Susan, I'm also very well read in the genre, though my history is now rusty, and while I saw peeks while it was in progress, I haven't read it as a whole.

I also know exactly what things will make me lose interest in a book in terms of pacing, etc., and am willing to read and mark up with a red pen if need be.

susan, try me. can't do an indepth right now, tho.

Thanks, y'all. I should probably finish the re-read/edit I'm doing now and make the changes I know need to happen first, and get back to you then.

Interesting article in todays news paper (San Francisco Chronicle) probably at www.sfgate.com. The writer of the article is Adair Lara.

edited to tell you the article is about romance writers

Brand-new here. Saw the writing thread and decided to come on in.

Susan W., I'd love to hear more about Lucy and Mr. Wright. I was an editor at a publisher for years, and I acquired mostly romance, historical and contemporary. I'm home with kids writing now, too. Sounds like you're expecting any day now?

Historicals can be a hard sell. And Avon (while it's definitely a wonderful place to be published) is extremely hard to get into precisely because their romances are so successful.

I'll check back in tomorrow, or you can email me if you like. And if I'm making newbie mistakes all over the place, I apologize...

Welcome! The only newbie mistake around here is being a jerk, and you're far from that.

Hey! We have a new writer! (waving)

AmyLiz, what Betsy said.

Welcome, AmyLiz! I've bookmarked your post and will be emailing you in the next few days.

Susan, I never got to read your book this summer, although I've heard all kinds of fab things about it.

I'd love to look at it, and I cannot tell you how many thousands of romances I've read.

Lord, that's scary.

Email addy is good.

Thanks, Erin! I'm holding off until I've had a chance to rewrite the beginning, because that's the one thing I know for sure needs fixed, but I'll let you know when that's ready.