Today we’re sitting down with Tawny Weber who writes for Harlequin Blaze. We have a few questions about the line.

First things first, and in your own words please, how would you describe Harlequin Blaze and the books you write for them.

Harlequin Blaze is a fabulous line because there is such a wide range of stories to choose from. Sassy humor, intense romantic suspense, deep emotion, touches of paranormal or even historical. The key component that makes a story in this line a Blaze is the sexual hook – the fact that the story itself centers on a sexual angle of some kind. My stories are sassy, with deep characterization and emotional growth.

Have you noticed any changes in the guidelines and requirements or trends in the stories being bought? What about the wordcount?

Blaze’s wordcount is 60,000 words and has been for a little while. As far as trends or requirements, I think the editors are looking for strong voices and stories that resonate with readers. I’m excited to see the Blaze Historicals, since that opens a new door and is featuring some amazing authors.

What’s the process like going from sold to the shelf? Can you tell us a little about the editorial process, cover art, etc?

Oooh, what a wild ride! The first sale is like a roller coaster, tons of fun, a few exciting dips and lots of laughter and enjoyment. When I turn in my completed manuscript, I know I’ll get revisions. Call me odd, but I honestly love the revision process. My editor is magic. She sees to the heart of the story, she understands my writing and usually gets where I meant to go even if I don’t LOL. Revisions are my first step. After I turn those in, we go through copy edits, then galley edits. Its like a kid who graduates school and leaves home, but keeps moving back *g* I see the story quite a bit even after it’s technically done. During all of this, I’ll also have to fill out the Art Fact Sheets, which is a database of information that will not only let the art department know the vital statistics, like what my characters look and dress like, as well as give suggestions of scenes from the story that could be used for the cover. This is also the tool that lets the sales department sell the book overseas. So having a tight, strong synopsis is still important, long after that first sale J

Anything else you’d like to share?

I’m so excited about my first back-to-back releases, coming this April and May. COMING ON STRONG and GOING DOWN HARD feature two best friends who fall for cousins. The first, COMING ON STRONG, is a runaway bride story, where the bride who ditched her hottie hero at the altar has to come looking for his help six years later. Only this time, instead of some crazy idea of commitment, she wants what she’d wanted all along. His body. GOING DOWN HARD picks up a few months later, with a heroine who deeply regrets her slip in COMING ON STRONG – you know the one, where she gave in and did the gorgeous cowboy in the closet *g*. She’s determined to avoid this man who drives her crazy with one glance, and argues her crazy with every word. But when her life is in danger from a deranged stalker with a yen for photoshop, she has no choice but to turn to the one man who can protect her, even if it costs her heart.

Thanks Tawny!

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