Guest Sherri Lee Breathless Press Editor

Hello everyone, I’m Sherri Lee, managing editor for Breathless Press.

I joined the Breathless Press team in September of 2009 and have really enjoyed getting to see some of the excellent work that’s been coming through our virtual doors.

As a wife and mother, I appreciate the opportunity that I've been given to work as an editor. I get to incorporate on a daily basis two of my favorite things in life: reading and spending time with my son. If I had to pick one specific genre as my passion, it would be erotic paranormal romance. But I enjoy reading a little of everything.

Some of the authors on top of my list include: JR Ward, Lora Leigh, Lara Adrian, Angela Knight, Larissa Ione, and Gena Showalter. Oh man, the list could just go on and on, but I think you see the trend.

Our editing process at Breathless Press is quite streamlined. Once a manuscript is accepted by our Acquisition's department, the document is forwarded to me for assignment to an appropriate editor. There are several factors to consider when making that decision: availability, editorial deadline, genre, and compatibility. From the moment a project is assigned, the author's principal contact becomes his or her editor. With our authors and editors working together in such a close relationship it simplifies the lines of communication within the company.

Our goal at Breathless Press is to create a positive experience that brings our writers back again and again. So what are you waiting for? Stop by Breathless Press and see what’s hot on our shelves, and authors, get your manuscripts polished and send them in. I’d love a chance to read your latest creation.

Visit Breathless Press HERE

Sugar and Spice Press Publisher Interview

Boy oh boy, the next Publisher makes me hanker for a treat - must ignore cupcake in the kitchen - I would like to welcome Kelly Ann Pearson CEO/Publisher of Sugar and Spice Press. Do you ever think of your house name and get the munchies?

Terry Kate: What makes Sugar and Spice stand out in the sea of Independent Presses?

Kelly Ann:  I think of the differences in our authors we are a diverse and we have such am amzaing selction in books and ideas. it made it seem only natural to name our company something that covers all the spectrums of our books. Sugar is sweet and mild and Spice gives you a hint of something more.

TK: Oh yum, Tell us a little about what a tasty house like yours publishes, what is S&S Press's specialty?

KA: We publish romance. Our motto is where romance is everything thing nice. We love the thought of a happily ever after and most of our books reflect that. from Paranormal to Contemporary. Sensual to Erotica, you will find our books make our readers believe in love in someway

TK: What areas are hot sellers for you? Any sub-genre a popular menu item?

KA: Our readers love the Interracial books those are a hot seller and also our paranormals in any genre does very well. We are not in the process of really getting our Young Adult line of the ground and we have some new great titles coming out in that genre this spring

TK: What made you decide to reach out to younger readers?  Will interracial books be a prominent part of the YA line also?

KA: No actually we a wide variety of authors for our Young adult line. One of our favorites Is Linda Palmer's The Cinderalla Swap. Readers love this book and it has gained rave reviews. I myself have a teenage daughter and she always said we need books to cater to her age group..I gave her her wish.

TK: Do you read YA yourself?

KA: Of course I have a few Young adult writer I love and some really great Adult authors I read voraciously,

TK: If you could get your hands on more stories in a certain genre - or with certain characters what would it be?

KA: I would love to get more Paranorma Erotica and Contemporary Erotica in Novella format. I have such a wide readership for this genre that we could always use more. So authors submit away!

TK: Oh fun, what do you think it is about the Novella length that appeals?

KA: I think its the short quick read. Excitement, intensity, romance, lust all rolled into one tight little package. LOL we all want that right?

TK: Romance that comes to us in a tight package? Sounds good to me.

KA: LOL we all want to fall in love quickly, intense attraction that leads to along lasting relationship. Our authors give their readers that and more in every page of their boioks

TK: Kelly Ann thank you so much for sharing about your company. I know how busy publishers are.

Vistit Sugar and Spice Press and find out more! - http://www.sugarnspicepress.com/

Interview with Harlequin NASCAR Romance Editor Marsha Zinberg

Hello,
I am so excited to welcome Harlequin Editor Marsha Zinberg to the Backseat to talk about the NASCAR inspired series of books they are publishing. 
  
Marsha, how did you get involved with the NASCAR line?
 

As Executive Editor of Feature and Custom Publishing, any of our projects or programs that do not fall within the regular established series fall under my “custom publishing” umbrella.  Also, I have long experience with continuity series, so once Harlequin and NASCAR had agreed on their publishing “partnership”, I was asked to execute the program.

 Were you a fan of the Sport before?  

No, I can’t say that I was, but I was certainly fascinated by the whole NASCAR franchise, and travelled both to the head office in Charlotte, and to Daytona for the 500, so I definitely got a grand introduction to the sport, and learned a fair bit about it.

NASCAR and Harlequin joining together is quite the clash of the Titans - you are both huge names in any arena - what have been some of the most interesting results?  Any big surprises?

We were certainly thrilled when we got front page coverage in the New York Times of a media event we sponsored at the Daytona 500, and one of the more interesting results for us has been the huge media interest in this “publishing partnership” between the two brands. I think one of the biggest surprises for me as an editor was discovering how many of our current writers were already either NASCAR fans or people well-versed in the sport.  I expected it not to be that easy to find writers willing  to and  capable of writing these romance with the authenticity I felt they needed, but I was gratified that so many authors I knew well were very excited about the NASCAR romances, and very well-informed about the  sport as well. Many of our southern writers had been raised watching races every Sunday afternoon during the season, so it was not a big stretch for them at all!

Have you had any feed back from drivers?

Well, in our first season, we had an agreement with Carl Edwards that he would appear as a character in a couple of our books, and he was very pleased with the way that was handled.  His car during that season also appeared on the cover, and he was very complimentary about our company and our books.
  
If this is not too loaded a question - who are your favorite drivers?
Ever tempted to sit shotgun and go for a ride?   Who would be your chosen chauffeur?

Since I got to meet Carl Edwards, and was very impressed with how gentlemanly and gracious he was, I’d have to put him right up there.  I did get to ride around the track at Charlotte, in an SUV rather than a race car, but we got the feel of the track.  We didn’t go 180 mph, but we went fast enough for me, so that’s a good enough stock car riding experience for me at present!

 Marsha thank you so much for joining us here and sharing!

For readers interested in checking out the Harlequin NASCAR Romances visit Harlequins site and check out the FREE Download they are offering in honor of their 60th Anniversary!

http://www.harlequincelebrates.com/ - Enjoy!