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[Sylvia Day]

The guidelines for Silhouette Intimate Moments have changed.

With a computer word count of about 60,000 words, Silhouette Intimate Moments novels are suspenseful reads that are driven by a powerful romance between two well-rounded characters. Each novel should be fast-paced and present the hero and heroine's emotional conflicts in a compelling manner. While we do want an element of danger in each book, authors should keep the focus on the characters and the romance.

The suspense in an Intimate Moments doesn't overpower the romance, but there needs to be a suspenseful element in every book. Authors should avoid graphic details and give the reader a more intimate portrayal of a couple falling in love under extraordinary circumstances. The story needs to be logical and resolved in a believable manner, but doesn't need an emphasis on the investigative process.

The Intimate Moments heroine is complex and finds herself in an inevitable predicament. Throughout, she is strong-willed and smart but also capable of making mistakes in life and love. As always, the reader should empathize with her. To complement her, the hero should be powerful, a force to contend with. He is a skilled rescuer but "man enough" to let himself be rescued from time to time by the perfect woman.

We should clearly understand what drives these two characters apart and ultimately unites them at the end. The conflict should be dramatic and page-turning and provide a happy ending for the reader. While the story doesn't need to start off with the heroine dangling from the cliff and the hero running to grab her hand, the story should begin in an exciting way (which could be as simple as an enticing point of view).

Blend the suspense element with popular themes--revenge, woman in jeopardy, espionage, law enforcement, military, medical, paranormal, Westerns and others--to create an exciting, captivating read. The story can be set anywhere in the world but the tone should be true to the author's voice.

Intimate Moments novels should show heightened emotion, as well as sensuality. Above all, each and every Silhouette Intimate Moments read should fulfill the promise of a romantic and suspenseful read.

Silhouette Intimate Moments is actively seeking new authors and accepting query letters as well as a synopsis and three chapters from interested writers.