Author Heatherly Bell recently joined the Harlequin Superromance team. Here’s her story!
On the morning of March 9, 2016 I was at my part-time job at a law firm. Interestingly, I’d been given my walking papers two weeks prior due to massive personnel changes. My cell phone buzzed and while I try not to answer it at work (uh-huh) I do need to check and make sure it isn’t one of my beloved children with one of those dire emergencies, you know, such as, “Where’s the spatula?”
But no, not one of my children. The caller ID showed a Virginia area code, and my agent is the only person I know in Virginia. A few weeks prior, we heard that Tahra Seplowin at Harlequin loved my story of sexy pilot Stone McAllister and control freak Emily Parker, then titled Love at First Flight, and thought it a good fit for Harlequin Superromance (we’d originally submitted to HQN.) With our permission, Tahra wanted to forward my three-book proposal to the Superromance editors.
I took the call, not knowing what to expect.
“Harlequin loves your book,” my agent said, “And would like to offer you a three-book contract.”
I don’t think I said a word and so my agent, bless her heart, kept talking.
I do remember saying, “Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited.”
Stunned, more like it. Speechless.
“I think I danced around the room (metaphorically) and called everyone I knew on the planet to give them the good news.”
I got off the phone and informed my colleagues, who were all extremely happy for me. Only one of them read romance, but both had heard of Harlequin. Who hasn’t? I think I danced around the room (metaphorically) and called everyone I knew on the planet to give them the good news.
Funny thing is this manuscript was entered in the 2014 So You Think You Can Write competition. It didn’t final. I kept writing other books, but all along I’d thought there was something special about this story. About this particular heroine. I just couldn’t give up on it, or her. So I kept re-writing, kept improving as I also wrote other books. I like to think the new and improved version got me my agent in May of 2015, and we went out on submission in September.
“. . . the moral of this story is to never give up. Keep writing, and keep honing your craft.”
Imagine my surprise when I wound up right back where I started. It’s been a journey, and the moral of this story is to never give up. Keep writing, and keep honing your craft.
I’m thrilled to join the Harlequin Superromance team. Some of my favorite authors have either written, and/or continue to write for this line. It’s an honor to be a part of the Harlequin team.
Look for Heatherly’s Harlequin Superromance debut, Breaking Emily’s Rules, in 2017!
Learn more about Heatherly at her website, heatherlybell.com
And say hello on Twitter @HeatherlyBelle
And on Facebook
31 replies on “Getting the Call: Meet new Harlequin Superromance author Heatherly Bell!”
Congrats, Heatherly!
You dance away — you deserve it. 🙂
Thank you!
Congrats! 🙂
So very happy for you! You said it best – NEVER give up. You never gave up and now look where you are. Awesome!
Thanks for your support, Lora!
I knew you could do it! So thrilled for you chicky : )Huge congrats!!!
Thanks, Tricia! I bet you get your call story any day now.
Congratulations, Heatherly! You are such an inspiration for this girl who is still waiting for the “Call.”
Thank you, Donna. I’m so happy to be an inspiration. Keep writing.
I loved reading your call story. Congrats, Heatherly!!!
Thank you, Carrie!
Love this story, congratulations, Heatherly!!
XXOO
Nicci
Thanks, Nicci. Your support means a lot to me.
Knew you’d make it, Heatherly! Fantastic work! xxms
Thanks, Margie! It’s been a journey, hasn’t it?
Sure is a journey and a half! Congrats, you’re on your way! Enjoy the well deserved ride! xxm
I love the Starlight Hill series, especially the last one “Forever with You”. I know I will like the new books, too. Funny, compassionate, with a fair amount of sizzle, what’s not to like about Heatherly Bell’s style?
conratulations, Heatherly. You so richly deserve it as I mentioned in my earlier comment.
Thanks so much!
Congrats! Glad you listened to the muse’s call and kept plugging away, believing in yourself and your story. Even a one-book deal is worth dancing about, but three books…Congrats again!
Thank you, Jory! Yes, three books! I’m still in shock. Still metaphorically dancing from time to time.
Congratulations Heatherly. Keep on dancing.
Thank you, Jean! I will try to keep dancing “as fast as I can.”
Congratulations, I’m so excited for you! I can’t wait to read it!
Thank you, Kimberly, for all your support! I won’t forget it.
Congrats, Heatherly!
Thanks so much, Heather!
Heatherley, what a wonderful story, I’m thrilled that you’re writing for this brilliant line! Wishing you much success!
Nikki
Thank you, Nikki! Your support over the years has meant a lot to me.
Congratulations! You’re an inspiration to all of us writing with the dream that one day, we too, will get the call. What a great story…love the part of the call in your final moments at the law office. 😉
Thanks, Brenda! Yes, good timing on the call. I agree 100%.
Comments ( 7 )
I spent the entire shutdown working. Had no time to wind down. I didn’t see my son much when school shutdown. My one co worker was told to stay home for 3 weeks so I picked up her hours. This year has been really crappy.
Ugh, Janell. Here’s hoping the rest of your summer is better.
Thanks for the info, Carol! Everyone is different in how they deal with the shutdown! I stay at home all the time since I don’t work so I haven’t been too effected but my shopping and errands sure have been effected!
Valri, I’ve been doing most of my shopping online. My local Target is still low on some items – mostly cleaning supplies. Grocery store is pretty much back to normal. Most of the dining in our town is outdoor. I can’t imagine have school-age kids!
Wow–getting your creative process on track must have been daunting–especially with “extra-large dog” glad to have you home. You don’t like coffee–I love coffee and have enjoyed my fortifying 2 cups in the morning even more than usual! How as COVID affected your story lines and characterizations? Best Wishes for all releases!
Interesting question, Virginia. You’ll have to tell me if the tone of my “COVID” books changed any! LOL
Life has changed so much! My dad passed Feb 2. The assisted living facility my folks were at went into hardcore lockdown the beginning of March. Mom couldn’t leave her apartment for 4 months! She was on the third floor, Will be 89 in two months & doesn’t use the phone. My husband and I remodeled the lower level completely and moved her in with us July 1. What a life change and difficult transition for the 3 of us! But we’re working thru it!