By Wanda Ottewell, Senior Editor Super Romance
As I sat down to write this blog, it startled me to realize that the first month of 2012 was already finished. How could that be? Didn’t the year start, like, yesterday? Working in publishing, I frequently lose track of the current month/year as I get focused on future books and deadlines. Right now, for example, I’m thinking about how to round out the publishing schedule for last two months of 2012. The team is working on the art and cover copy for books in the last half of the year. I’m thinking about getting the manuscripts and edits done for books that won’t be published for months. I’m thinking about plans for 2013.
Since I’m so focused on the future, why don’t I give you a little taste of what I’m excited about coming up in Harlequin Superromance?
One of the most exciting things is the new cover look! As Jeannie showed you in that wonderful cover retrospective, we’re getting a new art style and look. Personally, I think the covers are gorgeous and help reflect the bigger book feel of this series. You’re in for some beautiful covers in upcoming months.
Another exciting development is the increase back to 85,000 words. Even though this change won’t take effect until the January 2013 Superromance titles, we’re already starting to see longer submissions and new ideas from authors targeted to the new length. What does this mean for the stories? Well, that extra 10,000 words could mean a secondary romance. It could mean a subplot and secondary characters’ points-of-view. It could mean digging deeper into the hero’s and heroine’s issues…maybe those issues they have with the siblings are explored and resolved. Maybe the career crisis is examined in more detail. However it looks, the longer word length will give readers more story and that’s a good thing!
The books we’re bringing to the shelves in 2012 are also exciting. There are far too many to mention here and I would hate to leave anyone out for lack of space. Look for new miniseries from some popular Superromance authors—having worked on a few of these books, I can promise you’ll find lots of good emotional moments with great plots. We are publishing five brand-new authors as well as a couple of Harlequin authors who are new to Superromance. Plus, many of your favorite Superromance authors will have books out this year. There’s a really good mix of stories coming.
Now the question I have for all of you is a little off topic. I want to know what you would like to see in future Superromance books. Is there a particular storyline you really love that we haven’t done in a while? Is there a setting you’d love to see in more books? Are there character types you think authors should explore? Not promising anything, but your suggestions just may inspire us!
As always, one commenter from today's post will win all 6 of this month's Super Romance releases, courtesy of Harlequin. Simply comment to be in the running.
31 comments:
Teasing... teasing... I would love a peek into your crystal ball to see all the great books lined up for the year. Hard to think of something more to add. Maybe one kind of story I haven't read for a while is a Cinderella story. I do love them.
I do love beautiful covers & just like everyone else I do judge. I can't think of a particular story line I am hanging out for.
I love all the new covers :) as for storylines, I'm a sucker for friends to lovers as well as marriage reunited stories :)
I have to agree with Linda my favorite is a Cinderella story as well. I love to read about stories taking place in London, England. As for characters, I always like the super neat, organized heroine, that does everything for everyone but herself and the hero that would like to share that load. Carol
It's got to be a man in uniform - fireman, cop, doctor, vet or how about an astronaut? Now that, would be super exciting!
Wanda, what a great question to pose! I'm going to be cruising the posts looking for new story ideas. Hmm, how about Cinderella In Space?
I love reunion stories. In fact, I'm writing one now.
I've said it before-- The new covers are awesome!
I saw over on the blog smart bitches trashy books a request from a lady looking for books on the theme of infertility - positive looks at the issue, with a couple supporting each other through the tough times. It's not a subject often covered - although I know there are stories on the theme.
pageturner345@gmail.com
I saw that, Pageturner, and it made me think about how deeply emotional that battle is (and it is a battle for a lot of couples), paired with Joanne's suggestion of a marriage reunited, you're looking at a powerful book...and a really difficult one to write. But we've got writers with guts around here, so I'm sure someone could pull that one off.
I've been itching for a travel story - maybe like a cruise ship, finding love with the wrong guy sort of thing, with plenty of luscious scenery and new worlds to explore. I'd love a cranky old mom tagging along with her own shot at love.
I loved Superromance back in the 80s because it took me on my very own staycation. So I'm really looking forward to new Supers, like Kim Van Meter's island series this year. And, I could write one of those...but it would require a cruise, of course. Oh, the sacrifices we writers must make in the name of research. LOL!
Can't wait to see what else everyone comes up with.
I love the new covers! Reunion stories suck me in faster than anything else, but I also love stories where opposites attract. That theme helps me believe anything is possible.
Hi Wanda--As you know, I love the new covers. As to story lines, I like stranded stories, but prefer a setting without snow and a cabin. I also love reinvention stories and reunion stories.
Thanks for giving us a peek in the crystal ball.
Friends to lovers is my favorite, but I like a variety of themes too
From Marcie:
In the past there were monthly themes - like Bundles of Joy or Cowboy Country. Do you see those coming back? Other series lines have continuties, but I've only seen one (Diamond Legacy), are those a possibility? Or are Supers moving away from the norm that you see with the other lines?
At first I didn't like the covers, but now I'm coming around. I can't wait to see what one looks like in my hand than on the computer!
Marcie
As a reader I'm excited about the new word count. As a writer, just a tad nervous. I know it's more than just length that makes SuperRomance super, just as it takes more than height to make a great hero.
I also enjoy friends to lovers- my own real life hero started out as my friend and we still have a pretty good time together twenty years later.
One of the things I enjoy most about Supers is that they move beyond the typical hooks and are really about the characters.
I like the ones where the hero has always secretly loved the hero and gets his chance when he marries her or protects her in some way.
I love ALL the Supers I've read so far! Great content ... great length ... storylines are resolved (and not hacked off due to page constraints) ... and great HEAs. Who could ask for anything more?
Beautiful cover I love it. As far as story lines go I like to mix it up myself. I like a little of everything.
I like these themes: best friends to lovers, reunion, in love with brother's best friend, cowboys, and men in uniform.
I'm so excited about the new covers - and can't wait to see mine *g*
I'm thrilled about the longer word count as I can be just a tad long-winded :-)
I love reunion and friends-to-lovers stories! And I can't wait to get my hands on all the new Supers coming out this year *g*
I look forward to the new covers...love to read. I guess reunion stories are my favorite.
jackie.smith{at]dishmail{dot]net
Hi Wanda,
I really love the new covers.
I'm all about the single dad stories. I love the interaction between teenagers and parents, too, so I like stories with older kids.
I can't wait to see what's coming for Supers.
I'm a fan of the new covers, and of Supers in general, they have a great slice of life, down to earth quality I enjoy. Maybe the only thing more I could ask, is for a wider variety of careers for the hero and heroine. I'd love to read a hero who's an artist, or a heroine who's an athlete, just something different, unexpected.
Hi Wanda! I'm curious about the length change because it seems that the lengths have gone up and down a bit in the last five years. What drives that decision?
But you asked about what we want to see. Not being contrarian, but what I don't want to see are more firemen or cowboys. I'd like unusual careers, more urban settings and more multicultural characters.
I like books about independent women facing modern issues with a sense of humour and optimism. Career versus family, aging parents, single moms.
So many story lines I love. As long as it's well-written I'll read just about anything.
I like Friends to Lovers, even brother's best friend or brother's sister,etc. I also would like to see more heroines and heroes with "middle class" type jobs (e.g. bank loan officer, super market manager, head cashier, biologist, farmers, etc.). I also like the single parent stories raising teens.
oh yea, a little bit of suspense is good too (not totally suspenseful like a suspense or intrigue, but something that would keep you a little bit on edge wondering...)
Though I read from a few lines, the Superromance line is my favourite. I enjoy all sorts of stories - about cops, ranchers, single dads, reunited with long lost loves, friends to lovers, marriage of convenience - just to name a few. I enjoyed reading the blog and look forward to seeing the new look of the SR covers.
I guess I've been reading romance for so long that there aren't many story lines that I haven't read. I do like stories with children in them. I'm really happy that you are going back to the longer length as I think it allows for a more in depth story. I like the new covers as well.
I have always wanted a story where a pregnant woman is the one rescuing the hero. Also I would love to read a story where twins have been separated at birth.
Marcie ~ There have been lots of multi-author mini series in the Super line just not a lot of them lately.
I love the covers. They are beautiful. I can't imagine what it must be like to already be looking so far ahead. I can't seem to look farther than the next couple of weeks. You must be a very organized person to keep it all straight. :)
Have a wonderful week!
I would like to see more of friend to lover stories. It always hard to turn back when one crosses the line of friendship. I love the new cover formats.
Hi, all,
Thanks for the great story themes...I know the authors have taken notes. And I've got some ideas brewing that I'll be "suggesting" to them, LOL.
There were some specific questions that I'll answer.
Marcie, you asked about the themed months--all cowboys, all babies. A lot of readers liked those, but I was really surprised by how many readers did NOT like them. At all! We got a lot of letters from readers saying they didn't like this particular theme or that they expected more variety from their Superromance books every month. Given the strong and specific feedback we decided to abandon the themed months.
As for continuities, we would certainly consider doing another one. We keep tossing around ideas but haven't yet landed on one that has the scope and mix of story themes that suits Superromance. Planning continuities can be quite consuming between managing the individual stories and the overarching plot as well a coordinating authors' time. So while we haven't yet landed on the right combination, we're still thinking about one.
And, Marcie, I'm delighted that you're coming around to the new covers!
Patricia, a lot of factors influence decisions like changes in word count. There are cost considerations, sales data, economic conditions and other business factors. We also do a lot of research about reader trends and try to fill any gaps in our overall series mix. So when it appeared that readers preferred shorter stories, we responded. But what has become clear is that readers do expect more from their Superromance stories. Thus the decision to return to the original length.
Before I sign off for this month, I want to express how much I appreciate your support and enthusiasm for this series! It's always such a pleasure to read your positive comments about the books.
Wanda
I like Cinderella, conflicting careers, and rural settings. I really enjoy stories with more than one generation. Congrats on those great new covers.
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