How To Approach An Editor

| Online Chat with Patience Smith | How to approach an Editor |

  How To Approach an Editor

We'll discuss here editor appointments and writing to an editor.  Very short and simple, but something we should discuss.

When writing an editor follow the query page information.  It's all straight forward on the query page.

When meeting at an editor appointment, you don't have the ability to have everything written out and rewritten a dozen times.

And you only have five minutes to present it.  Editor's don't bite.  They want to hear about a good story, so be prepared.

Get a 3x5 business card.  Write down the name of your book.  Write down 80,000 word Contempoary Christian Romance targeting Love Inspired or 90,000 historical romance targeting Tyndale etc.  

You will forget this if you get nervous.

Tell them about your story.

Two lines or so.  In those lines you must include the internal and external conflict and secret fear.

So, say, Bunny Doright thought coming back to town to nurse her dying mother was the right choice.  Little did she know that an old flame, Hunter Pillar was now in charge of her mother's estate, or that she'd have to deal with him.  How could she face the man she'd destroyed before she was a Christian?  (note...you see what brings them together, what her fear is, why she fears this.)

Then change to the hero's story.  Hunter Pillar hated Bunny.  Even after he recovered from the scandal that robbed him of his ministry and picked himself up, but he could never forgive Bunny.  He thought working for the mother might help since he really liked her.  But seeing Bunny again was making him face his past, and that he was still in love with Bunny.    Could he trust her again.

THEN, if you have time, smile and say, I've been writing x years.  This story has finaled in X contest or X recommended you (published author or another editor or agent).  You might even say, if this doesn't sound right, let me know and I'll make some changes but would love to submit this.

Then let the editor take the lead.  She'll have questions on something you missed.  Or, she might say, whoa, we don't pastor stories etc.

Continue to smile.  Keep your hands in your lap.  When your appointment is up, smile and thank her for her time, shake her hand.  IF you have a business card you can leave it, though I'm not sure if they keep these.

NOW, back to that 3x5 card.  You thought I'd forgotten.  Underneath what you had written earlier, pick out highlights from the above paragraph--goals, motivation, conflict....maybe even a hint of the dark moment like but will her mother's mysterious death stop their budding love when doubt is cast on Hunter...etc

That's all you'll be able to fit...two or three words here and there for each protagonist.

Read it outloud.  Time it and realize you'll talk a bit faster in the meeting.  Read it again and again.  Then try it without the card.

That's it.

Good luck!

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This is an online chat with Patience Smith

Chat With
Patience Smith, Assistant Editor
Steeple Hill (Now with Special Editon, Harlequin)

300 East 42nd Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10017

http://www.eharlequin.com

** Patience is Assistant Editor to Tracy Farrell (At the time...she is now Assoc. Editor for the Special Edition line) who is over Harlequin Historicals and Steeple Hill. Patience works with clients from both sub-genres and spends much of her time doing this. We want to thank her for taking time out of her busy schedule to try to answer our questions and provide us with such up-to-date and candid information**

<Flo> Welcome back, Patience.

<GGMartin> Is she really here?

<Patience> Hello!!!!

<Jenn> http:///, Greg``

<CherylW`> yes!

<GGMartin> Yippeee!!!!

<LColeman> Oh yeah, your middle name is with a G

<CherylW`> yipee!!!

<Jenn> Heya Patience! I'm SO glad it worked.

<Patience> I am here!!!!!!

<LColeman> Hi Patience

<JoyceLivi> Oh, glad you made it Patience

<Tbateman> YAY!!!!!!

<CherylW`> she made it!

<LColeman> congrats

<Jenn> http:///~jenn, rather, Greg``

<Patience> Thank you Cheryl. Thank you big brother Patrick!

<CherylW`> okay....are you ready to go?

<CherylW`> thanks Patrick

<Patience> Yes.

<LColeman> You've got to have patience, Patience, to endure that hour

<Jenn> Thank Patrick. :)

CherylW` thinks his voice would do well in a hero romance novel

<ruth> Hello Patience

CherylW` rolls her eyes

<Patience> Phew. Mommy named me well.

<CherylW`> hehe

<JoyceLivi> She sure did

<Cherri> Hi Patience WElcome back

<Jenn> ABsolutely, Patience. :)

<CherylW`> well patience, how do you want to do this?

<Jenn> And believe me, I'm going to try to sort out that Java-chat problem. Try.

<CherylW`> are you feeling like talking, giving a speech right now?

<Patience> Patrick is blushing. He likes compliments. Okay. should I write about Love Inspired?

<CherylW`> anything you want

<CherylW`> okay guys...we're going moderated

<Patience> Yes. I have it all typed out.

<CherylW`> that means you can't post:)))) until I unmoderate it

<CherylW`> so hold on...

CherylW` sets mode: +m

<CherylW`> if you have questions, please check in the writerscafe or PRIVMSG TO: me and we'll op you

<Patience> Okay

<CherylW`> until then, let's sit back and listen as Patience shares her soul with us:)

<Patience> I am having trouble. One second.

<CherylW`> and if you want to chat, PLEASE feel free, guys to /join #writerscafe and chat away in the other window

<Patience> I have the good fortune to be working on Steeple Hill's Love Inspired (a little aside: I also acquire for Harlequin Historicals). It's great to be here tonight and this is my first live chat! Luckily, I have my big brother sitting by my side to help me with any computer-angst.

<Patience> Though many of you may already know about our line, let me give you a brief description of what we are looking for:

<Patience> We are looking for compelling and thoughtfully developed romances that promote strong family values and high moral standards. Each story should have an emotional, satisfying and mature romance; however, the characters should not make love unless they are married. These are "sweet" romances. There should be no overt sensuality in the books. Any physical interactions (i.e. kissing, hugging) should emphasize emotional tenderness rather than se

<Patience> Though many of you may already know about our line, let me give you a brief description of what we are looking for:

<Patience> We are looking for compelling and thoughtfully developed romances that promote strong family values and high moral standards. Each story should have an emotional, satisfying and mature romance; however, the characters should not make love unless they are married. These are "sweet" romances. There should be no overt sensuality in the books. Any physical interactions (i.e. kissing, hugging) should emphasize emotional tenderness rather than se

<Patience> What has been very interesting for me while working with this line is the range of sensuality that I have seen in some of our books. Some writers can make the interaction between the hero and heroine exciting by being sensual instead of sexual. And then there are other writers who focus entirely of the tenderness between the characters. Both tones makes for a great love story and give our line variety.

<Patience> We like submissions to be 70,000 to 75,000 words in length. You can get this word length by multiplying the average # of words per line times the # of lines per page times the # of pages. This also counts the space, which we also need to keep track of. Even though we do consider longer or shorter books, we tend to be strict about word count.

<Patience> Here are some do's and don'ts

<Patience> Do:

<Patience> Create suspenseful plots, if that's your strength

<Patience> Focus on the love story

<Patience> Spell check and make your submissions have at least a 12 pt. font-size

<Patience> Get a friend or other writer to read your work

<Patience> Make your story plausible

<Patience> Don'ts

<Patience> Preach

<Patience> Use foul language

<Patience> We are definitely looking for new voices for the line to add to our group of talented Steeple Hill writers. You are welcome to send a query letter and 2-5 page synopsis with SASE to me at:

<Patience> Patience Smith, Assistant Editor

<Patience> Steeple Hill

<Patience> 300 East 42nd Street, 6th Floor

<Patience> New York, NY 10017

<Patience> You are also welcome to send me partial manuscripts (three chapters and synopsis). I love to read new work! I really do. It's such fun to find a new author.

<Patience> Overall, I am looking for a story that will make me clear my desk of other business and render me unable to answer my ringing phone. I like stories that make me weepy and also the ones that make me laugh out loud. I like emotional stories, obviously, but also light, fun stories. When I read a submission, I also like to be conscious of how the romance will appeal to a reader who doesn't necessarily share the same beliefs. There is the commo

<Patience> story.

<Patience> Because this is such a new line, it is evolving.

<Patience> I'm sure that you have questions and perhaps now would be a good time to open the floor.

<CherylW`> great

<CherylW`> okay...

<CherylW`> please feel free to ask one at a time anything on your mind:)

<CherylW`> floor is open:)

<CherylW`> Patience, can you tell us what you're looking for in Historicals?

<Patience> Oh! Well...

<Patience> Our most popular times are regency, medieval and Americana, but we do consider other time periods.

<JoyceLivi> Patience--are there any buzz words you're seeking for LI? Like babies, brides and cowboys that have been so popular?

<Patience> Again, a real range of writing styles

<CherylW`> hold on Joyce.

<JoyceLivi> Sorry

<CherylW`> np:)

<Patience> Buzz words....

<CherylW`> thank

<CherylW`> okay Joyce:)

<CherylW`> ga

<Patience> Babies are great

<CherylW`> please type GA when your'e done with your question and have your answer:)

<Patience> brides and cowboys...sure.

BroDude is on IRC

<Patience> But also books with unique hooks.

<Patience> And Love Inspired has the capacity to explore different kinds of hooks, I think...

<Patience> Lost faith...that's a real hook for me as an editor

<CherylW`> Next question?

Jenn chuckles. Question: exotic settings. Like settings which wouldn't necessarily be exotic to the author - I can do subtropical and temperate Australia from real life, or historical Australian much more easily than historical Americana.

<MaryHawki> What about say an Australian setting historicals?

<Jenn> As in: how do you feel about .. as in what MaryH said. :)

<ruth> How many LI authors are now on board the line?

<Patience> If the love story is dynamite, any setting. I know that that sounds like an overused phrase.

<Patience> About 25

<Patience> 25 authors!

<ruth> Thanks. GA

<GGMartin> Is a divorced hero or heroine acceptable especially if it was not their choice?

<Patience> Yes.

<Lilles> Yeah!

<Patience> Divorce happens.

<MaryHawki> What premises for stories are currently a no-no?

<GGMartin> Yes, I agree but many lines say no.

<Patience> Stories that are not plausible are no no's

<Patience> one taboo...

<CherylW`> please hold your questions until the current person asking the question types GA

<CherylW`> thank you:)

<MaryHawki> GA

<CherylW`> Go ahead Gail

<CherylW`> **makes it easier when cleaning up the logs dear ones*

<GGMartin> I asked mine already.

<CherylW`> are you done?

<GGMartin> ga

<CherylW`> Next?

<LColeman> Patience, are people in computer related business a subject not of much interest these days? ga

<Patience> Well...my brother who is a computer technician would say YES!

<LColeman> ie: web design/ computer advertisements,

<MaryHawki> what kind of feedback have you had about the different levels of spiritual content?

<Patience> But I haven't received a submission with a person in a computer related field yet.

<LColeman> lol maybe you will <g>

Jenn chuckles.

<Patience> Okay!

<JoyceLiv1> How much dialogue do you prefer in proportion to introspection and description?

<Patience> That's a tough one...A nice balance. Dialogue that goes for pages and pages can be wearing.

<JoyceLiv1> ga

<MaryHawki> Am I on for he amount of spiritual content question yet

<CherylW`> Next question?

<Patience> Yes.

<CherylW`> you are now mary.

<MaryHawki> Wondering about the readers reactions to various amounts/depths of spiritual content

<Patience> Very positive feedback on the spiritual content.

<MaryHawki> So no objections to specific mentions of Christ's work in our lives?

<Patience> What do you mean by specific mentions? An example?

<MaryHawki> That a person needs to personally accept Christ as Savior and Lord?eg

<Patience> No objection to that at all.

<CherylW`> done mary?

<MaryHawki> Terrific - as long as not preachy huh? GA

<Patience> But a person, meaning the characters in the book...not everyone.

<Patience> You are still writing within the confines of the book...right, not preachy.

<CherylW`> Okay, Greg. Ask away.

<Greg> Is the trend for the heroine to be the 'stronger' character?

<Patience> Not necessarily.

<Patience> The trend is for them to be equally strong.

<Patience> At least, I hope...

<Greg> thank you..GA

<CherylW`> *Room is moderated. Please join #writerscafe or PRIVMSG TO: me to ask a question*

<CherylW`> anyone else have a questoin?

<CherylW`> Janet.

<JanetBart> Are there any certain trends? IE Reunion stories,

<Patience> Reunions are good!

<JanetBart> Thank you. GA

<Patience> It's the love story that is important. I don't get overseas settings for Love Inspired.

<Patience> But that doesn't mean that I won't look at one.

Cherri sets mode: +o CherylW`

<MaryHawki> I'm getting mixed here - am I back to sending to you Cheryl

<GGMartin> If you receive an MS from a new author and like the story but see a couple of needed revisions, would you request revisions - rather than reject?

<CherylW`> :)

<GGMartin> ga

<Patience> Oh, that depends...

<Patience> Yes. If it's a dynamite story that needs a few touches, I will write a long letter to the author and...

CherylW` sets mode: -o GGMartin

<Patience> wait for a revised version before passing it to my senior editor. Definitely.

<Patience> I have done this before.

CherylW` sets mode: +o JanetEdga

<Patience> Actually, am doing it now...

<CherylW`> ga Janet

<JanetEdga> Hi Patience. What are you looking for in new authors that maybe you weren't looking for a year ago? ga

<Patience> Nothing jumps out at me right now...the same...great love story.

<Lilles> Are dramatic conversions or rededications necessary? Or are stories about the spiritual journey acceptable?

<Patience> Variety within the line is important.

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<Lilles> Great! GA

<JoyceLiv1> IF you prefer 12 pt, do you prefer Courier? Or New Times Roman which gives many more words per page?

<Patience> Spiritual journeys are great.

<Patience> I prefer less words on the page because I am going blind.

CherylW` sets mode: +o Jenny

<Patience> Not really....

<Patience> But it feels like that on some days.

<CherylW`> go ahead Jenny:)

<CherylW`> Jenny???

<CherylW`> Janet, go ahead please

<JanetBart> Can we ask who some of the writers are you are editor for to get a feel for what you like?

<Patience> The wonderful Cheryl Wolverton...

<CherylW`> *Blush* shame on you

<CherylW`> giggle

<JanetBart> Oh that's great! <g> Thanks.

CherylW` sets mode: -o JanetBart

<Patience> Deb Kastner..Carol Steward..Janet Tronstad (a new one)

<Patience> Kate Welsh...And Lenora Worth

<CherylW`> Lenora Worth correct?

<Patience> And Patt Marr

<Patience> Yes!

<MaryHawki> Sorry I missed your intro, but when will you be looking at historical manuscripts and publishing them?

<Patience> Oh, for Steeple Hill?

<MaryHawki> Yes

<Patience> This is a possibility, just not right now. It's something that could happen...I know, vague...

<CherylW`> go ahead lyn:)

<LColeman> Knowing that LI is a contemporary line only, would that exclude a book that is set in contemporary time but goes back in history to parallels of previous generations, within the same family, learning the same spiritual lessons, etc. but it is the contemp time that knits it all together? ga

<Patience> Interesting...Sounds like a longer book.

<Patience> You're not talking about an actual time travel right?

<LColeman> no, not time travel

<Patience> It sounds like a more mainstream premise. But I like it.

<LColeman> example: contemp heroine finds great, great grandfather's journal after finding secret passageway

<Patience> Oh!

<Patience> And...

<LColeman> Three generations, three romances, three spiritually learning

<LColeman> that unless the Lord builds the house, you labor in vain, etc. Ps. 127

<Patience> I think that this might fall outside of Love Inspired, but worth writing.

<LColeman> lol okay

<GGMartin> What about suspense romance? If the romance is still very strong. ( I wrote Lasting Treasures )

<CherylW`> Thank you Patience so much for coming.

<CherylW`> I'm going to open the room up for general chat now:)

<Patience> My pleasure. This was fun.

<Jenn> And for putting up with technical hassles. :)

<Lilles> Patience: Do you read agented manuscripts first?

***NOTE: Due to confusion Questions got missed at the end. I have heard other editors before at Harlequin/Silhouette say it doesn't matter if you are agented or unagented, they get to them as quickly as they can****(Inserted comment)

<Patience> Good night!

<JoyceLiv1> Yes, Patience, this has been most helpful. I'll be submitting soon.

<CherylW`> night night:)

<JanetBart> Good Night! Thanks

<CherylW`> Thank you so much

<Lilles> Good night and take care!

<LColeman> lol thanks

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Cherri is dieing of embarrassment about the op problem Sorry all Sorry Patience

<Greg> thank you Patience

<MaryHawk1> Thanks to all

<Jean> Good night--and thank you.

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<CherylW`> dear

<CherylW`> heheh

<CherylW`> well...as you guys know, we're new

<LColeman> lol that's okay been a wierd night all the way around

<CherylW`> thank you so much for putting up with all the technical difficulties

<JanetBart> Thanks Cheryl and all for setting it all up!

<Cherri> you can say THAT again.

<JoyceLiv1> Cheryl==You did a fantastic job--despite the troubles

<Jean> Dancer had to up the limit on attendees.

<Cherri> Sorry again.

<Greg> thank you Cheryl

<CherylW`> BE SURE to check out our events page

<LColeman> Thanks for hanging in there to make it work <g>

<CherylW`> in the future we have Lionhearted Publishing coming

Jenn shrugs. Technical hassles happen. The question is whether we smooth them out - and I've just found out that the worst of them has been smoothed. :)

<Jean> That's why about a dozen of us finally got in half-way through.

<CherylW`> in case you didn't know...one of their authors is up for the RITA

<Lilles> It was fun, regardless of tech error. Thanks!

<ruth> Cheryl, I'm so new at this stuff, it was all fascinating.

<BeverlyO> It was fun and definitely interesting. thanks Cheryl!

<CherylW`> and we have other classes as well

<CherylW`> and!

<MaryHawk1> And I've learned so much - about my first chat thingie - thanks Cheryl!

<CherylW`> be sure to check out the WORLDCRAFTERS GUILD

<JoyceLiv1> Keep us posted, Cheryl

<CherylW`> the Writing group on SImegen.com will be opening IN JUNE so sign up now

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<Cherri> I hope you all know that Cheryl is up for the RITA as well. :) :) :)

<CherylW`> Jean, do you know the url?

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<Polecat> This was wonderful, thanks.

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<CherylW`> tahnks so much all for coming:)

Cherri sets mode: +ooooo GGMartin Nan Polecat ruth Tbateman

<JoyceLiv1> Thank and goodnight all

<Jean> www.simegen.com

<CherylW`> thanks jean

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<Jean> Click on WorldCrafters

<GGMartin> Thanks Cheryl for inviting us.

<GGMartin> Bye

<CherylW`> so did everyone get their questions answered

<Lilles> Yes, thanks!

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<CherylW`> bye gayle

<Greg> thank you all...i must leave as well...goodnight

<Jean> Jacqueline and I are laying out plans now for the summer writing school.

<Jenn> G'night.

<Tbateman> Bye all--this was great!

<Jean> Good night.

<LColeman> lol the questions they asked or the ones they were afraid to ask?

<CherylW`> night Tracy

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<LColeman> Night Tracy

<CherylW`> never be afraid to ask

<CherylW`> Patience is a doll.

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<Jenn> Good, Jean. :)

<LColeman> I have a lot of people in my workshop who are terrified of asking questions of the guests,

<CherylW`> yeah true.

<LColeman> so strange since they are there to answer questions

<Jenn> I'm sweating on the writing assignment - never actually checked the page till JL's mail yesterday.

<Jean> I have the same problem as a teacher.

<LColeman> some even IM me to ask for them <g>

<CherylW`> really Jean?

<Jenn> It might be a Dumb Question, LColeman. :)

<BeverlyO> I was terrified but figured I'd kick myself later if I didn't ask at least one question!

<CherylW`> fyi guys...Jean Lorrah has a Phd and teaches at Murray state university:)

<Jean> Students won't ask--would rather fail a paper.

<LColeman> no question is a dumb question

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