Montlake Romance - An Inside Scoop

As many of you know, this year I sold my first book, my 2011 Golden Heart Finalist Manuscript, In Her Sights. My agent, Jill Marsal, placed the book with Amazon's Montlake Romance. I was so excited to be part of this new venture. Especially when Connie Brockway is the launch title with The Other Guy's Bride. To my excitement and surprise, my book and Melinda Leigh's She Can Run, were the two follow-up titles in the launch month—November, 2011.

It's been an exciting adventure since that call and signing my first contract. Montlake Romances are available through Amazon, of course (click here to order), but also via Ingram and Baker & Taylor. My paperback is available at Barnes & Noble (click here to order), and hopefully other retailers. As has been said, most eloquently by JA Konrath, it's a whole new world out there.

Recently, Amazon hired former Harlequin Senior Editor Kelli Martin who will be heading up Montlake's submission process. In the midst of conversations, I was able to get access to Montlake's new submission guidelines, so I thought I'd share.  Because SO many of you have asked for information on how and what Montlake is acquiring, I'm providing the submission guidelines on this blog. In a month, I'll be putting out an article on what Harlequin Intrigue is looking for as well, where I sold my next three books. So keep an eye out. Good luck everyone. And Happy Writing.

Montlake Romance Submission Guidelines...

Montlake Romance is actively looking for new submissions in the following romance subgenres: contemporary, romantic suspense, paranormal and historical. The length is 60,000-90,000 words.

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Montlake Sensuality Level

• Simmering:  Simmering titles focus on love and romance but not necessarily the physical expression of it. The characters are emotionally engaged, but have little physical contact. This is a modest level of descriptive physical intimacy.
• Steamy:  Sizzling titles turn up the heat!  Characters engage in sexual activities but the descriptions are not overly explicit. This is a moderate level of descriptive physical intimacy.
• Searing:  Searing titles are as hot as Montlake can handle!  Love scenes and physical descriptions are detailed and graphic, without being lewd or exploitative. This is a high level of descriptive physical intimacy.
• We do not publish erotica.

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Montlake Logistics

Your material must be typed and double-spaced with page numbers.

If you are a debut or self-published author, please include a query letter, detailed synopsis of your entire book, and complete manuscript. If you are an established author, please include a query letter, detailed synopsis, and first five chapters.

We accept agented and unagented manuscripts.  

Please e-mail your terrific work to:
Kelli Martin
Senior Acquisitions Editor
kellim@amazon.com

We are so excited about Montlake and look forward to reading your best work!

There you have it. There's some exciting opportunities with Montlake. Good luck everyone, with your submissions.

Happy Writing!

Robin