Author Kat Cantrell: “A Peek Beneath the Covers”
Posted By Becke Martin Davis On February 19, 2013 @ 12:01 am In Category Romance,Debut Author,Genres,Publishing Career,Romance University | 36 Comments
Today’s guest, KAT CANTRELL, [2] is living the dream many struggling romance writers aspire to. So what’s it like living on Cloud Nine? Kat reveals all! (Scroll down for details – Kat’s giving away a copy of her new book to a commenter!)
Fairy tales do come true. I’m living proof that hard work and perseverance will eventually get you into that glass slipper. I entered Harlequin’s 2011 SYTYCW competition and on February 14th, 2012, I got the best Valentine’s Day present ever—The Call from my editor Stacy telling me I’d won. One year ago, I was a writer aspiring to be published and today, my book, Marriage With Benefits, is on the shelf, with many more releases to come.
It’s been a whirlwind of a year. Even more so than I’d imagined—and I have a pretty good imagination.
See, I’m an obsessive planner, with both my stories and my career. After a lot of research, I targeted Harlequin and entered the publishing arena with a strategic roadmap so I would know where I was going and if I got off track. A complete, publishable manuscript takes a long time to finish and in building a career, we have to be smart about our effort. Harlequin is where I wanted to be for business reasons and because they publish what I love to write. A match made in heaven.
So how did my assumptions about writing for Harlequin pan out?
Here’s a peek beneath the covers of my first year as a Harlequin Desire author (because let’s be honest—we’re romance writers and we like to know what happens under the covers, right?).
Assumption: Harlequin publishes a lot of books. Ergo, they need a lot of manuscripts.
Reality: True. My thought process was hey, have you seen all those Harlequin books at the store? They put out 4-6 titles in each line every month. Do the math. They need new authors and want them to write more than one book. And boy, do they. In eleven months, I’ve signed contracts for seven books, one of which my editor asked me to write (yes, my jaw did hit the floor). Additionally, she worked with me to develop a concept for the three-book series I sold last month. In short, Harlequin buys authors, not manuscripts.
Assumption: Harlequin would do promotion.
Reality: True. Except I had no idea what this would actually entail. Harlequin featured my March release on their Facebook page during Cover Reveal Thursday, and that book hit the Harlequin.com bestseller list for that day. On Twitter, @Harlequinbooks had a contest and gave away five copies of my book. I don’t have any measurable data on how that helped sales, but I’m hopeful the winners will become fans. Can’t have too many of those! In the Harlequin.com forums, I’m the spotlight debut author of the month and an excerpt of my March release went into the back of all February Desire releases. Oh, and this is all in the last two weeks. I couldn’t be more thrilled with promotional efforts on my behalf.
Assumption: My books would be on the shelf at Target, Walmart, grocery stores, heck—everywhere on the planet that sold books.
Reality: False. Walmart, along with almost every other retailer, is shrinking their shelf space. They sell Harlequin lines, but not Desire, or at least not in my area. *sadface* The plus side? Harlequin does have a direct-to-consumer program, which mails books to the reader’s doorstep one month prior to the print release date. I started getting fan mail from these die-hard readers almost immediately. Honestly…that made up for not seeing my book at Walmart!
Assumption: Harlequin contracts are comparable to other New York publishers and an agent can’t negotiate anything.
Reality: False. Very false, as a matter of fact. My contracts have some positive differences from other major publishers and my agent negotiated beneficial changes to my options clause. I’d love to go into more detail, but alas, this kind of stuff has to stay hush-hush. Trust me when I tell you it’s all good!
Assumption: I’d make bukoos of bucks.
Reality: False. Sigh. This is one I really wish had been true. I’m very happy with my earnings thus far in comparison to what Show Me the Money [3] says other publishers pay. But publishing pays sloooooow. My advances are broken up into portions payable upon delivery, which is an industry standard. For example, I get a third upon delivery of the proposal, a third on delivery of the full manuscript and a third on delivery of the revised manuscript. As this stretches over a six-to-eight month period, the money, she is not flowing like an avalanche. Royalties take a long time too, because publishers hold a reserve against returns (where the retail outlets return unsold copies for credit), so it could be another six-to-eight months after the release of your book before you see any royalties—IF you earn out the advance. I still don’t know yet how that’s going to look for me. Write because you love it and think of the money as a bonus.
That’s the run-down in a few words. I’m open to questions.
I’ll give away a print copy of Marriage With Benefits to a commenter! (US residents only please)
MARRIAGE WITH BENEFITS: Available now at: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes&Noble | Nook
[4]
Her ideal ex-husband.
“Will you divorce me?” Those are the four little words Cia Allende wants to hear Lucas Wheeler say. Of course, they have to marry first. The gorgeous Texas real estate tycoon shuns commitment, but a six-month fake marriage will help them both. Cia can access her trust fund and build a women’s shelter, and Lucas’s playboy reputation is repaired. No strings. No romance. Simple.
Except it’s anything but. Lucas intends to seduce his in-name-only wife. It’s a battle of wills, and Cia is losing…and loving it. And now the divorce she needs is the last thing she wants….
***
What would you like to know about a debut author’s first year in the trenches?
Publisher Oliver Rhodes joins us on Wednesday – don’t miss it!
***
Bio:
[5]
Kat read her first Harlequin novel in third grade and has been scribbling in notebooks since she learned to spell. What else would she write but romance? When she’s not writing about characters on the journey to happily ever after, she can be found at a soccer game, watching Friends or dancing with her kids to Duran Duran and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Kat, her husband and their two boys live in North Texas. She’s a proud member of Romance Writers of America®. Kat was the 2011 Harlequin So You Think You Can Write winner and a 2012 RWA® Golden Heart® finalist for best unpublished series contemporary manuscript. She writes passionate stories about smart, sassy heroines and the men who try to keep up with them for Harlequin Desire and Carina Press.
Visit Kat’s website [2] and follow her on Facebook [6] and Twitter [7].
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Article printed from Romance University: http://romanceuniversity.org
URL to article: http://romanceuniversity.org/2013/02/19/author-kat-cantrell-a-peek-beneath-the-covers/
URLs in this post:
[1] Tweet: http://twitter.com/share?counturl=http%3A%2F%2Fromanceuniversity.org%2F2013%2F02%2F19%2Fauthor-kat-cantrell-a-peek-beneath-the-covers%2F
[2] KAT CANTRELL, : http://katcantrell.com/
[3] Show Me the Money: http://brendahiatt.com/show-me-the-money/
[4] Image: http://romanceuniversity.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Marriage_With_Benefits_Cover.jpg
[5] Image: http://romanceuniversity.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kat_Cantrell.jpg
[6] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kat-Cantrell-Author/164101746941195
[7] Twitter: https://twitter.com/katcantrell
[8] Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner? – 2011 Style: http://romanceuniversity.org/2011/08/08/guess-whos-coming-to-dinner-2011-style/
[9] Diversity in Fiction by IRMC Books: http://romanceuniversity.org/2011/10/10/diversity-in-fiction-by-irmc-books/
[10] Category Romance: Ask the Authors, Day 1: http://romanceuniversity.org/2011/06/27/category-romance-ask-the-authors-day-1/
[11] The Pros and Cons of Self Publishing: http://romanceuniversity.org/2010/12/13/the-pros-and-cons-of-self-publishing/
[12] The Submission Process: One Author’s Perspective: http://romanceuniversity.org/2011/09/16/the-submission-process-one-authors-perspective/
[13] : mailto:nenaclements1@gmail.com
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36 Comments To "Author Kat Cantrell: “A Peek Beneath the Covers”"
#1 Comment By Monica On February 19, 2013 @ 7:37 am
Kat, you’re living my dream! I love Desire and have been fantasizing about the day when my own books are on the shelves. Than you so much for this little peek into the real world of Harlequin authors. I love that although the life of a published romance author might not be as glitzy and bubbly as you think it will be, it actually doesn’t sound half bad! I wish you all the luck in your career and look forward to your Desire titles!
#2 Comment By Kat Cantrell On February 19, 2013 @ 7:54 am
Hi Monica! It is like a dream and it’s so wonderful.
Thanks for coming by today and good luck with your own pursuit. Are you targeting Harlequin or another publisher?
#3 Comment By Sia Huff On February 19, 2013 @ 7:56 am
Congratulations, Kat – On winning SYTYCW contest and selling! I love the Desire line and our Walmarts here in Georgia do carry the line. “Marriage With Benefits” sounds like a great read. And I have to say, I love your heroine’s name. LOL.
Wishing you many sales.
#4 Comment By Kat Cantrell On February 19, 2013 @ 7:58 am
Thanks Sia–and LOL on loving the name! I’m happy to hear Walmart has my books. I love Georgia! My husband is from there and I’ve always wanted to write a book set in Savannah. Thanks for coming by today!
#5 Comment By Carrie Spencer On February 19, 2013 @ 8:54 am
Morning Kat!
Thanks so much for being with us today! I’m still struggling to get just the right story written – but I’m hoping to join you under the covers someday! (oops, did that come out right?) lol….
Congratulations on your books and all your contracts – that’s amazing! I’m very happy for you. =)
carrie
#6 Comment By Tammy Baumann On February 19, 2013 @ 8:55 am
Hi Kat,
Great article and fun peak under the covers. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. I have no doubt those bukoos of bucks will be arriving very soon. You’re such a talented writer! Add me to your ever growing list of fans!!
#7 Comment By Mary Jo Burke On February 19, 2013 @ 9:16 am
Hi Kat,
Someone else handling the promotion is the lure. It’s the worst part for me.
Congrats on your contracts.
Mary Jo
#8 Comment By Cynthia Justlin On February 19, 2013 @ 9:21 am
You are so smart. That’s all I have to say!
And I was very disappointed that my Wal-mart did not have your book. I think I should lodge a formal complaint! Thank goodness for online stores that DO carry HQN Desires.
No need to enter me in the drawing — I already have my own fabulous copy!
#9 Comment By Nena Clements On February 19, 2013 @ 9:28 am
Great post. I love to hear about the journey of new authors. I aspire as well. Hearing your story is inspiration. I love Desire. It is my target line. I’d love to win a copy.
[13]
#10 Comment By Carrie Spencer On February 19, 2013 @ 9:47 am
This in my email box this morning from Patti…
Hi, Kat,
Thanks so much for this “Under the Covers” story! I’ve always been a Harlequin reader and will be looking for your book….the “marriage of convenience” has always been a favorite theme.
Harlequin got me started writing romances, tho I’ve gotten sidetracked. Your article has inspired me to open that bottom drawer and take out my old mss to see what’s there!
Patti
#11 Comment By Kat Cantrell On February 19, 2013 @ 10:16 am
LOL–I’d love to be under the covers with you Carrie! We’ve been friends long enough that I totally take that as intended.
Thanks for letting me hang out on RU today.
#12 Comment By Becke Martin Davis On February 19, 2013 @ 10:16 am
Hi Kat – Thanks so much for this revealing article! I know a lot of unpubbed writers (like myself) will be clinging to your words. Huge congratulations on your debut novel and your future releases!
#13 Comment By Kat Cantrell On February 19, 2013 @ 10:18 am
Aww. You’re so sweet.
Coming from the gal who kicked my butt in the Golden Heart, I’m thrilled you like my book! Thanks for coming by.
#14 Comment By Kat Cantrell On February 19, 2013 @ 10:19 am
Thanks Mary Jo! Promo is not for everyone, that’s for sure, especially not us introverted writers.
Thanks for the comment.
#15 Comment By Kat Cantrell On February 19, 2013 @ 10:21 am
LOL–I think you have about forty-seven copies in the various forms…I might do the complaint too. Good idea! Thanks for hanging out with me today.
#16 Comment By Kat Cantrell On February 19, 2013 @ 10:22 am
Hi Nena! Writing for Desire is awesome. I can’t tell you enough how great it is. Good luck! If I can do it, so can you.
#17 Comment By Kat Cantrell On February 19, 2013 @ 10:24 am
Hi Becke! Thank you so much for having me here today. Honestly, it’s as much a dream to be on Romance U as it is to be published. So many people have helped me get where I am–I hope I can help others!
#18 Comment By Kat Cantrell On February 19, 2013 @ 10:24 am
That’s awesome–go Patti!
#19 Comment By Tracey Devlyn On February 19, 2013 @ 12:46 pm
Kat, congrats on your debut! It’s so fun seeing one of RU’s regulars attain their dream.
Gotta tell ya–This is a GREAT post and I would have loved access to information like this three years ago!
Have a joyous debut month!
Tracey
#20 Comment By Kat Cantrell On February 19, 2013 @ 1:29 pm
Thanks Tracey! I’m so grateful for all I’ve learned on RU. Hope I can pass along some wisdom! PS LOVE the cover of Checkmate My Lord! Wishing you many sales.
#21 Comment By Jennifer Tanner On February 19, 2013 @ 2:01 pm
Hi Kat,
Congratulations on your debut and your multi-book contract. Will your writing process change now that you’ve got several books to write?
Thanks for your support of RU and being with us today. Best of luck!
#22 Comment By Adrienne Giordano On February 19, 2013 @ 3:09 pm
Hi, Kat! Congratulations on your fabulous debut. You’re a perfect example of why writers should keep writing while they’re trying to sell manuscripts. It’s like a landslide when the first one sells!
I’m curious how long it takes for a Harlequin book to hit the shelves once the contract is signed?
Thanks for being here. I love it when our regulars are featured!
#23 Comment By Kat Cantrell On February 19, 2013 @ 3:17 pm
Hi Jennifer! Thanks for the congrats and the luck–I definitely need the luck.
My writing process has drastically changed because I’m selling on proposal now. Several months pass from when I develop the concept and write the first few chapters until I pick up the story again. That’s been difficult. I still don’t think I’ve fully figured out how to do it well. I welcome any suggestions from veteran authors!
#24 Comment By Kat Cantrell On February 19, 2013 @ 3:24 pm
Hi Adrienne–yes, keep writing!! If nothing else, it’s good practice.
For my first contract, which was for two books I’d already completed, both were scheduled for release within 12 months. After that, the release dates spread out according to already scheduled books (mine and others) and also how quickly I thought I could complete the manuscript (since I sold on proposal). Harlequin has been very easy to work with on scheduling and I’ve been really happy with all my dates.
Thanks for having me here!
#25 Comment By Melanie C. Murray On February 19, 2013 @ 6:24 pm
Your book sounds great. Can’t wait to read it
#26 Comment By Kat Cantrell On February 19, 2013 @ 7:24 pm
Hi Melanie–thanks for dropping by today! I do hope you enjoy Marriage With Benefits.
#27 Comment By Cia On February 19, 2013 @ 7:55 pm
Hi Kat,
Congrats on a spectacular year. I hope your sales will be equally outstanding.
Did you zero in on Desire immediately or did you flirt with other Harlequin lines?
I’m outside the US, so don’t enter me in the drawing.
Cia
#28 Comment By Kat Cantrell On February 19, 2013 @ 8:16 pm
Thank you so much! I did target Desire from the beginning, with a brief foray later on with Riva in an attempt to figure out the line best suited for my voice. I love to write about glamorous, sophisticated people finding grand passion–Desire was the right place all along!
#29 Comment By Mona AlvaradoFrazier On February 19, 2013 @ 8:38 pm
Thank you for giving us the real deal about the long journey to publishing. The “Show Me the Money” article was a real eye opener.
#30 Comment By Reese Ryan On February 19, 2013 @ 8:48 pm
Congrats on a fantastic year, Kat! Thank you for pulling back the curtain, and sharing what this past year has been like for you.
#31 Comment By Kat Cantrell On February 19, 2013 @ 9:59 pm
Hi Mona! I really appreciate all the work Brenda Hiatt puts into Show Me the Money. It is illuminating! Thanks for commenting.
#32 Comment By Kat Cantrell On February 19, 2013 @ 10:00 pm
Thanks Reese! I’m so glad I’ve got useful info to share. Thanks for coming by today!
#33 Comment By Kat Cantrell On February 20, 2013 @ 7:36 pm
The winner of a copy of Marriage With Benefits is–NENA CLEMENTS! Thanks everyone for hanging out with me on Tuesday.
#34 Comment By Laurie Evans On February 20, 2013 @ 8:46 pm
Thanks for sharing your story. Very inspirational!
#35 Comment By Monica On February 23, 2013 @ 4:32 pm
Harlequin is my dream publisher, and Desire is my target line. I literally dream of the day when I have a book on the shelves!
#36 Comment By Annalise Cutajar On February 28, 2013 @ 9:02 am
Wow! Thanks for sharing your experience Kat! I’m just in the process of wrapping up my first novel and really enjoyed reading about what you’ve been doing, it is really encouraging to learn what it’s like on the ‘other side’.
Btw the plot for Marriage with Benefits sounds like a gripping read, I’ll be sure to have a look between edits of my book!