If you're looking to submit to a publishing house that doesn't just keep up with marketing trends but has actually been known to set a few, Kensington is a good place to start. Not only did they catch the first waves of the hotter, steamier romance novels, but starting with their very first Brava, the imprint has been going strong and developing into a sure bet for readers who are looking for the sexiest read for their money!
Now, in this article we will cover only one of the many imprints published under the Kensington name...their erotic/sensual romance imprint, Brava. So sit back and take a look at the publisher; what some of the Brava authors have to say about writing for the imprint; and a special quote from the editorial director who developed Brava into what it is today!
A Little About the Publisher
This past year (2004), marked the 30th anniversary of the Kensington Publishing Corp. During that thirty years, one of the publisher's most notable accomplishments as an independent publisher is the fact that they grew to publish over 500 books annually in most fiction and non-fiction genres. Specifically, they publish hardcover, trade paper, mass-market and gift size formats.
According to the Kensington Books website, Kensington is so successful because, "[t]he company is able to respond quickly to trends, to put books into the hands of readers faster than larger publishers can, and to support them with targeted promotional and marketing programs to generate reader excitement."
The books published in the romance genre under Kensington's various imprints, include, but is not limited to, Kensington Books (hardcovers and trade papers), Zebra Books (Ballad historical romances, contemporary romances, Bouquet contemporary category romances, westerns, horrors and humorous books--making up approximately 20 titles per month), Pinnacle Books (commercial thriller and true crime fiction, as well as Encanto bilingual romances), and last, but certainly not least, Brava (erotic/sensual romances).
Insight from Brava Authors
Lori Foster, Author of STAR QUALITY (05/05)
Starting off our author insight section is a personal favorite, Lori Foster. As with every time we've talked to Lori, she was a wealth of knowledge about Brava. She started off by explaining a bit about what Brava really is:
"Brava is Kate Duffy's brainstorm, one that's working incredibly well. There are no guidelines because Kate is very open to author voices, and the perception of what is or isn't sexy. Some Bravas are laugh out loud funny, like those by Erin McCarthy and MaryJanice Davidson. Some are paranormal, written by Rosemary Laurey and MaryJanice. Shannon McKenna and Lucy Monroe write mega alpha heroes. I like to write connected series, where you get you to know the whole family. Bravas can be quirky, dramatic, poignant. Historical or contemporary. As short as 15,000 words or as long as 100,000 plus. The focus is the romance, always. But Bravas are also sensual stories, where the physical love between the hero and heroine is as much a part of falling in love as the emotional ties."
And when asked why she writes for Brava, Lori stated, "[m]y natural voice lends itself to showing the physical connection between two mature, committed, monogamous adults. I also enjoy making characters as realistic as possible in speech and behavior. Because Kensington has never imposed any boundaries on me, the freedom of Brava is one of the biggest lures. But I also adore the entire packaging. I think Brava has some of the best covers on the market, and the diversity of the authors, story lines, time periods and overall tone of Brava keeps them from ever being labeled a "line."
Lucy Monroe, Author of 3 Brides for 3 Bad Boys (03/05), Star Quality (05/05), Beach Blanket Bad Boys (06/05), and Ready (07/05)
One of WWR's launch members, Lucy Monroe, shared her thoughts on writing for Brava:
"Writing for Brava gives me the opportunity to explore a variety of story ideas and character types that is almost limitless. I am encouraged to write the gut wrenching emotion I love while exploring the intimacy between my characters with a wonderful freedom. Creative freedom is something most of us long for and I'm thrilled to have found writing for Kate Duffy at Brava."
Dianne Castell, Author of Star Quality (05/05) and Four O'Fallens and a Baby (12/05)
WWR asked one of our newest members, , to give us some insight into the Brava imprint. This is what she had to tell us:
"I'm new to Brava, having written for Harlequin American for a few years. I so love writing the steamier romance. There's nothing more exciting or fun to read than two people falling in love and that means emotionally and physically. Brava lets the authors and readers experience all of it, making the stories alive and real. My kind of book! I'm thrilled to be writing for Brava!"
Nancy Warren, Author of Drive Me Crazy (01/05) and Turn Left at Sanity (02/05)
Nancy Warren was nice enough to explain to WWR a little about her experience in writing for Brava. Specifically, Nancy said, "[w]riting for Brava is a lot like having the best sex. You want a great, hot, yummy hero, some time to fall in lust and then love, lots of foreplay, some tenderness and then you want to burn up the sheets. The relationship won't ever be smooth and easy, because where's the fun in that? But it will always be passionate and eventful."
When asked about advice to new authors wishing to submit to the line, Nancy responded, "[t]he best advice I can give anyone writing for this line is to go for it. The editors, Kate Duffy and Hilary Sares are the best. They are both smart, funny, incredibly insightful and they truly love authors. They both read widely and appreciate a variety of styles, so whether you're writing humorous, paranormal, suspenseful or kick butt action, there is a place for you. Make the story as gripping as you can, make the hero and heroine real and flawed but willing to take a chance on each other. Of course, the books have to be sexy, but I think it's equally important that you write a great story. I know, easier said than done, but then again, so's great sex.
MaryJanice Davidson, Author of Derik's Bane (01/05), Hello Gorgeous (03/05), and Undead And Unappreciated (05/05)
MaryJanice Davidson, the prolific overnight sensation ("Ha!" MaryJanice says. "It only took twenty years."), writes for both Berkley (a subsidiary of Penguin Putnam) and Brava (Kensington). She recently told us she enjoys writing for Brava because, "Kate Duffy is a goddess. No, really. She absolutely is."
When asked for more details, MaryJanice elaborated. "It's not just that their books are great, and the other Brava writers are like sister in their extreme helpfulness and niceness..." (MaryJanice sited two examples: Lori Foster and Erin McCarthy.) "...it's everything. It's the house support...the sales staff is just as excited about your books as the editorial staff. It's the money...let's face it, the money is terrific. The editors are great...Kate Duffy is so gentle and understanding about the editing process, you hang up the phone feeling terrific because you've got ways to make a good book great. Fact is, I'm grinning like a chimp for an hour after I put the phone down. She makes you feel so good about your work. And she's totally open to...well, everything."
Best-known for her Berkley Undead series about a secretary turned vampire queen, Davidson is known to pitch book ideas that are "a little out there." Her upcoming Brava releases include Hello Gorgeous, described as "Legally Blonde meets The Bionic Woman", and A Royal Pain, the follow-up to her "Alaskan Royals" debut, The Royal Treatment. "I pitched a story to Kate...what if Alaska was never bought by the U.S. and became its own country? Complete with a nutty royal family? She loved the idea."
Ultimately, MaryJanice says writing for Brava "just makes you feel good on every level...as an artist, as a businessperson, as a human being. They're terrific." In closing, she explained that "Brava is currently acquiring for contemporaries, paranormals, and starting a new mystery line. The romance can be sensual, super sensual, or downright erotic."
A Quote from Editorial Director, Kate Duffy
WWR was fortunate enough to have Lori Foster obtain a quote from to be included in this article. When asked for a quote on what Brava is, Kate explained:
"First and foremost, these books are romances – so they combine deep emotional attachment with sexual love and desire. Other than that, we leave the rest up to the authors’ imaginations."
A Look at Brava's Writing Guidelines
While Brava doesn't have "official" guidelines, WWR has attempted to piece together some general advice from the various authors and editor(s) on what they're looking for...check it out by visiting the Brava guidelines page.
