Meet one of Harlequin’s newest authors, for Harlequin’s newest line, the super-sexy Harlequin Dare!
You know when you just get a feeling when you’re writing? A feeling that your book is kind-of writing itself, that it just… works? Well, I got that feeling about the book I wrote last fall, and I sold it to Harlequin’s new super-sexy Dare line in a three-book deal. But the real story behind any success is always a little messier than that, right?
Actually, when I pitched to Harlequin senior editor Kathleen Scheibling, she (ahem) might have even laughed at my premise – a billionaire writer as a hero. Through chortles, she asked, “He didn’t get his money through writing books, did he?”
“Um… no?”
You see, when you have an impromptu chance to pitch to a senior editor at Harlequin, you take it. Even if you’re totally unprepared. My solution: I meshed a story I was currently writing (writer hero with sordid past) with the Harlequin Dare’s guidelines (alpha/billionaire heroes!).
You’re looking for billionaires? Um… sure, my hero’s a billionaire!
Kathleen (who is quite nice and funny in person) asked a bunch of story questions and requested the manuscript. But I could hear from her questions that my story wasn’t quite on-market for Dare.
“…this time it really clicked that I needed to approach category romance differently.”
Then, on the ride home from the RWA meeting, I had a bit of an epiphany. This was the second time I had tried to squeezed a story I already had in mind into Harlequin’s guidelines, but this time it really clicked that I needed to approach category romance differently.
Instead, when I came home from the Harlequin presentation, I studied the guidelines and started from there. They wanted international big cities or vacation destinations – which one would be the most fun to write about? Hmm, my sister lives in Australia, and I love it there. Maybe Sydney? They wanted alpha heroes or anti-heroes, definitely guys with an edge. What kind of alpha would be fun to write? I love the security firm/ex-military stories. Maybe I could create one of those?
In other words, I approached this project the way I might approach a college writing assignment… a really, really long, challenging one, that is. And as with college writing assignments, most of the class may be able to get through it and meet the guidelines, but usually only a couple students make that assignment shine. Wouldn’t it be fun to be one of those students?
“…for the first time ever, I actually tried to plan out the book, not just pants it, making sure it stayed within Harlequin’s guidelines.”
So for the first time ever, I actually tried to plan out the book, not just pants it, making sure it stayed within Harlequin’s guidelines. Then I took off, writing my story about a security firm run by four alpha guys, set in Sydney. Oh – and it was supposed to be hot. Really hot. My previous books were all from the woman’s perspective, so writing in a crass, sex-minded guy’s voice turned out to be really fun. I just went with it. And the book was done and polished in three month, a record for me by far.
When I finally got the call a few months later, Kathleen remembered my billionaire writer. “Being memorable is a good thing,” she said, quite diplomatically.
I would probably have written off the whole experience as embarrassing if it hadn’t been the jumping-off point for a sold manuscript. Instead, I get to call it the beginning of my success story – the real version of that story.
To learn more about Rebecca, visit her website, rebeccahunterwriter.com
Or say hello on Facebook
And watch for Rebecca’s Harlequin Dare debut in 2018!
11 replies on “Getting the Call: Meet Rebecca Hunter!”
Good for you Rebecca! I’m sure we’ve all done that under the nerve-wracking pitch moment. But, you did what most of us don’t do by reviewing the guidelines and writing the story!
Thanks so much. Of course, writing the story is always a big challenge, even when it flows!!
Excellent advice and congratulations to you for turning that pitch opportunity into a publishing contract. And for three books!
Exactly how it came about just makes for an interesting story.
Congratulations!
Thanks so much, Ann!
Congratulations on the sale! I can’t wait to read your book. And thank you for sharing about your process.
Thanks so much, Mary Jane. Finding a process that works well for book after book is a challenge!
Congrats on the three book contract. That is totally awesome that you found the right formula. I’m a panster too, but I am learning to plot ahead. I tried to write for the Dare line, but wasn’t successful. Maybe I shouldn’t give up. I did get some pretty nice comments from Patience Bloom. anyway, I can’t wait to read the new line and now read your first book. Congrats again, you deserve it. 🙂
If we all focus on the editorial comments — that is really listen and modify accordingly — we’re sure to sell.
The patience of folks like Patience reminds me of what it’s like being a teacher. It feels GREAT when a student actually gets it and you can give that “A”.
Now, if only I can fix that student hat firmly in place and get down to work!!
Thanks so much, Chrissie, and yes – keep trying! For me it was also a matter of finding the right-match line. When I saw the Dare guidelines, I felt like I knew what Harlequin was looking for because I had read a bunch of books in this sub-genre.
Congratulations on the sale(s), Rebecca! Reviewing the guidelines and following them is good advice. Can’t wait to read your book.
Thanks, Maurine!
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!