She Loves Her Work: An Interview with Romance Writer Marcia King-Gamble
Romance writer Marcia King-Gamble is in love with writing. And after twenty-five published books, her love has paid off. WordHustler sat down with Marcia to discuss query letters, finding an agent, and how everyone deserves a happy ending.
Read on to get inspired, then write your own happily ever after!
WordHustler: You’ve been reading romance novels since you were 6 years old, but how long have you been writing? Do you remember the first thing you ever wrote?
Marcia King-Gamble: It seems I have been writing most of my life. My mother, who was a teacher, tells the story of taking me to her classes at age three and watching me scribble furiously as she spoke. She didn’t realize I was following her curriculum until one day she discovered I was actually writing. She called those stories my childhood fantasies.
In terms of actually creating adult stories, I’ve always had one story or another roaming around in my head. I wrote short stories in college, joined my local Romance Writers group years later, and had my first book published in 1998. Today I am still going strong and enjoying every bit of what I do.
WH: What were some of your favorite books when you were growing up? What about when you were a teenager?
MKG: Too many to mention but I’ll give it a try. I grew up on a British Caribbean Island and read what I got my hands on. Books like: Anne of Green Gables, Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Bobbsey Twins, Animal Farm, To Kill a Mockingbird, Little Women, Jo’s Boys, etc.
These stories took me to far away places and fueled an already fertile imagination. In between I indulged a forbidden pleasure- I was after all six. I read Mills and Boon books – back then they didn’t even have sex. Now you know why I am a die-hard romantic
WH: What about romance writing draws you to it? Do you write any other genres of books?
MKG: I still believe in the happily ever after. We all need to believe that somewhere out there is a good fit. It helps us endure the dating nightmares. Romance writing is about feel good stories and keeping hope alive. I have written mainstream books that wouldn’t exactly be classified as romance – This Way Home (paranormal), (contemporary), Hook Line & SingleMeet Phoenix (action adventure) – to name a few.
WH: You’ve written well over twenty-five books and have been published by Kensington, St. Martin’s Press, BET, and Harlequin. How did you go about finding an agent? Or did you send your book to publishers and get it published first?
MKG: I’ve actually had three agents throughout that process. When I first started out, I had already submitted to a publisher and gotten the nod. Then I got an agent. Agents are wonderful for helping with the negotiation process.
WH: What advice would you give writers for crafting a great query letter?
MKG: The query letter is an opportunity to showcase your voice so put your all into it. In a succinct manner, tell the editor or publisher who you are and what story you have to tell. Mention a relevant movie or a best selling book that is similar. Add your unique plot twist and your writing credentials – even if modest, like contributions to a company newsletter or poetry awards. The query letter should be a one-page sales pitch. Keep it short, sweet, and to the point.
WH: What’s it like working with an editor? Is it hard to have someone restructure your work, or is it a necessary part of the process?
MKG: I’ve never had issues working with any of my editors. Writing is a business. An author who wants to stay writing needs to be open to feedback and willing to make changes. It’s like any other career. You and your editor should be a team. Getting defensive and being unwilling to be flexible gets you nowhere (except not published again).
WH: Excellent point, Marcia, and well said. You also used to work for Harlequin as a reader. What was that like? Was there a common trait that successful manuscripts had? What about manuscripts that you passed on (aka rejected)- what was the most common flaw?
MKG: This was actually a freelance position. Harlequin hires regular people to read manuscripts as they get so many subscriptions. Manuscripts are mailed to you and you mail them back with your comments. I enjoyed the flexibility of not having to go into an office.
Most saleable manuscripts had unique plots that most of us could relate too. The hero and heroine were sympathetic and likeable people. Their issues were current and relatable. Then of course there was the voice (the author’s unique way of telling his/her story). Voice sells.
The manuscripts that I could not connect with were those bogged down in minutia or where the author clearly had not spent any time learning her craft. Needless to say those were not bought.
WH: How do you write? Computer? By hand? In a certain place or all over?
MKG: I started off writing by hand, largely because I had an awful commute and it helped pass time. I was living on the New Jersey Shore and could take the ferry or train to work. At home I wrote using a computer. Now I am dependent on a laptop. But every now and again I like to switch things up and write longhand. I seem to express myself more freely then. Perhaps it’s because there isn’t a delete button so I have to really think before committing to paper. I don’t have a favorite place to write. When you juggle two careers you learn to write anywhere, at any time and in the midst of chaos. You just tune out distractions.
WH: What advice would you give aspiring romance writers? What are three things an aspiring writer should never do?
MKG: Stay focused and positive. Read and watch movies to see what’s being bought. Don’t let writing become all-consuming! Get a life! You will be a much better writer for it.
The three don’ts are:
- Don’t get discouraged
- Don’t not write daily
- Don’t take no for an answer. Perseverance pays off.
WH: What are three things they MUST do?
MKG: - Learn their craft by attending workshops
- Network and join their local Romance Writers Chapter
- Sign up for my Romantically Yours newsletter. This newsletter is geared to the beginning writer and full of helpful hints to get you on your way. You can get on my mailing list by logging onto my site, www.lovemarcia.com.
WH: Do you think WordHustler helps writers get their work out to agents, editors, and publishers professionally and effectively?
MKG: I think WordHustler is much needed and does exactly what it professes to do- allows the writer to focus on their writing. It’s a much-needed service you provide.
WordHustler thinks the lady doth know what she’s talking about. Marcia has turned her passion for romance and writing into a lucrative career, and you can too! Why not send that romance novel to Silhouette, a Harlequin imprint, or to Kensington Books? That knight in shining armor who sweeps you off your feet may be your very own writing after all.
4 comments
It’s good to hear from someone with a track record like yours. I have one or two quibbles, however: my oldest friend was much published (I think mostly by Zebra, and IO think there were six or perhaps eight books in three categories) and has spent the last almost ten years trying to replace an agent and sell another book. I think she’s written four or five. She knows her craft, is meticulous and businesslike, and can afford to go to workshops and conferences and does. She also qualifies for and is a member of RWA and has been for years. She also is with an active critique group of equally well qualified, dedicated and unsuccessful (recently) writers. What advice do you have for them, let alone for someone like me with only a couple of PODs to my credit, no money for conferences, and no writer’s group with even somewhat similar interests and background available?
Joan,
Writing is a business like any other business, and these are tough times. Being unpublished is not a reflection of the writers abilities. Sometimes it’s just timing, sometimes its an editor/ agent who falls in love with your work and pushes you. And sometimes it’s taking a purely strategic approach to this writing business i.e. researching your market and submitting to lines that are open to new talent/actively recruiting. Readers tastes change, and what may be an off topic today is a hot topic tomorrow. My advice - perseverance pays off.
Dear Ms. King-Gamble, an editor I recently corresponded with told me to read everything I could. When I was a child of ten I had already hiked Everest, crossed the Andes several times, visited the Amazon, solved mysteries, and read everything I could. Now, I am reading words by people like you who give good, sound advice, generously, to new writers like me. Thank you for your generousity.
Hi Rafaela,
Sorry for the delayed response and thank you for your kind words. You sound like an interesting woman with many stories to tell. As writers we need to support each other. This can be a tough business, and you are only as good as your last book. I am happy to answer any and all questions. It’s my very small way of giving back.
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