Romance Markets
Just a sampling of the many opportunities that exist for you the romance writer.
Consumer Magazines
TRUE ROMANCE
Contact: Pat Vitucci, editor
Sterling/MacFadden Partnership
333 7th Ave.
11th Floor
New York NY 10003
Phone: (212)979-4800
Fax: (212)780-3555
E-Mail: pvitucci@sterlingmacfadden.com
Website: www.truestorymail.com
About TRUE ROMANCE
Magazine for women, teens through retired, offering compelling confession stories based on true happenings, with reader identification and strong emotional tone. No third-person material. Frequency: Monthly
100% freelance written
Established: 1923
Circulation: 225,000
Pays 1 month after publication.
Rights purchased: All rights
Submit seasonal material 6 months in advance.
Accepts queries by: Mail, E-mail, Fax
Responds in 8 months to queries.
Nonfiction
Confessions, true love stories; mini-adventures: problems and solutions; dating and marital and child-rearing difficulties. Realistic yet unique stories dealing with current problems, everyday events; strong emotional appeal.
Tips
"A timely, well-written story that is told by a sympathetic narrator who sees the central problem through to a satisfying resolution is all important to break into True Romance. We are always looking for interesting, emotional, identifiable stories."
THE BLACK ROMANCE GROUP
Black Confessions, Black Romance, Black Secrets, Bronze Thrills, Jive, True Black Experience
Sterling/McFadden Partnership
Contact: Takesha Powell, editor
233 Park Ave. S.
6th Floor
New York NY 10003
Phone: (212)780-3538
Fax: (212)780-3555
E-Mail: tpowell@sterlingmacfadden.com
About THE BLACK ROMANCE GROUP
Magazine of romance and love. Frequency: Bimonthly
100% freelance written
Eager to work with new/unpublished writers.
Pays on publication
Publishes manuscript 2 months after acceptance.
Byline given on special feature articles only but not short stories.
Rights purchased: Company maintains all property rights of stories.
Accepts queries by: Mail, E-mail, Fax, Phone
Responds in 2 months to manuscripts.
Sample copy for 9x12 SAE with 5 first-class stamps. Writer''s guidelines free.
Needs
"We like our articles to have a down-to-earth flavor. They should be written in the spirit of sisterhood, fun and creativity. Come up with an original idea that our readers may not have thought of but will be dying to try out."
How-To (relating to romance and love); feature articles on any aspect of relationships.
Tips
"Romance confessional stories told from an African-American female perspective. Stories should include two love scenes, alluding to sex. Include spicy, sexual topics of forbidden love, but not graphic detail. Stories must include a conflict between the heroine and her love interest. The age of characters can range from mid-teenage years through late thirties. Make stories exciting, passionate (uninhibited sexual fantasies) and romantic."
BRIDGES ROMANCE MAGAZINE
Contact: Nicke Martinez, editor-in-chief
P.O. Box 1738
Aztec NM 87410
Fax: (505)564-3705
E-Mail: editor@bridges.mag.com
Website: www.bridgesmag.com
About BRIDGES ROMANCE MAGAZINE
Magazine covering women''s fiction reading and writing. Frequency: Bimonthly
"We are printed in a flip-format. One half of the magazine is geared toward readers of women''s fiction (book reviews, author profiles, etc.) while the other half is geared toward authors. We need writing how-to''s, editor/publisher profiles, researching articles, etc."
65% freelance written
Established: 2000
Pays on publication.
ublishes manuscript 2 months after acceptance.
Rights purchased: First North American serial rights, One-time rights, Second serial (reprint) rights
Editorial lead time 3 months.
Submit seasonal material 4 months in advance.
Accepts queries by: E-mail
Accepts simultaneous submissions
Accepts previously published submissions
Responds in 6 weeks to queries.
Responds in 3 months to manuscripts.
Sample copy for 9x12 envelope and 4 first-class stamps. Writer''s guidelines for #10 SASE or by e-mail.
Needs
How-To (writing technique); Interview/Profile; Opinion
Does Not Want: "All special projects are assigned. We don''t accept freelance submissions for this purpose." Book reviews are done inhouse.
Fiction
"Please make sure your topic is well researched and your ideas are clearly conveyed. Our readers don''t just want to know why you think something is important, but also how your experience or expertise can benefit them. Target authors—our reader''s portion is almost completely done by Bridges staff."
Tips
"Follow our writer''s guidelines and read a few sample copies before submitting your manuscript. Use a romance writer''s phrase book as a guide when writing stories, especially love scenes. Submit stories with original, modern conflicts. Incorporate romance and sex in manuscripts, uninhibitedly—making the stories an exciting, passionate escape for readers to imagine fulfilling their secret desires."
