Sarah's Recipe for Romance

Wit, humor, and a hero determined to risk everything to win the heart of the woman he loves... whether he is a Rakish British peer or a sexy US Army Ranger.

RWA Conference Recap

July 21, 2009 – 9:00 am

Like many of my fellow romance writers, I traveled to the RWA 29th Annual Conference last week in Washington, DC. Overall, it was an amazing experience. The sessions were informative and the speakers inspiring.

Of course, there were a few experiences that stood out above the rest. The first being my dinner with New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak (her next release, The Perfect Couple, hits stores on July 28th!) and her agent, Kim Whalen from the Trident Media Group. I won this amazing opportunity through Brenda’s annual online auction to raise money for diabetes research, a cause that is near and dear to her heart. Throughout the entire meal, I felt like I was in a MasterCard commercial. It was as if there was a voice-over running through the entire evening:

Train Ticket to Washington DC - Forty dollars

 Cup of Coffee in the Hotel Lobby – Three dollars

Dinner with Brenda Novak and her Agent - Priceless

Brenda, Kim and a second agent from Trident, Stephanie MacLean, who graciously agreed to join us, offered very insightful advice. I simply could not have started the conference on a better note.

Apart from dinner the first night, my conference highlights included the What Not to Write workshop, featuring Eloisa James and her editor from Avon, Carrie Feron. This look at writing don’t was both humorous and informative. I also enjoyed a wonderful lunch with the co-founders of Share the Love, Maya Rodale and Ann Bleakley. Share the Love collects gently used romance novels and passes them onto non-profit organizations that provide assistance to women in transitional periods of their lives—homeless and domestic violence shelters, prisons and recovery half-way houses.

Overall, RWA was a rewarding and perhaps somewhat exhausting experience. I am certainly looking forward to Nashville in 2010!

By Sarah Tormey ++ Posted in The Business of Romance ++ Comments (1)

RWA National Conference

July 13, 2009 – 8:00 am

My bags are packed (or will be once I remove my feline stowaway) and I am ready to travel to Washington DC for my first national conference as an aspiring author!     

Though I have attended RWA in the past, I must admit that I was never quite this excited–or nervous. And that is certainly saying something seeing as the first time I attended, I had to introduce two bestselling authors, Madeline Hunter and Allison Brennan, to a room of about one hundred librarians. I practiced my introductions for hours in my hotel room the night before the event. The second time I traveled to RWA was for a breakfast with my clients at the time, Levy Home Entertainment, and a group of Random House authors.  I was also able to go to a session where my clients spoke about their promotional opportunities. This gave me a taste of what the seminars at RWA have to offer and now I am eagerly awaiting my chance to attend three full days of informative sessions.  

While both of my previous trips to RWA were fun and rewarding, this time I am looking forward to pitching Flirting with Scandal and meeting my fellow romance writers. I would welcome any and all advice from those who have attended in the past.  And I would love to hear from anyone else who is suffering from a case of pre-conference jitters!

By Sarah Tormey ++ Posted in The Business of Romance ++ Comments (8)

The E-Book Debate

June 29, 2009 – 7:00 am

A lot has been written lately on publishing blogs by romance authors, agents and other industry professionals about e-books and their place in world of romance novels. I was especially impressed by Deidre Knight’s blog post on the issue.  Deidre’s blog entry specifically addresses RWA’s stance on e-books.  I am still in the process of gathering info on this hot button subject and do not feel I can articulate a hard and fast opinion at this time.  What I should like to share are my thoughts on e-books themselves as I am often asked the simple question: what do you think of e-books?  I hear this inquiry from friends both in and out of the publishing/writer world. 

From my perspective (and I certainly cannot claim to know everything about the issue or the e-book market) I don’t believe there is a right was or a wrong way to share stories with readers.  I would likely purchase Julia Quinn’s upcoming release, What Happens in London, even if the book was only available as a series of post-it notes taped to the back of a cereal box.  I have read a few e-books in the past and can say I enjoyed them as much as some of the mass market paperbacks I’ve read.  When I worked in publishing, my company provided me with an e-reader so that I could read manuscripts without having to carry reams of paper back and forth to work.  I loved my e-reader and was quite sad when I had to return it (my blackberry was another story).  But more importantly, I loved the books I was reading on my e-reader.   In my humble opinion, the format is only as good as the material available.  

That said, my concern with e-books is that a reader must actively search for a title.  And I wonder how many “impulse buys” would be lost.  How many readers would never discover a new author because they simply did not see the book?  Distributing mass market paperbacks to outlets such as Wal-Mart, Target, and your local grocery stores offers an amazing opportunity that I’m not sure the e-book market can replicate.  At least, not yet.  

For example, a reader who has enjoyed historical romance novels in the past could stop by her (or his) local Safeway grocery store (or Stop & Shop if you are in New England) for a loaf of bread.  As the shopper weaves through the aisle with her bread in hand, she passes through the book aisle and out of the corner of her eyes sees a number of cover images that look like titles she has enjoyed in the past.  The shopper pauses and picks up a title, perhaps  A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore which might happen to be on the shelf beside a Nicole Jordan title she read and loved.  After a quick peak at the copy on the back of the book the shopper races to the checkout with her new treasure and the loaf of bread. Could a similar “impulse buy” happen for e-books?  

I would love to hear others thoughts on this interesting issue.  Do you read e-books? Do you prefer e-books to print?  Do you own a Sony e-reader or a Kindle?

By Sarah Tormey ++ Posted in Life in NYC ++ Comments (4)

Favorites

June 16, 2009 – 7:37 am

Like most readers, I have a long list of favorites. When asked to list my top five favorite books for a recent interview on Miss Bluestocking, I gave the question considerable thought and came up with the following: 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

A Wild Pursuit by Eloisa James

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

The Romantic by Madeline Hunter 

Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooter series 

Why did I chose these five (to be fair all of Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooter novels expands this list far beyond five) novels?  I thought about the books that I simply could not part with.  If my apartment caught fire, I would grab my cat and this list of books.   

Of course, this list is constantly changing as new books are released. If I could add a sixth, I think it would be Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare (on sale in August 2009).  Why? Because I knew the moment I turned the last page that I would reread Goddess of the Hunt in the future.  

Which titles I pick up a second or third time often separate my favorites from the others. When I’m working on my own writing, I mostly limit myself to things I have read before (apart from non-fiction) – I will dabble here and there, rereading a few of my favorite chapters when I’m on the subway or can’t fall asleep at night. Thus, the pile of books on my night stand move to the favorites list. Perhaps not the top five, but if I could save an entire suitcase of books from my burning apartment I would be sure to add Untouched by Anna Campbell, Confessions of a Little Black Gown by Elizabeth Boyle, This Duchess of Mine by Eloisa James and To Seduce a Sinner by Elizabeth Hoyt.  

I’m sure this list will continue to grow as I discover new authors and read new titles by some of my favorites.  And I’m always open to suggestions!

What novels would comprise your top five list?   

 

By Sarah Tormey ++ Posted in The Business of Romance ++ Comments (5)

New Title: Flirting with Scandal

June 8, 2009 – 3:44 pm

I am thrilled to announce a new title for The Virtuous Courtesan. Following conversations with my former publishing world coworkers, and feedback from some of my early readers, I decided to change the title to Flirting with Scandal.

While the title, The Virtuous Courtesan, worked with the overall premise—an innocent twenty-something lady whose best friend’s unconventional plan leads her to pose as a courtesan—some felt this title a tad too serious. In addition, I believe Flirting with Scandal is a more selling title.

Having nearly completed the first draft of Courting Scandal, my second novel in what I hope will one day become a series, I feel that Flirting with Scandal also ties the two books together. Ever since I began writing Courting Scandal, I’d been looking for a way to link the two books.

I’d spent time brainstorming of new titles, but nothing sounded quite right. It wasn’t until I was standing on my mother-in-law’s farm in Oregon surrounded by a herd of goats that the title, Flirting with Scandal, popped into my head. A field filled with cashmere goats might not be the place most writers go when searching for inspiration, but at least now I know where to turn if I’m ever in need of a title. 

Now I’m off to write the last few chapters of Courting Scandal!

By Sarah Tormey ++ Posted in On Writing, The Business of Romance ++ Comments (1)

Gone Fishing . . .

June 1, 2009 – 11:08 am

Well, not exactly. While I am far from home, visiting the lovely state of Oregon, I have not come close to fishing.  We spent our first day on a self-guided eating and drinking tour of Portland.  

First stop: brunch at Mothers Bistro and Bar!  This lovely little bistro wins my vote for best brunch after a long, long flight from NYC the night before.  Next stop, the Saturday Market down by the water.  At the market, we mostly perused the handcrafted jewelry until we stumbled across the perfect necklace.  The sterling silver pendant features a message that I dare say would speak to any aspiring author:

Remember Your Strength, Reach for the Stars, Live Your Dreams.

After the Saturday Market, we stopped at the Rogue Distillery & Public House to sample the local beers.  Then we walked through the Pearl District.  At the end of our walk, we found a cute Parisian Brasserie on Jamison Square, Fenouil and stopped once more for a drink.

After exploring Portland on Saturday, we spent Sunday traveling down to my in-laws farm in the valley, stopping along the way at various wineries.  I believe Rex Hill wins the prize for my favorite, mainly because the staff was so friendly and helpful.  The wines we tasted were superb at all of the vineyards.  Perhaps, we’ll stop by a few more in the coming days.  Today, I’m off to play with the goats on the farm!

By Sarah Tormey ++ Posted in Travel ++ Comments (3)

Brenda Novak’s 5th Annual On-line Auction for Diabetes Research

May 28, 2009 – 6:10 am

With only four days left, NY Times bestselling author Brenda Novak’s 5th Annual On-line Auction for Diabetes Research is fast approaching the $300,000 goal for 2009! And now is the perfect time to start bidding, if you haven’t already. The auction features everything from once-in-a-lifetime experiences to signed copies of your favorite authors’ books (across multiple genres). For aspiring writers, there are multiple opportunities to bid on critiques by some of the best agents and editors in the business. The auction also features raffle items and One Day auction items. There is truly something for everyone from writers to readers to travel buffs.

Now is the time to dig deep into your pockets and enter your bids! Click Here to start your bidding today.

By Sarah Tormey ++ Posted in Uncategorized ++ Comments (0)

On Writing: Synopsis

May 26, 2009 – 7:41 am

My writing day usually begins with a cup of coffee and visits to my favorite blogs (see previous post on The Blogsphere for a detailed list). After that I settle in with my cat curled up on the desk beside me and write. Since I completed my latest revision of The Virtuous Courtesan, I’ve been working on Courting Scandal, the second book in what I hope will one day become a series.

Recently, I set aside a few mornings to rework my synopsis for The Virtuous Courtesan.  And I think I’ve discovered why some romance writer groups offer sessions entitled: The Dreaded Synopsis.  Writing a full-length novel pales in comparison to writing the one to four page summary of said novel, at least in my humble opinion. Thus, I’ve been scouring the web and various print resources for help.  I found a few sites that offered advice here and there, but I’m sure there must be more.  And I also believe my fellow writers might have a word or two of advice to share.  

Do you have a particular online resource you turn to when writing a synopsis?  Do you have any sage words of advice to share with your fellow writers?  

By Sarah Tormey ++ Posted in On Writing, The Business of Romance ++ Comments (3)

Love Stories: From Weddings to Writing

May 18, 2009 – 7:36 am

This past weekend, my nervous energy about finding an agent and a publisher for my work took a back seat to two love stories. The first unfolded on the pages of The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley.  I’d read a number of glowing reviews for Jennifer Ashley’s latest historical and had been eagerly looking forward to reading this much-acclaimed novel. This unique story not only met, but also far exceeded my expectations. From the first page, I was swept away in the love affair between Jennifer Ashley’s tortured hero and her independent heroine. While much has been written about this intriguing novel and how the author weaves Lord Ian Mackenzie’s madness into the story, I merely wish to thank Ms. Ashley for a delightful vacation read, and suggest that anyone who has not yet read The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie order a copy today.

The second love story featured living, breathing people, instead of characters on a page.  On Saturday evening I attended my grade school friend’s wedding. As an avid reader and aspiring author of the romance genre, it should hardly come as a surprise that I love weddings. I adore that magical moment when the bride meets her soon-to-be husband at the altar and smiles up at him quite literally glowing with love. The look on my friend’s beaming face throughout the ceremony and reception spoke volumes. Her happiness shown from the heart, reminding me of my own wedding day when everything seemed so perfect, even the brief rainstorm.  

Perhaps that is one reason so many of us love to witness weddings, to be reminded that the joy we felt on our own wedding day is still with us long after the ceremony, the dancing, and the cake. Or perhaps, this is an overly romantic view (hardly surprising seeing as I spend my days leading my fictional characters to their happily-ever-after). However, I’d like to believe it is the first reason, and that all of the wedding guests were reminded of the happiness in their own lives.  

As the wedding ceremony came to an end, I began to wonder how we, as writers, capture the magical glimpses of blissful love and happiness that I witnessed my friend’s face in mere words? It seems a daunting task. Yet, regardless of what words we chose, in the end, I believe finding those words, and sharing them with others, is a delightful goal indeed.

By Sarah Tormey ++ Posted in The Business of Romance, Travel ++ Comments (4)

On Writing: The Joy, The Agents, and The Frogs

May 14, 2009 – 1:21 pm

As I pack for a weekend visit to the town where I grew up, I find that there is a little voice in the back of my mind repeatedly asking: what will I say when everyone asks how the book is coming along? Or if I’ve found an agent? Or a publisher?  

You see, I will not only be visiting my family this weekend, I will be attending a wedding (a very special wedding as the bride is my best friend from grade school and caught the bouquet at my wedding). And at this very special wedding, I will likely encounter an overwhelming number of family friends who have a sincere interest in my journey down the seemingly bumpy path to publication. While I greatly appreciate their support and interest, I am not quite sure what to say.  

There are days when I feel like the great agent hunt is akin to finding a frog to be my prince, about finding that perfect match, an agent who is thrilled about my work. Not that I’ve been trampling through the woods (or in my case the parks in New York City) searching for a frog to see if one kiss will magically transform the amphibian into a literary agent passionate about my work, but there have been times when I’ve thought about it. Yet, kissing frogs in Central Park hardly seems like appropriate conversation for a wedding cocktail hour.

I could offer a detailed summary of the agents who have my manuscript and the revision I recently completed. And I could do my best to explain that it is not just about finding an agent, it is about finding the one who is eager and excited about my work (agents like all readers have different tastes). However, to someone who has not been submersed in this process, I don’t think the details would make any sense at all.  

Instead, I believe I will stick with the truth. While much less specific, it might offer a better glimpse into my journey. For me, the joy of being a writer is in the writing. It is in finding the right word, crafting a sentence that says just what it should, or learning something new about my characters.  

I’ll tell them that I’m at the exciting place in my second work-in-progress, Courting Scandal, where I can’t wait to get the words on the page. I’m so excited to write the next scene that when I’m at my computer I sometimes forget about the agents and the publishers entirely.  

And if my friends and family give me a funny look as my face lights up when I speak about my writing, then maybe I’ll tell them that I hope to one day catch a frog in Central Park.

By Sarah Tormey ++ Posted in Life in NYC, The Business of Romance ++ Comments (2)