Sunday, 16 March 2014

Editor P And Q With Claire Caldwell Harlequin Heartwarming

Editor P And Q With Claire Caldwell Harlequin Heartwarming
INTERVIEW WITH CLAIRE CALDWELL, HARLEQUIN HEARTWARMING

1. WHY SHOULD A READER WHOS NEVER PICKED UP ONE OF YOUR BOOKS GIVE HEARTWARMING A TRY?

Although were a clean line, the heart of our series is really the deep, emotional storytelling. Those looking for a wholesome read wont be disappointed (or get any nasty surprises! Wink wink), but we offer satisfying and moving stories with something for everyone. Also, because our guidelines center around tone, heat level and emotional depth we have the advantage of publishing a really broad range of stories and plots.

2. What is your advice to someone submitting to your line?

Read a few of our books before you submit. Theres no better way to get to know the line than to see what kind of stories were acquiring and how our authors are writing them.

3. WHAT IS YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE BOOK?

I need to tattoo the answer to this question on the back of my hand or something, because every time somebody asks, I freeze up and my mind goes totally blank. Okay, I can do this. I think the books that have had the most enduring impact on me have been Philip Pullmans His Dark Materials trilogy. I know they were written for kids, but every time I reread them I discover these rich layers I hadnt noticed before. The stories are so imaginative and the writing is really excellent, too.

4. What is your favorite TV show?

Ooh, another hard one. I clearly have issues with picking favorites! Friday Night Lights is definitely up there. Its a teen melodrama, sure, but Tami Taylor is one of the strongest and most nuanced female characters Ive encountered on TV. And in a show about football, no less!

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COMFORT FOOD?

Black licorice!

6. Do you have pets? If so, tell us about them!

Sadly, I dont have any pets at the moment. But I was catsitting for my brother and his girlfriend last weekend, so they were kind of my pets by proxy? Hollinger is an orange tabby that my brothers girlfriend found outside the gold mine she was working in last summer (true story!). She raised him from tiny, helpless furball to the rambunctious one-year-old he is today. They also have Lucy, a chubby, snuggly, drooly, wheezy bundle. Lucy was actually our family cat, but now my parents move around a lot so she lives with my brother. It was nice to spend some time catching up with her (no pub intended).

7. Are there certain types of stories you love and would like to see more of?

Id love to see stories with more diverse heroes and heroines. I wouldnt say theres a type of story I love, in particular, but the stories that move me the most are the ones with strong, high-stakes internal conflict between the hero and heroine. So more of that for sure!

8. BONUS QUESTION! WERE CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL SISTERS DAY THIS WEEK. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE STORY FEATURING SISTERS, WHETHER IT BE FROM YOUR LINE OR ANOTHER BOOK?

Amy Vastines September Heartwarming book, The Better Man, features some great sister moments (in fact, its the first in a miniseries called Chicago Sisters!) and I love how it explores the relationship(s) between sisters without taking the focus too far from the main romance.

Attached Thumbnails


0 comments:

Post a Comment