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American and have some recent publishing experience, whereas both of our Modern Heat winners are from the UK and are unpublished.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!
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.
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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.
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