We are thrilled to introduce Nana Prah, published author and newest member of the Harlequin Kimani Romance family! Here Nana shares her excitement about joining Harlequin!
Oh great, Harlequin got back to me already. It didn’t take long for them to reject my story.
This negative little thought ran through my mind when I saw that I’d received a message from Harlequin in response to my submission. So sue me if I was prepping for the rejection ahead of time so it would hurt less when I actually read the message. Imagine my surprise when I saw that they wanted to read the complete manuscript.
“I have a hard time believing people when they give me incredibly fantastic news.”
What? This had to be some kind of scam. So of course I looked up Rachel’s name to find out if she actually worked for Harlequin. By the way my middle name is Thomas (as in Doubting) and I have a hard time believing people when they give me incredibly fantastic news. Okay, so she was a real editor at the iconic publishing company I’d consider extracting a healthy tooth to write for. So now the overwhelming excitement possessed me to break out some eighties dance moves.
I sent the full manuscript and then waited. When Rachel wrote back a few weeks later it wasn’t a full acceptance, but she gave me detailed feedback on what I needed to do in order to change the novel to make it more Harlequin-friendly. I jumped at the opportunity and wrote like a, well, manic writer and sent it in.
Encouragement from Rachel by way of a phone call had me talking like some kind of valley girl because I was so ecstatic to hear from her. Oh how I enjoyed those few moments of communicating with my soon-to-be Harlequin editor.
I’ll admit that some stuff went down between that first revision and the time I got my contract, but I can’t emphasize just how much I smiled when Carly Silver called and dropped the bomb that my book would be released in December 2016. I may not have been very eloquent during that conversation either.
Why did I want to write for Harlequin when there are so many other great publishers I could’ve submitted my work to? Let me put it in chocolatey terms. Harlequin is like the Godiva of publishers. Those who know their chocolate understand just what I’m talking about.
I’m joining a fabulous league of writers in the Kimani line. Brenda Jackson alone makes me want to bow down and pay homage. Writing for a company I’ve spent years reading has got to be the best thing ever. Is it a lot of work? Yes, but it’s totally worth it, because heck, I’m writing for Harlequin. This experience is a dream come true.
In A Perfect Caress I couldn’t resist creating characters who were the total opposite of me and my life. Dante and Lanelle are both filthy rich. Lanelle is a philanthropist from old money who spearheads a project to create a state-of-the-art neonatal unit. Dante is hot, hot, hot. Need I say more about him other than he’s also a hard working millionaire, smart, and well, hot? He owns a flooring company and is working on the same NICU project that is near and dear to Lanelle’s heart. Let’s just say that things get heated and dramatic between them when they meet.
I’d like to take this opportunity to invite anyone who has ever wanted to write for Harlequin to make a submission. You never know what that email you receive will lead to!
Congratulations Nana, and welcome to Harlequin!
Look for Nana’s Harlequin Kimani Romance debut in December 2016!
And meet Nana at her website at: www.nanaprah.blogspot.com
Or say hello on Twitter@NanaPrah
And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NanaPrah.Author
29 replies on “Welcome to Harlequin: Meet Nana Prah”
So excited for you and proud of you, Nana! I’m sure A Perfect Carass will be the first of many Harlequin Kimani Romances you have published!
Thanks, Debbie. I can’t stop smiling.
Congrats, Nana!! I’m so happy for you!
Thanks for your support, Leslie.
Nana, congratulations! Harlequin is lucky to have you…you know how much I love your writing.
Thanks Mona. You always know how to make my day.
Are you single Miss Prah??
Interesting question. I will leave that answer for another Meet me post.
Congratulations Nana. Sopn you will be a vetetan harlequin writer.
Thanks Marie. My fingers, toes and eyes are all crossed.
Is it Perfect Carass as your fan Debbie Christiana puts it, or perfect Carcass?
CONGRATULATIONS, NANA PRAH!!!!!!! I knew it was only a matter of time that Harlequin would scoop you up! I’ve had the pleasure of reading your books and love each and every one!!!
Thank you, Cathrina. You are the best!
Congratulations! This is so awesome!!!!!
Thanks Melissa. Time to break out the cupcakes.
Congrats, Nana! I’m so happy for you, and I can’t wait to read your book! 🙂
Thanks Lara. I’m looking forward to seeing it in print, myself.
Congratulations!!! I’m so happy for you. I have always wanted to write for Harlequin, but was equally afraid to submit anything. I am inspired by you. May have to change my middle name from “Little,” as in chicken and take a chance.
Lol, Ey. Go for it. That name change is a good thing.
Congratulations, Nana!
Thanks, Carole.
Congratulations Nana, welcome!!!! I look forward to your debut novel in December.
Congratulations, Nana!
I’m so happy for you – I’ll watch out for the Dante & Lanelle in December. 🙂
Thanks Marna. I hope you have a good time with them.
Congradulations Nana! So glad to hear this! Wish you best of luck ! This is from Tehran,Iran
Thanks Azar. It’s always good to know that I have your support.
Congrats Nana! So glad to hear this! This is Az from Tehran Iran
When will Kimani have a feedback and will there be another huge Harlequin contest this year?
What are the writing guidelines for Kimani?
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!