Comments on: Special Guest Blogger - Caren Johnson

by: Edie Ramer

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:20:55 +0000

I hope it’s not too late to ask a question. Are you interested in women’s fiction?

by: CarenJohnson

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:03:29 +0000

Fantasy and Paranormal romance
Hi Robyn:
I do group fantasy and paranormal romance together so my rules/suggestions for paranormal apply to fantasy romance.
Caren J.

by: CarenJohnson

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 14:02:00 +0000

Paranormal Trends:
I think editors are moving away from vampires, witches and werewolves. They’re looking for different premises. Just a look at some publishers marketplace deals show incubi, shapeshifters (not necessarily werewolves), and ghosts. Readers want new and exciting characters, not the same BtVS/Dark Shadows/Anita Blake handling of paranormal romance (and the case could be made that even Laurell K. Hamilton has changed her style so radicallly that it shifts the focus of the genre).
Look at movies like Underworld and X-Men (both based on comics, I believe). I think people want new kinds of premises, but with the love story/romance at the center that follows the formula of girl meets boy, girl loses boy, girl gets boy, end.
Hope this helps,
Caren J.

by: kd

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:56:05 +0000

I was wondering if you could expand more on the genre’s you represent and what you’re looking for.

Do you represent erotic romance and erotic fiction? Also do you handle novellas?

by: Robyn

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:44:32 +0000

Hi Caren

I’m curious. You are more critical of paranormal romances but what about fantasy romances? Do you catagorize those in the same genre?

Thanks

Robyn

by: Lis

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 22:30:15 +0000

Hi Caren,

Do you see any new trends in paranormal?

Thanks,
~Lis

by: Jennifer Mueller

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 16:19:02 +0000

what is the shortest length that can be accepted? I have novella length about 30,000 words and wondering if there is a market for it.

by: Kacey Hammell

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 15:49:53 +0000

I have a romantic suspense, nine book series that has sparked alot of interest among readers. The first 2 books were previously published in ebook, the remaining 7 books aren’t 100% polished, etc., as yet, but 80% written.
What would your advice be, steps to take at this point? Should I complete all 9 books and market them together, or should I only offer the first 2 books and let an agent/publisher proceed as they see fit, asking about the other titles in this series?
Would an agent want all nine books outlined, or just the first 2?

Thank you

Live, Love, Laugh
Kacey Hammell

by: Branid

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 10:00:41 +0000

Hi. Just wondering what kind of historical romances interest you and what type you’d turn down flat.
Thanks in advance,
Brandi

by: Cynthia Justlin

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 22:41:28 +0000

Since I’m getting ready to start “shopping” my romantic suspense manuscript to agents…

My question is: What would it take for a romantic suspense query to stand out enough for you to request more material?

Thanks!
Cynthia

by: katherine warwick

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 19:37:16 +0000

Good for you, Caren! Good luck with you personal endeavors.

-k.

by: Melissa

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 13:40:41 +0000

Impressive! I can’t think of questions but if Caren is guest blogging maybe she could tell us about how things work in the publishing biz. Hand her the mic, Caridad. *g*