Description based upon print version of record.

Responding realistically.

Intro -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- Foreword -- Introduction -- About This Book -- Foolish Assumptions -- Icons Used in This Book -- Beyond the Book -- Where to Go from Here -- Part 1 Welcome to the World of Romance Writing -- Chapter 1 Romance Writing at a Glance -- Tuning in to the Market -- Defining a romance -- Subdividing romances into genres -- Practicing Your Craft -- Everything starts with characterization -- It's all about emotional tension -- Plotting, pacing, and point of view -- Choosing Indie Publishing or Traditional Publishing.

Exploring the pros and cons of each -- Choosing your path -- Best Practices of Indie Publishing -- Working with editors and graphic designers -- Marketing and selling your book -- Submitting Your Manuscript -- Choosing the right publisher -- Putting together a selling submission -- Chapter 2 Romancing the Marketplace: Identifying Your Options -- Knowing Your Reader -- Meeting the romance reader -- Meeting the romance reader's expectations -- Starting from Square One: Reading -- Drawing up a reading list -- Reading like a writer -- Getting to Know Your Genre -- Historical versus contemporary.

Paging through history -- Living in the present -- Mainstream versus category -- Making the most of mainstream -- Keeping track of category -- Writing in a series as an indie author -- Subgenres and niche markets -- Futuristic: Looking ahead -- Gothic: Simply sinister -- Inspirational: Relying on faith -- Paranormal: Hauntingly good -- Regency: Crowning success -- Romantic comedy: Looking for laughs -- Romantic suspense: Thrills and chills -- Western: Riding the range -- Related women's fiction markets -- Chick lit -- Erotica -- Family sagas and multigenerational novels -- Young adult.

LGBT Romance -- Choosing Your Subgenre -- What do you like to read? -- How do you fit into the market? -- Knowing your own strengths -- Matching yourself with the market -- Chapter 3 Setting Up for Writing Success -- Finding the Perfect Time to Write -- Making time to pursue your dream -- Reconciling your family to the new you -- Factoring in your new priorities -- Creating your writing routine -- Building a Writer's Tool Kit -- Sharpening up your office supplies: More than just pencils -- Stocking the shelves: Your home library -- Booking it: Accurate financial records.

Accessing Resources for the Would-Be Writer -- Joining writers' organizations - romance-related and otherwise -- Going where the writers are: Conferences and more -- Taking advantage of courses and critique groups -- Online resources -- Checking in with publishers -- Helpful websites -- Part 2 Laying the Foundation: The Building Blocks of a Great Romance -- Chapter 4 Creating Compelling Main Characters: Alpha Males and Fiery Females -- Depending on Your Characters -- The Key to Every Romance Is the Heroine -- Drawing the reader into your story -- Making your heroine feel real.