Taste of Kiwi: Blog of Author Shelley Munro

For those readers who enjoy a spicy hot read, Ellora’s Cave will have a new treat each day, starting on 14 April.

Monday: One or two free reads and sometimes reissued stories from older anthologies.
Tuesday: One new theme story, Quickie or a new Cavemen anthology.
Wednesday: Normal release day – four new ebooks available to purchase in various genres.
Thursday: Sale day! Ebooks and print books on sale for a week. Pick up some bargains.
Friday: Normal release day. Four new ebooks go on sale in various genres.

Reminder, the above schedule starts from 14 April so don’t forget to visit Ellora’s Cave every day to see the new arrivals.

I enjoy watching a good game of rugby, and it’s no secret that I gain hero inspiration while I’m watching all those players run up and down the field. I also like reading romance, so I was excited to hear Harlequin is releasing some rugby related romances. The first book, the Prince’s Waitress Wife by Sarah Morgan launches on 1 February.

Here’s a link to the Rugby Football Union page with the story.

And speaking of rugby romances, I’m ahead of the times because I have two stories out already with Ellora’s Cave. Issy’s Infatuation is about women’s rugby while Best Man is an m/m story that features two rugby players.

And finally, I have a cover for my February 27 release, Leticia’s Lovers. You can find a blurb and excerpt if you follow this link.

I was very excited to learn Fancy Free has been nominated as one of the best contemporary/suspense books over at Night Owl Romance. Here’s the link. There are lots of great books up for awards. Go over and vote – either for me or one of the other excellent books. I feel like a winner just being nominated!

A few years ago agent Donald Maass of the Donald Maass Literary Agency visited New Zealand to speak to us at our conference. He’s a wonderful speaker and I came away from his workshop feeling very inspired. At the moment he has a free download at his website of one of the books he’s written – The Career Novelist: A Literary Agent Offers Strategies for Success. I’ve already downloaded my copy. I like his book Writing the Breakout Novel. I have a copy, which I must read again because it’s full of excellent advice.

I’m about all things tea this week while I gear up for the 14 October release of Tea For Two, my first Samhain book. I noticed when I was over in the US recently that everyone drinks iced tea. We even had iced tea at the conference. I have to say it’s not something I enjoy drinking. Hot tea–yes, but not iced tea. Could someone tell me why they like iced tea because I can’t see the attraction.

Back in 2002/2003, I was the newsletter editor for Romance Writers of New Zealand. It was fun getting the newsletter ready, and I had access to some great articles, shared by RWA chapters.

I still remember an article called First You Whack the Parents by Kathy Sims Flake. It was the title that initially attracted my attention, but after reading it, I thought the content was pretty good too. Kathy discussed the fact that in modern fiction parents are in the way and often writers will kill them off. I recall agent Kristin Nelson mentioning in one of her blogs that she was seeing a lot of orphan heroes and heroines, especially after the success of Harry Potter.

Ms. Flake mentioned that while killing off the parents in historical fiction was realistic, she didn’t always buy the scenarios used in modern contemporary fiction. Just think about it. How many books have you read where the parents have died in car accidents, plane crashes or house fires? In my Middlemarch series, I killed off the Mitchell brothers’ parents because it was convenient to the plot. I’m sure many of you have killed off fictional parents as well. Sometimes authors send the parents off on holiday or there’s an estrangement.

Ms. Flake suggested adding Mom and Pop to the story as enrichment – another layer of conflict. At the very least, she said, we need to strive for originality when shunting around characters’ parents and concluded right at the end, that if all else fails, the author could call in Tony Soprano.

What do you think? How have you managed parents in your stories? Do you ignore them, send them on holiday or simply kill them off? What’s the most orginal way you’ve used to kill off the parents? What’s the most original way you’ve read in someone else’s book?

When I first started writing, I learned there were specific rules to follow. This puzzled me because I couldn’t find a definitive list of these rules anywhere, yet fellow writers and contest judges were quick to fill me in.

No Rock Stars: I learned this one after I’d completed a story called Follow That Dream. I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t have a rock star hero. No sports settings. Hmm, I had one of those, too. Evidently there are several occupations on the no-no list. Politicians and artists, please step this way.

The hero and heroine should meet in the first few pages. This one made a little more sense if the book was a short story or category romance, because we want the hero and heroine center stage. But what about a 100,000 word novel? Surely it wouldn’t matter if they didn’t meet straight away?
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The Romance Divas annual Not Going to Conference Conference will make you feel a bit less deprived! Amazing workshops, a star-studded guest list and awesome giveaways, all on the Diva forum! Don’t miss it!

Wednesday, July 30

Paula Guran, Editor, Juno Books
Q&A on Creating Kick a** Heroines
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According to literary agent, Kristin Nelson, dogs are hot at the moment and editors are searching for both fiction and nonfiction projects relating to dogs after the recent success of Marley & Me. Kristin says The Art of Racing in the Rain is also another success story.

I’d like to say I beat the trend with my Talking Dog series at Ellora’s Cave. If you enjoy dog stories, humor and romance check out Talking Dogs, Aliens and Purple People Eaters, Never Send a Dog to do a Woman’s Job, or Romantic Interlude which all feature Killer, the talking dog. Romancing the Alien is a print combo of the first two Talking Dogs books.

It’s time for a cup of tea, so in the immortal words of Killer – “Do ya have any food?”

With the Romance Writers of America conference coming up in July, I thought it was a good time to discuss pitches. Many of you, me included, have probably applied for appointments and now need to prepare for your pitch. Yes, I’ll admit the nerves get a bit of a workout, but preparation is the key. I’ve started to think about my pitch now.

Here are a few tips:

1. Prepare beforehand and summarise your book in a few sentences. Know your market and do a little research. If you have an agent appointment who do they represent? Have you read books by these writers? Is there an online article detailing the agents/editors likes and dislikes. You’ll be surprised at the articles that will pop up with an online search. When you’re reading check the acknowledgements in the front of the book. Many authors thank their editors and agents, which will give you a feel as to what type of book they enjoy.

2. Practice your pitch with a friend.

3. The agents and editors are probably just as nervous as you are about the pitch. Start with a smile and introduce yourself. Don’t forget to breathe. Write yourself some notes to jog your memory, just in case you freeze, and take them in with you.

4. As well as pitching, ask questions. It’s an ideal opportunity.

5. Speak clearly and not too quickly. I know I have a tendency to talk really fast if I’m a bit nervous. Be enthusiastic about your book – it’s a masterpiece, after all, and once you’ve pitched the agent/editor will want it. They’ll be excited about receiving your partial/full manuscript in the mail. Right? The point is – if you’re not excited then why should they want your book?

6. Don’t take your manuscript with you to hand to the editor/agent. The only thing you should take are your notes and a business card.

7. Most agents/editors prefer you to pitch only finished manuscripts.

8. Concentrate on pitching one book, although if you have time, it’s okay to mention others. The agent or editor will ask questions if they’re interested.

9. Dress – I probably don’t need to say this but treat the pitch like a job interview and dress accordingly. An editor/agent pitch is not the time to wear scruffy jeans and a short, tight T-shirt.

So what goes in a pitch?

One of my favorite articles about pitching is by author Kathy Carmichael. She has an excellent article on her website, along with a nifty pitch generator, which will help with your basic pitch.

Agent, Kristin Nelson also has some excellent posts about writing pitches/blurbs. The first post is Pitching and All That Jazz. Here’s another post for a contemporary romance and one for romantic suspense. Kristin’s posts can also be used for writing query letters and blurbs. I’ve only linked to a few. She has others and it’s definitely worth heading over to her blog.

CJ Lyons has a guest post over at Title Magic about perfecting your pitch.

Finally, Australian author, Paula Roe has a very good article describing the pitching process.

Do you have any pitching tips to add?

On 7 March 2008 I had a new release. By the following week my book was up on an Internet pirate site. To add insult to injury the person who offered my book linked directly to the cover art on my website. I’m not the only author this has happened to recently. Both New York published authors and those with small presses are victims and if anything, the problem is becoming worse.

I’m angry, irritated, annoyed, pissed off—all those. Actually, add more “labels” in your imagination because that’s how I’m feeling. I’ve already exercised my potty mouth in the privacy of my own home, but I try to keep this blog clean.

I want to speak directly to the individuals who have put my books up on pirate sites. It’s simple really.

You are a thief.

That’s right. You’re committing a crime. It’s not a defense to say you didn’t know, because I know you do. You’re stealing from me. To put this in perspective let’s say you work forty hours a week, and at the end of that period you receive an envelope of money. Your employer gives the money to me, but instead of handing it on, I take quarter of the money and keep it. Only then do I give your wages to you. It doesn’t feel very good, does it? The fact that I’m taking money you could use to feed your family? The money you’re counting on to pay expenses?

That is what you’re doing to me. Contrary to public belief, authors do not make buckets of money. You are robbing me of a portion of wages I’ve worked hard to earn.

To the people who come to my website searching for free copies of OpShop’s song One Day, shame on you. If you want to listen to their music before buying, check out their website where you can hear the entire album. If you enjoy their music go and buy it from iTunes. That’s what I did.

If you’re reading this and are guilty of the crime of Internet piracy, you’re probably laughing. You probably don’t care, don’t have a conscience. I’d like to point out that what goes around comes around. Your turn will come.

Here’s the press release for the writing competition I mentioned in yesterday’s post.

A brand new writing competition from the world�s best-selling romance series is about to hit the blogosphere!

It�s an exciting time for Harlequin Presents: from January 2008, there will be 12 of our intensely passionate romances available every month. And with this increase of titles comes a great opportunity for aspiring authors � we will be looking to buy more books for publication!

The old saying goes that first impressions are lasting impressions � and when it comes to reading a Harlequin Presents, that certainly holds true. If the first chapter doesn�t immediately grip the reader with its pace, passion and intensity, then she won�t continue to turn the pages.
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