WWR: Kim, while we've already introduced you as a Harlequin Presents editor, could you elaborate and give us a little more background information on yourself? For example, what is your official title at Harlequin? What are some of your daily, weekly, and/or monthly duties? What other editorial positions have you held?
Kim Y.: I'm an Editor, and although I work mainly on Harlequin Presents I also acquire titles for Harlequin Romance, Mills & Boon Medical Romance and Mills &Boon Historicals. I have worked at Harlequin Mills & Boon for nearly five years and started as an editorial assistant. I work with over twenty-five authors so I have lots of manuscripts to read. Which certainly keeps me on my toes - and I love every minute of it!
WWR: How do you decide what readers want to and/or will buy?
Kim Y.: By trusting my authors to write from their hearts and from knowing what I love as a reader. I think that an editor needs to have a passion and understanding of the genre - just as the writers do. I was a Harlequin reader before I became an editor and I think that holds me in good stead. When we acquire books we do so with a global audience in mind - I believe that from New York to Naples women share the same doubts, fears, wishes and dreams. So those books that have me weeping at my desk, or laughing on the train... are hopefully going to do the same to millions of other woman around the world!
Also at Harlequin we have a wonderful relationship with our readers - they're quite happy to tell us when they love something, hate something or want something completely different.
WWR: Have you ever acquired a manuscript that you know fits well into the market, but that you didn't personally like? And along the same lines, have you ever liked a manuscript but decided to pass on it because it didn't fit the market? Don't worry, we're not asking for names! :-)
Kim Y.: One of the talents you need to have to be an editor is to be objective. My primary concern when reading a story is always to question whether it will appeal to readers around the world. That actually gives an editor a wide scope of choice.
WWR: How much actual say do the editors have when acquiring a manuscript?
Kim Y.: For a never before published author - (this applies to books acquired out of the UK office) the editor, senior editor and editorial director all read the manuscript and discuss it. For established authors the acquiring editor reads the manuscript, discusses it with the senior editor, and the acquiring editor recommends it for acquisition.
WWR: What is your ideal submission? What does it include and in what format?
Kim Y.: There are really no golden rules when it comes to getting accepted, a well presented submission obviously gives a good impression but it's the quality of the writing that's important. We won't buy a book just because the covering letter is amazing - we always let the writing speak for itself! So my ideal submission is a book that has been written from the heart, that's unique and will be loved by women the world over. I don't ask for much do I!
WWR: Can you tell us if there are any new Presents miniseries planned (like the Mistress to a Millionaire or the Greek Tycoons series)? And, if so, the title(s) of the series and when the first books will be available to readers?
Kim Y.: We've got some new and really amazing mini-series that will kick off in late 2005 - and I have to say I'm really thrilled about them. We are exploring some exciting new editorial directions which we are just putting the finishing touches to now. So keep an eye out for our forward advertising and on the eHarlequin Web site. Unfortunately I can't go into any details yet - but watch this space!
WWR: In your opinion, what makes a hero and heroine stand out enough for you to buy the manuscript?
Kim Y.: Characterisation is always absolutely key. Characters' emotions must be believable. In a Presents we want a heroine readers can sympathise with and a hero who every women would want to share intense passion with! Motivation is a key part of the balance - a reader should always be able to sympathise with the characters - so if the characters have flaws or react in a certain way the reader needs to know why! This is especially important with Alpha heroes - they need to be strong but not nasty. The heroine also needs to show strength and resilience and be able to stand-up to the hero, even when she's vulnerable.
WWR: Outside of reading submitted materials, are you an avid reader? If so, what types of books and which authors do you like best?
Kim Y.: I love reading - and will read everything and anything - from the back of the coffee jar in the morning to historical family sagas. My favourite authors are usually the ones I'm reading - so at the moment it's Alexander McCall (the No1 Lady's Detective Agency), Martina Cole (a British crime fiction author) and Philipa Gregory (The Other Boleyn Girl). Toni Morrison is possibly my all time favourite. But above all I love romance - and Harlequin novels will always be my favourite romances!
WWR: What is a typical day like for you?
Kim Y.: Though no two days are ever the same here my typical day would probably involve:- Firstly checking the emails that have come in over the night from our overseas offices. Often there are proofs to check over - for artwork, back cover copy etc. If an author manuscript has come I will read it through, suggest revisions, and complete paperwork needed to acquire for publication, such as briefing art, writing cover copy and completing contractual details.
I try to dedicate at least one afternoon a week, to unsolicited manuscripts - we get around three thousand unsolicited manuscripts a year - and we read every one! It's the best feeling in the world to discover an author that's never been published before. I'm sure some of my new authors can tell you that I was just excited as them when I called them to tell them we were buying their first book! So, keep trying...because it really could be you!
Kimberley, thanks so much for spending time with us!
