Random House Announces New Digital Imprint

The Random House Publishing Group is excited to launch three new digital imprints, alongside the existing digital imprint LOVESWEPT, that will feed today's savvy readers by bringing the best, the boldest, and the newest voices directly to them.
To the already-existing LOVESWEPT imprint for romance and women's fiction, RHPG will add the following digital-only imprints: ALIBI, for mystery/suspense readers; HYDRA, for sci-fi/fantasy enthusiasts; and FLIRT, for the rapidly-growing college-age New Adult audiences. In addition, this digital-only program will seek out the best and brightest names in the next generation of authors, enabling us to cultivate a team of writers in the publishing world's most prolific and lively genres. The format will allow us to publish more quickly and to nimbly embrace what's new in each genre, delivering exciting, fresh, and varied new works every month directly to the digital devices of today's most eager readers. Dedicated to affordable, accessible, and accomplished genre fiction, these four imprints will have unprecedented potential, both in terms of breadth and scope.
What's in it for authors? The RHPG digital publishing program speaks directly to those questing, devoted readers that talented new writers most want to reach. Breaking past conventional boundaries, it will give new authors the opportunity to showcase the best of what these genres have to offer: works that are challenging, breathtaking, provocative, inspiring, funny, heartwarming, suspenseful, and hot! For the first time in history, authors will be able to forge wide-reaching and long-lasting relationships with their audiences, and we at Random House can't wait to explore and create new opportunities in the digital space. The possibilities are endless, and we're excited to offer authors the best opportunities to take advantage of this growing marketplace.
As for readers, they will find here just what they're most hungry for: the cutting edge of fantastic fiction and the discovery of new authors who push the envelope creatively. We are committed to building a varied, bold, and rich group of authors who are poised to be rising stars in the marketplace.We're looking to the future, and our digital authors are it!
Under this program, authors will have a complete and unique publishing package. Every book will be assigned to an accomplished Random House editor and a dedicated publicist. They will also have the invaluable support of Random House's experienced marketing and digital sales teams, who know how to reach out to and expand each book's dedicated readership. Not only will authors benefit from working with the finest cover designers to ensure irresistibly eye-catching books, but they will also be offered the unique advantage of social media tools and training that will allow them to connect directly with their readers. To reach the widest possible readership, every title will be available for purchase at major e-retailers and will be compatible with all reading devices.
In short, with the launch of ALIBI, HYDRA, FLIRT and the continued success of LOVESWEPT, we'll have the books, the authors, and the marketing, publicity, and sales platforms to support an innovative, creative, and totally committed digital publishing program that every author seeks. And, just as importantly, we will use our expertise, our enthusiasm for the new possibilities offered by the digital medium, and, of course, the unsurpassed talent of our authors to deliver the freshest and most exciting fiction that every reader craves.

New book release: An Innocent Abroad

An Innocent Abroad, my third historical novella under the name Rae Summers, went on sale last week and is now available at all major online retailers.

If you're in South Africa and looking for something summery to read (or even in the northern hemisphere and desperately needing some sunshine) then this is the book for you!

Set on the Amalfi coast of Italy in the early 1920s, this is a gentle coming of age story.

Fresh from finishing school, Isobel Harrington is sent to spend the summer in Italy with distant cousins in order to catch the eye of the eligible Hon. Christopher Barrett.

But rather than Christopher, it is enigmatic Italian Stefano who awakens Isobel's sensuality, and who introduces her to the daring new idea that anything is possible, if only you want it enough.

An Innocent Abroad is available from The Wild Rose Press, Barnes & Noble, All Romance eBooks, Amazon and Amazon UK.

Commonwealth Short Story and Best New Book Competition

There's a call for entries to the 2013 Commonwealth Short Story Prize and the 2013 Commonwealth Book Prize. It's basically a competition open to all commonwealth countries including South Africa.

For the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, they are looking for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2000 - 5000 words). Regional winners receive £1,000 and the overall winner receives £5,000. The prize covers the Commonwealth regions of Africa, Asia, Canada and Europe, Caribbean, and Pacific. The closing date is 4 December 2012 (12 noon GMT.)

For the Commonwealth Book Prize, you have to win the best first book. It is open to writers who have had their first novel (full length work of fiction) published between 1 January and 31 December 2012. Regional winners receive £2,500 and the overall winner receives £10,000. The closing date for online entries is 18 December 2012 (12 noon GMT.)

For the first time, works translated into English from other languages are eligible for both prizes; and they are accepting self-published books from all Commonwealth countries.

You can find the online entry form and for further information, including the eligibility and entry rules, please visit: www.commonwealthwriters.org

Inspiration from Chuck Wendig

For all the Rosalites doing the Nanowrimo bootcamp, here's a little inspiration:

A NaNoWriMo opportunity from Avon Books!

In conjunction with NaNoWriMo, Avon Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers brings you NaRoWriMo - National Romance Writing Month. Avon is encouraging aspiring romance authors to reach their goal of 50k words in 30 days with an aim to publish. Avon editors will be offering their expertise to the author community via online forums at www.nanowrimo.org.

Interested? Your NaRoWriMo romance fiction submission should be submitted by December 10, 2012 to Avon Romance’s online submission portal (www.avonimpulse.com), and tagged "NaRoWriMo."

For full details visit the Avon Romance site here

Happy writing!