MARCH MADNESS presents: STACY BOYD, SENIOR EDITOR, Desire
Bio: Having worked at Harlequin since 2001, Stacy Boyd has edited category romance, suspense, fantasy, YA and even NASCAR novels. Now, in her role as senior editor of Desire, she works with an amazing group of authors, including New York Times and USA TODAY bestsellers, RITA® Award winners, and up-and-coming new voices. She spends a lot of her free time learning the latest about digital publishing and talking to other book lovers via social media. When not thinking and talking about romance and publishing, Stacy likes to read, attempt blogging, spend time at her community garden, keep in touch with faraway family and friends and volunteer at her son’s school. She is a past winner of the PASIC Editor of Merit award, and currently lives in the best neighborhood in Brooklyn with her husband and four-year-old. You can find her on Facebook (facebook.com/harlequindesire), Twitter (@stacy_boyd), Linked In, Goodreads and, rarely these days, her blog (stacyboyd.wordpress.com).
Links to lines you acquire for:
Desire Guidelines
Hello Stacy and thank you so much for participating in the madness.
Q: It has been a brutal winter in NYC and as spring starts to melt away the piles of snow, what are the first things you are looking forward to doing?
A: I was just thinking today that I am ready for winter to be over! When the sun comes out, I’m going to the park for a picnic!
Q: For the games tonight what is your snack food of choice? Any team in particular you rooting for?
A: My snack food of choice is usually either chocolate or spicy popcorn—a little cumin, red pepper and butter, yum!
But, I am not a basketball fan, so I most likely don’t even know who is playing.
Q: Every team going for NCAA title this week has an awesome line-up of stars and each one is better than the next and adds their own flavor to the game. Can you list some of the star players out right now that are part of your team?
Desire has a very strong line-up of writers, many of whom write 3-5 books a year for us. Coming up in April, Brenda Jackson has her new Westmoreland novel, which has already received a Top Pick from Romantic Times Magazine, A Wife for a Westmoreland. And Olivia Gates gives readers a hot, sexy alpha male daddy in her April title, The Sarantos Secret Baby.
Q: What makes Desire so desirable? Can you describe the difference between Desire and other romance lines?
In Desire novels, there is a lot of emotional and romantic conflict, making for plenty of sparks! But the story is driven by the characters and their motivations, which have to be believable. I especially love the alpha hero—wealthy, sexy and powerful, but with a hint of vulnerability, an emotional depth that is brought out only by the heroine.
Q: What kind of submissions do you see most of?
A: I see a lot of submissions that focus on traditional romance themes, such as marriages of convenience, nights of passion that lead to pregnancy and secret babies. For me, these hooks work best when the writer really knows how to play within the genre tropes and create surprises for the reader.
Q: What are you specifically looking for right now that would be a slam dunk for you?
A: When requesting submissions through a brief pitch, whether at a pitch session or in a query letter, I’m looking for a premise that makes me say “Oh, my!”
When I’m reading the full manuscript, I love, love, love fabulous opening lines, opening paragraphs and tight first chapters. I want to be invested in the plot, the characters and or the conflict by the time I hit chapter two.
Q: Aside from basketball, I see you have a bunch of NASCAR titles that you edited. Are you a girl who likes fast and furious storylines? And are you still acquiring?
A: I do like fast and furious storylines! My favorite reads are those I can’t put down. I am definitely still acquiring—not for NASCAR, however. Right now, I’m looking for short, passionate, contemporary romance of 50-55,000 words. And I’m actively looking for new authors who have some experience in other genres or formats, such as digital-first publishing and erotica.
Q: Are there certain types of stories that you aren’t seeing that you would like to see?
A: I really like to be surprised by a story. I’ve been a romance reader since the age of nine, and I still read widely within the genre. When I pick up a romance and it feels fresh and new, like I’ve never read anything like it before, that’s when I’ve found what I’m looking for.
Q: What are the things that drive you to madness? Good, bad and ugly?
A: I try not to get too mad in the bad and ugly way. But I do get a little mad over the things I crave—good books, cheese biscuits from Amy’s Bread, that smell when spring is almost here. (It *is* almost here, right?) And I have no qualms about expressing passion and enthusiasm for what I love.
Q: What advice would you give to a rookie on the court that is looking to make the winning shot?
A: Read as much as you can, write what you love, keep honing your craft and maintain an attitude of persistence and professionalism. It also doesn’t hurt to start building your network of fellow writers and readers even before you publish. There is a wealth of information to be found on Twitter, Facebook and other writers’ websites.
Thank you so much, Stacy! It was awesome and we’re glad you came out and shared some game plays with us.
If a writer who wants to submit work for any of lines that Stacy acquires for, please check out the guidelines.
Do stick around and post a comment or question for Stacy. She will be hopping back and forth throughout the day answering questions today. Tweet and/or Facebook this article and be entered for a double chance to win a $5.00 Gift Certificate to Amazon.com!
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Just have to say: You rock! Thanks for the tips on Desire. These are always one of my favorite reads.
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Stacy, thank you for stopping by.
I am novice author, and I finished my first draft of my novel at 62,000 words. I went to the writers digest conference in January, and the conference leaders said anything under 75,000 words Editors aren’t interested in publishing (for a novel) Is this true?
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Caridad,
Right back at you!
Nadine,
Not true! Harlequin has a wide variety of series romance novels available to readers, all of which are under 75K words. We also have some opportunities for novellas through our digital programs (Undone, Nocturne Cravings, Spice Briefs and Carina Press).
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Thanks for doing this Stacy
I’m targeting Desire, have a full ms at your office at the moment, and am looking forward to the pitch contest on eharlequin. So this information is extremely useful.
Sue Child
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I’ve heard the Desire line is looking for more realistic rather than fantasy in the story line. If this is true could you explain better what mixture you are seeking?
Sir John
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First – Gabriella, what a stunning blog you have here. Love, love, love the graphics. I have graphic envy going right now.
Second – Hi Stacy, so nice to see you blogging and opening yourself up to questions. It helps those of us trying to get a foot in the HQN door to hear directly from the editors. So, thanks! I actually jumped on facebook to ask a question and saw this link, so yeah facebook.
My question for you Stacy is: Are there going to be any Desire editors at the RT convention in LA next month? I’ve never done a face to face pitch and would love the opportunity, but didn’t see your line up of editors on the list of attending editors.
Third: *waving at Caridad* I’m looking forward to some contemps from you, m’dear.
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Thank you Catherine. *I’m blushing*
Wish I could take all credit but Croco designs did it. I love the site too. Can never get enough of purple.
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I am definitely still acquiring—not for NASCAR, however. Right now, I’m looking for short, passionate, contemporary romance of 50-55,000 words. And I’m actively looking for new authors who have some experience in other genres or formats, such as digital-first publishing and erotica.
So the above isn’t for Nascar and is for a line other than Desire? If it’s a different line, could you share a bit more? My interest is piqued.
Also, what kind of story do you really want to see come across your desk? Any chance of some paranormal/fantasy added to Desire? I have ideas, but I don’t know if magic is too far out for Desire…
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Hi Stacy! It is always good to hear what editors truly want.
Waving at Caridad too– forgot about you being here yesterday.
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Great interview, Stacy! Hopefully, March will bring the good kinds of madness (and no, I don’t have any idea who’s playing in the tournament, either).
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Sue,
So glad to hear you’ve submitted. Good luck!
Johnny,
Desire is all about escapism. We’re not gritty, like some of the suspense lines, and the hero is nearly always quite wealthy. So, I don’t usually think of it as “realistic”–though I do always want the characters, and their motivations and conflicts, to be believable.
Catherine,
I wish I was going to RT! This year, there are no plans for Desire editors to be at the convention. If you have something for Desire, and you do a live pitch with another HQ editor, they can request it themselves or ask you to send it to me.
Elle,
The description (short, contemporary, etc.) is for Desire. I love paranormal, but it’s not what Desire readers are looking for. As for what I’d like to see–really good writing, good story and something special (a twist, a unique voice) that makes me take notice. I’m less particular about plot lines. Oh, and I nearly forgot–sexy, powerful alpha heroes who have hidden vulnerabilities (think: J.R. Ward, but without the vampire element).
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Stacy this is good stuff.
Excellent questions!
Now that I know the answer I only wish that I wrote for Desire but I will remain content with reading them. I love a good millionaire and secret baby any day.
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LOL – Billionaire-Royal with secret baby… Seems we like ‘em really rich in fiction.
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Stacy – I have a question. Can you share any details about the new paranormal line Nocturne Cravings?
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I know Cravings will be even sexier than Bites, but I’m not sure about the specifics beyond that.
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Hi Stacy,
I’m taking Nina Bruhn’s workshop on category romance. I’m published with several epubs and also self-published in erotic romance and straight romance as well as forensic thrillers. I’m now focusing on short category romances, not because they are easy to write but they present a challenge that I am now seeking to meet.
My question is I attend these single dances where most of the attendees are 40′s and above. either divorced, widowed, or never married.
Will stories that revolve around women in that age group be considered for either the Desire or Blaze line? Let’s say we may be at a certain age, but baby boomers are quite in touch with their romantic/sensual sides. I’m focusing on developing a trilogy of these stories.
Thanks for answering our questions.
Marie Roy aka Collette Thomas
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No question, but I wanted to say thanks to both of you for providing information. It’s always helpful to hear right from the source.
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Marie,
Yes, we’d consider older heroines for Desire. They might make an interesting counterpoint to thd alpha hero.
Gabriella,
I tried posting about Cravings, but I’m using my phone, and I don’t know if it went through. The line will be sexier than Bites, but that’s all I know right now.
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Great blog!!! Thanks so much, Stacy, for taking the time to chime in with tips and insights. You rock!!
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Thanks, Catherine and Carly for stopping in to take a look.
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Thank you Stacy for answering all these wonderful questions and spending the day with us.
And the winner is… (drum roll)
Nadine!
Congratulations on winning the $5.00 Amazon Gift Card.