Guest Blogging With Robyn Grady!

We’re thrilled to have as our guest blogger the gorgeous Robyn Grady. Robyn is a very busy lady writing for both Silhouette Desire and Mills & Boon’s Modern Heat (Presents Extra in the US.) But she’s kindly agreed to be available to us this week to answer some questions on writing for two different lines/houses and working with an agent. So, without further ado…heeeerrrrre’s Robbie!

Thanks so much, Yvonne, Bron, Tessa, Maxine, Jan and Paula for the invitation! If the world doesn’t know it yet, let me say again how much I’m enjoying your Diamond Downunder Series. I’m totally hooked!

Agent representation is the topic of the day! It happens to be one of my favourite subjects. After almost eight years of writing and submitting - submitting and writing - late in 2006 I was offered representation by a New York Agent and it made all the difference!

The DDU ladies have kindly put together a few questions. If anyone has any other questions, fire away! I’ll answer as best I can.

Firstly – the big question. How did you acquire your agent?

That’s a good story. Robbie Williams had been touring Downunder. On the Romance Writers of Australia loop there were a pile of messages with the heading ROBBIE!!! A good friend rang to see if I’d finally sold. I explained the misunderstanding and said I was still waiting for The Call. Waiting, waiting, waiting…. My friend suggested I contact her agent in New York. The week before, I’d emailed off a revised manuscript to the London editor I’d been working with for more than two years. Although the editor hadn’t rejected my two previous stories, this was the third manuscript to receive a revision request from her desk. I was going a little crazy: how long would I need to wait this time!? I decided, ‘What the heck do I have to lose?’ So I ran a brief email off to Spencerhill Associates outlining my background, including my working relationship with this editor and my US contest finals, which numbered 13 in 2006. (Contests are a very good thing J) The return email came back so quickly, I thought it was an auto reply. Then things started to happen!

What is the biggest advantage of having an agent (as a category author)?

From my experience, there are many advantages. The biggest would be that I feel I have an expert in the industry in my corner. Editors expect agents to follow up. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll always hear back sooner, but, rather, you don’t have to worry about when or how to approach again if you haven’t heard back. A good agent will be on top of things and keep you up to date. Which leaves more time for writing! J

What do you see as the key requisites in an author-agent relationship?

Honesty, patience, professionalism. I work mainly with Jennifer Schober from Spencerhill and we’re a great fit. I’ll be honest about any concerns or questions I might have, she’ll advise me on what she believes to be the best course of action, although she’s always clear that ultimate decisions are mine. When I say patience, I don’t mean hanging out forever for a reply to an email. I can’t think of a time that either Karen or Jennifer haven’t replied to an email the same day/night. Rather, I mean respecting the other person’s point of view and, from the author’s perspective, looking at the bigger, or smarter, picture.

I also think it’s important to keep in mind that an author-agent relationship is a professional relationship. I’m stoked that Jenn and I get on so well (it wouldn’t suit me to work with someone who’s abrupt or doesn’t share a similar sense of humour), but I’m very aware that everyone’s time is precious. We talk only when something pertaining to work needs to be discussed or addressed or celebrated. But social chit-chat emails I save for others.

How do you manage working for two lines?

 It’s a challenge! But a wonderful one. My first year, I had revisions on my first Desire, plus two other books to write. I also had a 10,000 word online story to write and chat about on eHarlequin for the eight weeks leading up to Christmas, which was fabulous!

But alongside that went line, copy and final edits. Art Fact information to supply. A website to create. I realised there was a lot to do besides writing the book. By late last year I knew I needed to rearrange my life to accommodate the workload. I have someone in to clean my house regularly (I refuse to feel guilty!) Our eldest daughter, who’s in university now, drops off and collects the younger two from school, which means two more working hours in my day. I don’t cook every night. (If anyone else wants to, they’re welcome to it!) But I give myself two nights off a week, more if I’m on a major deadline. The afternoons and early evening I spend with family, but, because I’m a night owl, it’s not unusual for me to write till two or three in the morning. Which is handy for talking to Jenn on New York time J

Why do some stories suit Desire and not Mod Heat and vice versa?

It comes back to the promise of each line - what a reader expects when she sits down to enjoy either a Desire of a Modern Heat (Sexy Sensation Downunder and Presents Extra in NA). Desire promises powerful, passionate, provocative reads – books “filled to the brim with strong, intense storylines”. Although they’re contemporary stories and in every way relevant to today’s women, they’re more traditional in tone. I always feel swept away by the fast-paced plots that impact on the characters and drive the romance to a heart-stopping and inevitably satisfying HEA.

Modern Heats are also gripping reads — but the tone tends to be flirtatious rather than dramatic. The heroes are still alpha — wealthy, dynamic, powerfully alluring — but he can be a bit younger and tends to share his fun side more. Think urban, big-city, jet set, girl-about-town lifestyles, and there’s no need to be shy about being creative with the characters and the passionate romance. When I write a story for either line, I pay close attention to tone (dramatic or flirtatious?), and use of hooks (more traditional or ultra contemporary?). At the heart of both lines, of course, are characters to identify with and care about

What is your schedule like writing for two lines?

 I work pretty much every day, whether it be actual writing or business relating to it. I’m always mindful of upcoming deadlines. I haven’t missed a deadline yet, although I once sent through copy edits at 6.55am, which is 4.55pm New York time after I’d worked through the night. That was a close one! When I was offered the 3 book deal with Modern Heat/Presents in January, my agent spoke with both my editors to make certain it could all be done, and done to everyone’s satisfaction. So I have four books to write this year (two Desires and two Modern Heats – one already complete). There may be another Desire toward the end of the year (fingers crossed!). I have another Modern Heat due in March 09.

Did you ever believe you would be where you are today?

No! LOL. Certainly not writing for my two dream lines, anyway. Eighteen months ago, I was pulling my hair out. I knew I was close but struggled with the idea that, no matter what I did, I wouldn’t be able to cross that shifting, invisible line into Harlequin/Silhouette Publication-land. How I wished someone would please just hand over that magic ingredient! I remember one night, putting our youngest to sleep, lying beside her with tears rolling down my cheeks. All the hours, months, years, I’d put into my writing…would it ever pay off? But, of course, I could never, and would never, give up. (Determination is my middle name J ) Not long after that night, I sold to Melissa Jeglinski and then to Kimberley Young. It’s taken me a year not to wake up and want to pinch myself.

Jennifer Schober of Spencerhill Associates has very kindly offered a three chapter and synopsis critique as a prize to one randomly chosen lucky winner who comments on this blog and if you’re a reader and not looking for agent representation Robbie is giving away a copy of FOR BLACKMAIL OR PLEASURE and a copy of A WILD NIGHT & A MARRIAGE ULTIMATUM to one randomly chosen lucky winner. So there you have it DDU bloggers, we look forward to your comments. Remember to say  which draw you want to go into, i.e. Agent draw or Robbie’s books draw.

UPDATE!!! The agent and book prize winners will be drawn at the end of the week, Saturday 15 March Aussie time (Friday for most of the rest of the world )