tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post6028301582277320036..comments2023-11-02T06:50:41.703-07:00Comments on Fantasy, Futuristic, and Paranormal: Interview: Heather Osborn, TORLorendahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17874101070837077093noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-32317640417411166952009-09-15T18:19:11.929-07:002009-09-15T18:19:11.929-07:00Thanks for answering questions. I do have a questi...Thanks for answering questions. I do have a question...is a manuscript that contains elements of sci-fi/fan/paranormal and romance a romantic scifi, or is it just a romance or just sci-fi/fan/paranormal?<br />It also has characters from Mythology, like Sirens, Banshees, besides wizards and stuff. <br />I have also completed Futurisitc man, that has some sci-fi/romance/paranormal. Although it seems to start from a guy's point of view, with memories of convo with wife/ written, until they meet again...<br />as well as other manuscripts--with paranormal/siren's, etc.Rhyannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01949817449650365523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-21849010680294338262009-07-10T08:28:49.084-07:002009-07-10T08:28:49.084-07:00Thanks for the insights on urban fantasy and roman...Thanks for the insights on urban fantasy and romance. I'm currently working on a contemporary fantasy with strong romantic elements but didn't know what to call it! I answered your Twitter. Hope I'm still in. Fingers crossed.Nightingalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08557206288038501578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-53326112863372912302009-07-09T10:21:24.944-07:002009-07-09T10:21:24.944-07:00What a great post, Heather! I didn't score an...What a great post, Heather! I didn't score an appointment with you either. <br /><br />Urban Fantasy! Woot! I am an UF junky too. <br /><br />How about Steampunk, Heather? Any room for paranormal steampunk either in the romance or UF vein? <br /><br />Thanks for posting this!<br /><br />~SuzanneAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07652708425700758883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-41018741135806114222009-07-07T11:28:14.211-07:002009-07-07T11:28:14.211-07:00Hi Sharon,
I think there is still a demand for fu...Hi Sharon,<br /><br />I think there is still a demand for futuristics. Paranormal romances like vampires, werewolves, etc, have stolen the spotlight a bit, but furturistics still have a place in the romance genre. I personally enjoy them, and am open to seeing them at Tor.<br /><br />As to what romance readers would like to see in a futuristic, that is hard to say, as I am not a mind reader (darn it!). Ultimately, I think most readers would enjoy a sexy/hot story, off-planet (either other worlds or outer space), with great characterization and adventure -- something in the "space opera" vein.<br /><br />Tor Romance had success with Susan Kearney's futuristic romances, beginning with The Challenge, and I would love to see more futuristics!<br /><br />Heather OsbornAmandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10810590407001594471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-18692809053161197952009-07-07T08:40:30.376-07:002009-07-07T08:40:30.376-07:00Hi Heather - Could you talk a bit about what roman...Hi Heather - Could you talk a bit about what romance readers currently like to see in futuristic? Do you feel there is a strong market for romance set in space and/or on alien worlds? <br /><br />Thank you!Sharon Lynn Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11886205665048406062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-88374649405769506802009-07-07T07:48:31.453-07:002009-07-07T07:48:31.453-07:00In answer to PaigeC question:
That being said, fo...In answer to PaigeC question:<br /><br />That being said, for the purposes of the Tor Romance line, I think the split needs to be at least 50/50. 50% romance, 50% urban fantasy. Tor Romance has certainly published books with less romance in the past -- say around 30% romance and 70% other -- but we have found that the romance readers are not happy with that split. That is, if we are going to label a book as a romance on the spine, it must be at least 50% romance.<br /><br />What does this mean for a great story that is less than 50% romance? Chances are it will be published as an urban or contemporary fantasy. There are tons of different urban fantasies out there -- some quite romantic, and some barely so. There is room for all different types, and since a lot of romance readers read urban fantasy, I doubt you will anger readers with one that has a strong romantic subplot. <br /><br />HeatherAmandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10810590407001594471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-65769372426552679512009-07-07T07:26:29.599-07:002009-07-07T07:26:29.599-07:00In answer to jeannielin's question:
I think i...In answer to jeannielin's question:<br /><br />I think it is pretty safe to say that currently readers are trending towards urban fantasy and paranormal romance, more than they are traditional fantasy romance. That being said, there are still some authors finding success with more traditional fantasy romances. C.L. Wilson is a fine example of that. Tor Romance had success with Elizabeth Vaughan's Warprize trilogy a few years ago, and as I am a fan of traditional fantasy romance myself, I am certainly open to acquiring more of it, should the right project come along.<br /><br />HeatherAmandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10810590407001594471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-20728963460125220352009-07-07T06:51:21.532-07:002009-07-07T06:51:21.532-07:00Great info here! Thanks for sharing, Heather.
Yo...Great info here! Thanks for sharing, Heather. <br /><br />You mention urban fantasy as a real love of yours. But urban fantasy typically have less romance. Does that mean there's hope for a paranormal with strong romantic element, but where the romance is not the key to the story?<br />I'm another one of the 80 who hasn't heard. I thought no word meant no-go. Good to hear there's still hope! (Err...that is, depending on your answer to the above question. :-D )Keeping my fingers crossed.<br />~Paige :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-70616824494344329992009-07-05T17:09:38.518-07:002009-07-05T17:09:38.518-07:00Editorial insights are wonderful, of course, but t...Editorial insights are wonderful, of course, but the pix & link to the cookiepiecake were earth-shattering :)<br /><br />Thanks for the reminder about starting the BOOK where the STORY starts. That's good advice for every time I sit down to start the book, chapter, scene, conversation, etc.Jessa Sladehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09569827979530923930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-6442579729876037622009-07-05T15:29:07.995-07:002009-07-05T15:29:07.995-07:00Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts ...Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with our chapter, Ms. Osborn! It's great to hear that you're looking for good vampire and shapeshifter novels. I keep hearing that the market is too flooded with them right now. So that was encouraging.Jessica Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14638328964455375519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-21395300487613048772009-07-03T20:41:38.742-07:002009-07-03T20:41:38.742-07:00URGH! Sorry I'm having computer issues tonigh...URGH! Sorry I'm having computer issues tonight! Yeesh!<br /><br />Let me try to comment again! LOL<br /><br />Oh I love Expedition Everest!!! We went to WDW a couple years ago and my family got picked out of the line to see the behind the scenes controls for the ride, got another ride without waiting in line, and a cool "Year of a Million Dreams certificate! *boggle*<br /><br />I didn't get a chance to set a pitch appt. at Nationals with you, but I hope we'll bump into each other eventually. :) My manuscript is one of the 80 from Twitter, and I'm hoping since I haven't heard anything yet, that's good news! LOL<br /><br />Thanks for the great interview! :) See you on Twitter!<br /><br />Lisa<br />aka http://twitter.com/LdyDisneyLisa Kesslerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06209324744019368067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-76584252008955738192009-07-03T20:37:04.609-07:002009-07-03T20:37:04.609-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Lisa Kesslerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06209324744019368067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-72242398064360280472009-07-03T14:35:50.866-07:002009-07-03T14:35:50.866-07:00Great interview! I have an appointment with Heathe...Great interview! I have an appointment with Heather at the RWA conference in a couple of weeks, and reading this made me feel less nervous about it. She sounds so down-to-earth and friendly.Brynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07877229949224544344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-74121331212750619222009-07-03T13:04:59.483-07:002009-07-03T13:04:59.483-07:00Cupcake truck? Ingenious!
Great interview! I had ...Cupcake truck? Ingenious!<br /><br />Great interview! I had a question about traditional fantasy in romance. Is there still a demand for it? Or is it getting sideswiped for urban fantasy and paranormal?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7499019835203480699.post-90067634728958904192009-07-03T08:59:30.597-07:002009-07-03T08:59:30.597-07:00Okay, you got me curious about Disney's Animal...Okay, you got me curious about Disney's Animal Kingdom! Not a big fan of Disney or rides, but a yeti makes things much more interesting. Thanks for your post, Heather.EilisFlynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09730321975978034753noreply@blogger.com