General Information
This information was collected from published guidelines, interviews with authors and editors, and other resources. As always, publishers' wants and needs change, and the information as presented below might already be out-of-date by the time it's published on WWR. Please check with the publishing house you're targeting if you have doubts about anything listed below.
Word Count » 40,000—60,000 words
Point of View » Though not specified in their online guidelines, through research and inquiry WWR found that the POV can be in either first or third person.
Setting & Time Period » Romances are set within a contemporary time frame (if you're interested in writing historicals, please visit Avalon's website for more specific guidelines.).
Here are a few highlights from Avalon's guidelines say:
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General Information:
"We do not want old-fashioned, predictable, formulaic books. We are looking for contemporary characters and fresh, contemporary plots and story lines. Supporting characters and subplots should be interesting and realistic, and they should add an extra and interesting dimension to the book." -
Heroines:
"Every AVALON heroine should be an independent young woman with an interesting profession or career. She is equal to the stresses of today's world and can take care of herself, yet she remains feminine and loyal to traditional values; when he comes along, the man she loves will take priority in her life, just as she will take priority in his." -
Heros:
"AVALON heroes should be warm, likable, realistic, sympathetic, understanding men who treat the heroine as an equal, with respect for her intelligence and individuality, and with courtesy. The rude, overbearing, patronizing, egotistical, brooding, macho men and Heathcliff types are not welcome in AVALON romances; they make very poor models for husbands—and men—in today's world."
Submission Information » For this line, Avalon is accepting a query letter, a detailed 2-3 page (and no longer!) synopsis, and three sample chapters. Please refrain from sending a complete manuscript unless requested to do so by a specific editor.
You should send your material to your Avalon Romance editor of choice at:
Avalon Books
160 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
This information was up-to-date as of October 2004. Check with the publisher for updates!
