Confessions of a Harlequin Editor is back this week giving you the lowdown on what the Harlequin editors are really like! Emily Rodmell, Editor for all books Love Inspired, will be revealing her likes, dislikes and what she’s most excited to see in a submission! This is your chance to get to know the personalities and tastes of the Harlequin editors, so don’t be shy – we’re friendly and we can’t wait to read your books 🙂
Whether it’s a cute puppy or a panda (shout out to Bao Bao at the National Zoo), I love animals. I keep a cute animal calendar on my desk that offers adorable new faces each day, and when I’m on vacation, you can often find me checking out the nearest zoo and aquarium. At home, I have a 17-year-old pet bird who still loves to catcall at the neighbors. So I love to see animals have a place in the books I acquire. I even started a continuity featuring K-9 dogs a few years ago (Check out the Capitol K-9 Unit starting in March), and I’m working on the third series as we speak. So it can never hurt to add a cute puppy to your story.
2. Procedural TV shows
I have zero interest in sappy shows. But give me an action packed police procedural with relatable characters, and I’ll be hooked. I love shows like Bones, Castle, The Closer, Major Crimes, Justified, In Plain Sight, Covert Affairs, White Collar and more. And I love it even more when a book arrives on my desk for Love Inspired Suspense that has a similar feel. I don’t need perfect characters. Temperance Brennan, Brenda Leigh Johnson, Neil Caffrey & Richard Castle are as flawed as they come, but I can’t look away when they come on my TV.
3. Social media
I have a bit of a social media addiction. You name it, I’m there. And while it’s not a requirement for authors to be active on social media, it sure helps. Like most editors, I try to give out tips for authors on all platforms. If you want a running tally of what I acquire, check out my Goodreads or Pinterest “Books I’ve Edited” pages (Emily Rodmell). If you want tips on what I’m looking for at the moment, follow me on Twitter (@EmilyRodmell). And for some fun insights, writing tips, polls and grammar goofs, check out the group Instagram I’m a part of with three other Harlequin editors (@NYC_Editor_Life).
4. Surprises
I don’t want to be boring and predictable. I want excitement and new experiences. If I’m on vacation, I’d rather explore a cool new city than sit on the beach for a week. While series romance has guidelines and dare I say it “rules”, I love it when authors can write something that’s out of the box but still fits the guidelines. Surprise me with how the characters fall in love and how they overcome their conflicts. Turn the tropes on their heads. Give me new and interesting settings and careers.
5. Pictures
My iPhone is bursting at the seams with closer to 2,000 photos on it. Wherever I go, I like to document the world around me. From a walk to a park to a day with my nephew to standing outside a movie premiere and watching the stars go by (my biggest celebrity sighting this year was Prince William and Princess Kate, but Julia Roberts was a close second), I’ve got pictures of it all. When you write your books, they should feel as if you’re painting a picture. I want to feel like I’m right in the middle of the town or city your story is set in, but without it being over-described. Writing is an art. So paint me a picture with your book and send it my way.
So, there you have it – an introduction to the lovely Emily Rodmell! Do you share her love of surprises? Are you a bit of a social media addict? Or, even better, do you have any questions for her? Then get in touch by commenting below, or follow Emily (@EmilyRodmell) on Twitter!