What makes a romance novel a romance? How do you write a kissing book?Writing a well-structured romance isn't the same as writing any other genre-something the popular novel and screenwriting guides don't address. The romance arc is made up of its own story beats, and the external plot and theme need to be braided to the romance arc-not the other way around.Told in conversational (and often irreverent) prose, Romancing the Beat can be read like you are sitting down to coffee with romance editor and author Gwen Hayes while she explains story structure. The way she does with her clients. Some of whom are regular inhabitants of the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.Romancing the Beat is a recipe, not a rigid system. The beats don't care if you plot or outline before you write, or if you pants your way through the drafts and do a "beat check" when you're revising. Pantsers and plotters are both welcome. So sit down, grab a cuppa, and let's talk about kissing books.

Have you ever dreamed of writing your very own romance novel, but haven ́t the faintest idea of where to start? Are you an already established author, but would like a more insight into this particular genre? If the answer is YES to either of these questions, then this book is for you. YOU, TOO, CAN WRITE A ROMANCE NOVEL will provide you with all the necessary tools to not only write your very own romance novel, but also to ensure that it has the maximum chance of being published and achieving success. This manual will enable you to express yourself through the story you will tell. Its step-by-step guide and instructions will gently take you through the necessary stages, from coming up with ideas and the best way to grab the reader ́s attention from the start, right the way through to producing an exciting climax and ending that will put readers on the edge of their seats, unable to tear themselves away from your story. Once you ́ve completed your novel, it will take you through the best way to attract the attention of publishers. However, it also provides alternatives if you wish to pursue the evermore popular route of desktop publishing (publishing your own book either in ebook form, or on paper). Grab the book, turn the pages and realise your dream.

Every year, thousands of romance manuscripts are submitted to publishers, but only the best are eventually published. This simple guide—written by two awardwinning romance novelists—will show readers what it takes to break into this highly competitive market and will provide them the information they need to get their manuscript out of the slush pile and onto the bookshelf. Readers will learn how to do the following techniques: build a story from premise to plot; add a fresh twist to a classic storyline; create compelling characters; write sizzling sex scenes that carry an emotional punch; research agents and markets; write a story that an editor can’t reject; and promote themselves and their work. New writers, and even experienced writers, will find the solid howto information here invaluable. This is a musthave for aspiring writers who want to write the perfect love story.

Hoping to save his family, one man enters his realm's most glorious tournament and finds himself in the middle of a political chess game, unthinkable bloodshed, and an unexpected romance with a woman he's not supposed to want.

The complete guide to turning romances into cash. Romance novels are the top-selling genre in fiction. How can aspiring writers break into this lucrative field? With Writing the Great American Romance Novel, the most complete guide to writing that novel, getting it published, working with editors, agents, and publicists, and promoting it once it’s out! Step-by-step instruction shows how to create romantic heroes and heroines, structure a story, and write love scenes, as well as how to plan outlines, use timelines and grids, conduct personal interviews, and do historical research. With extras such as a list of publishers, a sample press release, a sample synopsis, and much more, this book is must-have for any aspiring romance writer passionate about writing. • Romance accounts for $1.2 billion in sales and 55 percent of the paperback market • The group Romance Writers of America has almost 10,000 members • Takes writers beyond writing to selling and promotion Allworth Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, publishes a broad range of books on the visual and performing arts, with emphasis on the business of art. Our titles cover subjects such as graphic design, theater, branding, fine art, photography, interior design, writing, acting, film, how to start careers, business and legal forms, business practices, and more. While we don't aspire to publish a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are deeply committed to quality books that help creative professionals succeed and thrive. We often publish in areas overlooked by other publishers and welcome the author whose expertise can help our audience of readers.

Winner of the H.R.F. Keating Award for best biographical/critical book related to crime fiction, and nominated for the Edgar Allen Poe and Macavity Awards for Best Critical/Biographical book.

In this charming rom-com, two enemies find something they never expected in one another—taking "all's fair in love and war" to a hilarious and heartwarming new level. Actress Bree Leake doesn't want to be tied down, but just when it's time to move on again, Bree's parents make her an offer; hold steady in Abingdon for one full year, and they will give her the one thing she's always wanted—her grandmother's house. Her dreams are coming true . . . until life throws her some curve balls. And then there's her new neighbor. Chip McBride. For the first time in her life, she's met the person who could match her free-spirited air—and it's driving her to the ledge of sanity. She would move heaven and earth to have him out of her life, but according to the bargain she's struck, she cannot move out of her house and away from the man who's making her life miserable. So begins Bree's obsessive new mission: to drive Chip out of the neighborhood—and fast. Bree isn't the only one who's a wee bit competitive, and as Chip registers what Bree's up to, he's more than willing to fight fire with fire. But as their pranks escalate, the line between love and hate starts to blur. Good fences make good neighbors—and sometimes love and hate share a backyard. Sweet, stand-alone romantic comedy Book length: 77,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Many authors write, then market. Successful authors write TO market Have you written a book that just isn't selling? Would you like to write a book that readers eagerly devour? Many authors write, then market. Successful authors write TO market. They start by figuring out how to give readers what they want, and that process begins before writing word one of your novel. This book will teach you to analyze your favorite genre to discover what readers are buying, to mine reviews for reader expectations, and to nail the tropes your readers subconsciously crave. Don't leave the success of your novel up to chance. Deliver the kind of book that will have your fans hounding you for the next one.

Every so often a love story captures our hearts and becomes more than just a story - it becomes an experience to treasure and to share. The Notebook is such a book. It is a celebration of a passion both ageless and timeless, a tale of laughter and tears, and makes us believe in true love all over again. At thirty-one, Noah Calhoun is rebuilding his life on the coast after the horrors of World War II, but he is haunted by images of the girl he lost more than a decade earlier. Allie Nelson is about to marry into wealth and security, but she cannot stop thinking about the boy who stole her heart years ago. And so begins an extraordinary tale of a love so strong it turns tragedy into strength and endures everything . . . 2014 marks the 10th anniversary of the film adaptation of The Notebook starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. This new edition includes gorgeous colour photographs from the film, author Q & A, discussion questions and an exclusive chapter from The Longest Ride, the new Nicholas Sparks novel.

Sell Your First Book & Develop a Successful and Sustainable Writing Career Before you can land a book deal—before you can even attract the interest of agents and editors—you need to be visible. How do you become visible? You develop a platform, or a way of reaching your readers. Everybody can develop a platform, and this book shows you how to do it while you're still writing. This book offers: A step-by-step approach to creating, growing, and nurturing a platform An economical approach to self-promotion (no need to spend thousands) A clear way to uncover your strengths and weaknesses as an author The strategies that are essential (or not) to online promotion A philosophy of authorship that leaves you confident, empowered, and equally partnered with agents, editors, and publishers (instead of waiting to be discovered) A diverse set of tools and methods for getting known (not just web-based tools or ideas for extroverts) After you read this book, you'll be able to answer the inevitable question: "What's your platform?" You'll learn the hows and whys of becoming visible and how to cultivate visibility from scratch. Best of all, you won't need any previous knowledge or experience to get started. Growing a writing career isn't just about landing one book deal and then scrambling like crazy. There is a more strategic and steady way to lay the groundwork so you can avoid scrambling altogether—and Get Known Before the Book Deal is the only comprehensive book that shows you how.