"My people perish for a lack of knowledge." Hosea 4:6

Info For Those Who Would Like To Publish Their SciFi Romance in Mainstream Romance Publishing Houses both Independent, Small Press and Dare I Say It--Major New York Houses Too

I believe the best way for us to make in roads within an industry is to have an understanding about it.

So, here's some tidbits for you to know if you are interested in having your book published within this genre.

First and foremost-- within the American market it is strictly under the umbrella of Romance! Remember that! It is important to stress that because there are certain conventions that are expected within the genre if you are to sell your novel or short story here or abroad within most western countries. I say that because the Romance groups have crossed country lines and therefore fans expect the same things.

Rule No.1
Most readers follow the understanding that Romances-- no matter the subgenre will have what the industry and the RWA (Romance Writers of America) calls-- the HEA i.e. "The Happily Ever After!" All romance books must have an ending that is HEA unless the submission guidelines for the publisher lists otherwise. And usually the otherwise falls under the category of HFN i.e. "Happy For Now." Believe the HFN is harder to write than the HEA unless you are really comfortable with the genre and have spent some time with it.

Either way your reader is suppose to come away satisfied! Very satisfied and happy that all is right in the universe-- think "happy ending."

Rule No. 2

Often but not always Scifi Romance and Futuristic Romance is categorized as "Paranormal Romance" in publishing circles. I know what you are thinking. You are saying Paranormal? What am I calling in an exorcist? No, that's only if you write dark or supernatural (<-- my term for ease of clarification) fiction romance... which also fits under that category.

This category of Paranormal Romance also includes-- Fantasy Romance, Time Travel Romance, Futuristic Romance, Military Science Fiction Romance, Alien Romance Fiction, Medical Military Science Fiction Romance, Utopia and Dystopia (w/ Scifi Elements) Romance Fiction, alternate history romance, apocalyptic romance, contemporary science fiction romance, erotica science fiction romance, interstellar adventure romance, near future romance, space opera romance, science fantasy romance, slipstream (sci-fi/fantasy blend) with technical or scientific elements, steampunk romance and young adult in any of the above.

However remember in the publishing world-- Paranormal Romance can also mean Vampires, Werewolves, shapeshifters and other characters too! So always be sure to check the publisher's submission guidelines.

To stay up on what's happening in the industry there are some groups you should join or at least monitor - The Romance Studio http://www.theromancestudio.com/  they have a yahoogroup as well to promote your work. Many publishers are also on that list.

I also have a yahoogroup as well- called the Embraced Scribal Love, you can post WIPs (Works in Progress), promote your work, as long as its romance fiction, or promote your blog posts, contests and give aways too.  Or just chat or find out about publishers looking for submissions. 

Lot of romance writers still hang out on the yahoogroups -- like LoveRomancesCafe, Ebook Chatters, Bookcravers etc.  If you'd like a list let me know and I'll be happy to pass it along. 

And of course we are very active on Facebook with private and public groups that belong to publishers and agents!

And if you are brave-- and want to find out more about the biz there is a huge list started by Charlotte Dillon that everyone who is anyone in the business is on or was on or even just lurks... Charlotte Dillon has two types of websites. One website is her personal site... but the other is for writers who want to be published!

She has sample winning query letters, agent letters and everything else you could need. Along with her online groups for finding out industry info, writing tips and everything else. Mind you it's a huge list and heavily moderated but it's a great way to find out about the biz!

Note:  I haven't been on Charlotte's list in a long time so I don't know if its still active and running but there's no harm in checking it out.

As I find out more.... I'll post it here!