If you like to write or read rich, wholesome stories where the hero and heroine fall in love and everything works out beautifully in the end, we've found the place for you...Avalon Books.
Avalon Books' Romance line offers readers the kind of G-rated stories both a mother and daughter (and even grandmother) can enjoy. And, on the flipside of the coin, they offer writers the opportunity to explore unlimited contemporary settings with one basic restriction: stick to an "above the shoulders" approach to sensuality.
A Little History
Avalon Books is an imprint of Thomas Bouregy & Co., Inc. that was established in 1950. Under this imprint, Thomas Bouregy publishes hardcover secular romances, mysteries, and westerns for the library market. They are also exploring the world of "Chick Lit" that is a little on the lighter side. However, while the imprint offers a variety of fiction genres, our focus this month is specifically the Romance line.
Insight Directly From the Publisher
If you check out Avalon's guidelines, you'll find that they describe the books they print as "...wholesome adult fiction, suitable for family reading." Further, they state that "[t]here is no graphic or premarital sex or sexual tension in any of our novels; kisses and embraces are as far as our characters go." This is the "above the shoulders" approach mentioned above. Avalon goes on to explain: "It is the author’s responsibility to heighten the romantic atmosphere by developing love scenes with tenderness, emotion, and perception. The heroines of our romances should be looking forward to marriage at the end of the book. There is never any profanity in any of our books."
It is also important to note that the guidelines state that the "action" in all of the books they print takes place over "a relatively short period of time, ranging from days to no longer than a year."
Another point of interest is the combining of Avalon's "career romances" with their "general romances." Avalon recently made the decision to merge the two descriptions within their guidelines stating that the difference between the two had been blurred. Most general romances have the heroine in some type of career that would qualify under both the old career romances and the general romances descriptions. So it makes sense that they would eliminate any confusion or duplication by merging the two guidelines into one.
Wondering how many books they publish? Well, sticking solely to our focus on the Romance line (which doesn't encompass historicals), we can tell you that Avalon publishes four romances bimonthly. That means that the Romance line makes up a big chunk of the sixty books they release a year.
For more information on the company itself, check out the Avalon Books website.
Now for a little insight from the authors who write for Avalon.
Insight from Avalon Author, Shelley Galloway
Shelley Galloway has written five novels for Avalon Books, four of which were contemporaries and the other an historical. Having met Shelley and learning a bit about her career, we knew she'd be one of the best persons to ask about writing for Avalon. This is what she had to tell us:
"I enjoy writing for them [Avalon] for a number of reasons. The most important is that I enjoy their books. I like reading sweet romances, and each Avalon always seems to be a little different than the typical standard romance. At Avalon, authors are allowed to have some unusual plots in their novels as well. For example, I have incorporated many historical references in my Finding Love series. My characters are either investigating history or celebrating their ancestors’ achievements. I’ve had treasure hunts, Civil War reenactments, and underground railroad houses in my novels.
"I also like having my name linked with the other Avalon authors. By and large, Avalon has published some excellent books.
"I’ve also enjoyed not having to worry about offending anyone reading my novels. My books have been passed to neighbors, then neighbors’ daughters, and in some cases, neighbors’ parents. I like how all generations can enjoy my novels."
Shelley went on to tell us about the publishing house itself. She stated that she has "enjoyed working with the editors at Avalon." And stated that "[b]ecause they are a small publishing house, they’ve always been easy to work with, and easy to contact."
To conclude her discussion about writing for Avalon with us, Shelley states that, "[i]n short, I feel that Avalon Books is a great house to write for. The sweet romances, along with the terrific editorial staff, allowed me to grow as a writer. I’m certain that my experiences with them helped me with my subsequent sale to Harlequin."
Don't miss Shelley's fifth book in the Finding Love series, Finding Love in Payton, available now. And for more information on her previous releases, check out her website.
Insight from Avalon Author, Sandra D. Bricker
Sandra D. Bricker is another Avalon Author who agreed to give us a little input on the publishing house. First off, Sandie explained that she has written for Avalon for several years now and considers it to be "an exceptional experience." Something we're beginning to see as a pattern among those who've sold to Avalon.
Sandie then went on to give us a unique look into what to expect from Avalon now and in the future. She explains that:
"Avalon produces really great quality hard cover romances, mysteries and westerns, and they are currently preparing to step into a new genre with a "chick lit lite" series. Everything for Avalon is considered G-rated, and the chick lit line won't be any different. While there is a great deal of creative latitude with sensual tension, there is no graphic sex, no drinking to excess, no obscenities or swearing. Early on, it was described to me as a publisher that produced a product both a mother AND a daughter could enjoy. Every book I've written for them since has had that ideal in mind."
Sandie goes on to say, "[f]or me, Avalon is a particularly fulfilling avenue as a writer because I am a Christian. I am targeting several of the inspirational romance lines, of course, but I really enjoy the freedom of being able to write a fun, wholesome secular romance that I can still be proud of. Although I'd very much like to see Avalon come up to competitive standards in terms of project advances for their writers, every other aspect of the company presents a high quality, author-centered experience."
You won't want to miss Sandie's fourth Avalon Romance, a romantic comedy entitled Wish I Weren't Here, which will be released in February 2005. And for information on her previous releases, check out her website.
Insight from Avalon Author, Sierra Donovan
As a newly published Avalon Author, Sierra Donovan, had a fresh outlook on the publisher. She explained right off that bat that the biggest tip about writing for them was that "they're super-wholesome." She also related a piece of information she found in Writer's Market where Avalon refers to themselves as "the Family Channel of publishing."
Sierra went on to tell us that: "[t]here's no profanity allowed, and no overt sexuality—the hero and heroine are of course attracted to each other, but they don't dwell on each other's erogeonous zones. Also, they lean toward beta heroes, which worked out fine for me!"
Sierra's road to publication was interesting to hear, as well. She received The Call in February 2004 and her book was scheduled for release some eight months later in October 2004.
From what she's heard recently, Sierra was able to relay that Avalon is currently "overstocked on historicals...but they seem very receptive to contemporaries, including contemporaries from new authors." And, she explained that Avalon is also "working to develop their own version of 'chick lit lite'—in other words, chick lit without the all sex and the booze."
To conclude our discussion with Sierra, we asked for a quote on writing specifically for Avalon. This is what she had to say:
"One of my favorite things about Avalon is that they're open to a wide variety of characters, settings and ideas. In my case, they were willing to go for a gentle, friendship-based romance set at a radio station, where I spend some time getting my heroine's career off the ground while I set the stage for the love story. That book, Love On The Air, is due out from Avalon October 24th. It's my first novel."
Watch Sierra's website for her future releases!
A Look at Avalon Romance's Writing Guidelines
Read more about Avalon Romance's guidelines.
