I had a great time in Birmingham – Hoover, actually – at the Magic City Conference.  How can you not love a conference that begins with room service delivering cheese grits?  I miss cheese grits, but I digress.

Carla Swafford and her team of volunteers were incredible and the whole check-in, etc. process worked flawlessly.  The range of workshops offered was really balanced.  This is a definite don’t-miss regional conference. 

I attended the editor-agent panel (a Q&A) and as expected, the publishing industry in general is pretty tight right now.

 

YA, middle grade, and erotica (not all in the same book, of course) are strong.  Paranormals remain popular, though vampire themes are pretty saturated.  The consensus was Women’s Fiction is heating up as are Historicals, though attendees were warned off Medieval and Scottish Highlands.  In the romantic suspense arena, there is a definite swing toward gore and away from cozy-esque stories and straight woman-in-jeopardy is faltering.  The exception being Kensington.  They are still actively behind cozy mysteries as well as actively acquiring for their Brava and Aphrodisia (sp?) lines.  Only 1 editor – from St. Martin’s, indicated a willingness to look at chick lit, though it was noted that traditional chick lit (the 25 year old unfulfilled, boss-abused assistant) is a tough sell.

I heard a lot of ‘Romance and . . .’  Paranormal elements, women’s fiction elements, action-adventure elements, etc.  Seems as if the market wants more than just straight contemporary romance. 

Now, as if that isn’t confusing enough . . . I did a signing last night and the bookseller was complaining that there wasn’t enough ‘straight’ contemporary romance out there.  So, I guess it all depends on whom you ask about what when.

 

My take?  A good book will eventually find a home.  The key is freshness.  The world neither wants nor needs another Janet Evanovich (Or Nora or whomever) – not when they can have the real thing.  They want the next great unique author – someone with a voice or style as strong and distinctive as a Janet or a Nora.  Both of the authors I mentioned are incredibly talented and both earned their way into the hearts and wallets of the reading public by consistently and brilliantly producing memorable stories and characters.  That’s the golden ring we should all be chasing – great characters nestled in compelling stories.

 

Have a great day!

Rhonda, I just finished your new book, KNOCK OFF, and enjoyed it very much! Good luck with the new series! I'm sure it will soar! And thanks for the update on the conference! I'm always interested in hearing what the latest is.

Cindy