Friday, July 31, 2009

This I've Done In Hope I'll Get An Audience For My Novels

Delphin Enjolras' Reclining Nude


I've written a historical short for Harlequin's undone with the hope they will like and publish it. I'm hopeful but then I always am. They wanted hot but I tend to write more romantic/Sensual so I pray it was steamy enough.

I got this idea from an article I found online about writing the short story that will get you published. Then it was a month's worth of research into who would purchase and publish a romantic short. I found eHarlequin's new undone line to be the most trustworthy so off I went story boarding a short.

Earlier this week I finished the 14,000+ words story inspired by the characters of my first novel Ellesmere, I felt it a fitting homage. Particularly, since I never would have thought to write a short had it not been for my desire to see it get an agent and published.

The wait for acceptance is 3 to 4 months, so now I wait. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Simone.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Sample Novel Synopsis to go with Sample Query Letter


Novel Synopsis

Our hero: James Latimer, the future Duke of Ellesmere, has all the trappings of a first class romantic hero – fortune, charm, good looks and sexual allure – but more than that, James has a turbulent personal life. He meets the woman of his dreams a week before her wedding to another man only to be reunited with her when his impetuous fiancée elopes with the lady's brother. And all the while his family deals with a kidnapping, death and rumours of bigamy…

His heroine: Esmé Bessborough, happily engaged to her childhood sweetheart, Michael Seymour, meets James in the Countess of Irvine's picturesque garden on the night her fiancé abandons her for another. The two share a passionate kiss that forever changes the course of their lives.

The novel: Is based primarily around the romantic relationship between James and Esmé. The events and tribulation they suffer only makes them stronger as a couple. The first three chapters introduce and give in detail the foundation of the two, who they are, and where their heart lies. They spend the majority of the book in each other's company building their bond through laughter and conversation.

Together: They are brilliant and prove it time and again to each other with honest, sometimes contentious, but always genuine emotions. Whether it be his taking her on a madcap tour of her new home in order to put her at ease or her holding him close when he comes to term with a devastating loss, James and Esmé are pitch-perfect and lovingly romantic.

Their story: Ellesmere opens in London 1816 when James saves Esmé from falling face first into the thorn-filled arbour at the Countess of Irvine's midnight ball. The two fall into easy conversation, while he helps with her broken heel. They share a passionate kiss, which is cut short by an apologetic Esmé, who was at the time but a week from her wedding.

Disappointed, but duty bound to marry, James, with the aid of his overbearing aunts, finds and proposes marriage to the stunning Lady Joanna Montgomery – one of Esmé's dearest friends. James and Joanna's wedding was postponed when first, her grandmother, then his grandfather, dies.

James, now Ellesmere, bids farewell to his cousin Simon with whom he was managing the late duke's interests, when Simon sets sail to India with the Marquess Leeds and his lovely daughter Iris. While apart, Simon marries Iris and goes on to build fortune and a family while James grows wealthier and lonelier with each passing year as he waits for his fiancée to come out of mourning.

Esmé, heartsick due to Michael's betrayal and James' engagement to her best friend, survives her ordeal by busying herself with the season's entertainment, until James' near constant presence drives her into hiding at her Cousin Inez's cozy cottage in Bath where, soon after, a letter from Joanna reaches her.

Joanna writes pleading with Esmé to offer her sanctuary until she is able to break her engagement with James so that she might be with the one she truly loves – Esmé's brother, Thomas. Esmé believes the letter to be a cruel lark and dismisses it only to have its writer turn up the day after her letter with Thomas on her arm. The two had eloped when James wrote informing Joanna of his intent to visit her in Kent to settle the matter of their overlong engagement.

The two now married, but indebted to James because of the fortune he settled on Joanna's family, begs Esmé to take Joanna's place as James' wife. Though reluctant because of her constant run-ins with James, Esmé journeys to London with the newlyweds to inform their parents. Once there, Esmé is quickly convinced to go along for the good of her family.

On the same day Esmé agrees to be the family saviour, James is summoned to the sickroom of the Marquess Leeds, where he is given custody of Simon's son Christopher. The child and his grandfather had fled India after his mother died and his father disappeared.

Outside the Marquess' chambers, James is greeted by Leeds' son Broderick who confides in James his belief that his older brother Alan is alive and behind Simon's disappearance. The two join forces to uncover the truth behind Simon's disappearance with Broderick volunteering to go to India providing that James allows the little boy to remain with the sick Marquess.

The following morning, James and Esmé meet by chance in Hyde Park. After a long revealing conversation Esmé proposes he marries her in place of Joanna. James agrees to her suggestion without question only to return to his home in Park Lane to find Thomas waiting for him. Thomas confesses to James his love for Joanna and their subsequent elopement before proceeding to relay how his sister was willing to sacrifice herself if James would but accept the substitution.

This meeting leaves James believing Esmé is only marrying him to save her family from debt and when her father turns up spouting about knowledge of James and Esmé's clandestine past conduct, the two have no choice but to marry by special license. They rush to the altar amidst rumours of a ruinous resurrection, bigamy and a pregnant mistress.

In spite of it all they share a passionate wedding night. The following morning they are awoken by Broderick who is furious at what he perceives to be James' betrayal, for while he was preparing for his trip to India someone took Christopher away from Leeds' sick room and the old man died alone.

James calms Broderick down and the two break their fast under the mistaken belief that the child was with one of James' overbearing aunts, only to have gossip confirmed as fact when a ransom note is delivered from the believed dead Countess of Spalding demanding £80,000 in return for Simon and Christopher. The misguided Countess who had run off five years ago with the Marquess of Leeds eldest son Alan had returned, gravely ill and desperate to have her two daughters settled before she died.

The ransom is paid and both Simon and Christopher are delivered unharmed a few hours before the Countess succumbs to her sickness. Her little daughters are placed with their stepmother and the whole matter seems settled until they learn Alan too is alive.

In the midst of all this, our couple, married but essentially strangers, make an honest attempt at understanding each other only to have their fragile happiness threatened by his former mistress' slanderous claims. Lady Yarmouth told a house full of guests that the child she was carrying was James'. Her incensed husband separates from her with divorce pending upon the birth and confirmation of the child's paternity.

Esmé, in love with James, but unable to tolerate anymore heartache confronts him with the lady's claims. James tells her the truth of his long broken off affaire with the troubled lady. James and Esmé, happy and in love, declare their love for one another. Lady Yarmouth gives birth to a little boy, blonde, round and the very image of her husband.

The following summer sees the birth of James and Esmé's first child Julius Augustus Latimer, named in honour of date of his birth— between July 31st and August 1st.

The End.

Have a Happy Monday
Simone

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

My Fourth Attempt at The Romantic Query Letter


Another Example of a Romance Query Letter

Tuesday, July 8, 2008
This letter was written for agents I found on a list at Romance Writers of America.
15 Agents queried, 9 form letter rejections, 2 request for partials, 4 none reply.

Dearest,

Ellesmere is a 100,000 words romance novel set in late Regency England that tells with heart and humour the story of James Latimer, future Duke of Ellesmere, and Esmé Bessborough a practical girl of means. The two collided in the spring of 1816 in the garden at the Countess of Irvine’s midnight ball when she, en route to meet with her fiancé in the rose arbour, tripped and fell into James. The two shared one passionate kiss that forever changed both their lives.

In the ensuing years, Esmé, jilted on her wedding day, settles in Bath, a near spinster, miserably in love with James who was by then engaged to her dearest friend the beautiful Lady Joanna Montgomery. That is until Esmé received a letter that presented her with the possibility of a second chance with James. The letter was followed shortly by the writer, Joanna, and her new husband Thomas Bessborough, Esmé’s irresponsible brother.

Joanna and Thomas had fallen in love and eloped when James, now the Duke of Ellesmere, frustrated at being engaged for fours years demands that a date be set. Married, but beholden to James due to the fortune he settled on her family, Joanna begged Esmé to marry James in her stead in order to save them all from ruin. Initially reluctant because of their shared past, Esmé journeys to London with the newlyweds where she is quickly pressured to go alone for the good of the family.

Esmé now forced, to marry the man of her life without having declared her love for him worries that this rush to the altar will rob then of an authentic beginning. Married but for the most part strangers, James and Esmé’s future happiness hangs on their clear attraction. Until things left unsaid are brought to the forefront due to the hurtful claims of his ex-mistress.

In the midst of all this, James’ beloved cousin Simon is kidnapped by a misguided murderess, working to secure the future of her two young daughters. As James rushes to rescue his cousin he rediscovers old friends, forms new alliances, all while he falls more deeply into love with his fiercely supportive wife.The manuscript is complete and available upon request. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Simone Ogilvie
I think now of how difficult it had been to wait for the two who requested partials to get back to me. How I'd paced the floor and checked my email obsessively only to have they reject it like all before. It broke my heart but not my will so I kept on. I hope these sample query romantic query letters not only show you how determinded I am to succeed but also offers you encouragement. Doing the work makes you fantastic. Being patient enough to waiting for an agent to see how great you manuscript is makes you remarkable. Whilst actively seeking new ways to get your work seen makes you divine.
To you, Fantastic, Remarkable, Divine you.
You have my admiration,
Simone

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Art That Inspire's My Writing

Luis Ricardo Falero The Balance of the Zodiac my muse and the patron saint of my romantic spirit.


Daniel Huntington 'study in a wood' because I love her expression.


This painting, Delphin Enjolras' 'La Lettre' sits above my writing desk and is a great source of inspiration.



All my very best,
Simone

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

My Third Attempt at The Romantic Query Letter

Delphin Enjolras
Example of a Romance Query Letter
Wednesday, May, 28, 2008
A new letter for a new batch of agents discovered on Publishers Marketplace.
9 Agents queried, 8 form letter rejection, 1 request for partial.


My Dearest Agent,

One would think when presented with the opportunity to marry the object of her secret desire, Esmé, only days away from her twenty-fourth birthday and spinsterhood, would gladly seize the prize. But, Esmé had had her heart broken before and wasn't about to leap blindly into possible devastation again.

Ellesmere is a 100,000+ words historical romance novel set in England and follows our heroine as she journeys from abandoned spinster to triumphant duchess. Deserted on her wedding day by her childhood sweetheart, Esmé, now contentedly residing in Bath with her cousin Inez, is paid a visit by her frantic brother Thomas and his new wife Lady Joanna Montgomery.

Thom had eloped though his new bride was already engaged to the powerful Duke of Ellesmere… a man with whom Esmé had shared a passionate embrace. Now the duke, who had paid off all of the family's debts as part of their marriage contract, needed to be repaid. However, neither the bride, nor the groom's family had fortune enough to do so.

Esmé is first asked, and then forced, to marry Ellesmere in order to save them all from ruin, but this rush to the altar robs the couple of an authentic beginning. Now married but for the most part strangers, Ellesmere and Esmé's future happiness teeters on the brink. And when things left unsaid are brought to the forefront by the hurtful claims of his ex-mistress, Esmé questions all.

In the midst of all this, Ellesmere's beloved cousin Simon is kidnapped by a misguided murderess, working to secure the future of her two young daughters. As Ellesmere rushes to rescue his cousin he rediscovers old friends, forms new alliances, all while he falls more deeply into love with his fiercely supportive wife.

The manuscript is complete and available upon request. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours Sincerly,

The agent that requested the partial suggested I had the manuscript edited and resend, which I gladly did. Only to have her a few days later send me an email informing me of her belief that an author aught to treat their first book as research not to be queried. So, I send her my second manuscript. ThaT one she said had better technique than the first, but she did not like the characters as well. I've sent her my third manuscript. I'll let you know what she says.

Be well,
Simone.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Behind The Scenes at The Romantic Query Letter

Delphin Enjolras

I have been party to many conversations with historical romance readers in book clubs and on other authors’ fan sites where the largest point of contention has been the role of the heroine.
Does she strike the right balance for the era?

Is she too independent in her breeches, riding astride, or too timid in service to family or due to her love for the hero?

It is a point of great contention, second only to the raunchiness of some of the covers the readers are made to endure. That, we will discuss in due time, but for now I will attempt to explain the subtle nuances and complex variations of a woman in love.

As if.

Christ, can you imagine how entertaining that would be? Me, there dissecting the female brain and trying to clarify the miracle of love. Why, it’s madness I tell you and hardly the stuff of an ideal romance novel.

Another contentious topic is the matter of sex and how much is too much for a historical romance novel?

“How do you make your story romantic, erotic and tasteful all at the same time?”

Is that even something the readers want or would they rather have a sweet, touching story with but a hint of the consummation?

When does it stop being romantic and start being erotica?

I have read and enjoyed both the tastefully restrained Balogh and the nearly erotic Kleypas and would be hard-pressed to choose between the two.

As a new writer, I struggle with the balance for the characters, my intended audience and myself as modern woman.

How do I translate the intensity of love into an entertaining manuscript and maintain believability for the era and the modern reader at the same time?

The hero, that’s how.

I make him human, humane and sexy as all hell. He is always intelligent and someone the heroine is proud to stand by. If I respect the man in spite of his flaws, then she can’t help but love him and the reader will no doubt follow me and the heroine in surrendering their hearts to him.

I believe we can all agree, that in the ideal world of the romance novel, once the heart is won, then trust is apparent and the sex is a breeze, no matter how erotic.
Thanks for reading,
Simone

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Literary Agent Who Consider Romance Manuscripts

There are direct links to the agents with website at the very bottom of my blog.

While this link will give you a quick overview of each agent's submission guidelines.

http://docs.google.com/View?id=dckxgtwx_4c5sp7vdm

I hope it helps you on your journey to getting published.

Sincerely Simone

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

My Second Attempt at The Romantic Query Letter

Delphin Enjolras' Reading by Lamplight

A Romance Query Letter Sample
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
After re-working the first five chapters of the manuscript and composing a new letter
10 Agents queried, 8 form letter rejection, 1 request for partial, 1 none reply

Dearest Agent of My Life,

Ellesmere is a 100,000+ words romance set in late Regency England that tells with heart and humour the story of James Latimer, future Duke of Ellesmere, and Esmé Bessborough. The two collided in the spring of 1816 in the garden at the Countess of Irvine’s midnight ball when she, en route to meet with her fiancé in the rose arbour, tripped and fell into James. They shared one passionate kiss though she was intended for another and so the two parted.

In the ensuing years, Esmé, jilted on her wedding day, settles in Bath, a near spinster, miserably in love with James who was by then engaged to Esmé’s dearest friend the beautiful Lady Joanna Montgomery. That is until Esmé received a letter that forever altered the course of all their lives. The letter was followed shortly by the writer, Joanna, and her new husband Thomas Bessborough, Esmé’s irresponsible brother.

They had fallen in love and eloped when James, now the Duke of Ellesmere, frustrated at being engaged for fours years demands that a date be set. Married, but beholden to James due to the fortune he settled on her family, Joanna begged Esmé to marry James in her stead in order to save them all from ruin. Initially reluctant because of their shared past, Esmé journeys to London with the newlyweds where she is quickly pressured to go alone for the good of the family.

James, preoccupied by the awful news of his missing cousin, agrees to the substitution in order to save his already grieving family from further scandal. The two rush to the altar amidst rumours of resurrections, bigamy and abduction schemes. Now married, but essentially strangers, James and Esmé makes an honest attempt at understanding each other while reconciling past heartbreak and current upheaval.

The manuscript is complete and available upon request. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Simone Ogilvie
The agent that requested the partial kept it for two agonizing months before sending an encouraging rejection letter, so it was back to the drawing board.

Now keep in mind postage to the United States starts at 98 cents and I must include a self-addressed stamped envelope in order to get a reply. Also here in Canada one is not able to purchase U.S stamps so I have to first order them from the American postal service. Again, not a cost of worry but a due gladly paid for in the end it will all be worth it when I get my ideal agent. Besides more and more agents are going green and are only accepting email queries.

Until next time
Simone.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Films and the Romantic Query Letter

I would not be the writer I am today had it not been for romance novels, cookbooks and the films of the 1970’s. The first two I will write about some other time but for now, I’ll share with you my love of film.


By film, I mean motion pictures as a device of self-expression... not the elitist nonsense about cinema as pure art and thus only good if independent, Merchant Ivory or academy bound. Then again neither is it the regurgitated movies made to finance the bottom-line mass-market Saw XIV unimaginative drivel.

What I mean is, film as one person’s genuine desire to communicate an idea. A beautiful story told plain and simple.
Here is what else: I don’t much care where it comes from whether it be The Hollywood machine, the independent dream or some foreign market – just so long as it’s entertaining. I don’t have to always learn something either. There is nothing wrong with a laugh, a cry or a good scare and I don’t want to be made to feel a fool for wanting just that.

I love, love love Mel Brooks, Pedro Almodóvar, Woody Allen, Robert Altman, Stanley Kubrick, Quentin Tarantino and John Carpenter and will see anything they make without question. Oh, and anything with Don Knotts in it.

I have quarrels with my friends all the time about the state of films. They think it’s a dying art form and I tell them to shut it for there is genius in our midst: Zach Helm, Sofia Coppola, Felix Chong, Jason Reitman, Spike Jonze, Susanne Bier, Sarah Polley, Park Chan-wook, Marc Forster, Neill Blomkamp, Allen Hughes, Guillermo del Toro and so on and so on…

Tell me if you agree with me or share some your favourite films (I’ve listed seventy of my favourites on lower right and another dozen in my profile).

Yours Simone

Friday, July 3, 2009

My First Attempt At The Romantic Query Letter


A Sample Romance Query Letter
Monday January 7th 2008
9 Agents queried, 7 form letter rejections, 2 none reply


Dear Agent Darling,

Ellesmere is a 150,000+ words romance set in late Regency England that tells with heart and humour the story of James Latimer, future Duke of Ellesmere, and Esmé Bessborough. The two collided in the spring of 1816 in the garden at the Countess of Irvine’s midnight ball when she, en route to meet with her fiancé in the rose arbour, tripped and fell into James. They shared one passionate kiss though she was intended for another and so the two parted.

In the ensuing years, Esmé, jilted on her wedding day, settles in Bath, a near spinster, miserably in love with James who was by then engaged to Esmé’s dearest friend the beautiful Lady Joanna Montgomery. That is until Esmé received a letter that forever altered the course of all their lives. The letter was followed shortly by the writer, Joanna, and her new husband Thomas Bessborough, Esmé’s irresponsible brother.

They had fallen in love and eloped when James, now the Duke of Ellesmere, frustrated at being engaged for fours years demands that a date be set. Married, but beholden to James due to the fortune he settled on her family, Joanna begged Esmé to marry James in her stead in order to save them all from ruin. Initially reluctant because of their shared past, Esmé journeys to London with the newlyweds where she is quickly pressured to go alone for the good of the family.

James, preoccupied by the awful news of his missing cousin, agrees to the substitution in order to save his already grieving family from further scandal. The two rush to the altar amidst rumours of resurrections, bigamy and abduction schemes. Now married, but essentially strangers, James and Esmé makes an honest attempt at understanding each other while reconciling past heartbreak and current upheaval.

The manuscript is complete and available upon request. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Simone Ogilvie
It melted no hearts and as a result I had to write another but I did not despair for I was confident all would be well. I wrote a lovely story and it was only a matter of time before my perfect agent would come along.