is there a market?

kcvale · Apr 28, 2010

I write christian romance and I have two characters that just won't leave me alone. They've fought the attraction but it looks like they're going to make a go of their relationship. It won't be easy. They have a past history to work through, a mystery to solve and they're an interracial couple to boot. My problem is that when I look at the available markets I'm not seeing much for a newbie writer. I've considered the Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense line but I'm not sure that's a good fit.

Any thoughts?

kc

veinglory · Apr 28, 2010

I would suggest looking at romance publishers that are not specifically Christian but inclusive of it. Many types of Christian character do not fit into the dedicated Harlequin (and similar) lines. Being a newbie writer is not really an issue--just where you book fits.

brainstorm77 · Apr 28, 2010

Seek an agent when you're done. It may help.

Jess Haines · Apr 28, 2010

There's an agent for this market. Her name escapes me at the moment. I'll see if I can find it and get back to this thread later.

Crinklish · Apr 28, 2010

CBA agent

Jess Haines said:
There's an agent for this market. Her name escapes me at the moment. I'll see if I can find it and get back to this thread later.

Are you thinking of Rachelle Gardner, perhaps? Her blog is here:
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/.

jana13k · Apr 28, 2010

Hi kc - I second the others advice to obtain an agent, especially one well-versed with Christian publishers. They have a lot of rules you have to follow because many bookstores refuse to carry books that contain certain things. Steeple Hill is a great line if you're looking to write category length books, but I highly suggest you read several of them to see if the style and format suits you. H/S is very specific by line (and editor, although they don't advertise that). But they're definitely looking for very specific things in the different lines.

Good luck!

kcvale · Apr 28, 2010

Sounds like an agent may be the way to go. But I wonder how much help that will be if there's really not much market for it. I read a lot of christian fiction and I haven't encountered very many interracial couples.

But when I look at my writing, my stories are all christian romantic suspense and many of my couples are interracial. It's how they come to me. I don't think I can exchange a character's color just to be more marketable. Ethnicity is all wrapped up with the total person. It makes my characters who they are. Irritating as some of them can be I don't want to change them... well, not much.

Unfortunately, I think I may be limiting my marketability.

If I'm making this a bigger deal than it needs to be, please, someone tell me and put me out of my misery.

I checked out Rachelle Gardner. I didn't see anything that made me feel better about my particular problem. But she has a wonderful and informative blog. Thanks Crinklish.

Thanks for the help,

kc

Captcha · Apr 29, 2010

If these characters are interracial, I really wouldn't change them just because of marketability. Maybe the fact that you're blazing a new trail will be your selling point! (And hopefully the people who are reading Christian romances are true Christians who would not be racist or otherwise hateful).

Something that I'm struggling to accept as I work on my writing is not to get overly involved in a single MS. If the inter-racial aspect of your story is the only problem with it, then surely it will sell eventually, and in the meantime, you can be working on your second, or third, or fourth novel! I've been fighting the temptation to try to make my current WIP all things to all people, rather than making it the best version of what it is. Does that make sense? This book is half-written, it's all thought out - I'm not going to change it now in the name of marketability. I'm going to finish it, make it as good as it can be, then send it out and get on with the next story!

Maybe that's useful for you, or maybe it's just my own little problem...

kcvale · Apr 29, 2010

Kate_Sherwood said:
If these characters are interracial, I really wouldn't change them just because of marketability. Maybe the fact that you're blazing a new trail will be your selling point! (And hopefully the people who are reading Christian romances are true Christians who would not be racist or otherwise hateful).

Something that I'm struggling to accept as I work on my writing is not to get overly involved in a single MS. If the inter-racial aspect of your story is the only problem with it, then surely it will sell eventually, and in the meantime, you can be working on your second, or third, or fourth novel! I've been fighting the temptation to try to make my current WIP all things to all people, rather than making it the best version of what it is. Does that make sense? This book is half-written, it's all thought out - I'm not going to change it now in the name of marketability. I'm going to finish it, make it as good as it can be, then send it out and get on with the next story!

Maybe that's useful for you, or maybe it's just my own little problem...

Very useful and thank you!

Satori1977 · Apr 29, 2010

Maybe look outside christian fiction. Most romance publishers seem to have different heat levels, and there are publishers that cater to interracial couples. I personally haven't read any interracial romances, but i have seen publishers . There are also romances that have christian couples, but aren't necessarily considered christian romances. You might consider that. Have you read Catherine Aderson? Most of her couples are christian, it plays a big part in her stories, but her stories aren't always labeled christian. I might be wrong, but i don't think her publisher is a christian one. If the story is good, an agent will find a good home.

Jess Haines · Apr 30, 2010

Crinklish said:
Are you thinking of Rachelle Gardner, perhaps? Her blog is here:
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/.

Yes, this is who I was thinking of. Sorry it took me so long to reply!

Kitty27 · Apr 30, 2010

Go,girl!

It's wonderful to see interracial romance and POC in romance books. I totally salute you.

I agree with everybody. An agent is the way to go and who knows,you may be the trailblazer in a brand new market!

Best of luck to you.

ETA:With the number of IR couples today,I think there is most definitely a market.

kcvale · May 1, 2010

Thanks everyone!

kc

is there a market?

kcvale

veinglory

volitare nequeo

brainstorm77

practical experience, FTW

Jess Haines

Boldly going nowhere in particular.

Crinklish

jana13k

Yep. I can.

kcvale

Captcha

kcvale

Satori1977

Listening to the Voices In My Head

Jess Haines

Boldly going nowhere in particular.

Kitty27

So Goth That I Was Born Black

kcvale