Have you ever read a romance novel and said, “I can do this!” Most authors have. Most, if not all, romance authors started out as dedicated romance readers who decided one day to give it a try.
And I encourage everyone who may have that drive to give it a shot. But don’t be fooled. Just because the market is huge, it’s not an easy one to break into. And for every published author, there are hundreds still waiting for their chance to score that first contract. Especially if you’re shooting for the larger New York houses. Their acceptance rates are somewhere around 1 in one hundred.
Does that mean there aren’t opportunities? Absolutely not! The steady rise in ebook sales, and the first ebook publishing house to gain RWA recognition, means the industry is on the cusp of change. And those who are on the ground floor are bound to benefit. But, because many small press operations fold in a year or less, it also means a new author must be very careful about whom he or she does business with.
As a fledgling author, your best friend is RWA (Romance Writers of America). Membership’s not cheap, but it’s worth it. Through the RWR, the monthly magazine, and a chapter membership or two, you’ll learn more in a year’s time about the industry than you will in decades. There are many things to learn: what houses publish what and how to submit to them, the rules of writing romance, how to select an agent, and how to write active, powerful prose are just a few. Finding an active RWA chapter can give your career a huge boost. You can learn the basics of writing, find critique partners, mentors, ask about publishers and agents, and possibly avoid career-devastating disasters.
Above all, don’t expect to sell right off the bat. Most authors don’t see that kind of success—in any genre. Ask Steven King. But, also, don’t let rejection, or harsh criticism discourage you if you’re really set on seeing your work published. If you are persistent, are willing to keep trying and willing to learn from your mistakes, you can make it.
Following is a brief Romance Author’s Reading List. If you’re serious, I advise you to check out these books. Read them, internalize them, keep them as references. They will help you.
Romance Author’s Reading List
WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL--Donald Maass
THE PLOT DOCTORS PRESCRIPTION FOR PLOTTING WORKBOOK (http://theplotdoctor.netfirms.com/workbook.html)
THE PLOT THICKENS: 8 WAYS TO BRING FICTION TO LIFE-- Noah Lukeman
THE ROMANCE WRITER'S PHRASE BOOK
WRITING FICTION--Janet Burroway
SO YOUR MUSE HAS GONE AWOL?--Pamela Johnson/Lori Soard (Order from www.Echelonpress.com)
How to Write a Damn Good Novel--James Frye
BECOMING YOUR OWN CRITIQUE PARTNER--Jane Toombs & Janet Lane Walters. (order from www.novelbooksinc.com)
Strunk and White, THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE
THE WEEKEND NOVELIST -- Robert Ray
SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS -- Rennie Brown and Dave King
WRITING DOWN THE BONES -- Natalie Goldberg
GMC: GOAL, MOTIVATION & CONFLICT -- Deb Dixon
WRITING THE FICTION SYNOPSIS -- Pam McCutcheon
ELEMENTS OF FICTION: SETTING -- Jack Bickham
ELEMENTS OF FICTION: CONFLICT, ACTION & SUSPENSE -- William Noble
ELEMENTS OF FICTION: DESCRIPTION -- Monica Wood
THE WRITERS JOURNEY -- Christopher Vogler
CHARACTER NAMING SOURCEBOOK -- Sherrilyn Kenyon
For writing SF/F:
WORLDS OF WONDER -- Dave Gerrold
CONCEIVING THE HEAVENS -- Melissa Scott
WORLD-BUILDING -- Steve Gillett
For writing historicals:
MEDIEVAL COSTUME IN ENGLAND AND FRANCE -- Mary Houston
Tawny Taylor is a multi-published author of romance fiction. Read articles on writing, excerpts of her books, and industry news on her websites and blog: http://www.tawnytaylor.com/Home.html, http://sydneylaineallan.homestead.com/Home.html and http://tawnytaylor.blogspot.com/
