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Writer's Submission Guidelines
Arrow Publications, LLC, a 21-year-old publishing company based in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, is the publisher of MyRomanceStory.com, a new venture in romantic-suspense novellas that is growing in popularity among romance fiction and graphic novel reads.
We are seeking 60-70-panel scripts. All submissions should be typewritten and double-spaced. Prior to sending a script, please submit a detailed outline, see Outlines below.
Outlines
All outlines should be between 2 and 3 single-spaced pages. Your outline should include location descriptions and where in the story romantic interactions between the protagonists occur. Any requests to submit a full script based on a favorable review of an outline is NOT a commitment on the part of the editor or publisher to purchase or publish either. The writer will not be paid for the script if it is rejected.
Outlines should be sent in the body of an e-mail message or as an attachment. If sending as an attachment, we prefer that the file be saved as a Microsoft Word document. We can accept another program if the file is saved in Rich Text Format (RTF). Please e-mail your outlines to:
Submissions Editor at:
Script Requirements
Content
Audience
The audience for these stories is
women of all ages. This is an international market that spans many
socio-economic areas.
Theme
Generally, we are looking for romantic, passionate character-driven
stories with a strong element of adventure and/or suspense. The
adventure/suspense element must be credible and an integral part
of the plot, not an obvious add-on. Elements of humor and mystery
are also welcome. The romance element should be at least 60 percent
of the overall plot.
We will also consider other romance genres including fantasy, romantic comedy, chick lit, and historical as long as the romance element is strong.
Plot
Good storytelling, dialogue and pacing
are musts. There should be two or three passionate, intimate encounters
between the hero and the heroine. Use secondary characters only insofar as
they advance the plot. The ending should be happy and emotionally
satisfying, all loose ends of the plot tied up.
The protagonists
may be of any ethnic origin, nationality or age the author chooses.
Liaisons may be of mixed ethnic/nationality/age groups. The hero is
usually wealthy, smart and powerful.
There should be sexual
tension, as well as believable conflict, between the protagonists. The
heroes and heroines must display spirit, yet be vulnerable. Perfect people
are boring. Write a heroine that readers will like and a hero they will
love.
The overall setting should be whatever the story calls for, preferably glamorous or interesting locales. Since this is a visual medium, there should be some variety of locations throughout the script. Action taking place in a one-room apartment might be rich in drama, but will be visually boring.
Style
The story should be written from the point of view of the heroine
and/or hero, and a third-person narrator where appropriate. Each
panel should have either dialogue or narrative to move the story
along. (See our sample stories and previews at www.myromancestory.com).
Secondary characters' points of view may occur, but should be
limited.
Because these stories are drawn, writers should keep a visual concept in mind and pay special attention to art description and dialogue. Dialogue should be lively and believable. Writing should be also be succinct so as not to overshadow the artwork. Use narrative to bring out feelings and emotions. It is not necessary to repeat in the narrative something that the artwork will show. In most instances, less is more!
The movies Romancing the Stone ; Six Days, Seven Nights and Charade are excellent examples of the sort of stories we seek. Similar stories can be found in mass-market romantic suspense novels from popular trade publishers. Use these examples to spark your own ideas.
Format (sample text from Love Match
by Amen Henriques)
Note that the instructions to the
illustrator are in bold type.
Panel 4
Ext. The Sidelines of a Tennis Court –
Day
Anna is wide-eyed and flushed. Brad gives her an easy, friendly
smile. Señor Rivera is standing next to Anna and is wearing a warm-up
suit.
| NARRATIVE | Then one day, a miracle happens. Señor Rivera, Anna’s uncle and
coach, introduces them.
|
| SR. RIVERA: | Brad, I want you to meet my new protégée and my niece, Anna
Carbana.
|
| ANNA: | Brad Duggan! Wow! I mean, pleased to meet you. |
Panel 5
Same Location As Before
Brad, smiling and
winking at coach Rivera, signals to Anna to join him on the tennis court.
Anna is smiling and flushed as women spectators look on enviously.
| BRAD: | Hey, Anna Banana. Wanna hit some balls? Come on.
Give me your best shot! Let’s see what you’ve got.
|
| ANNA (THINKING): | Why does he call me that?
|
| ANNA: | Sure—why not?
|
Character Descriptions
All scripts should be accompanied by a character description sheet that lists the physical characteristic of each of the characters in your script. Descriptions should include age, gender, hair color, eye color, ethnic origin/nationality, body type, height, and any other unique characteristics. Descriptions of main characters should be more detailed than those of characters who only appear in a couple of panels.
Below is a partial description from Love Match for sample purposes only. It only includes descriptions of the heroine and hero. Most character descriptions sheets will include any character that appears in three or more panels. All other characters will be described in the art direction for the panel that they first appear.
Brad Duggan:
Brad can be generally
described as an American superstar tennis player. He is handsome and
magnetic and about 6-feet, 2-inches tall. He has long dark hair, which he
wears in a ponytail. He has gray eyes. Brad will wear a tennis shirt and
shorts when he is in a match. Later in the story, as Brad begins a
comeback, his hair his ponytail will be gone and his hair will be shorter.
Anna Carbana::
When we first see
Anna Carbana, she is a junior tennis champion about 15-years old. She is
from Spain and about 5-feet, 8-inches tall. She is slim with long legs and
appears coltish and pert. She has dark hair and has an innocent/sweet
look. Her hair is worn in a long braid. She is a pretty girl, but not a
tennis babe. In later panels, she will gradually become more mature and be
seen as more beautiful.
Ownership of Copyright
Arrow Publications will own the copyright for all stories. Writers will receive a fee and credit.
Agreement
This is a Writer's For Hire Arrangement. Payment will be made on acceptance of final submission.