1. Believable characters in seemingly insurmountable situations (the situations may not be believable until you have read more of the story but they should be situations where the characters are able to overcome obstacles and triumph) with comprehensible dialogue. Readers want to get lost in the story, whether is it a general romance, or an erotic one, the reader needs to believe in the characters’ lives, situations, and conversations.

2. When you open a romance novel you know exactly how it's going to end, and because of that, the author has a difficult job. It is the writer’s job to create new and interesting ways for characters to meet, explore their relationship, and to overcome any obstacles. A coherent, consistent plot and character development is essential to accomplish that feat.

3. The coherent, consistent plot and strong character development should be accompanied by a story that "SHOWS" not "TELLS" the tale. The author needs to show in descriptions with words, feelings and actions. This doesn't mean the book needs to be filled with purple prose, but the story's actions should bring the reader INTO the experiences with the characters.

Plausible answers to the following questions:

a. How can I tempt my readers?
b. How can I turn the (romance/erotic) genre on its ear?
c. How can I involve this reader?
d. What will make my characters come to life?

Although realistic characterizations, situations, and plots are vital to a story line, so are other tools of romance writing which include:

Sexual and emotional tension
A sense of humor
Loss and reconciliation

Readers want to care for the characters as individuals and want to want them to be together because the author has proven that, in spite of circumstances, this is the only place the characters want o be.

Reader involvement cannot be stressed enough. It is important to reveal the characters bit by bit, to let the reader come to know them as they might a new friend. Don’t tell us, show us! If the characters have interesting jobs, lets see them at work. If you don’t know anything about their careers, do some research. If the story is set in a foreign land, make the reader believe they are there also. The internet is a wonderful tool. Use it!

The most enduring characters in fiction are the ones whose lives are revealed to us bit by bit. They are characters with shortcomings and strengths that we relate or aspire to. Romance novels are no different. Don’t sell the characters short. If YOU can’t believe in them, your reader won’t either.

Erotic novels are no different than other genres, and the same principles should apply. The sex might be more graphic, but love and relationships are the driving forces behind the story. This should be made plain with both the plot and the characters.

Romance writing is not as easy as people think it is Romance at Heart has set high standards because we know that our readers are intelligent and passionate (they could be guys), enjoying well-written stories that will capture their interests and imaginations.

We are looking for stories that are Romance Oriented, submission’s genre or sexual heat content are irrelevant. Romance writing is not as easy as people think and we hope that these content guidelines will be helpful to you when you choose to submit a manuscript to Romance At Heart Publications.

Remember that Romances are an escape into fantasy. Let’s make the trip as smooth, exciting, titillating as possible.

Romance At Heart Publications
1 East Manor Avenue (rear)
Enola, PA 17025

©2004 Romance At Heart Publications