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Dorchester Editor Leah HultenschmidtOctober 27, 2009 Today we have the honor of welcoming Dorchester editor Leah Hultenschmidt. As many of you requested, here's someone to answer those burning questions about getting your book published. Many unpublished authors have created a web site as part of their preparation for publication. What do you recommend these authors post on their sites? How much of their manuscripts and story ideas should they be sharing with the public? When I’m interested in a proposal, one of the first things I do is Google the author’s name to find out more information. It’s so helpful if there’s a bio, titles of finished works with a one-paragraph description, and contact information. For some authors, knowing what other manuscripts they have available has pushed a one-book deal into two or three books. If someone is published in e-book format, do your editors look on that favorably or in a negative light? Or is it even an issue for them? Generally, it doesn’t matter. And it’s definitely to any author’s advantage to have reviews and recommendations for her work when submitting. That can be easier for something that has an ebook available. Please talk about your views on blending genres. Are you interested in working on these types of projects? Most definitely. To me, blending genres is what keeps Romance fresh and growing. In fact, DARK LEGACY by Anna DeStefano, which just came out last month, has been called Urban Fantasy, Suspense, Paranormal Romance and just about everything in between. I think readers get excited when they feel like they’re getting something they haven’t seen before. The key here is to tweak the genre in some way while still remaining accessible to the reader. “Marketable” really comes down to the reader having some kind of element of familiarity, along with a fresh hook that doesn’t make the book sound like everything else. Katie MacAlister is a master at this. She really has her pulse on the readership and because of that she tends to create trends instead of following them. RWA is a great resource, as is Writer’s Digest. Most libraries also have a copy of Literary Marketplace or Writers Guide to Editors and Publishers, which give very basic listings. I tend to particularly enjoy:
Just as personal preference, I’m not as interested in romantic comedies or straight contemporaries. We accept either hard copies or email. Full submission guidelines can be found here. Posted by Barbara Vey on October 27, 2009 | Comments (30)
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Dianna Love commented: Nice surprise to have an editor here today and thanks to Leah for taking the time. Great advice to unpublished on what to put on their websites that I would have used before publishing.
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Sally commented: I love, love, love adventure stories. Do you have any advice on how to address them in a query letter since they don't seem to fit a lot of the molds out there? (paranormal, suspense, etc.)
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Cinthia Hamer commented: Leah, thank you so much for taking the time to answer some very pertinent questions! I've read or have on my TBR list many of the titles you mentioned. :)
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Tammy Schubert commented: Thank you for answering my question about Web sites. It helps to know what new writes should be putting out there.
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Debbie Kaufman commented: Leah:
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Kathy Crouch commented: Thank you for sharing your time with us today. My TBR pile thanks you as well. My question is this. Vampires and werewolves are the big craze right now as they often are every so many years or so, what do you think will be the next big thing? Many are suggesting angels and demons. Do you agree?
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Kathy Crouch commented: One more question popped into my brain as I was pushing send. With the ever growing popularity of Textnovel, do you think Dorchester will sponsor another contest? What are your views on Textnovel? Is it helpful to unpublished authors to submit their work to that particular site?
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Jenna commented: Hi, Leah,
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Faye Hughes commented: What a special treat - thanks Barbara and Leah!
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Edie Ramer commented: Some of the books you mentioned are my favorites, too. I'm looking forward to Elisabeth Naughton's Stolen Seduction in Dec.
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Tamara DeStefano commented: So glad to hear your comments. And so great to hear from such a well known name in the industry. My question goes with Tammy's in a way. Does an editor get a negative impression if they Google an author and there is nothing on them? No website, no cyberspace indication that they exist?
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Leah Hultenschmidt commented: @Sally - usually the adventure comes out pretty quickly in the tone of the writing. Or you could also use a comparison in the query letter to help convey your genre within a genre.
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Leah Hultenschmidt commented: @Debbie - Steampunk is really hot right now, and it's a huge buzz word. But that also means that everyone might be sick of it in a year, which is when books bought now will be coming out. Then again, who knew the vampire craze would last so long and only get stronger?
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Leah Hultenschmidt commented: @Jenna - We slowed down our buying for a bit because we had a really full schedule and an abundance of contracted books, but we've never had a freeze on acquisitions and are still actively looking for new projects.
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Leah Hultenschmidt commented: @Tamara - I certainly understand if a new writer has a first project on submission and hasn't had a chance to set up an online presence yet. Not having a website won't keep me from buying a book, but at the same time authors who do have a website tell me they're committed to a writing career, they're savvy about what readers want to know, and gives me an idea of what else they might have in the works. I think it's a definite advantage.
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Leah Hultenschmidt commented: @Kathy - Personally I've seen more than enough demons to last a lifetime. I've also seen a number of fallen-angel proposals, but like steampunk, usually by the time you recognize a trend, it's nearly saturated.
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Carol Burnside commented: Great questions. Great info given. I see things like this and wonder why agents and editors get so many submissions that don't fit what they want. Thanks for doing this.
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Linda LaRoque commented: Leah, are you interested in futuristic romances? I'm polishing one right now I'd love to submit to someone interested in the genre.
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Jeanne AKA The Duchesse commented: Hi Leah! Thanks for being here today. Barbara, you always get the GOOD guests! :> Very interesting to read what you're reading and liking, Leah. Interesting too to note that you Google potential writers. I don't think people utilize this as much as possible and I think your mention of it may highlight it's value!
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Cassondra Murray commented: Leah, thanks so much for being here with Barbara today! And thanks for your straightfoward answers. I hear over and over now how editors google writers who submit, and that tells me I need to get off my fanny and get the website up!
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Lisa Kessler commented: Hi Barbara!!!
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt violet s commented: Wow Barbara--that is a great blog today! Thank you! A nice blend of your witticisms & the editor's perspective!
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Carrie Lofty commented: Thanks for the mention, Leah. I really appreciate it and I'm glad to hear you enjoy my work!
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Tami Brothers commented: I second and third the WOWs!!! Thank you so much for a wonderful interview and for answering all these questions. You've given me some great titles to look up and some really good information for when I'm ready to submit my work.
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Dawn Chartier commented: Barbara,
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Marilyn Baron commented: Thanks Leah for sharing this information. I found it interesting that you Google potential authors. I don't have a Web site yet, but I'm part of a great blogging group, Petit Fours and Hot Tamales. I'm glad you mentioned Anna DeStefano's book "Dark Legacy." As a fellow Georgia Romance Writer I love the fact that she has broken out into this new genre. Thanks again and thank you Barbara for making such a great guest available to us.
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Marilyn Baron commented: Actually, Leah, I do have a question about what method you use for word count. Do you prefer using a computer word count or do you go by the number of manuscript pages times 250 words per page?
October 27, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Christie Craig commented: Leah,
October 28, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Marian Pearson Stevens commented: Thanks for stopping by, Leah. Great info!
October 28, 2009
In response to: Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt Tamara DeStefano commented: Leah,
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