This week I begin my look at the various Publisher Spotlights from the Romance Writers of America conference in Washington DC. Stay tuned each week for a new Spotlight.

First up –Avon books.
The Spotlight on Avon was presented by Executive Editor Erica Tsang, Editorial Assistant Amanda Bergeron , Assistant Editor Esi Sogah, Editor May Chen and Associate Editor Tessa Woodward .

Erica Tsang started things off by talking about www.AvonRomanceBlog.com This is a way for Avon to communicate with readers and writers. Each editor has a bio that tells interesting things about them. This is a good way to keep up with what’s going on at Avon.

Tessa Woodward spoke about the HarperCollins website. www.HarperCollins.com. The website links to author pages, information about new books, videos, contests, excerpts and lots of information. Find the submissions guidelines here www.harpercollins.com/imprints/avon/SubmissionGuidelines.aspx

May Chen highlighted Avon’s Author Assistant. This helps authors build their own site attached to the HarperCollins website. Authors can customize the size with easy to use templates, link to their personal website, and add photos. This is another way for authors to reach out to fans.

Esi Sogah talked about Avon’s presence on Facebook and Twitter, Authors on Air, LibraryThing, GoodReads, Flickr, YouTube and BlogTalk Radio. If it’s online, Avon is probably involved.

May Chen then spoke about upcoming books from Avon.

As far as what Avon is looking for, historical romance does very well for them. These should be set primarily in Britain before 1900 (Regency, Georgian, Victorian – also Medievals). They also see a growth in “hearth and home” contemporary romance, ala Debby Macomber.

They also like contemporary romance, paranormal romance, African American romance, erotica, inspirational romance and women’s fiction. Manuscripts should be 90,000 – 100,000 words. Exceptions are women’s fiction (60,000 -90,000 words and erotica 80,000 – 90,000 for novels, 25,000 – 40,000 for short stories and Inspire – 60,000 – 90,000 words.)

Avon Inspire is Avon’s imprint of inspirational romance. The editors are open to manuscripts from 60,000 – 90,000 words in all sub-genres – historical, contemporary, romantic comedy and romantic suspense. The books are primarily set in the United States and feature Christian characters. No foul language, alcohol or drug use or premarital sex.

During questions, the editors touched on their specific likes and dislikes:
Erica Tsang –Paranormals and historicals
May Chen – homey type knitting books
Tessa Woodward – loves historicals, particularly sexy Regencies, also likes “fresh” paranormal romance.
Esi Sogah–historicals, multi-cultural women’s fiction

Avon accepts unsolicited and unagented queries via email at avonromance@…. Be sure to put Query in the subject line. Don’t send attachments.

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I’m now on Facebook!

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Authornomy is sponsoring a contest. The winner will have their short story published in Angry Robot author Lauren Beukes’ next book. Write a short story (up to 3000 words) based in the universe Lauren created in her first novel, Moxyland. Use characters, themes and settings from her book to create your own work. Moxyland is available to read on authonomy ar authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=10869
Or, if you prefer, you can read the whole book using browse inside.

browseinside.harpercollins.co.uk/index.aspx?isbn13=9780007323890

Copy your entry into the comments section of the Moxyland book page. Over the next couple of months, Lauren will be on the site and reading every story with her favourite 3 going into her next book, out in Spring 2010. The closing date for entries is September 11th 2009. Read the full Terms and Conditions at www.harpercollins.co.uk/legal/Pages/angry-robot-competition.aspx
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As always, feel free to pass along this newsletter. If any part of it is reproduced or quoted, please give me credit. Anyone can sign up for the newsletter by sending a blank email to CynthiaSterling-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Cindi Myers
The Daddy Audition, Harlequin American Romance, July 2009
Her Christmas Wish, Harlequin American Romance, December 2009
www.CindiMyers.com,

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