RWA: An editor's perspective

by Johanna Raisanen, Editor, Harlequin Heartwarming


Dear Heartwarming authors and friends,

I’m writing this post not long after coming home from the national conference of the Romance Writers of America. Four days of workshops, meetings, lunches and parties! My absolute favorite part is talking with authors about their books, their careers, their lives. There’s something very special about the author-editor relationship, and it’s a relationship I cherish.

I love talking about story structure, characterization, plot and all that’s involved in the craft of writing. I do my best to work in collaboration with authors, and it’s always so gratifying to see how a simple comment or suggestion of mine is taken by an author, she runs away with it and makes her book even better! I love seeing how her creativity takes flight.


I’m always mindful of the fact that the story is the author’s; my role is to help make the book be the best it can be.

While I admit to being quite the book nerd (and I mean that in the best way possible!), I also relish the chance to see authors in person at the RWA conference and talk about other stuff, too. I get to hear about their kids, where they live, and quite often bond over a mutual love of pets. Then there’s the Harlequin party on Friday night, always kicked off with “It’s Raining Men.” What a fun night!
I’m already looking forward to next year!

In the meantime, here are August’s Heartwarming titles. Enjoy!




Comments

  1. Was fun to see you and so many of the other editors. And of course, catching up with old friends. The workshops, parties, and collecting books are great, too. Each year so much new goes on in the industry.

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  2. Great seeing you again! I had a fantastic time at the conference this year.

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  3. Good to see you there also :) I love It's Raining Men.

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  4. I had such a great time at RWA. I enjoyed getting to meet the Heartwarming editors and catching up with writing friends. It's the best time of year!

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  5. It was great to learn so much and spent time with people like me. So glad to have that opportunity.

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  6. Wish I could have been there to meet you!

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  7. Would also have loved to be there and meet you, Johanna, amd maybe pick up some good recipes from you, as I’ve seen your baking creations on Twitter! Maybe next year in NYC?

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  8. Thanks for posting this--I wish I'd been in Denver and had a chance to see everyone in person. But I had the pleasure meeting you at a WisRWA conference in Green Bay some years back. I think we're all book nerds here, lifelong, and that's a good thing! See you in New York.

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  9. Being a first-timer, I didn't know that "It's Raining Men" is the traditional opener. The party was an absolute blast. Nearly wore a hole in my dancing socks!

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  10. Thanks for everything you do, Johanna. Without editors like you, where would we be?

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  11. I was sorry I couldn't make it to RWA this year and missed seeing you!

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  12. You’re such an amazing editor, Johanna and the authors lucky enough to work with you feel supported, empowered and believed in :) I wish we could have gotten together at nationals - next year! I’m claiming you for the It’s Raining Men dance...

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  13. The Heartwarming editors and authors make RWA so much more than the conference has ever been for me in the past. It was great fun! Though my trip in and out was impossibly short, at least I was there for that blink of time. I'm already looking forward to next year!

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  14. Hi, Johanna! So grateful you editors exist! My favorite part of making a book is revising after editor input. Even though it can be painful, the story is always so much better at the other end. So sad I wasn't able to be there this year. My favorite part is connecting with people, too. Hope to see you next year.

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  15. I love reading your perspective, Johanna. I wish I could have been there this year! Thanks for visiting the blog today!

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