Better Fiction

Hi Sarah,
I was surfing and I came across this site. I know you are interested in graphic type stories so I thought you'd be interested in this:
'Course anyone else who is interested...

Arrow Publications
CURRENT NEEDS: "Story Outlines for Romantic Suspense novellas. An outline should be 2-3 pages. Scripts should only be sent if story outlines are approved. Payment is a set fee
of $400-$1,000 for completed and accepted scripts."

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:



roman.comic1@sympatico.ca

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

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 http://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

A call for graphic novel scripts. How cool. 'Course, we guys think we're not cut for this romance stuff, but which of us didn't like Romancing the Stone, or Charade? (The other movie listed could have been better.)

Great market suggestion.

Wade