A special visit with editor Brenda Chin!
We’re so excited here in the jungle today, because we have one of our very favorite people visiting!
If you read our “first call” stories during the past several Saturdays, I am quite sure you will recognize the name Brenda Chin. Brenda, an Associate Senior Editor with Harlequin Enterprises (who is currently in charge of the exciting and vibrant Harlequin Blaze line) bought the very first books Carly, Julie and Leslie ever sold, and bought Janelle’s very first contemporary. So as we’re sure you can imagine, we all :love2: :love2: Brenda VERY much.
Please give a warm jungle welcome for her as she gives her perspective on making that first call!
The Best Part of My Job
First of all, I’d like to thank Julie, Leslie, Janelle and Carly for having me here. I’ve never blogged before, so be easy on me, will you?
Anyway, since all the Plot Monkeys talked earlier about their first sales, I thought I’d tell you what it’s like on the other side - being the one to make those calls. It is, without a doubt, the best part of my job.
Over the past 18 years, I’ve had the privilege of making The Call 31 times! 
Some authors, like Leslie, were pretty cool (it’s nice to know she jumped around AFTER she hung up the phone
Part of the reason I’ve been so lucky with new authors is the fact that I’ve always worked on series romance–and series romance always needs new blood and fresh ideas. (Part of the reason Blaze did well enough in Temptation to warrant its own series is because many writers new to Temptation decided to push the envelope). For my series, new authors are very important because many of our core writers became very good, very quickly. Now, most of them are writing for other houses as well as Harlequin. This means fewer books in the schedule for me…and more opportunity for new authors.
My personal author base is mainly made up of authors I brought in, either brand new or new to Harlequin. I acquired many of these writers, like the Plot Monkeys, when I was just a junior editor, and we all sort of grew up together.
This fact hit home when I realized that 95% of my authors are within 5 years of my age. Now I know why we all watched the same thing on TV when we were kids….
(ahem…
The most amazing thing to me is realizing what one book can start. And it’s even more amazing to know I’ve been a part of it. It just seems like yesterday that manuscripts from Leslie Kelly, Carly Phillips, Janelle Denison and Julie Leto crossed my desk.
And look at them now! And they’re not alone. The Temptation/Blaze lines have introduced the world to some incredible talent - authors like the Plot Monkeys, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Tori Carrington, Jennifer Crusie, Julie Kenner, Stephanie Bond, Kate Hoffmann and Lori Foster, to name just a few…
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve often wondered if I should be doing something else, something that makes a difference in the world. But then I realize that I am making a difference - to every author who gets a chance at her dream, and to every reader whose day becomes a little better because she picked up one of our books.
All in all, it’s not a bad job at all…
It’s a GREAT job! I’ve been a fan of Blazes/Temptations for years, and discovered so many wonderful authors that I continue to follow today. I also think these series are underrated (sad to see Temptation go). As a reader, I thank you for finding these talented writers who’ve provided infinite hours of reading pleasure - one of the greatest gifts you can give. Here’s to even more “discoveries”
Comment by Stacy ~ — March 15, 2007 @ 6:37 am
OOOH my FAVORITE EDITOR is here!
The thing about Brenda is that she KNOWS romance and loves it. Get stuck? Call Brenda. Even at home!
(I’ve abused that privilege just this week!). There isn’t anyone I’d rather write for, work with, talk to … I really appreciate how hard she works for us behind the scenes too.
If she sees a spark of something in your writing and starts to work with you, you are so fortunate. If she buys you, you’re luckier than you can believe.
She’s unique in the publishing world!
Comment by Carly — March 15, 2007 @ 7:43 am
I’ve actually heard other editors at other publishing houses say that when they “grow up” they want to be like Brenda Chin. She’s fabulous. A career editor, meaning she wants to find exciting talent and make stars, and she’s definitely got an eye for it. Or an ear if you will. She’s wonderful and I feel so fortunate to work with her.
Oh, and just a little FYI, for you writers out there who REALLY want to impress her, she loves having manuscripts slipped to her in the women’s lavatory at conferences . . .
Comment by Kimberly Raye — March 15, 2007 @ 9:06 am
Hi Brenda. Thanks for bringing us, some great authors, steamy books, and lots of fun!!
I was wondering, seeing how our plot monkeys told their “first call” stories, if you would share a little of YOUR “first call” story, how does someone get such a great job?
Comment by Tina Martinesi — March 15, 2007 @ 9:08 am
P. S. Please don’t kill me for letting the secret out!
Comment by Kimberly Raye — March 15, 2007 @ 9:08 am
Hi Brenda! Glad to see you in the blogosphere. =)
You make a huge difference in the world! Never doubt it. My life would be a MUCH duller place without romance novels, as a writer and a reader. Thanks for all you do!
Comment by Erica Ridley — March 15, 2007 @ 9:10 am
Well, I for one would like to thank you for bringing us such wonderful and talented writers. I myself truly appreciate having authors that I don’t have worry about if I am going to like the book. They are on my automatically BUY the book list.
Comment by Kelly F. — March 15, 2007 @ 9:12 am
Good morning.. and thanks for coming to chat and share with us.. i think we could all say that we would LOVE your job.. at least getting to meet these wonderful authors… have a great day everyone and will catch up on reading when i get home from work…
Comment by Jolene Fehr — March 15, 2007 @ 9:18 am
Well, having read many of your authors, I’m thinking that what you do makes a difference. These writers have a tremendous amount of talent. But from what I’ve heard and seen in the books you’ve edited, you have a way of bringing out the best in both the authors and the stories they write. That’s a talent as great as writing itself. Keep doing what your doing!
Comment by Kelly Remick — March 15, 2007 @ 9:31 am
Now if I could only spell today. That would be “you’re” not “your” in that last sentence.
Comment by Kelly Remick — March 15, 2007 @ 9:33 am
Good morning, Brenda, and thanks for spending time here today. It’s always a treat when we can chat with editors and hear what goes on on the other side.
Comment by Lori Borrill — March 15, 2007 @ 9:36 am
I am so excited to see Brenda Chin here at Plotmonkeys.com today! As an aspiring author, it is so encouraging to hear an editor say she’s always looking for new talent! And from Brenda Chin at that! Anyone who is hoping to get published in romance knows that name.
And you thought your job wasn’t important?! Just look at all the authors whose careers you started. That’s an amazing thing!
Thanks for stopping in!
Lara
Comment by Lara — March 15, 2007 @ 9:37 am
Brenda - Welcome!
I’d love to have your job (well, not the headaches, just the reading!) and I know you must be a great person because I’ve heard your name mentioned many times by authors when talking about how they got started in the business and who was instrumental in helping them.
And doing something that gives so many readers great pleasure is worthwhile!
It’s nice to hear that there is room for new authors and I hope to be one of them soon! Just about done with my wip. Thanks for blogging with us!
Comment by Nina — March 15, 2007 @ 9:39 am
I have a question for you, Ms. Chin! How do you feel about unagented submissions? Do you prefer to see manuscripts from agented authors? Does that put them on the top of the slush pile?
Thanks!
Lara
Comment by Lara — March 15, 2007 @ 9:39 am
Comment by katie — March 15, 2007 @ 9:40 am
Thanks so much for blogging and sharing your advice today. You are the best
Dawn
Comment by Dawn — March 15, 2007 @ 9:44 am
Hey Brenda
and welcome to the Plotmonkeys. What a true honor it is to have you here today. For me, at least, you are the dream of all unpublished authors to have as their editor. 
You make a huge difference in our lives as both readers and those of us who are writers working hard towards becoming published authors. I feel like I already know you from listening to the Plotmonkeys talk about you both here and at meetings. Thank you for finding them and all the new authors that you find.
One of the great things about you is you not only work with your authors but you teach them things that they in turn come back and teach us. It’s amazing what I have learned from Julie about business side of writing.
I’m so glad you’re here today and come back again soon. I agree with Tina, we’d love to hear your “first call” story.
There is just one thing though, you might want to let us know if what Kimberly said about the woman’s lavatory and manuscripts is true, cause there’s lots of us coming to conference. 8) If you need help carrying all of them just let me know, I’m at your service.
Comment by Vicki — March 15, 2007 @ 9:54 am
Hi, Brenda!
Thank you for taking the time to blog with us today! It will be nice to hear the other side of the call stories. Your job does make a difference to romance readers and aspiring authors like me. Thank you for doing what you do!!!
Well, I have to go to work although I would rather stay here and chat with you all instead.
Comment by Stephanie S. — March 15, 2007 @ 10:01 am
Vicki, if what Kim said was true, then SHE has to carry all the manuscripts shoved under the bathroom stall!
Lara, I can’t say about how agented manuscripts fare in terms of getting read faster, but I can say that all four of us sold without agents. Not dissing agents…mine is a queen, just saying that with Harlequin, everyone gets read eventually. You don’t need an agent until contract time!
Comment by Julie Leto — March 15, 2007 @ 10:10 am
Hi Brenda - ditto on all the above. You do make a huge difference in the world. Not just to the authors who get that wonderful first call, but to all the readers who enjoy those books so much.
Thank you for doing what you do! And again, thanks to the Plotmonkeys, and other authors like Kimberley and Lori, for writing the books we love so much. (sorry if I left another published author out, Kimberley and Lori are the only others that I’ve read).
Have a great day, everyone!
Comment by Jodie — March 15, 2007 @ 10:13 am
I must say Brenda that you’ve done an AMAZING job of bringing us some great writers. And the sad thing for me is that I go into the bookstore and I look at the covers on Night Whispers, Brazen and Private Lessons and I realize that I have the ORIGINAL book covers. I’m not sure if that’s good thing or a bad thing but I’m not getting rid of them.
Keep up the good work and keep bringing us some of the best authors there are out there !! Because some of the ones that you’ve “discovered” are my very favorites !
Missy
Comment by Missy Andrews — March 15, 2007 @ 10:16 am
I was soo kidding. The whole bathroom thing is a joke because it’s actually happened to Brenda. And, of course, I keep telling her that I’m going to slip her my newest proposal the next time we’re in the ladies room together.
Then again, I like breathing, so maybe I’ll just e-mail.
Comment by Kimberly Raye — March 15, 2007 @ 10:40 am
Brenda-thanks for finding such amazing authors and getting them into print!!!
Comment by Liza — March 15, 2007 @ 10:43 am
Brenda, since you’re here and I need to kiss up (kissy kiss), tell us what new authors you’re really excited about. What authors are debuting this year? What sorts of stories are they doing? Comedy? Drama?
Comment by Kimberly Raye — March 15, 2007 @ 10:44 am
Hi everybody,
Thanks for the great welcome!!! It’s a little overwhelming really.
First of all, you should know that Kim’s a bit of a troublemaker. She KNOWS that I don’t take manuscripts at conferences…unless, of course, that person has proven themselves by risking her life - kayaking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding–with me first. For that, I might make an exception.
As for my ‘first call’ story, it’s nowhere near as interesting as those of my authors. I have a degree in French, and totally expected to become a teacher. Unfortunately, thanks to a full and part-time job during the school year, I had a solid C - nowhere near good enough to get into the Faculty of Education. My part-time job was as a cashier at a local grocery store. While I was looking around for a job, one of my regular customers–who was also a purchasing agent at Harlequin–told me of an opening in the mailroom. I tried and got the job…but I knew from the moment I got there that I wanted into editorial. Three weeks later, I became an administrative assistant in the editorial department and worked my way up. It took a long time - so I totally understand the frustrations of being pre-published. But in the end, we all end up where we’re supposed to be.
As for Lara’s question regarding agents… It’s not necessary to have an agent to submit to series romance. They can’t really do anything for you that you can’t do yourself. However, if you are uncomfortable dealing with contract issues, you might want to talk to a lawyer, or consider taking on an agent at that time, just to make sure you know exactly what you’re signing. But an agent probably won’t get your manuscript looked at any sooner.
Hope this helps.
Brenda
Comment by Brenda — March 15, 2007 @ 10:47 am
Brenda, where are you? Oh, she must be still working on that morning cup of coffee!
Yes, Brenda is the GREATEST editor there is. Truly. She’s so unique in this business! We all luv her very much — as if you couldn’t tell!
Kim — you are SO bad!!! Yeah, you’d better “kissy kiss” and make-up!
Missy!!! I love that you’re here and posting!
Comment by Janelle — March 15, 2007 @ 10:50 am
I thought you were kidding on the bathroom thing and would never think to do something like that. Julie has taught us well at TARA
Comment by Vicki — March 15, 2007 @ 10:55 am
Hey Brenda!
Brainstorming with you is undeniably the highlight of writing for Blaze! :thumbsup2:
Very excited to see you here and to be a part of the Brenda Chin team–a very cool place to be
And yes, Land of the Lost ROCKED! I had nightmares about Sleestaks, but I loved Will, Holly and Cha-ka
Kelley
Comment by Kelley St. John — March 15, 2007 @ 10:56 am
I was wondering what are your thoughts on query letters? Are they necessary? Would you consider a manuscript without one?
Comment by Tina Martinesi — March 15, 2007 @ 11:01 am
Woo hoo…Brenda’s a blogger virgin no more! To think we at Plotmonkeys were the ones to lure her out of her self-imposed blog isolation…thank you thank you thank you.
Seriously, everyone here already knows it, but it bears repeating: there is no other editor like Brenda Chin in the business. I don’t ever hear stories about any other editor seeing a spark of something she likes in someone’s writing and working *closely* with them through revisions, or even brainstorming new ideas, until they sell. She’s remarkable and anyone lucky enough to have her as an editor (me me me!!!
especially now that I’ve just agreed to a new Blaze contract…I am uncontracted no more…
) is VERY lucky!
Comment by Leslie — March 15, 2007 @ 11:08 am
Tina, I’ll answer your question…nooo…no good author would *ever* just send an entire manuscript to Brenda without querying.
Comment by Leslie — March 15, 2007 @ 11:10 am
Brenda, Thanks for discovering our 4 favorite writers, & spending some time with us. Please never doubt that you make a difference.
I have two children, the first of which is a Down’s Syndrome who attends school & lives with me, have been sole support for 37 years, &, until 7 years ago when I retired, was working full-time, attending school activities, & always trying to make ends meet. I was so stressed & tired I had given up reading (never reaching the end of a book), my main pasttime since I was a child. When I retired, I had great plans to fix up the house, etc., but, going to the library, I discovered one of the “Romance bookmarks” indicating books that were recommended. Since my library doesn’t carry many PBs, I started scouring UBSs, found series categories, including the Temptations (my then-favorite line–now, Blazes). & fell in love again. The fix-up idea was dropped, & reading substituted (but, now, books bought new by fave authors discovered at the UBS), & this lift in my day, has been the only activity JUST FOR ME, & I love it & wouldn’t ever give it up. Romances always reminds me how it feels to fall in love, & be in love. Since I can’t really get out much at night, reading is a wonderful pasttime. Romances give me hope about the better part of life, not the world’s difficulties that we see & hear every day.
So, thanks to our 4 writers for giving me an “up” in my day (& to you who saw their potential).
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — March 15, 2007 @ 11:12 am
Hey Brenda! What a cool story — and the thing is you are so modest about being the one who was able to recognize all that talent — considering the number of mss you receive, it must be a daunting task to pick those few a year who get the call. I have to admit, writing for Blaze rocks, and the editors are the best, hands down.
An agent I’ve been talking to commented that Blaze writers are very fortunate indeed to have editors who help us grow as writers and write the books we love to write. She handles several Blaze authors, and the reason for that, in part, is her respect for you and the other editors, and the writers and books you handle. You’ve all made it a line we can be proud to be a part of…
Sam
Comment by Sam Hunter — March 15, 2007 @ 11:14 am
Hi Brenda:
My wife has wanted to write fiction for as long as I’ve known her. I can remember the day when she read a particularly good Duet and learned that you had edited that book. That’s when she decided that she wanted to write for you
. Unfortunately, Jill ran into a few health problems since she last talked to you, which has slowed her writing. But we’re working together and with a little help from one of your award winning authors 
we’re putting together something that just might catch your eye. And who knows maybe someday we’ll become a new Tori Carrington. 
We’re also looking forward to seeing you, along with many of your authors in Dallas this year.
Take care………Wayne
Comment by Wayne (aka Trybble) — March 15, 2007 @ 11:18 am
Comment by Tina Martinesi — March 15, 2007 @ 11:21 am
You make a difference in my life. I love the Blaze books and the Plotmonkeys. Would hate to have a day go by without a good book.
Thanks and keep up the great work.
Comment by jeannie — March 15, 2007 @ 11:24 am
Tina…if you go back and read my “first call” story from a few Saturdays ago, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.
Comment by Leslie — March 15, 2007 @ 11:24 am
Congrats Leslie on the new contract!!!
Comment by Jodie — March 15, 2007 @ 11:25 am
Patricia, honest to God, stories like that are exactly what makes every one of us keep on plugging even on the very toughest days. Thank you so much for your support!
Comment by Leslie — March 15, 2007 @ 11:25 am
Leslie, WTG on the new Blaze contract!
&, Brenda, re my missive #32, forgot to mention that my daughter is the love of my life, loving, giving & incredibly special.
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — March 15, 2007 @ 11:26 am
Brenda edited my first Temptation (CALL ME) before handing me off to another editor. When she called me to give me some revision notes, she told me one of the things she wanted more of in the book was ranch scenes.
It wasn’t until after I’d hung up that I realized she’d said ranch . . . and not RAUNCH.
Comment by Alison Kent — March 15, 2007 @ 11:27 am
Very well said, Sam!!
Hey Wayne–keep on working that one…the world needs more male romance writers! (And more romantic men…like mine.
)
Comment by Leslie — March 15, 2007 @ 11:28 am
lolol Alison…I did not know that story!
And thanks for all the very nice comments from our fabulous monkey readers!!
Comment by Leslie — March 15, 2007 @ 11:31 am
My favorite editor ~ Congrats on your loss of blog-virginity *g* I’m thrilled to be one of those calls you made
Comment by Tawny Weber — March 15, 2007 @ 11:32 am
Comment by Elisa — March 15, 2007 @ 11:35 am
Hi Leslie:
Congrats on signing
. It’ll give me something to look forward to reading later this year.
And just in case the rest of the folks here hadn’t found out yet, congrats again on winning eHarlequin’s Reader’s Choice Award for Favorite Book of 2006 for Here Comes Trouble as well as the award for Most Most Admirable Heroine for Lottie in Asking For Trouble.
Take care………Wayne
Comment by Wayne (aka Trybble) — March 15, 2007 @ 11:40 am
Thank you Brenda for making all of those phone calls!!!
Without you we wouldn’t have ever been introduced to all of these fantastic writers.
Comment by Ardie — March 15, 2007 @ 11:41 am
Lol Leslie, just re-read your “first call” blog
Congrats on your awards
Comment by Tina Martinesi — March 15, 2007 @ 11:44 am
LOL I forgot to assure Brenda, now that she’s not a blog virgin anymore, that while the first time can be tough, it feels better the more you do it…
Sorry, couldn’t resist — also congrats to Leslie and Blaze babes on their Joey wins!
Sam
Comment by Sam Hunter — March 15, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
hi brenda, yes best editor, love those books:love2:
Comment by kim h — March 15, 2007 @ 12:25 pm
For Alyson, yep I’ve got CALL ME too and I want the rest rest of the three people in the FOUR MEN AND A LADY book ! :lightbulb:
Missy
Comment by Missy Andrews — March 15, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
By the way…I did talk to Brenda this morning and she knows there are lots of comments & said she’d come by every couple of hours to answer questions.
Guess she has a job to do or something like that…pffft….
Comment by Leslie — March 15, 2007 @ 12:38 pm
Hi Brenda, thanks for giving everyone a special treat by stopping by (and for bringing us great authors like the Plot Monkeys!) Making those first call phone calls sounds like the best part of the job…
Leeanne
Comment by Leeanne Kenedy — March 15, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
I totally second Patricia’s comments (except for my oldest has autism). It’s so nice to have an escape outlet. Right now, he’s going through a tough time and I noticed myself reading a lot more books at night (and staying up late doing so).
Leslie: I finished “Night Whispers”….I now get the Pirate picture that you posted a long time ago (of your husband)! Geez, I am so slow.
Comment by katie — March 15, 2007 @ 12:43 pm
Hi everybody,
I’m just about to pop out for lunch, but I wanted to check in before I did. There sure is a lot of traffic on this site? Congratulations Les, Jule, Carly and Janelle!
And I’d like to thank everybody for their kind words. I just got a call from one of my other authors, Jennifer LaBrecque, who warned me that I’m going to need a forklift to get my swollen head home.
Trust Jen to keep me honest.
Now, as far as I can see, there’s only one question - Tina’s. For Blaze, we prefer to see a query letter first because hooks - sexy, romantic–are crucial to the line. However, so is great characterization, good writing, etc. So, if a proposal comes in that hasn’t been queried, it still gets read. But it doesn’t stand out as something we’ve actually asked for, so it might –might being the operative word here–take a little longer to get to.
The benefit of sending a query letter for you, the author, is that when you do send chapters, you pretty well know you’re on track. You don’t have this guarantee when you send it in blind. But it’s your call…
Patricia, I’m glad you get what you need from romance novels. I admit, I like to escape into them whenever I get the chance. They’re all about empowerment, aren’t they?
Wayne, I’ll be in Dallas this year too. Why don’t you and Jill introduce yourselves to me if you get the chance?
And finally, I’d like to offer my congratulations to all the Blaze authors who won the eHarlequin Readers’ Choice awards - Leslie (of course), Rhonda Nelson and Jo Leigh (and my author Heather MacAllister, who won for her Harlequin American Romance).
See everybody a little later…
Brenda
Comment by Brenda — March 15, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
Katie, Good luck on finding a program for your son. Many at my daughter’s school are autistic, so, I know how difficult it can be.
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — March 15, 2007 @ 1:25 pm
Late to the party as usual, but I finally made it!
I can only echo all of the wonderful things everyone has said about this remarkable woman. Seriously. Like Carly, I have hit a wall on a plotting point and called Brenda at home–heck, sometimes I call just to see what she’s doing. :-) Her ability to look at every aspect of a story and find ways to tie themes together, strengthen characterization and fix plot holes is sheer genius. (Yes, Precious, I agree with Jen. You will need a forklift to get your head home. :-)
But in all seriousness and sincerity, you are truly the best at what you do. Getting that call from you changed my life in ways too numerous to count and working with you is a dream come true. I will follow you through the tree-tops, over whitewater and into the sea. :-) Just don’t ask me to hike. I know my limitations.
Comment by Rhonda Nelson — March 15, 2007 @ 1:31 pm
Patricia…we are so blessed that we live in a district that does an excellent job in special ed (particularly autism). He’s mostly in the typical classroom (except for two hours a day when he can’t handle the noise).
Aren’t romance novels great escapism from everyday life?
Comment by katie — March 15, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
Thanks all for the kudos on the eHQ Awards. that was very cool and the online “awards ceremony” was a real hoot!
I know some of you jungle swingers voted for me and I REALLY appreciate it!
Comment by Leslie — March 15, 2007 @ 2:55 pm
Katie…my hubby will always be my pirate. :love2:
Comment by Leslie — March 15, 2007 @ 2:57 pm
>>>The benefit of sending a query letter for you, the author, is that when you do send chapters, you pretty well know you’re on track. You don’t have this guarantee when you send it in blind. But it’s your call…< <
And all this time you’ve made me feel like such a baaaaaaad author for throwing my full at you!
Comment by Leslie — March 15, 2007 @ 2:58 pm
Brenda, Welcome. I have read Temptation & Blaze books for many years. Thanks for bringing us so many talented authors, keep up your good work. Now that you are no longer a blog virigin I hope to see more of you. I know nothing about the job of an editor but I can tell from all the comments here that you are an extraordinary one.
I had trouble getting into the ceremony so didn’t know who won. 
Wayne, glad to see you were here. Hope to see you in print soon.
Leslie, CONGRATULATIONS on the new contract.
CONGRATULATIONS to everyone that won a Readers Award last night!
Have a great day everyone.
Comment by Donna M — March 15, 2007 @ 3:16 pm
Leslie: could you clone him for all of us? :P:P
Comment by katie — March 15, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
Hi everybody,
Well, I’m just about done for the day.
Thanks for having me!
Brenda
Comment by Brenda — March 15, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
Hi Brenda:
Jill and I will definitely look for you at the conference. Are you planning to teach a seminar or two?
Also, I’m curious where do you see Blaze heading in the future?
Thanks for stopping by
Take care……………..Wayne
Comment by Wayne (aka Trybble) — March 15, 2007 @ 3:52 pm
Oh, I hope I’m not too late with my question. Knew I shouldn’t have been out of the house on a day like this! LOL!
Regarding requested manuscripts, what separates the ones you buy from the ones that get passed up?
Thanks for visiting with us, it’s been a pleasure!
Comment by Melissa James — March 15, 2007 @ 4:06 pm
Hi Brenda,
I just had to mention another one of your fabulous authors, Jill Shalvis. Not only is she a wonderful person, she is a hardworking, talented writer. Lucky for me I know her personally and have witnessed how dedicated she is to her books and readers. You have a real gem in her.
Comment by Gena — March 15, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
As one of those who received one of your calls - you made a HUGE difference in my life. Although I didn’t hang up on you - you did suggest I call you later
So do you really like Land of the Lost? I just bought the first season on DVD and am showing it to my kids. They seem to be liking it as much as I did. And yes, the sleestacks are still scary!
Thanks for all your hard work.
Comment by Jill Monroe — March 15, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
I think Brenda may be done for the day…hopefully, she’ll stop by later or first thing tomorrow and answer any left over questions. Melissa, I will say that I think that Brenda’s answer to your question will be VOICE.
Comment by Julie Leto — March 15, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
Hi Brenda. Thank you for discovering four of the best authors around. If it were not for you, we would have no plotmonkeys. Thank you.
Comment by Patty L. — March 15, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
Here it is 5pm and I am finally getting online to read this and there are soooo many responses. eek!!
Comment by ev — March 15, 2007 @ 4:59 pm
For Alyson, yep I’ve got CALL ME too and I want the rest rest of the three people in the FOUR MEN AND A LADY book ! :lightbulb:
Missy
Missy, they’re out. RED LETTER NIGHTS, KISS & MAKEUP, GOES DOWN EASY. All Blazes.
Comment by Alison — March 15, 2007 @ 5:38 pm
Okay, Brenda left too early so I think we’re going to twist her arm and ask her to answer the remaining questions and we will post her responses on Saturday….that’s the plan, anyway. We’ll keep you posted tomorrow!
Comment by Leslie — March 15, 2007 @ 7:42 pm
I just wanted to add that I believe Brenda has absolutely discovered some of the best authors in series romance. All of them have continued to inspire, entertain, wrench me emotionally, and make me laugh out loud. So in that respect - yes! You do make a difference in my life every time I read a book from one of your authors.
I only hope that one day one of my manuscripts will be able to do the same. And that a terrific editor like yourself will have ensured it was the best it could be.
I hope your teaching a seminar or something at RWA in Dallas. If so, I’ll look forward to it.
Lynn
Comment by Lynn Matherly — March 16, 2007 @ 12:07 am