Love in the Stacks: All about RWA's debut anthology, 'Premiere'
What's better than a romance story? How about 18 of them all in one place!
Such is the case with Romance Writers of America's first romance anthology, Premiere, which came out in January. This book includes romance novellas from a wide variety of romance authors, from Sylvia Day to Sabrina Jeffries to Courtney Milan. The volume offers just about all the varieties of romances that a reader could imagine: historicals, contemporaries, science-fiction, New Adult and LGBT, just to name a few.
The RWA board of directors got the idea to do the anthology during a brainstorming session on how to raise awareness about the breadth and variety of stories available in the genre.
Here's what some of the authors have to say about being a part of the project:
Laura Kaye, author of Covering Her Skin in the anthology
I wanted to participate in Premiere because I thought it might be a great way to reach new readers and I love the challenge of writing a whole and compelling story in a short format. Covering Her Skin is set in a tattoo parlor and features a sexy, tortured tattoo artist, so I thought that would give them a taste of some of my favorite things! New readers have definitely found me through the anthology and the most fun reaction I've gotten is we want more!
Erica Ridley, author of All I Want
I eagerly volunteered a story for the RWA Premiere anthology not because I thought my career would gain any particular impact out of it, but because I thought it had potential to be a great fundraiser for the Romance Writers of America, without whom I honestly would never have gotten published.
All along my path from bright-eyed newbie to signing my first contract, all of the wonderful, successful authors who'd gone down the road before me were never too busy to answer questions I now realize they'd heard a thousand times, and patiently offer the exact advice I needed to hear at just the right moments.
If this anthology helps RWA to bank enough funds to keep helping other writers — be they aspiring hopefuls or longtime veterans — then I am both pleased and honored to have been a part of it. I hope these anthologies bring more opportunities and open doors to every part of the romance industry, and introduce many new readers to the genre.
Allison Brennan, author of Their Night Off
I was thrilled to be included in the first RWA anthology celebrating the diversity of the romance genre. I particularly loved the "wrong number" theme because there were so many ways to play off that, particularly in romantic suspense. The best reaction I've received has been from several readers who want to know when Suzanne and Joe are going to get their own book. The answer? I don't know! But I definitely want to write about them. They are a lot of fun.
Amber Lin, author of Station 12
I've had some great times at RWA National, including meeting my bestie and writing partner in 2013. What better way to give back than through writing? Having my work read by the Sylvia Day was a great perk!
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The other authors included in Premiere are Vicki Lewis Thompson, Lila Bell, Monica Murphy, Regina Scott, Joan Johnston, T.L. Costa, Cindy Gerard, Harper St. George, Katy Regnery, Lex Valentine and Diane Kelly.
This publication could be a fine addition to any public library in light of its various samples, like a dessert tray. Let a romance novice take a nibble of all the offerings to let her — or him — discover and create a new personal palate.
Despite being born with a disability, Christyna Hunter has surpassed all perilous predictions. She graduated from college where a friend introduced her to romance novels, started a freelance writing career, self-published two romance novels, and worked at a non-profit organization. Currently she works as a library associate with Loudoun County Public Libraries in Virginia, reads romance novels in her free time, and prays often to her writing muse. Check out her blog at christynahunter.wordpress.com.