Bryn Donovan - Author

Editor

Hallmark Publishing

Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj

Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips

Here’s exactly what I’m looking for in a romance novel query, in case it’s helpful. Let me know if you have questions. We’re looking forward to the next round of open submissions in October! tinyurl.com/45m2p6km
#MSWL #HallmarkPublishing

Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips

New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, spring, summer/beach, fall vibes, Christmas. Maybe something spread over a few Valentine’s Days, summers, or Christmases? #MSWL #HallmarkPublishing

Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips

U.S. settings OR other settings with at least one American main character. Open to main characters over 40. Would love to see a secondary romance between seniors. Always looking for high concept! tinyurl.com/yn8y9eme

#MSWL #HallmarkPublishing

Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips

We always want more submissions from BIPOC and LGBTQ authors (outreach is also key here, of course) and we’re eager to publish diverse books, including from debut authors. #MSWL #HallmarkPublishing

Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips

We’re open to light and funny stuff but also more serious, poignant, and heartfelt themes (also good movie material). With romance I’m looking for a good conflict on both sides. #MSWL #HallmarkPublishing

Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips

Right now we’re not as into: reality shows, actors, inheriting houses/shops (esp. with weird conditions), main characters who are writers. It’s all good stuff, we personally have just done it a lot! #MSWL #HallmarkPublishing

Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips

If it’s a “big city gal comes back to her small hometown” story it needs to have a twist. (Example: @TeriWilsonauthr’s Christmas Charms, in which charms on a bracelet predict events before they happen.) #MSWL #HallmarkPublishing

Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips

We’ll be looking for G-rated romance and women’s fiction. I talk about all our book acquisitions with the movie producers and I have a few going into development right now. You get extra $$ on top of the advance for a movie of course. #HallmarkPublishing #MSWL

Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips

If you have a full manuscript, that’s awesome, but we’ll continue to also make deals on 3 chapters and a synopsis, so that’s all you need for October open submissions. #HallmarkPublishing #MSWL

Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips

I’m on a long car ride so I’m going to talk about our October ‘22 open submissions for novels. Mute the #HallmarkPublishing hashtag if you don’t care 👍 #MSWL #WritingCommunity #writerslift

Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips

S.A. Macias Revising Latina RomCom WIP Upmarket @SaleneAM

@BrynDonovan Hi Bryn mine is almost done but it’s a romcom can we submit those for consideration?
Replying to @SaleneAM

Hi there! Yes and yes. I’d love to line up some romcoms and we don’t need a full manuscript to make a deal. Make sure you’re familiar with our submission guidelines, some of which are pretty specific to Hallmark: hallmarkchannel.com/hallmark-publi…

#MSWL #romancelandia

Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips

ViviAnna/TawnyStokes @Vivi_Tawny

@BrynDonovan Are you only looking for super sweet? Or is there room for something a little darker?
Replying to @Vivi_Tawny

Hey there! I'm glad you asked! I will be acquiring books with serious/poignant subject matter and themes as part of our '23 and '24 lineup. It does need to end in an uplifting way, and of course, a romance novel needs to have a happy ending with a romantic commitment. #MSWL

Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips
Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips

Still looking for romance, women's fiction, and cozy mystery BOOK proposals SET AT THE BEACH. If you've published in the genre, you don't need an agent. You just need a killer 3 - 5 pp double-spaced synopsis. DM me for email.

#MSWL #WritingCommunity #hallmark

Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips
Replying to @StaceyONeale

That's fine. WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS from @HallmarkPublish and its sequel both deal with veteran PTSD.
PTSD related to abuse needs to be handled in a way to minimize re-traumatizing readers, e.g. no vivid, graphic flashbacks.
#MSWL
tinyurl.com/4pr6ttk3

Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips
Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips

As always, I should add that these requests are for unpublished novels, not movie scripts or published novels to be considered for adaptation.
#MSWL #amwriting #WritingCommunity

Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips

Romance specific to spring or fall; fresh concept; clear, compelling conflict to the romance on both sides.
#MSWL #amwriting #WritingCommunity

Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips

Also under beach reads: original and emotional women's fiction, family/sisters/friends, romantic subplot, beautiful setting.
🏖️🌴
#MSWL #amwriting #WritingCommunity

Bryn Donovan - Author
@BrynDonovan
Editor
Author, writing coach, blogger, hopeless romantic, recovering executive editor, Chicago enthusiast. Get the newsletter: tinyurl.com/224cx3tj
41 MSWL
4 Tips

High-concept beach read romance, from goofy romcom to poignant and heartfelt. Contemporary only.

#MSWL #amwriting #romancelandia #WritingCommunity