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.
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:
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.
Setting
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.
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. |
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?
|
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.
Arrow Publications will own the copyright for all
stories. Writers will receive a fee and credit.
This is a Writer's For Hire Arrangement. Payment will be
made on acceptance of final submission.