I prefer a proper book to e.books. I know we have to move forward, but for me, there’s nothing like sitting down to relax with a cup of earl grey and something good to read. Today I picked up five Mills & Boon books. Reason for that is that I’m writing my Hats off to Love and I’m going to submit my first three chapters and the synopsis sometime during the next week to M & B.
The good thing about Mills and Boon is that they like 50,000 words. Then again, I have a feeling I’ll need more words than that to fit in all I’m going on about in the synopsis. Mine is going to fit into the ‘cherish’ section. They have different sections depending on the type of story you’re writing. Have a look here.
I’ve got in mind what I want on the cover. My star character looking up and all kinds of hats tumbling down around her… that’s my plan, but maybe it’ll turn out different.
I’m up to 27.000 words, and to get back into the gist of the story, I’ve had to go back to the beginning and over the first three chapters to get back to what it’s all about. I’d gone up a bit of a one way street, but hopefully back on track now.
Red roses for love, and there’s Mum and Dad at my Niece’s wedding last year. They’re always romantic.
Here’s how Harper Collins go about finding the design for a book.
Susan Jones 
I prefer a proper book as well, Susan. good luck with your submission to M&B and let us know how you get on.
Will do Wendy. I sent three chapters and synopsis about twenty years ago. They said send the rest and I panicked as I hadn’t written it. This is a different story. Hopefully this time I’ll get it published. Thanks for popping by.
Good luck with the submission to M&B Susan! Let us know what you hear.
Certainly will Tracy, thanks for the good luck wishes.
If you drop a book in the bath, you can dry it out. If you drop a Kindle in the bath…
Oh Julia that’s so funny. I hope you’re not speaking from experience. It’s the smell of books, the feel of turning the pages, using a fancy bookmarker. I could go on, but off to make chicken curry and rice for dinner.
Although I love my kindle for bedtime reading, I do love my print books downstairs! Wishign you all the best with your submission, Suzy.
Oh thank you Rosemary, I need it. I know with technology, there’s so far you can go before it gets too much for us to take in. I’d rather be reading and writing than worrying too much about formatting etc.
Good luck with M&B! I tried writing for them years ago but I couldn’t manage to stick to all their guidelines. Looking at their website, they do seem to be giving their writers a bit more freeedom over plots and characters these days. It’s a good market if you can produce what they want.
I hope I can Linda. I’ve just polished up chapters 1 and 2 and done the synopsis, only chapter three to shine up and then my top letter, thanks for your thoughts. I’ll put their response on my blog.
Sending loads of lucky dust, Susan xx
Oh that sounds lovely Pat thank you. I’ll sprinkle it on my envelope before I send it off.xx
Best of luck, Susan! To follow on what Pat wrote … the pixies in my garden are sending some fairy dust! xo
Oh thank you Diane, almost finished your novel. I love it.xx
I really like paper books – and I really like my kindle!
Hope the writing is going well. Reading a few other M&B books as research sounds like a good plan (and research sounds so much more industrious than lounging on the sofa with a nice romance!)
Oh yes, I’m putting in plenty of research Patsy. Mills and Boon have a formula, it’s knowing that, and I’m doing my homework. She says with a pile of books and packet of choc eclairs by her side:)))
I can almost smell those beautiful red roses… I also love physical books. Good luck with your submission!
Aren’t they lovely Julia. We used to sell them in our florist shop. Will keep you informed on what Mills and Boon think of my opening chapters. Thanks for popping by.
Best of luck Susan! Keep us posted.
Thanks Deb, will do. No news yet…