[Sylvia Day]

Briana,

Do you look for a great story first? Or great writing? Or both?

If the writing is good, but the story needs help will you consider it further?

If the story is good, but the writing needs help will you consider it further?

Or do you get so many submissions that it really has to be the whole package to stay in the running?

[Briana St James]

Sylvia Day, on Mar 5 2005, 08:37 AM, said:

Briana,

Do you look for a great story first? Or great writing? Or both?

If the writing is good, but the story needs help will you consider it further?

If the story is good, but the writing needs help will you consider it further?

Or do you get so many submissions that it really has to be the whole package to stay in the running?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi, Sylvia

I don't have a specific formula for choosing a story. The story has to have that special quality that resonates with me. I don't expect a submission to be perfect in story or writing mechanics, but it does have to be a solid submission to begin with. The author needs to have an above-average grasp of grammar and storytelling for a submission to catch my eye.

I'm not currently acquiring any books for EC, but all the editors work similarly.

Bree

[Briana St James]

Betty, on Mar 6 2005, 05:45 AM, said:

Briana, do you ever take a second look at a mss that caught your fancy but not quite enough to toss onto the keeper stack?  Also, do you toss aside the next mss of a person you have rejected several times.  LOL  Not me of course.

Thanks you,
Betty
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi, Betty

There are some instances where we ask that the author do a 'Revise and Resubmit'. These submissions are usually the ones where an editor liked the story, but felt that it wasn't quite right at present.

We evaluate every submission on its own strengths and weaknesses, not our prior history with an author. Some multiple rejected authors have hit the right note and are now published EC authors.

Bree

[Briana St James]

Kate, on Mar 7 2005, 01:32 PM, said:

Hi Briana,
As an editor do you feel that authors either 'can' or 'can't' write very sensual stuff or romantica?.  For instance, can you tell if someone has just added a whole load of sex scenes to something to make it what they think you want to read?
Thanks
Kate
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi, Kate

An editor can often tell when sex scenes are forced or used to push up the sensuality level. The readers can often tell it too.


Yes, some people can write erotic romances and others cannot. It all depends on your comfort levels. If you're not comfortable or passionate and are holding back, it often becomes clear.

Bree

[Sylvia Day]

Briana St James, on Mar 8 2005, 03:29 PM, said:

Hi, Kate

An editor can often tell when sex scenes are forced or used to push up the sensuality level. The readers can often tell it too.
Yes, some people can write erotic romances and others cannot. It all depends on your comfort levels. If you're not comfortable or passionate and are holding back, it often becomes clear.

Bree
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I totally agree with this. (Not that anybody asked me. *g*) Thankfully, I don't run into them often, but occasionally I'll pick up a book with "toss-in" sex. That means, "Hey, I've written X number of pages, time to toss in a sex scene." It's very obvious. But great sex... well, it's great sex.

[Briana St James]

Sylvia Day, on Mar 8 2005, 09:19 PM, said:

I totally agree with this.    (Not that anybody asked me. *g*) Thankfully, I don't run into them often, but occasionally I'll pick up a book with "toss-in" sex. That means, "Hey, I've written X number of pages, time to toss in a sex scene." It's very obvious. But great sex... well, it's great sex. 
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A guideline I tell a lot of new authors is that every sex scene MUST advance the plot/characters in some way, however small.

Bree

[MadisonChase]

Hi Briana,

Every editor and reader has their own likes and dislikes, interests, experiences, things that they want to see and read about. You mentioned finding books that resonate, what about a book do you look for for pleasure reading? What really sticks with you?

For instance, I love learning new things via the books I read. I don't have the time or patience to research everything I'm interested in (else I'd be on wikipedia 24/7) but if an author can teach me about a place, a job, an event, or anything really along with telling a great love story... then that's an author/book that I'll enjoy and read again and again.

Best,
Madison

[Briana St James]

MadisonChase, on Aug 3 2006, 11:07 AM, said:

Hi Briana,

Every editor and reader has their own likes and dislikes, interests, experiences, things that they want to see and read about. You mentioned finding books that resonate, what about a book do you look for for pleasure reading? What really sticks with you?

For instance, I love learning new things via the books I read. I don't have the time or patience to research everything I'm interested in (else I'd be on wikipedia 24/7) but if an author can teach me about a place, a job, an event, or anything really along with telling a great love story... then that's an author/book that I'll enjoy and read again and again.

Best,
Madison

I'll read almost anything, Madison. I'm primarily drawn to very lush world-building. If the author can pull me into a paranormal or science fiction/fantasy world, I view it as a true escape.

I agree with you about an author teaching the reader about something without it being a lecture as well.

Briana