How Do I Love Thee? edited by Valerie Parv

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee for thy depth and breadth and height

The above quote comes not from one of the stories in this book, but from the poem, by Elizabeth Barrett Browning which was chosen as the theme for the book. Each author was asked to contribute a short story inspired by the poem, or by part of it. The resultant twelve stories are as diverse as they are entertaining.

From humour to vampires, from contemporary to tales of yesteryear, each contributor has something different to offer, making this a romance-lovers feast. A mix of best-selling, well-known authors and emerging names were invited to contribute their stories to the collection, edited by Valerie Parv, known as Australia’s queen of romance. With twelve tales, this is an offering which can be read cover to cover or dipped into at leisure.

Other contributors include Anna Jacobs, Daphne Clair and Ann Charlton.

How Do I Love Thee?: Stories to Stir the Heart, edited by Valerie Parv
Allen & Unwin, 2009

This book can be purchased online from Fishpond.

Heart & Craft, by Valerie Parv

One of the biggest traps in new writing is dabbling around the edges of emotional issues. Your story must pack an emotional punch. (Valerie Parv)

Bestselling author Valerie Parv knows a lot about writing romance books which sell and, in her earlier book, The Art of Romance Writing shared her knowledge in a step by step fashion for writers wishing to learn to write in the genre. This new offering, Heart and Craft offers something a little different. With contributions from some of Australia’s best known romance authors, this volume brings together a range of advice for beginning and established writers. Each of the first eleven chapters is contributed by a different author, offering her own insights into how to craft romance fiction, with advice focussing on aspects including character development, research, editing and more. The final six chapters offer snippets of advice from each of the authors on matters including dialogue, point of view and marketing.

For anyone writing, or considering writing, any form of romantic fiction, this is an invaluable aid. Writers in other genres will also find much here to inspire and inform, with much of the advice transcending genre.

Contributors include Parv, Helen Bianchin, Lillian Darcy and Daphne Clair, among others.

Heart and Craft: Bestselling Romance Writers Share Their Secrets with You

Heart and Craft: Bestselling Romance Writers Share Their Secrets with You, edited by Valerie Parv
Allen & Unwin, 2009

This book can be purchased online at Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

The Art of Romance Writing, by Valerie Parv

Writing romance novels can’t be that hard, can it? All you need is a copy of the secret formula, fill in the balnks and hey presto you are on the way to publication! Unfortunately, it isn’t quite that easy. If it was there would be a lot more rich romance authors in the world. Fortunately, for those who do want to try their hand at romance writing, Valerie Parv shares plenty of practical information in The Art of Romance Writing.

Parv, who has had over 50 novels published and is considered the Queen of Australia’s romance genre, debunks many of the myths surrounding romance books and the art of romance writing. In place of these misconceptions she offers solid, practical advice for romance writers and would-be romance writers.

Covering everything from plotting a story, to viewpoint and characters as well as choosing a publisher to target, submitting a mansucript and more, Parv shares her expereince in a way which is accessible and informative.

This is a new edition of the book, which was first published in 1993 and has been fully revsied to reflect changes to the market and genre in that time.

The Art of Romance Writing is an essential tool for anyone considering writing romantic fiction.

The Art of Romance Writing, by Valerie Parv
Allen & Unwin, 2004