particular lines. The winners were those people. I’m happy I had the opportunity to put my work in front of editors and get such a quick response.
I’ve put on my big girl’s blouse and moved on. Suggest others do the same.
It gets worse looking at Susanna Carr’s website she has a pen name Jenesi Ash. Jenesi Ash has four spice briefs published. So one of the winners of this contest is an author with four HQ published books and one due to be published by HQ.
http://www.susannacarr.com/jenesi-ash/index.htm
Obviously with reference to rule no.5 of this contest Harlequin’s Editors have a different idea of Harlequin contracted author to the rest of us.
Just when I think HQ couldn’t annoy me any more
I have no problem with published author’s winning a contest that has been marketed at aspiring authors – maybe not by Harlequin but it has been marketed that way. My problem comes when one of the winners has won despite being ineligible according to the rules of the contest. I can’t believe the Editors didn’t know that this author was already contracted with Harlequin. Or is Spice & Spice Briefs not part of Harlequin?
What can Harlequin do? Strip her of her prize so then we get little Miss “I wrote this in five minutes, it was super easy and I know nothing about Harlequin’s lines but I WON a critique from an Editor I’ve never heard of – who is amazing because I googled her work”? Yeah that will do a lot to dispel the myth that writing category romance is easy.
This is a bad situation all round.
Sugar-coaters v Malcontents and lets not forget the Sisterhood. It’s all well and good to dismiss the losers and label them sour grapes. Fact is, the comp called for ASPIRING AUTHORS. My English must be on a downslide. It’s simply stated, unless it also refers to a veteran of 14 books an an aspiring HMB author. Yes, I can see it now. Well, whoopee. I’ve been at it for a dozen years with varying degrees of success and failure – standard rejections and the occasional encouraging feedback. I’ve sacrificed myself – by choice – taking ‘crappy’ jobs so I could free up some time to write and oh, yeah… take care of a relative with failing health. I try to make lemonade out of my lemons. Fact remains, a published author who’s been unable to crack the elusive HMB code, will benefit greatly and absorb feedback more effectively than an unpublished yet hungry for it aspiring author. The Modern/Presents winner (as that is the only one in contention) is a sure bet. The judges’ decision is final (according to the rules…!!!) but is it fair? I’m not a sugar-coater and I haven’t read any of the entries (not a single one as I’m not a member of the Sacred Sisterhood either so I can’t be blindly biased and blithely dismissive of everyone else who sweated over their entries). No doubt some came close and many assume those finalists are unpublished and therefore more deserving of this incredible opportunity. It would stand to reason to nurture one of these. Emotions have run high and they’ll continue to bubble. Unfortunately, some will take this decision to heart and abandon their efforts. The odds were grim to begin with. HM&B didn’t contract new writers for quite some years, it’s only in recent years that they’ve opened the doors again. It doesn’t take a mathematical genius to work out why. Their stable of authors will need to be replenished – The Grand Dames of romance are winding down, some of the newbie writers may not be around for long as some, let’s face it, aspire to greater heights and view this particular genre as a stepping stone or a temporary diversion (these are trying times and some publishing houses are cutting back, not the case with M&B). Judging by the recent contracted authors, I’m guessing it’ll become more difficult to get a shot at publication. To the sugar-coaters I say Life must be sweet on your side of the fence, even if you can dredge up a few memories of days gone by when you Aspired to be a published author. To the Malcontents who had the courage to voice their opinions, and rightly so, better start learning a new tune. Always look on the bright side… The sun will come up tomorrow, tomorrow… gee, I’m all out of platitudes. We all had to face a tough decision, some sucked it up in silence, others couldn’t be bothered sharing their opinions, after all, what’s the point. Fall off the horse, get back on it. Well, hang on. I’m not sure I’m even doing it right in the first place, so I risk making the same mistake over and over… Yeah, feedback would be great. Clarification even better. Life already has enough mysteries.
Jenny, my reply just went AWOL. But you made me cry!
IMHO the best way to make it as an aspiring author is to support those around you and absorb their wisdom while you’re at it. And write, did I mention that?
If my work ethic offends you feel free to distance yourself from any encouragement I might unthinkingly extend in good faith. Being a friend isn’t a crime, shame on you for even suggesting it.
Jenny, all that bitterness and resentment must really help when you go to write romance!
The so called Scared Sisterhood is just a bunch of aspiring writers who got together on this very board after last year’s comps (rejected, every single one of us!) to form a group to support each other, commiserate over our rejections, celebrate our successes, and yes, read and critique each others work, so we could learn and grow and help each other reach our goal of publication.
I am joyfully proud to be part of this group, proud that one of our group has just sold to Presents and another is now the Modern Heat winner.
The option of setting up a similar group is open to anyone here. We are proof that working to improve our writing works, in ways that complaining how life’s not fair does not.
I’m still waiting like you to find how my competition entry fared. Maybe I’ll get a full request, maybe I’ll get a rejection. I do know that no matter whether published writers are disqualified or not, my outcome won’t change. Either my entry is good enough to get the editor’s interest, or it’s not.
Oops, love that Freudian slip there. “Sacred” sisterhood, not scared! We’re really not scared. We are big girls and this isn’t making me cry it’s making me laugh.
Yay Lee! I’m with you girl! Since when did supporting and encouraging each other become a sin? If doing that makes us sacred, then yeah, our sisterhood is sacred.
I’d rather work on changing my unpubbed status than maon about it.
Dear Jenny,
Thank you ever so much for suggesting that we, that is my sisters and I, should be worthy enough of having the word Sacred in our title. Yes, I think it suits as a matter of fact. The Sisterhood is Sacred and we thank our lucky stars every day that we found eachother.
We’re friends who help eachother, who talk and laugh and encourage one another, even when it feels like success is completely out of reach. Perhaps we do this ESPECIALLY when it feels like success is out of reach. Because that’s what friends do.
We’re not blindly biased and neither do we or have we blithely dismissed anyone else’s efforts to advance themselves in the publishing industry. Because that’s NOT what friends do.
I strongly suspect that had you a sisterhood of you own, such bitterness would be a thing of the past.
All the best,
Aideen.
I cannot believe how catty this is getting. So sad. The romance community has always been so kind, so giving and so great to be a part of. Hate to see all this bitterness…
I didn’t enter the competition this year as unfortunately life got in the way. In fact, I haven’t written anything since the IS competition back in 2008, except for the (very!) odd line here or there.
So after reading through the comments relating to the Presents winners, and the fact that they are both published authors, albeit contemporary not category writers, how does this decision affect me?
There is no way my writing is good enough at the moment to actually win any competition, but with help and guidance from an editor, I actually think that one day, I will get there.
What I want when eventually I send to the slush pile – or even enter the next competition – is FEEDBACK! Some little editorial gems that will help me develop my writing and my characters. To add more and more layers that reveal their motivation, desire and fears. (The characters, not the editors!!)
I am thinking Layer Cake here, rather than onions.
)
I want to be the next Tina Duncan or Maisey Yates! Not the outright winner but an eventual winner.
So if I had entered the competition, then yes, for an hour or two I would have been bitterly disappointed that two published authors won the HP Section.
True, Susannah and Maggie are far out in front of the rest of us with plot and theme and motiviation…. yada yada yada. But to be honest, as long as they show us the grace and consideration that Lynn Raye Harris has, by sharing the ups and the downs of their journeys with us, then frankly my dears, I don’t give a damn.
(I’m with Karen in California on this one. Lynn – you rock!)
As I have said, my eye has never been on the winners prize, but on the feedback prize, and to me, that is the one that is priceless.
So congratulations to all the winners. And to everyone else who had the courage to press that SEND button.
Jenny, I understand your sentiments. Trish Morey’s post yesterday really said it all. She subbed for years and for nine of those years they didn’t contract an author. Luckily for Trish she had the staying power. You’d think that they would close their doors to submissions if they had a full stable of authors and were not contracting, rather than allow people to hope and waste their time and energy.
This forum really has made me feel like giving up.
Mulberry, your ’sisterhood’ rocks. With two of you to be published soon looks like you or one of your friends could be next! Good luck to you!
Sue
Hi Sue,
I agree totally. Trish Morey rocks! Her persistance and success are an inspiration to aspiring authors everywhere.
Please don’t allow this forum to deter you from following your own dreams. There are encouraging sites on the M&B community page where aspiring writers share their ups and downs. Connecting with like minded people is one way to keep the momentum up. Best of luck,
Robyn
Okay, I promised myelf that I wouldn’t post again, but I needed to make a grave point to those who mention how hard it is to get into a Harlequin line (so congrats to the winners no matter who they are).
When I wrote my first catogory romance (which was just this year just for this contest – all my other unpublished books are single title) I recieved some good advice “Pick a line and read everything you can from it” that way, you know the plots, characters, etc, etc, etc. I did exactly that going out and buying every Modern Heat book on the shelf and tons more from Goodwill. I’ve always been an avid romance reader (not so much catalog, but single-title) and I have to say that some of stories were WONDERFUL, I couldn’t put them down. But then there were those that I had to literally force myself to turn the pages…they…were…bad. The writing was bad, the plots were bad, the characters made me want to vomit and all I could keep thinking to myself was, how did these get published? I’ll admit that I’m not professional (yet *winks*), but the years I have spent with my noise in various books and the time I have spent writing and being critiqued myself tells me that some of the stuff they publish is subpar to say the least.
So then what does that tell me? Some of this publishing jargon is subjective. One editor may hate your book but another may love it. Same goes with judges in the competitions. Your gambling everyday with the MS you have poured sweat and tears over. I know it’s easy to give up after something like this, but don’t. As hurt and frusterated as I am, I know I will keep writing no matter what I am told because in the end I BELIEVE IN MYSELF. And above all, it’s what I love to do. Sure, I may never make a living out of it, but watching a story come to life on the pages I wrote is an experience that not many people get to have. And when you have your critique partners look at it and say “OMG, I couldn’t put it down!” , go ahead…get a big head about it. Someone loved your story, which means others will too. It just takes time.
It took Nora Robets 3 years to get her first book published after she wrote it (Irish Thoroughbred) and I would say that was luck because of the new line, Silhouette, had just been formed and “pooled” authors to start it. Otherwise, who knows how long it would have taken her?
I’m still sour about the comp, and truly wondering about the motives of Susanna, but that’s the game. It’s tuff – and quite frankly, it sucks. I won’t sit here and try to pump you all full of cheer and kiss your booboos because I feel the same as most of you. The hard fact it that no matter the odds, keeping going.
At least Susanna appears to be a huge fan of HQ Presents line… and I truly believe and hope she willl take advantage of the opportunity to complete a novel.
I may not be psychic, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the runner up (Ms. Marr) will never work to complete her novel. It was all a funny little ha ha and break to her for the story that wrote itself…
Just saying… It would be nice for the winners to make the most of the opportunities they received.
I’m sadden to read the bitterness here today, but glad to see some measured voices too.
Every Mills and Boon/Harlequin author has worked hard to produce a novel that fits the line. Every one of them, with their first accepted full length novel has been a new harlequin author, whether published elsewhere or not. That means they’ve produced a work which satisfies the publishers requirements and has all the elements needed to make it in what is a very competitive business. I say kudos to all of them.
Mills and Boon are unusual in that they allow submissions from unagented authors. That in itself gives opportunities to the unpublished (myself included) that it can be difficult to get elsewhere.
The competition yielded 4 winners, 2 published, 2 unpublished, and got our work in front of the noses of editors, who read and evaluated them. The world of publishing is very difficult, and everyone who wants to succeed knows that in order to make the grade you have to be as good as the published authors – you have to shine.
The only way to get there is to work and keep at it, something I am determined to do.
Congratulations to all the winners and to Mills and Boon for running the competition, and giving everyone a chance to be read.
Congrats to not only the Winners and Runners-Up but all to all of you who entered. That was a lot of hard work to get you to the point that you were able to submit your work for consideration. Each of you deserves kudos for that accomplishment. And a hats off to all of the great editors for all of their hard work.
All of you are winners in my book!
Whocares,
See? That’s another thing that burns me. Granted, I know the rules stated the MS didn’t have to be complete. But I would be curious to know how many authors entered who had completed novels. I’m guessing most of the “aspiring” authors had their MS complete, hoping for the magical phone call. I, for one, completed my required submission and finished my novel before the winners were announced.
For those two winners (especially Marr) who was like “OOhhh, I’ll just scribble a chapter and see where it leads – yay me!” no doubt has little drive to finish her MS. We’ll see though. Hopefully she takes this opportunity for all it’s worth because I know the rest of us “aspiring” authors would.
Oh well, like someone else said – beating this dead horse will get us nowhere. As much as it eases frusterations to vent (and trust me…it REALLY eases mine) No matter what the HQ editors decide to do about the issues that have be brought up, I would like to think that the two published winners won’t take this for granted.
And for Gill and Joanne, I know they will take this and run as fast and as far as they can – they DESERVE it!!!!
Karen in CA and Merbet,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I hope you will both keep soldiering on. Since you followed my journey from the first comp, you know that it took me 15 years to get published — and that I quit trying to sell a book for 8 of those years because I was defeated by disappointment and convinced I did not have what it takes.
It’s not a platitude to tell you not to quit. It’s simply my own experience speaking. If I hadn’t quit for 8 years, would I have gotten there sooner? Maybe. Maybe not. But I did get there, and I got there by working hard and refusing to quit a second time. I hope the same for you.
Lynn
I’m really saddened to read some of the messages here that seem to be displaying such sour grapes. Having no knowledge of any of the stories or previous work I can only assume that these women wrote the best stories regardless of anything else and all we should be doing is congratulating them and not questioning the fact that they won.
Putting our energies towards trying to be better writers ourselves would be a lot more productive than expending it on bitterness. Obviously practice does make perfect.
You guys failed, as did I. Just accept it.
Time to draw a line under all this unhappiness and start looking ahead, surely?
I hope no one gives up because of this result. None of the winners, after all, has had a Full request, as I understand it. The first prize was ‘an editor for a year’, not definite publication. So there’s no need to feel bad, because everyone of us is still able to submit another ms, and hope for a Full request, and perhaps eventually be published by Harlequin — even if it may take a fair amount longer that way!
Okay, some harsh words have been said here, and hopefully the air has cleared by now. So let’s stop and celebrate the fact that Harlequin is one of the few purely democratic publishers left in the business, where no agent is required and everyone has an equal chance to be noticed. That’s something really special and worth hanging onto in these difficult times for writers.
We’re all aspiring writers here and all know what’s what. The reality of the situation is when submitting to a lit agent or publishing house, they all want to know publishing history and awards won.
Those things matter and unsurprisingly there is some bitterness here from those of us who can’t even submit to certain LA’s or pub houses because we are unpublished. Being published opens doors. This contest offfers a glimmer of hope to those of us who are not published and just trying to break in. Honestly, defending the win of published authors is insensitive and naive.
What’s done is done. I question the judgment of all involved. The published winners should not be surprised by the impassioned responses on this board. We writers are a dramatic and passionate bunch. We don’t shy away from drama and we don’t muddle our words. If so we would be accountants and not writers.
Lynn Raye,
Will you adopt me? I have a long pedigree and my husband thinks I’m pretty priceless. Of course, you’d have to adopt him too…
All joking aside you are an inspiration and I thank you dearly.
I do have a question for you, though. You have an agent, correct? How did you get an agent and when? A couple of years ago I solicited for an agent but I look back now at my submissions and have to laugh. I didn’t realize how green my work was. Now I want to start submitting again. Was that challenging for you?
Sorry about the questions but I’m grateful Harlequin gave you, your opportunity, which gives me the opportunity to ask this question.
By the way…I’m looking forward for the opportunity to ask these questions to our new winners and let Lynn get on with her ohhhhh so growing busy schedule. 20,000 words in a week? Lynn, you’re amazing.
Congratulations to all and for everyone who has blogged on this ever growing list, I feel alot of pain here and am praying for us all and that Harlequin acknowledges it’s pain as well.
This is a great experience…pleasure or pain…
Love ya all,
Karen in California
I’m sorry, but I can’t take the comments of anyone with the name of Daisychain seriously. The images popping in my mind are nauseating me.
I didn’t enter this “interesting” competition, but I do feel strongly that people are entitled to their opinion, and if they feel like venting on this blog, than that is their prerogative.
Congratulations Susanna, Maggie, Gill and Joanne!
I cannot wait to read your first chapters!!! The wait for those will be just as exciting as the announcement for the winners!
Best wishes and happy holidays to you all!!!
Lolo Dee
Sue, people are entitled to their opinion.
But anyone who allows old bitterness to provoke them into expressing it in schoolgirl insults is not really adding anything useful to the debate.
Mulberry,
Yes, and your comments have just been so profound, life-altering in fact. You need to get a life, and quit adding your two cents every ten blogs, oh thee, of the sacred sisterhood.
I’m just shaking my head in amazement now.
Uh, I do have a life. I work full time, I support my ill husband, I look after my elderly mother in law, and I write.
As well, I can be part of a vibrant and supportive community.
What I don’t like is seeing someone who is possibly too intimidated to speak up for herself be bullied.
And I won’t post anything else in this thread now.
Just wanted to come past and say a huge congratulations to all the winners! Fantastic news, you must all be so excited
One of the earlier posts mentioned how kind and encouraging the romance community usually is, and how nasty this is becoming, and I have to agree. The bitterness and nasty comments on here over the last few days have been shocking. Kind of reminds me of some not very nice years at high school. I mean, what is with bad mouthing others authors and being so picky as to pull people up on spelling mistakes in posts!
I have been submitting to Harlequin for years. I’ve had plenty of rejections. I *know* that if I have any chance of being published, I have to be as good as my favourite Romance authors. Yes, they’ve had multiple books published, but if I don’t come up with something as good as their work/different/better, I’m never going to get published. That means that with every submission we send to any publisher, we have to be as good as their already pubbed authors.
I can understand the concerns about the author who is already contracted to Spice, however, we have to remember that Harlequin were looking for the best chapters. Period. And at the end of the day, if your writing was good or caught their eye, they’ll be contacting you for a partial or full submission
Soraya
Come on Sue, that sarcasm really is uncalled for! Yes, people do have a right to their opinion. SO DOES MULBERRY! Please, let’s not debase this forum any further.
Sue (the other one)
I have my own cynicism and all about the contest, but I think it’s uncalled for to single out Mulberry. She’s obviously a positive person and that should not make her a target.
Mulberry, your enthusiasm and positivity obviously make you a special person. If you could bottle it and sell it, you’d probably make a killing.
I really agree with what Louise posted above—about how writing category romance, especially for any given line, is a skill all of its own, and not something you can automatically do once you’ve been published elsewhere.
Writing HPs and MHs is bloody difficult. They each have their own very specific requirements, very specific promises to the reader. My name is on that side blogroll of HP authors, and I’ve had six Modern Heats published, AND I’ve worked with the editors involved in this contest, and I can tell you for certain, if I tried to enter a contest by writing the first chapter of a classic Harlequin Presents/M&B Modern novel, I would totally fail. Upon reading my entry, the editors would bury their heads in their vast teetering piles of submissions and groan, “Oh, Julie…dear God, NO.”
Writing Modern Heats and single titles and erotica has prepared me for writing those kinds of stories, but it doesn’t make me able automatically to write a Presents novel. You’ve got to have that special Presents passion to do that.
I might also mention that I also failed to sell to Blaze, despite being under contract to write for Modern Heat at the time. Oh, and I crashed and burned with MIRA too.
Being able to write one kind of novel doesn’t mean you can write another. Mastering each category is very, very difficult. Obviously the winners of this competition have done that. Brilliant, and well done, whether previously published or not.
But equally brilliant and well done to everyone who has decided it’s their goal to master the line that they love. Entering this contest is an achievement in itself. And it’s an incredible opportunity offered by a publisher who is extraordinarily open to new talent.
I hope everyone who worked hard to enter doesn’t let the sour comments here tarnish their justly deserved pride.
The venom and bitterness in this thread turns my stomach.
I understand that you all are upset that published authors took two of the four “winner” spots. However, the only people who can address that issue are the editors, and they can’t do that until Monday morning. Instead of voicing your concern and waiting for a response, you all have chosen to attack the editors. I bet the editors will think long and hard before ever holding another contest, so I’m sure the other 500 people who thought this was a great opportunity to get feedback of any sort quickly from the editors are very appreciative that your venom has probably put an end to any more contests.
Next you attack the winners. And you weren’t satisfied with attacking the published winners — you had to go after the unpublished winners as well. Their only crime is that 1) they won and you didn’t and 2) their critique group was so pleased and proud they chose to voice that opinion here. Way to rain on *their* parade.
Then, you went after the Harlequin authors who came to congratulate the winners and try to offer a little comfort and support to everyone else. You want the support of published authors, but then you berate them when they try. I doubt there’s a published author anywhere who doesn’t remember what it’s like in the slush pile. Those are the same authors you expect to be supportive of you — by judging contests, providing mentoring or critiquing, teaching workshops, etc. The next time a published author seems unwilling to reach out to a mass of unpublished writers and you wonder why, remember this blog.
Oh, and the person who decided to insult the books themselves. That’s
classy. You’re insulting the authors, the editors, and the house you want to eventually publish your work. You need to hope the editors don’t have a way to match up your comments with your real name and/or your submissions. Why would they want to ever work with someone who 1) holds Harlequin’s authors, books, and editors in such disdain, and 2) is so unprofessional that they would act this way on a Harlequin forum.
You’re hurt. You’re bitter. And for a little while there, you had my
sympathy. Now you don’t.
To the other 500+ who didn’t win, place, or show and haven’t let that
disappointment push them to act like petulant, spoiled, mannerless children: good for you. Keep your chin up and hope for feedback from the editors on your entries. I wish you the best with your future submissions. Your maturity that kept you from wading in to the fray and pouting speaks to your professionalism.
To the winners: Congratulations and good luck.
To say a few people have lost perspective here is putting it mildly…
I congratulate Trish Morley and Julie Cohen for their wise words and would seriously suggest that those people who have chosen to pour vitriol on this whole situation take a deep breath and think about what they’re doing.
Harlequin like any other publisher expects its authors to act in a professional manner in public. Yes, you may be unpubbed now but if one day you hope to be published you need to think about what you’re jeopardising by choosing to insult not just the winners but the whole of Mills and Boon’s editorial staff on a public blog run by Harlequin which they will no doubt read come Monday morning.
These are the very same people you want to publish your work, and also the people who spent hours reading every single one of those entries. I know how hard these women work to get the very best out of not just the published authors but also those they hope to see published in the future.
Whoever won the competition, this was a genuine opportunity to get your work read by an editor and hard as it may be to hear, noone who entered was entitled to anything more than that.
A majority of entrants have conducted themselves in a dignified manner by voicing their dismay and leaving it at that. Those who chose to take it a great deal further – even though I am sure they were speaking in the heat of the moment – really haven’t done themselves any favours…. which is a real shame.
If you want to vent further can I strongly suggest this isn’t the place for it.
@kerkus The venom and bitterness turns your stomach so much that you feel the need to add to it?
whooooaaaaaa!
This is all just so unpleasant. I entered the competition. I didn’t win. Therefore I accept that my entry was not strong enough and it has given me to resolve to try that bit harder to hit the mark next time, or the time after, or the time after that.
I can understand the frustration of some who think the contest rules have been bent, twisted, broken or however else it is being viewed.
But, for me this is the REAL WORLD. If the editors had thought my entry showed the most skill, they would have undoubtedly picked me as the winner. And they wouldn’t have picked my entry because they thought I deserved to win. The would have picked it because it had a commercial value and the potential to sell many copies and make money for the company.
I really can’t understand the venom being exhibited here and I think it shows a lack of compassion for those who were fortunate enough to write the material that HMB actually wants.
I would never have subbed had it not have been for this competition. I am grateful to have been given the chance to try something new and I am not going to give up now until I catch the eye of an editor and get published.
So please, for your own sakes, try to find the positive in this. I can only imagine how shamefaced you will feel if you actually get a request based on your entry after the vitriol being displayed here. I doubt your priciples will stop you from jumping at the chance, just like our deserving winners.
Hadn’t planned on commenting, but as the list of comments continues to get longer I wanted to take the opportunity to say . . .
THANK YOU.
-To all the published authors who have taken the time to offer encouragement. PLEASE realize the overwhelming majority of wannabes posting on this site sincerely appreciate it. And we love your books!!
-To all the contestants who offered their sincere congratulations, or at least handled their disappointment with a modicum of grace and dignity.
-But most importantly, to the editors who put so much effort into this competition and the previous ones as well. They moved through 544 entries in a timely manner . . . 544!! That took a herculean effort. They took the time to list out and post the major mistakes many entrants made in order to help them further their writing. They will offer feedback to those that are far enough along in their skills and suit the line – another massive undertaking as well.
I, for one, appreciate their efforts. And I know I’m not alone.
And I would like to add my own congratulations to all four of the winners. Good luck to you all!!
Amy
I have been reading this for a few days and can no longer stay silent. I am not a writer — don’t wish to be one. I am an avid reader, especially of HPs.
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS to the winners!
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and should be able to voice it as long you don’t “attack” anyone.
It “appears” that rule #5 was not followed when determining the winners of the contest. Things are not always black and white and maybe there is a gray area that we don’t understand. At first glance, to me it does appear that the HP winner should not have been eligible. However, I don’t profess to understand all of the “legalise” and maybe she really was eligible.
What needs to happen is that someone from the editorial board — when they are back at work tomorrow — should post explaining how the rules, in particular #5 were applied to the entries.
I will be very disappointed if the editorial staff do not address this. All of those who submitted are entitled to understand what the rules mean and how they were applied.
I wasn’t gonna say anything more but I can’t stay quiet!
As a runner-up from Feel The Heat I am now working with an editor. Like others who’ve been successful, I didn’t even get a letter back after the Instant Seduction contest. But I kept slogging away and am still working hard with a lot to learn. What I’m REALLY grateful for is that the editors give soooooooooooo much time to us aspiring writers to tell us how to improve, where we need to enhance etc.
What people seem to be forgetting is that this contest was above and beyond what the editors usually do. They’ve already got HUGE workloads – hence the long waits – and to read 544 in such a short time would have been HUGE for them. After all this bitterness and disillusion, I wouldn’t be surprised if they decided to never run another contest again!!!
And I love what Soraya said. We are ALWAYS up against the published authors. IT’s the name of the game. I will never get published in MH or any other line until I’m as good as my favourite authors in the line I’m targetting – Heidi Rice, Robyn Grady, Nat Anderson, Kelly Hunter and Anna Cleary!!! I’m still struggling to imagine that I’ll ever be that good but I’m hoping, working hard and trying my best!
Perhaps those really upset from the contest need to step back and decide if they really want to write for M&B anyway. If so… time to get over the bitterness and back to writing!
Rach!
Karen in CA:
Ha, you are pretty priceless! You’re always so sweet to me.
Thanks.
Agent. This is how it happened. I tried to get an agent a few years ago, before I was ready, and though I came close with one, I ultimately got nowhere.
After I won the first IS competition, and finaled in the Golden Heart the next week, I sent a couple of queries. Got some interest. Also, as a GH finalist, I was able to make an appointment to pitch an editor at conference (and I was able to choose a few days earlier because GH and RITA finalists can do that). I chose an agent who I know represents other category authors, including Presents and Modern Heat.
At conference, I pitched. We connected, and I sent her my work. (The other two agents I queried went like this: Agent 1 – rejected my GH work, never asked for the Presents winner; Agent 2 – never responded to the query at all.) Agent 3, who I really thought was the one I wanted, offered representation.
That’s how it happened.
I suggest researching agents and finding out who represents what you write. Start there. An agent who is known for her romantic suspense deals probably isn’t the best agent for someone who wants to write for Presents.
Good luck.
I meant pitch an AGENT at conference! Sheesh.
Now my editor will think I was cheating on her. Not at all, LOL!
Lynn Raye,
Thank you so much!! Invaluable information and direction.
I actually entered the GH this year so I’m putting myself out there.
Now I will leave you alone to write those wonderful fantasies you’re providing to us and the world, but in case you don’t remember me from the IS contest…
I blogged with you before you were a famous author!!!
Love ya sweetie and have a very Merry Christmas.
Karen in California
Congrats to the winners, commiserations to those who didn’t place.
Here’s another perspective. Writing is an incredibly competitive business. In the UK, in 2005, there were more than 206,000 books published.
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Books_published_per_country_per_year
That’s a lot of competition.
Your writing must stand out. It has to absolutely shine. It is not a level playing field where unpublished or new authors are given some extra help because they’re new at this and we need to go gently on them.
If you are unpublished, you must write to the absolute best of your ability so that your writing is even better than what’s already published. Your next novel has to compete with the thousands of novels already on the shelves.
Speaking of which, I’d better get back to writing!
Thank you Rachael, you’re a darling.
Thing is , there are no short cuts, and there can be no guarantees. In the end it will always come down to your hard work, commitment, originality, creativity and natural ability. Throw in your willingness to learn from your disappointments.
There wasn’t any competition for me, and I don’t have an agent. I submitted through the slush pile and I was lucky someone liked my fifth or sixth attempt, but it didn’t happen before my writing had developed sufficiently to be publishable.
But certainly, don’t aim to write for a line you feel is beneath you. You need to be in it heart and soul.
I didn’t win or place and found this site helpful.
Tarnya.
http://suzannebrandyn.blogspot.com
Sorry that link doesn’t work.
http://suzanne-brandyn.blogspot.com/
Tarnya.
I am an unpublished writer who entered this competition and I can’t tell you how grateful I am for the opportunity. To have my work read so quickly, and to have either feedback or a rejection in just a few days from now is wonderful. My submission is not sitting in the slush pile for months and months. The editorial staff did an amazing job putting on this contest.
As for the rules – I read and understood that Harlequin Presents is looking for new voices for their line, not only unpublished voices. It’s not easy to be accepted for publication by Harlequin. Published or unpublished, we all have to have what it takes to catch an editor’s eye – the right voice for the line. Being published does not mean the writer has this voice.
As for the winner that is already published with Spice Briefs, that is a short story line. In all the contests I’ve entered, you are only ineligible from entering if you are published in “book length” fiction, and she isn’t with Harlequin. I really hope this author is not disqualified because of the comments on this blog. It’s not our place to say who wants or needs this more. We can only take our own opportunities and do our best with them.
I’m really hoping for some feedback from this contest, that and the quick response is why I entered. In a few days I’ll know if my ms is one they might be interested in or if I should start something new. For me, that’s better than gold right now.
Congratulations again to all the winners! And to the editorial staff, I really hope you do this again and don’t let a few nasty comments ruin a good thing for all of us. I know that most of us really do appreciate the opportunity! Thanks!!
I have been reading the posts this weekend and trying hard to see both sides of the story. Like most, I entered the contest believing it was for uncontracted, unpublished authors. I have to admit, I was taken aback and even disappointed to learn published authors won, so can understand why some are disheartened. I can also appreciate the fact that the editors at Harlequin Presents do not have to offer a contest to promote new talent and hope they will not see this debate as a reason to stop them.
A lot has been said this weekend. Somewhere along the line it strayed from a discusision about the rules and if published authors should be allowed to enter to a more personal level. Many coments were made in the heat of the moment from both sides of the fence. I am sure no one meant to be mean or spiteful and I hope that once the smoke clears and we all have a chance to look at this situation, we can see that things were said and in some cases even taken out of context on both sides that made people feel the need to defend themselves or their stand. Unfortunately once a snowball gets rolling down a hill it is hard to stop.
I think it is time we all took a long deep breath and remember that who is right and who is wrong does not matter because it will not be settled…it is a stalemate. Both sides having valid points. I honestly believe that everyone has the right to be heard and that a person should not feel they can’t be honest and voice an oppinion different from someone else’s. Provided they are not being spiteful vendictive or cruel. This is a forum for discussion and nothing said here will influence the outcome of the contest. Unfortunately as many of you know, emails or written comments on a blog can be misinterpreted of read in a way that was not intended. I saw evidence of this this weekend and sadly, I think it fed the anger and disention.
Christmas is two weeks away and we need to come together as friends and put this behind us. Let the editors sort it out and while everyone’s comments may not influence this year’s contest, hopefully we have all learned some things that will make future contest more successful. Someone suggested there be two contests, one for published and one for nonpublished authors. Clearer guidelines given the confusion this year might also help. Posting the shortlist might also ease some discontent or bolster those who feel like giving up.
I want to say that I appreciate the opportunity to submit my chapter and hope that the winners will utilize this wonderful opportunity to advance their work. To those of you who did not win or don’t get feedback on your chapter, don’t give up. Many HP authors spoke up during the weekend discussion and talked about thier struggle to get published. If we all remember, both published and nonpublished that this is a tough business and that many of us have or will have personal and professional battles to fight, we will all be stronger for it.
Barb
Pointing out that the winner is published with Harlequin, in violation of the rules, isn’t sour grapes. It’s a perfectly valid complaint. Regardless of how good the entry was, how deserving of publication it was, or whether the author deliberately violated the rules, this contest was not the place for that manuscript.
The editors are obliged to disqualify the entry and announce a new winner, or risk losing all credibility. Those who have tough lives and say “don’t sweat the small stuff” fail to understand what is and is not “small stuff” in other people’s lives. (By the way, I didn’t enter this contest.)
The spirit of the contest also seems to have been violated by allowing published authors to enter, but that’s not a rules issue. If Harlequin didn’t want published authors to enter, they could have stated that in the rules – however, that would be against their best interest. So to avoid bad feelings in the future, they should make it clear that this isn’t a contest for “aspiring” writers but for anyone (that is, anyone not already contracted to Harlequin) – published or unpublished. That way, unpublished writers know who they’re up against.
laurieire: “As for the winner that is already published with Spice Briefs, that is a short story line. In all the contests I’ve entered, you are only ineligible from entering if you are published in “book length” fiction, and she isn’t with Harlequin.”
Again, if Harlequin meant only book-length they should have stated that in the rules. Spice Briefs authors sign a contract just as book-length authors do, which means the author was not eligible to enter this contest according to the rules as they stand.
I couldn’t refrain anymore. I have posted my feelings on my blog, as Tarnya has indicated. Thank you.
I think the rules were clear enough. The questions, the transcript indicated much about the contest that it appears a lot of people didn’t read or misunderstood them. (which is not the fault of the editors) The archives are brimming with questions and answers.
Let’s leave it to the experienced (Harlequin to make the final decision)
Suzanne
Anyhow, have a great Christmas and New Year. 2110 will be better! YAH!
Last time, I promise
Susanna Carr- 32 books published (including novellas/briefs) 5 Harlequin Spice Briefs currenlty published and 2 Harlequin Spice anthologies. What can you say besides WOW ?!?
And I want to clear something up. I’m not upset at the editors. They honestly may not have known who the winner was. Harlequin did not do a good job outlining the rules (although the contracted author part was pretty clear). All and all I am thankful they took the time to host this contest and hope they continue to do so.
My anger and frusteration stems soley from the this particular authors (Carr’s) judgement in entering this competition. Maggie Marr is published as well, but as far as I can tell she only had two books under her belt so things are still prob difficult for her. However, her blog irritated me when she outlined why she entered and her reaction to the win.
Alas, I’m grateful that I had the chance. Although I would still REALLY like to see the shorlist.
Another home run for Harlequin’s PR. Not.
First of all once again congratulations to the winners… another achievement in what rumour has it is a long list for some of you guys. That is something you should only be proud of.
I read Maggie Marr’s blog having read comments on her reaction and I think it is unfair to assume that she was undeserving because she didn’t jump for joy in a public forum.
Some people just are not that expressive about excitement.
She may have it in her mind that her journey with this story is far from over, as at present only the general idea has been accepted and not the whole book… she may not want to get too excited about something that still may never go anywhere. Its not really any ones place to question to be fair.
While her reaction was measured it is not like she said “ha ha I didn’t even try and now I won I don’t even care… in your face” but the reaction to her words has made it seem like she did.
I was surprised when I read what she had actually written because I expected something smug and contemptible and it was not.
Oh and… Really? Teasing my name… what are we 12?
Popping in late (deadline tomorrow) to say CONGRATULATIONS.
First of all to everyone who put the effort in and got the nerve to submit an entry. I’ve met quite a few people who’d love to be published but haven’t been able to face the stress of having others give a verdict on their writing. If you did, it really is an achievement.
Second to the four talented writers whose submissions stood out among so many – well done!
I hope lots of people are lucky enough to receive positive feedback from the editors after they’ve recovered from this massive effort.
We know that winning/placing doesn’t guarantee publication and that those who didn’t win could still sell. I say this as someone whose first Presents story was collected from the slush pile. One of the good things about targeting Presents and Modern Heat is knowing that an editor will read your submission, whether unsolicited or otherwise.
The disappointment of not winning/placing is hard. Like Trish Morey who posted earlier, I have years of experience of rejections and know how hard it feels. To those aiming for publication I can tell you that it’s worth every minute of the effort you put in. On the other hand, it isn’t easy, even after ‘the call’. It can be incredibly hard work, sometimes under extremely trying conditions (at the moment, after several months I’d rather forget completely, I feel it’s close to a miracle this current ms of mine is almost ready to submit). For those serious about honing their stories and being published, my best advice is to put your energies into something constructive like writing your next story. Editors are always looking for talented authors whose voices fit these lines, and also I suspect, authors who display a readiness to work hard as well as professionalism. I wish you every success.
I’m looking forward to reading the next batch of new Presents and Modern Heat authors, whether Maggie, Susannah, Gill, Joanne or someone I haven’t heard of.
Pinot Noir and commenting don’t mix. Breathalyser test next time I think. So, for what it’s worth, I’ll retract my catty sisterhood remarks, as of course, they’re entitled to offer heartfelt support to one of their own. Also, did forget to congratulate the winners, the editors were after the best and they obviously found them. That was their intention. If those who didn’t make the cut are hurting I’d hate to think how the presents winner if feeling. My deepest heartfelt apologies for taking part in this uprising. Everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt including those driven by raw emotions.
I’m not an author, aspiring or otherwise. But I *do* work in a used bookstore, and have for almost 20 years. So I can tell you that Susanna Carr has written for Harlequin Presents for at LEAST the last 3 years. Not Spice or Heat lines. PRESENTS. I’ve been shelving her books for at least that long, if not longer.
I think that that tidbit of information right there should definitely disqualify her from a contest for “Aspiring Authors.”
Congrats to all the winners! I am so excited for you all.
Just a word of caution. I understand the disappointment but some of you might want to remember that editors have very long memories and those memories often hold onto occurrences of unprofessional behavior by authors, published and unpublished.
“But I wrote my comments anonymously.” You may have omitted your name or real email address but you cannot omit your IP address. Do I sound paranoid? Why take the chance that something you say here may have consequences down the line?
This business is rejection, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be rejected and passed on way more many times than you’ll be published and the way you deal with that will dictate how you succeed as an author.
Also, even though you’re disappointed REMEMBER the winners published or unpublished are human beings too. With feelings, dreams and problems just like us all. You never know what may be going on in their lives. This might have been a lifesaver for them, a little spark of hope that is keeping them going and you are, to put it not so delicately, wizzing on it.
I know disappointed. I know frustration but I also know that things aren’t always as they seem.
@ E
Paranoid much? The owners of this blog have no legal jurisdiction to contact ISP’s to get the names of posters on the blog. Also how many people are posting from Internet cafe’s, work etc where hundreds if not thousands of people will be using the that Internet IP address.
The problem with as I see it is the Editors gave a prize to someone according to the rules is not eligible. If she is in fact eligible then the Editors should clarify this. Most people think if you have a book out with Harlequin then that makes you a contracted author. If this is not the case then Harlequin’s Editors need to make this clear. Of course this will open the floodgates to this competition being packed out with Authors from HQ’s other lines which don’t sell anywhere near as well as Presents.
So I think the Editor’s need to clarify what exactly is the situation with Ms. Carr and how she is eligible.
I really don’t understand why Ms Carr felt the need to enter this contest. Surely she has had contact with at least one Harlequin Editor who could have forwarded her work to Presents? Or she could have included mentioned her Harlequin author status in her submission package. She had many more opportunities than joanna public to get in touch with the Presents team. The fact she won means that she would likely have been picked out of the general submissions. I really don’t understand why she entered this contest. I know that if I was in her position I would not be able to enter this contest in good conscience.
I just wanted to stop by and clarify a couple of points because I can see that has been a lot of discussion regarding the announcement of our competition winners.
This particular contest was aimed at finding new authors for the Harlequin Presents and Modern Heat series and was open to unpublished and published authors. Those who were not eligible for entry included authors who were currently contracted with Harlequin. One of our winners had previously been contracted with Harlequin for a different series and she completed her contractual obligations in 2008. We checked with our legal department and they reassured us that she was both eligible to enter the contest and to win because she is not currently a contracted author with Harlequin.
We read each and every entry and judged them on their own merit. All four of our winners deserve recognition for standing out from the crowd of 544 entries and we would like to once again extend our congratulations to Susanna, Maggie, Gill and Joanne.
We hope this clears up any misunderstanding and we will take the concerns raised here into consideration for any future competitions.
Joanne,
My gratitude runs deep to you for the hope of future contests, I thought for sure they’d be dead in the water by this time.
These contests allow us to get as close to an editor as we may ever experience and it is very much APPRECIATED!!!
I sincerely wish all those who won to know how excited I am for them and just as Lynn Raye Harris has inspired me, I’m looking forward to hearing their experiences stories during their “moment” for future inspirations.
This opportunity and exposure is INVALUABLE to an aspiring author.
Harlequin is a class act in seeing through the emotions that have run high.
Once again, thank you from a devoted aspiring author for Harlequin.
Karen in California
Boo hoo! I just got a rejection. I think I’m the first. Mine must have been terrible!
Pinky,
You’re so cute. I don’t think you were the first, mine was waiting for me about the same time you said you received yours.
Statistically, there’s a percentage of ‘No’s’ a person receives in order to get a ‘Yes”. This ‘No” only brings us closer to the ‘Yes’ we’ll get.
Do you want to make a pact to renew the hope and start again?
I, for one, admire anyone’s courage to submit. It’s not easy to put yourself out there. I’m sure your friends are amazed that you can actually write a book, which isn’t an easy accomplishment.
I wish you the best and Merry Christmas
Karen in California
Hey Karen in California and Pinky…me right up there with you!
We are the reverse winners – yay! I did say recently that I could probably write underwater so onwards in my literary journey I go with more to learn. Great to share this with you. Keep on and don’t give up!
Thanks to the editors for the opportunity and doing a fantastic job on such a quick turn around and to all, have a great break over the holidays.
Ah, to be in Australia at Christmas time, hot and sunny. Perfect beach weather….not that I’m skiting or anything. Hee hee!
All the best!
Thanks to Joanne for coming in to clear that up, and to all the editors for their hard work (544 mss!!), a big yay to the four winners, and warmest wishes to everyone still hoping for feedback.
I’ve still got a partial to send this week. Onward and upward!
Pinky when you said you got your rejection I went to check, even though it hadn’t been there seconds before there mine was… I knew it was coming though so I wasn’t too crushed by it thankfully.
It isn’t really the end of the world for any of us. I think we should all look at it as a lesson we have learnt.
Rejection on a mass scale has to be easier to deal with than the belief that we were the only ones not good enough.
Good luck in the future all of you guys…
Dayley,
You are funny, my friend.
I’d love to get to Australia one day.
Thanks for the laugh,
Karen in California
The form email doesn’t mean you aren’t good enough. Don’t get discouraged.
Reiterating and repeating myself (which I just love to do! 
) I received that very same email after the last comp. Doesn’t mean it didn’t make me cry a little, but don’t feel you aren’t ‘good enough’ and don’t give up!
Hugs to everyone getting it this morning/afternoon.
Ah thanks Maisey, just had a little cry for my ‘loved, but unfortunately not good enough story’ and your comment cheered me up.
Onwards and upwards and back to my other WIP now
Thank you Jo-anne for clearing this up, and a mighty congratulations to the winners. Enjoy.
Suzanne
I’m so upset. I deleted the rejection email because I was upset. But now I want to go back and read it and since it’s Monday- my email purges all deleted mail. There’s a sick and twisted part of me that gets amusement out of things that hurt. Like the line that basically says “should you revise your chapter? NO!” I mean, wow! Don’t hold back on the straight talk Harlequin.
Actually, it’s kind of refreshing… I just wish that they had added “Do you think you’re a good writer? Well you’re not!” And that way, I could just give up this dream and also not have to deal with the blundering rejection…
Oh well, I may not have won the contest, but at least… Nah, can’t think of a bright side right now.
Forever,
Pinky
Guess Friday was a bad day for me to take a vacation (getting up at 5:45am to publish the post notwithstanding)….
But please, can we all take a deep breath and give Susanna, Maggie, and EACH OTHER a bit of a break? Remember when the contest was running how supportive everyone was? And just last week I tweeted how thrilled I was about the great conversion on the last couple posts. While I would never stifle anyone from voicing their opinions, it still makes me sad. Thank you all who have tried to keep things positive and in perspective.
I can vouch that Joanne and the other editors had the absolute best intentions to find new talent for Modern Heat and Presents and the last thing they would want to do is upset writers who dream of writing for Presents. This situation wasn’t anticipated at all. I’m sure if they had the time, they would have 50 winners to work with editors! I am sorry some people are upset and perhaps the editors will change the rules for future contests so previously pubbed authors can’t enter — but at this point, the editors followed the rules as they were set out (and trust me, the editors did check things out with the legal department when the situation was discovered. And lidia is right, “contracted” in legalize doesn’t mean published in general) and it would be unfair to make Susanna and Maggie’s entries ineligible when they didn’t do anything wrong.
I will say again, congratulations to all the winners — and to all the other entrants who had the guts and determination to enter!
Far be it from me to argue with the legal department, but this seems odd. The author completing her contractual obligations doesn’t mean she isn’t a “currently contracted” author. A contract runs two ways. The contract isn’t terminated when the author’s contractual obligations (delivering the manuscript, addressing edits) have been completed because the publisher has obligations that continue until the rights revert back to the author.
Unless the rights have reverted back to the author, which seems unlikely given how recent the published books are, the terms of the contract still stand and the author is currently contracted.
Oh well.
Opened my Inbox three minutes ago to find the dreaded standard rejection email there. I thought I’d be upset, but actually I’m feeling quite buoyant about the whole thing, and determined to do better next time!
When the going gets tough …
Joanne, I’m glad you took the time to clarify Susanna’s position. As you say, she is eligible to enter and win the competition, and so I congratulate her on having the best entry in that category.
I’m also glad that you said this: ‘We hope this clears up any misunderstanding and we will take the concerns raised here into consideration for any future competitions.’ I hope that the main thing you take into consideration for any future competitions is clarity. If it had been clear from the start that the competition was open to published authors, and even previously published Harlequin authors not currently under contract, I don’t think people would have been so upset on hearing the results. I get that it was in the rules, and yes, perhaps people should have read the fine print more carefully, but I also think that the way that the competition was set up and publicised was partly to blame. Many people who entered obviously did believe that this was a competition only for unpublished writers and I think had reason to believe so. The first line of the initial announcements states: ‘Yes, the moment all you aspiring authors have been waiting for has arrived – we are thrilled to announce that our writing competition is now open to entries!’ It’s not unreasonable to think that ‘aspiring authors’ means ‘unpublished authors’. I have no personal axe to grind, since I didn’t even enter the competition, but I can understand why some people are so upset about this and I think there are things that Harlequin could have done better to avoid that.
If Ms. Carr receives royalties, she is currently contracted with Harlequin Enterprises Ltd.
Honestly, this is a no-brainer.
Just received my form rejection email. It’s my very first ‘R’ ever. It’s a funny feeling… a part of me wants to cry… but the other part is actually rather proud! It’s true though – being a part of mass rejections is a lot easier to deal with. So thank you all for the support.
And congratulations to all the winners. Hope you get the best possible outcome from this competition. And hope you will share your success stories with us.
Meanwhile – bat on folks!
Congratulations to all the winners! Here’s wishing you the best and success with your winning chapters.
CONGRATULATIONS & CELEBRATIONS!
SK
___________________________________________________________
Now, for us who didn’t win…
Like many of you hopefuls who didn’t make the shortlist, I didn’t either. But I can truly say I don’t feel disappointed. How can I when I have the example of Thomas Edison before me?
Thomas Edison failed 99 times in creating a light bulb. When he was asked about this pre-success a 100th time, he said he didn’t fail 99 times, he found 99 ways not to make a light bulb.
No entrant failed; we’re just in pre-success mode.
After reading an inspiring post on a positive critique group on a blog yesterday, I realized just today that a critique group may help us analyze why our chapters just didn’t make the cut. If anybody of you is willing to take the plunge (and I realized I was today after much reconsidering my presently solo status), please drop a line at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Iheartwriting/
I wish all the best to all of you.
SK
Joanne, Thanks for clarifying things. And congrat’s to the finalists again. Really looking forward to reading your entries.
Got my form R too. Thanks Maisey for your words of encouragement and too all of the other positive supportive authors who took time to comment and offer support.
Chris.
That was meant to read ‘Thanks to all of the other authors who took time to offer comments and support.
SK, what a brilliant idea, I’m there. The most frustrating thing about getting the rejection is not knowing why. If I knew what was wrong with it, I could do something about it and not feel so powerless.
Just wanted to echo Meghan’s sentiments and send hugs and commiseration to everyone who received a rejection e-mail today.
Congratulations to all the winners, I’m really looking forward to reading your chapters and synopses soon.
With love
Kristy
I want to stick my head in for a moment and talk about opportunities.
I read David Foster’s memoir “Hit Man” last year and one of the things he talks about is how to succeed. He says the road to success is straight – so, eye on the prize and keep moving towards it. He also maintains that you should look at everything as an opportunity. I love this way of thinking because it’s so forward thinking. Doesn’t matter what happens – how can you turn it so it works to your advantage?
Sometimes the opportunities are really obvious, and sometimes they are simply a lesson learned that you can apply to the future.
Maisey’s a great example of that theory, btw.
When I was subbing to the Romance line, it was right at the time that Silhouette Romance merged with Harlequin Romance and went from a combined 8 titles a month to six. Fewer slots, same authors. But I saw the shift as a great time to get my crap together and it wasn’t long after the merge that I sold. Point is that you don’t always have to look on the sunny side, but how can I make this work for me side.
I also nodded my head a lot with Julie Cohen’s post. I have several Romances under my belt now, but both my attempts at Modern Heat failed on takeoff. LOL. Thanks Julie for saying it better than I ever could.
Hang in there guys. The slush pile is still alive and well.
My CP says it’s what happens AFTER the rejection that counts. I love that because it’s about possibilities. And possibilities are endless.
Donna
Mine was rejected too…sigh!
I remember reading in Stephen King’s book ‘On Writing’ that he papered a whole wall with rejection letters before he was picked-up by a publisher, but look at him now!
So I think I might just print my rejection letter out to add to the other two I’ve received so far. And as I file it away, I’ll remind myself that each rejection is nothing but a marker on my journey to becoming a published writer, a little badge that proves I at least tried, and that each one represents my onward and upward learning process that will eventually lead to success as long as I keep trying.
Once again, congratulations to the winners and the runner-ups. And a BIG ‘Thank You’ to the editors for the opportunity to compete.
The authors hear continue to AMAZE me. Thanks to ALL of them. And Donna Alward, can I just say you are one CLASSY lady. Thanks for sharing your story.
Amy
Oops, that’s here, not hear. Guess I need to learn to proofread my comments!
Amy
I have been away for a long weekend and so I’ve only now checked my e-mails and received my rejection. It’s a straight rejection and I really hope it’s a generic one because it reads: “You may be wondering if you should revise your story? On the whole, we’d advise against this, but instead recommend that you start afresh with something completely new.”
Is this generic? Or are my characters, story and voice just especially awful? I feel like my characters are dying … really, truly, dying … and I’m being told to let them.
So I was really hoping to find some joy on the site regarding the winners and, whilst that’s certainly true for Modern Heat …. very well done you stars! …. my category was Presents/Modern and I can’t help but be disappointed that both the winner and runner up are professional authors.
Maybe I’m naive, but I really thought this competition was about encouraging amateurs. I understand that Joanne consulted the the lawyers before announcing the winners, but even if the rules weren’t “technically” broken, I do feel disappointed that the “spirit” of the competition has been violated.
Like many on here I didn’t expect to win, but I did hope for a level playing field and was truly hoping for some feedback.
woops ! i’m a bit disappointed but that’s normal .
especially since the winner is already a confirmed writer .
it’s a pity but that’s how it goes !!
thanks anyway to the team at M&B ,
merry xmas everyone !!
SK – I like your idea. I’m up for sharing my chapter with like-minded writers. Group feedback/opinion/critique would be most welcome, and I’d be more than happy to support other aspiring Presents writers in the same way.
I have to recommend SK’s crit group idea! This is where my crit group met up after the last comp.
I second Maisey’s recommendation. SK’s critique group is a great idea for those who are intent on being published. And what a way to start the new year.
That is how our group got started after the last comp. and I will never regret being a part of the group.
(Although I have to say I believe my original intent for starting the group was to keep these ladies out of trouble.
).
Abbi
Hearty congratulations to all the winners!!
A link of interest for anyone interested in joining a crit group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/write_critters/
Thank you Joanne for clarifying how Ms Carr is eligible for this contest.
While no rule breaking has taken place I really don’t think this was in the spirit of the contest. I guess everyone needs to prepare themselves for next year when a large number of entries will be coming from professional authors and previously published Harlequin authors (who didn’t realise they could enter). I wonder if there will be any point entering.
Best of luck to all the winners and for anyone who got a rejection, please take heart. As so many here have pointed out, you didn’t need to win to sell or be noticed. And just to have submitted and gotten a rejection is a huge accomplishment!
On my path to publication, I was rejected at first, but didn’t give up. My next attempt resulted in a request for a full on a partial, I did loads of work on it for the best part of a year with an editor and that too got rejected, which was absolutely gutting to say the least.
But I didn’t give up, and my second full manuscript was accepted. One thing that’s important if you can do it is not to invest too much into your characters or a storyline so you can’t be flexible about re-working it. Think of it this way: once you’re published, and I’ve no doubt that many more here will be, you’ll have to be coming up with plenty of ideas, so something that’s not working can always be shelved to be brought out at a later date…
x Abby
Just wanted to congratulate SK and romancewriter on setting up positive opportunities for discussion of competition chapters. Rejection is best shared and there’s a lot to be said for pooled knowledge when you’re hoping to improve.
My crit group got started here and I’d be lost without it.
Just wanted to pop in and congratulate the winners, Maggie, Gill, Joanne and especially Susanna, whom I’ve met at conferences and who is the gentlest, sweetest, most kind-hearted person imaginable. I’m so thrilled for you all!
Best of luck to all of you, and also to the entrants who didn’t final but were brave enough to enter the contest – some of whom will no doubt come out of nowhere to sell in 2010 (like Tina Duncan did last year).
Jennie
I just had to come on here to try and offer some hope and encouragement to any of you who’ve had that R and feel that you’ve failed, that maybe you should even give up.
I know how you’re feeling, and it’s the absolute pits. I got that form R last year after entering the Feel The Heat competition, and I think I cried for at least a week. Which was really quite something, considering I’d only just more or less stopped after receiving an R on a full a little earlier on in the year
But you CAN’T give up, not when writing is in your blood and your dream is to walk into WH Smith’s and see your book up there on the shelf. So, hard as it is, you’ve got to pick yourself up. Take some time, be gentle with yourself, but then get back to the business of writing.
And the very first thing – the HARDEST thing – is to try and discover just where it went wrong. Not easy to do when you’re so darn close to it, which is why I thank my luckiest of stars that six of us from this board (now recently upped to seven
) got together as fellow writers with a shared ambition following the comp results last year.
I’m now privileged and proud to call these people my friends – even though, so far, we haven’t even met! We laugh, we rant and, above all, we help each other, and just knowing you’re not alone, be it in good times or bad, is something which frankly you can’t put a price on.
So SK and Romancewriter, steam right ahead. Form that critique group and go hell-for-leather for your dream. You won’t regret it, I’m certain of that. I, for one, would be lost without my guys
Warmest of wishes,
Gill x
Jilly (Gill),
What wise and inspiring words.
Maisey
Jilly,
You always know just what to say.
Thank you.
Abbi
LOL. My captcha is “jump off.” Not sure what I am supposed to take from that.
Congratulations Gill for your well deserved win and inspiring post!
I’m sure it won’t be long at all before The Boss’s Intimate Takeover is on the bookshop shelves.
And SK, brilliant that you are starting your own group- well done you and good luck!
I hope that everyone here, whether we had the form rejection or the request to see more of your writing today, all joy and success in their writing future.
In response to Marym’s post, my rejection email said exactly the same “On the whole, we’d advise against this, but instead recommend that you start afresh with something completely new.” I am a little disappointed that this is a general email and also disappointed that an established author was one of the winners, not an aspiring one- my own Microsoft Word thesaurus states this means ‘hopeful, wannabe.’ May the best person win though, despite all this, congratulations to you all.
I wish you all happiness and a great Christmas. Perhaps one day in the future some of you will post a story of your own journey to publication then you will look back on that journey and remember Harlequin and their competititons.
A great congratulatins to the winners, you should be very proud, and all the best.
Suzanne
Hi
How do i join a critique group
Followed your link SK but was told that the site was only for members.
Please advise.
best wishes to all winners, published and unpublished.
merry Christmas
Catch
Hi Marym
Yes I got one too – it is a generic reply and guess what? I’m dumping my ‘great idea’ too!!
I would love to join a group.
Please can I join too? How do I do it? Are there rules etc? How did the Sacred Sisters do it?
Thank you Amy for those wise words.
Christine XX
*snicker* sacred…if you could but see the language some of the ‘ladies’ use, you wouldn’t call us that.
We set up a google group, Christine and went from there. Hope that helps and best of luck to all of you seeking CPs!
Joanne and Amy, thanks for the follow up and clarifying that the winner was legitimate according to the current rules.
That being said, as a reader (I have no aspirations to become a writer) I think that Harlequin needs to re-visit their rules for future competitions.
The winner has a website as an author and many books under her belt. So, even if she hasn’t written for HPs how could she “in spirit” be the type of person that the contest was aimed at attracting? That implies that a best selling author from mainstream contemporaries could legitimately enter the contest. In all fairness how could the editors compare that writing to that of “true aspiring” authors?
The competition was marketed as looking for “aspiring” authors. Therefore, to avoid this in the future, the rules need to be spelled out more clearly and the competition shouldn’t be marketed as only for “aspiring” authors if anyone who doesn’t have a current contract with Harlequin is eligible.
I am not a lawyer but I am well-educated and to me anyone who is still receiving royalties has some sort of contract with the company. She/he may not have a contract to write any more books — however that is different from not having any type of contract at all.
There were some very emotional comments posted here by many who did write entries and I totally understand their frustration and being upset with the results. It doesn’t matter whether they had a chance at winning or not. What matter’s is the perception.
There obviously was a question on the part of the editors if they had to consult lawyers. That by itself should have indicated that there would be some “negative” response once the winners were announced.
If I were an aspiring author I would now think twice about entering a contest knowing that I would be competing with published authors. Why would I put myself through that. A person does not need to have low self esteem to think that she cannnot compete with published authors.
Quite frankly my perception of this contest is not good. I don’t think that it was fair. I will not purchase the winner’s book on principle alone. I feel that I would be “betraying” all of the aspiring authors who entered this competition (500 or so of them).
I’ve been purchasing HPs since they were first published in the 70s. They continue to be my favorite line. I like the fact that in the past few years HPs have added new authors and always look forward to reading their books. This time however, this process left a “bad taste” in my mouth.
Hi Catch
Not one to let the grass grow under her feet – I’ve set up a google group! (As per Maisey’s instructions!)
angels-of-romance@googlegroups.com
If they are Sacred, we can be Angels (will probably turn into little Devils – I hope!)
I’m off to bed now it’s 1.30am in the UK and I need my beauty sleep.
The life of a writer eh?
Catch, and any other wild women out there, please join me!!
Christine XX
Christine
I have to get this off of my chest and I do not care how bitter and angry I sound because, I am bitter and angry as well as amazed at the outcome of this contest.
To Joanne Grant and the facilitators of this contest, I can not believe that you did not anticipate the fall out from choosing Ms. Carr and Ms. Marr. I appreciate that you checked with the legal department prior to declaring the winner, but maybe you should have checked with your public relation department.
When I viewed the Presents winner websites, I was in absolute shock. I worked for years in PR and I would have advised you against the choice you made.
If the entry was so good, I would have suggested you to request a partial or full and pick another author, well actually once I saw the website for the other author and saw that she was also published (with crown books no less! They only take agented submissions, which means Ms. Marr has an agent! talk about a slap in the face to all of us wannabees out here) I would have advised you to go with the unpublished winners and warned that the published authors you chose were quite proficient and multi-published and might upset the other entrants. Gee, that is exactly what happened.
I wrote my chapter and synopsis believing you were looking for “new talent” not established writers looking to jump ship from another harlequin line or publishing house.
Now that I have that off my chest, Gill and Joanne, my heart felt congrats, what a thrill this must be for you. You are the true winners, I hope all your dreams come true.
I can’t believe I read the whole thing.
First, to my knowledge (I know a few folks pubbed by Spice), Harlequin Spice Briefs authors do not receive royalties. Their stories are purchased individually, for a flat fee. If anyone has information contradicting this, I’d be interested in hearing it.
Secondly, whatever happened to personal responsibility? If the marketing department at Coca-Cola starts a campaign tomorrow touting a new soft drink as a remedy for cancer, psoriasis and flatulence, are you going to believe it? Or are you going to check that list of ingredients with the nearest magnifying glass?
Harlequin/Mills Boon stated the rules up front. Every contestant had the opportunity to read them. They said that nobody currently contracted was eligible. If Susanna Carr is pubbed with Spice Briefs, but she’s not currently contracted (no royalties, remember?) then she doesn’t violate the rules. Industry rumor has it that Spice Briefs has AT LEAST a two year lead time, so it’s very possible she’s been out of contract for over a year.
Nowhere does it say published authors are not eligible. I don’t care how the contest was marketed, or whether the use of the word “aspiring” led you to believe it was for unpublished authors only. It’s the responsibility of each contestant to read and understand the rules. The burden is not on Harlequin to hold your hand and make sure you know what you’re getting into.
As to those who took the sickening shots at the other pubbed winner because she didn’t express her excitement in the way YOU thought she should: You sound petty, small-minded, and bitter. I can’t imagine how your romance novel didn’t make the final cut. (That was sarcasm, btw.)
Grow up, pull on your big girl panties, and write another book.
Or don’t. There’s plenty more where you came from.
PS – To the poster to made fun of Daisychain’s handle – here’s the definition of “daisy chain” most commonly found at the top of any dictionary’s entry:
daisy chain
noun
-a string of daisies threaded together by their stems.
-figurative a string of associated people or things : we can all make daisy chains of blame.
Only after that comes the sexual connotation upon which your mind immediately leapt.
Now, don’t you feel stupid? And a little ashamed? No? Imagine my surprise.
Got an “R” email as well
I am still extremely thankful that I even had the opportunity to put myself and my work in front of an editor of the most prestigious romance publishing house in the world.
So, thank you Joanne and the editorial staff for taking the time out of your busy schedule to look at all the entries. I cannot imagine the amount of coffee you consumed or the sore eyes from all the reading! My heart goes out to you ladies for your selflessness in completing the daunting task in such a short amount of time!!!
Also, I want to once again congratulate the four winners! I truly am so excited about reading your chapters. No, I did not receive feedback… but I know that once I read those chapters, I will understand what it is that the editor is looking for and be able to compare it to my own work.
So, in a sense, I am still receiving feedback even if it is not personal.
So… everyone have a Happy HAPpy HAPPY holiday season and I look forward to joining a crit group!
Lolo Dee
I absolutely cannot believe the negative posts here. Miils and Boon and Harlequin have been operating these contests for years and certainly know right from wrong.
Accept what is, please get over it, this posts here and on EHarlequin show only bitterness and I think would be taken into consideration for future contests. If I were judging, they would. I know you all put your heart into this competition as I’ve been following as a reader of Harlequin.
If someone has been wronged I trust the professional people at M&B will take care of it.
It’s the holiday season…….peace, love, joy and blessings.
Lola
Please join me at angels-of-romance@googlegroups.com
Have been testing the site and it works!
Going to bed now, it’s 4.30am in UK!
Hi!
I still think it is in very bad taste to use words as “sour grapes” or “bitterness” when somebody is talking about a problem. Agree or disagree about it, but why be rude? Do you think words don´t matter?
As for the situation, I have entered and failed in other competitions and lived to notice that the winner was already working for the company pretending to look for “new writers”. When the competition starts it´s pretty clear that the hole thing is about getting some new blood in, but when in ends the rules were followed all the time. Yes, but who stated the intentions? Who is responsable for that? People have a tendency to get angry when they feel tricked. Of course the companies don´t mean any harm, they just don´t think about the effect of it. And most people who want to be writers also want to keep a great relationsship to publishing houses. So, agree or disagree about the situation, but mind the words. A disappointed beginner might feel like mini-Hitler to you righteous ladies now, but maybe not always.
In one way this is a first for me, I have never seen professionals enter a competition with no money prices. That too is in bad taste, because if you win here all you get is some sort of professional relationship with an editor of Harlequin. Why enter if you already have that and remember the struggle from before?
I don´t think I was anywhere close to winning, but if I had maybe there would also have be a discussion, because I am soon to be a published writer in a book of short stories released in an other country. I have never had a novel published anywhere or worked for Harlequin, but I understand the fact that getting published once does´nt automatically promise a future in fiction. But if you have been published by a particular company before it is strange that you can´t submit in the normal way to that same company. I know to little of how it works at Harlequin to understand that.
As for the company that will publish me it is small and I will be one of several debut-writers in the same book. My chances of getting published again by them are not great and I have to look for other opportunities, but if I want to send them a novel I know their names and e-mail adresses and they know mine. I would think twice about entering a competition if they arranged one and it was for beginners. But what am I? It´s hard to say, but even though I remain unpublished as a novelist I do have a contact with them that I did not have two years ago. If I would enter or not depends on what kind of competition it is and what I could win. Everybody thinks differently, so what 500 individuals think is right… Companies have to be crystal clear on the rules and intentions, for everybodies sake.
I feel sad for the people who spent a lot of effort as first-time writers to construct a chapter that most likely did´nt have a chance. Maybe they would not have entered if they had understood that aspiring authors to Harlequin included prepublished authors of their own. I would not have entered had I known that.
If beginners stop entering these competitions, because they feel they have no chance, competions like these will not exist for long. It is a too costly and inefficient way of re-finding talent you already have a relationsship too. Pointless. Had I worked at Harlequin I would have taken this discussion seriously. It is no mocking matter.
Well anyway, nice meeting you and before you pick up the weapons to attack this little text I want to add that english is not my first language, so I would be greatful if you commented on my thoughts not my spelling. Good luck with your writing.
/Petronella
Hey Christine…
I was unable to find you on Google Groups. What is the official name?
I looked under Angels-of-romance and could not find it listed.
Let me know as I have created an account specifically to join you
I am just as equally excited in meeting like writers as I was in submitting my chapter!
Excellent idea to whomever thought of it!!!
Lolo Dee
Ahh, so there is a critique group? Great! Can I join it?
@ It’s the Holidays, please stop this
Having an argument about Ms Carr’s eligibility to enter the contest is not negativity. I think it’s a healthy discussion.
She is an Harlequin in-house author already, yet she entered a contest aimed at writers not currently writing for Harlequin.
I don’t trust–like you do–that the professional people at M&B will take care of it, or know right from wrong.
To all you lovely ladies eager to start up (or join) crit groups… we’ve found our group of six (now seven
) works brilliantly. And being dotted around the world’s not a bad thing either although there are time differences to consider.
I wish you all the joy of finding people who ‘get’ what it is you’re trying to do (and say!) and will tell you honestly – but nicely too – what does and doesn’t work for them. And why.
So pleased to end on such a positive note. (Love the sound of that Angels group BTW
Robyn
Did anyone get asked to send in a partial?? What did your letter read??
Just wondering.
Thanks.
I’m feeling a little lost these days. lol.. But as everyone says, it is almost Christmas. Be Happy, go to your loved ones, give them a cuddle and hold on tight, for tomorrow we don’t know what’s around the corner. Be thankful for now, today. And don’t forget have a happy christmas. There will be other comps, other opportunities, other avenuens. I’m actually shedding a tear here. I’m so upset that you guys are upset… gosh, I’m a damn softie.
But truly to all who entered, you have the ability to write a chapter, a manuscript. Not many can. Smile and be happy or I’ll damn well cry again.
Morning
I have read all of the recent comments with great interest. I also entered and got the dreaded R email this morning, am saddened, I never thought I would place but never the less it is still upsetting when you get told it is not worth even re-writing. I work full time and it took me nearly a year to write my MS (1 month to keep rewriting the first chapter) so am disapointed of course. I will keep writing but right or wrong dont think I will have the same passion for it I once did. I guess that is the risk you take on submitting. Damn that ‘what if’that rung in my ears for weeks before I pressed the send button.
I would also like to say congrats to the two non published winners, I cant wait to read your entries. I am not going to get into the ins and outs of what happened, as many I thought this was for ‘aspiring authors’ Like a previous person mentioned which I agree, all it would have taken was for Harlequin to pick non published authors and contact the two women in question directly and get them to submit seperately they would still get the chance to get their MS published, I know it could also work the other way and non published authors can also be contacted (if you did well done)but it would have stopped this situation arising. The prize was for an editor for a year or a discussion about your submission and the feedback we all so much wanted. If you are also published surly this means you have or had access to editors and feedback why take this away from someone who never had this wonderful experience.
Thats me done on this anyway. I also love the idea of the Crit group, fantastic, the possibility of getting some feedback even if it was negative as long as it was constructive and could help me improve my writing, after all thats what I am sure most of us want. I will be looking them up shortly.
Michelle
Suzanne and Michelle -I know the feeling, I got the dreaded don’t even bother trying to rewrite rejection too. I’d hoped for some feedback but it wasn’t to be.
What stops me lapsing into despair, is the fact that through RWA I know a number of writers who received multiple standard rejections from M&B but have been published in single title.
They are really great writers and their books are selling well. They mustn’t have had the voice M&B were looking for but they are GREAT writers. Heck, Helen Fielding (of Bridget Jones’s Diary fame) was rejected by M&B, so it’s not about talent per se but the very particular ms that M&B is looking for.
I’m taking some time out, revisiting what I think are the strengths of my writing and finding a way to play to those strengths rather than trying to force myself into a particular mould-which obviously isn’t working.
Onwards and upwards I say!!!!!!!!!!
Don’t be disheartened, let’s get together and read each others’ first chapters!!!
I’ve posted mine at: http://tgunwriter.blogspot.com
Don’t be disheartened
Let’s together and read each others’ first chapters.
mine is posted at:
gethttp://tgunwriter.blogspot.com/
Sorry fouled last post.
http://tgunwriter.blogspot.com/
I’ve posted my first chapter.
Let’s all get together and view each others’ first chaps.
Hi Lolo Dee,
I couldn’t find Christine’s group on google groups either, but just sent her an email at angels-of-romance@googlegroups.com.
I got the standard R also. The Friday before I also received a rejection for the partial I had sent to M&B. Like others have previously stated it made me feel like a real “writer” since I’ve joined the esteemed group of present authors who were rejected many times before. It’s actually hanging on my office wall right now.
Let’s just keep writing everyone… it’s the only way we have a chance to ever get published!
How naive am I? I didn’t even know there was a dirty version of a daisychain… thats an image I’ll never get out of my head now that I know what it is.
I love Francine’s idea of reading each others chapters. With 540 that weren’t used some must be good and maybe we should support each others work even if they were rejected. I don’t want to slag off M&B but I’ve had to give up on more than one of their published books because it was so appallingly written so their judgment is not infallible. Just because you were not appropriate for them does not mean that you are not good enough to find a publisher elsewhere. We could give each other the words of encouragement need to continue despite this set back to our confidence.
Absolutely Daisychain, couldn’t agree more.
Keeping up morale is so important.
That said, posting chapters should not be about getting ‘ace comments’ or indepth critiques as such. It’s just a means of knowing what others like writing: style etc., and themes.
Well, I’m game. Eat me or bin me :0
Hi Cristine, Lola Dee,Francine, Petronella
Group sounds great. I’ve emailed Christine at angels-of -romance. As I’m an Aussie you won’t get that till some time in the middle of the night i think.
The hardest part about submitting a piece of writing to a publisher is not getting feedback. M&B obviously can’t give feedback to over 500 entrants so giving it to each other sounds good.
Petronella, English is my first language but I still hate it when people critique my spelling rather than my writing. Know where you’re coming from there.
Amy – thanks again for these posts. It’s been good to talk and listen to everyone.
Catch
Francine: I just read your chapter and really enjoyed it. I’d think you should post more if you’ve finished it. It also showed me that my voice definitely doesn’t fit what Harlequin/M&B is looking for.
Daisychain: I liked your thoughts: “Just because you were not appropriate for them does not mean that you are not good enough to find a publisher elsewhere. We could give each other the words of encouragement need to continue despite this set back to our confidence.”
After also receiving an R from M&B two weeks ago for a partial I had sent, I’m now going to pursue a Chick Lit book that has been running around in my head for a year.
As for “daisychain” and the earlier description of it, it reminded me of my roommate’s boyfriend from college (which was many years ago). Whenever he would come to our room I would always find my stuffed animals left in a “chain” across my bed. LOL!
Hi Cynthia,
Mine didn’t fit M&B tastes either, so we’re all in the same punt!
Has anyone located the Url for Romance Angels Group?
Post it. Why not!
Form rejections.
Please, PLEASE don’t take form rejections to heart. It is impossible for editorial to respond personally to 540 submissions in addition to their regular workload.
To clarify: the suggestion to not rework that project doesn’t mean please don’t send us any more work. It means you are better off focusing on a new story. Remember it’s the story being rejected, and not you personally. And you may leave a long trail of unsold manuscripts in your wake before you get The Call. I know I did. Going back and trying to fix old mss would have only taken me longer in the end. Taking what you’ve learned and applying it to a new story is such a great idea. While some people sell their first or second story, many many more write for years and several stories before making it.
I have a file folder full of rejections that say, in essence, to move on and leave that story alone. In fact I have a lovely variety of form letters from over the years.
Don’t let it discourage you.
FWIW
Donna
Daisychain – imagine my own bemusement at all this bandying about of Daisy (and er, chains), when that’s my real name..! Quite disturbing altogether…
x Abby
Daisy, that is…not Daisychain…that would be too weird.
I’m going to close this thread. I think everything to be said has been said. As Joanne and I have said, the editors will be taking the concerns about the rules and the feeling that people were mislead into account for the future.
And for those caught in the crossfire, I’m sorry it went on so long over the weekend…
But so as not to stop the setting up of the critique groups and such, I’ll set up a post for that. Please keep on topic there, though.