Got an unpublished romance novel on your hard drive?

If you have, and you’re an unpublished novelist, you can enter Harlequin’s Instant Seduction Writing Competition and win your own editor for a year. I’m guessing that the editor will be your own private writing coach, so you can get your novel published by Harlequin.

Instant Seduction: Harlequin Presents Writing Competition! at I (Heart) Presents reports: “It’s an exciting time for Harlequin Presents: from January 2008, there will be 12 of our intensely passionate romances available every month.  And with this increase of titles comes a great opportunity for aspiring authors – we will be looking to buy more books for publication!

The old saying goes that first impressions are lasting impressions – and when it comes to reading a Harlequin Presents, that certainly holds true.  If the first chapter doesn’t immediately grip the reader with its pace, passion and intensity, then she won’t continue to turn the pages.”

You’ve written a book. That’s great! Many, many kudos to you. It’s an immense achievement, and one you should always be proud of, because it takes a lot of time, energy and commitment.

Now comes the fun part - promoting your book. BTW, I tell my students to promote as they write, but most writers just want to get the book DONE.

Book promotion has many pitfalls. You can waste a lot of time on promotion - time which would have been better spent in writing another book.

How NOT to Waste Money & Time When Promoting your Book By Marion Cuba offers excellent advice: “Time & Money Waster: a Fancy, ‘Flash’ Format Website

Having a website is a definite plus. BUT - the flash format, though gorgeous - it moves and spins - unfortunately registers only as an image. That means it does NOT register as words and phrases. So, people surfing for information on my subject will not be drawn to my website.”

A Web site is essential for any writer, but don’t let yourself be talked into an all-singing or all-dancing Flash extravaganza. You just need a SIMPLE site, the simpler the better. And you can easily do it yourself.

Sensible promotion for your book includes: a simple Web site, a blog, regular news releases, and schmoozing online in discussion forums dedicated to the subject of your book. Many writers want to schmooze with other writers, but remember who’ll be buying your book, and interact with them.

Please don’t go overboard on promotion: spend most of your time writing your next book.

Most novelist spend the entire time they’re writing praying to the gods for a great opening paragraph. That is, a hook which will entice readers to read on.

Their prayers were answered for these two writers.

Blonde Faith (WALTER MOSLEY)

It’s hard to get lost when you’re coming home from work. When you have a job, and a paycheck, the road is set right out in front of you: a paved highway with no exits except yours. There’s the parking lot, the grocery store, the kids’ school, the cleaner’s, the gas station, and then your front door.

The Fall of Troy (PETER ACKROYD)

He fell down heavily on his knees, took her hand and brought it up to his mouth. “I kiss the hand of the future Mrs. Obermann.” He spoke in English. Neither she nor her parents understood German, and he disliked speaking demotic Greek. He considered it vulgar.