• Kwela romance-writing guidelines (Sapphire Press)

  Kwela would like to invite authors to submit romance manuscripts written according to the following guidelines:

  Typical format of a Kwela romance
  
  • 30 000 words
  • Roughly 10 chapters
  
  Typical style of a Kwela romance
  
  • Think Mills & Boon
  • The story must be set in South Africa, preferably a big city like Johannesburg
  • The story is told from the main female character’s perspective
  • The story is told in the third person
  • Both hero and heroine should be black South Africans.
  
  The main female character (heroine)
  
  The heroine is: 
  • an independent, spunky, smart woman;
  • financially independent;
  • in her mid-twenties to early thirties;
  • extremely self-motivated;
  • determined to achieve success; and
  • committed to overcoming past hardships.
  
  The heroine feels:
  • financially responsible for her family.
  
  The heroine has:
  •  a strong spiritual base;
  •  at least two girlfriends on whom she can rely for moral & emotional support; and
  •  a modern outlook on life and on the role of woman in society.
  
  The heroine likes to:
  • visit local hotspots to see who’s who and to be seen.
  
  The heroine should:
  •  experience personal growth and self-discovery; and 
  •  realise her own worth and inner strength.
  
  The main male character (hero)
  
  The hero is:
  • strong
  • Intelligent
  • good-looking
  • slightly older than the heroine (late thirties to early forties)
  • successful in his career
  • more traditional in his outlook on life than the heroine (cause of tension).
  
  The plot
  
  The main plot-line: 
  •  revolves around the heroine & hero’s struggle to build a romantic relationship
  •  outside forces (at work or in their communities) try to keep them apart
  •  their own conflicting beliefs about modern society and the role of women also threaten to keep them apart
  
  Keep sub-plots to a minimum:
  • Only those that influence internal growth in the heroine should be developed.
  
  Romantic tension should be built up until a satisfying conclusion is reached between the heroine & hero:
  •  i.e. when all obstacles between them have been overcome and love triumphs.
  
  One or two intimate scenes should be included (though only between the heroine and the hero – no other boyfriends/lovers).
  
  Your target readers:
  • All those thousands of people who love Mills & Boon!
  • Upwardly mobile black female readers.
  • In terms of typical South African readers, think of those who currently read True Love, Move and Drum.
  • Age groups: from teenagers to 50+, i.e. quite a broad group
  
  In order to be able to write for these readers, the writer needs to get to know them, so:
  
  a) go and buy some magazines;
  b) look at the current issues that are addressed in the magazines; and
  c) get a sense of the aspirations and socio-economical status of this group.
  
  In short, the reader is:
  
  • proudly black, dynamic, ambitious, enlightened, mature and sexy
  • seeks empowerment through self-development, relationship advice, career guidance and spiritual inspiration
  • respects and honours her cultural traditions
  • aspires to live a successful, fulfilling and dynamic life in a country that continuously presents her with interesting challenges and opportunities
  • generates her own income and seeks financial security and independence, to realise her desires and enjoy her many choices as a consumer
  
  Guidelines towards a structure
  
  Chapter 1
  Introduce the heroine to the reader by placing her in her own day-to-day environment and allowing her to interact with either family or her girlfriends or both. Think of this as an introductory chapter. Give some description of the heroine but not too much. It might be a good idea to introduce the hero briefly in this chapter.
  
  Chapter 2
  Expand on the “normal” life of the heroine. Give some indication of the direction the plot will take, i.e. introduce a new element to her life (hero or new circumstances).
  
  Chapter 3
  If the hero has not been introduced in chapter 2, now is the time to bring him to introduce him – though chapter 1 is often best. This is also the time to indicate the reasons for the conflict that will develop between him and the heroine.
  
  Chapter 4 – 8
  Develop the physical & emotional tension between the heroine & hero, as well as the conflict between them, caused by both outside forces and inner beliefs.
  
  Chapter 9
  Final build-up to the climax, which should be a confrontation between the heroine & hero: conflicting viewpoints have to be faced and dealt with.
  
  Chapter 10
  Immediate aftermath of the confrontation and final romantic union.
  
  Absolute no-no’s:
  • No disillusionments for readers
  • No death of either hero / heroine
  • No death of their ideals
  
  Renumeration
  
  Authors of manuscripts that are to be published have a choice as to how they’d like to be renumerated. We can offer either a flat fee of R12 000 (ex VAT) payable on publication of the manuscript, or we can pay a royalty fee on net receipts which would be deemed standard in the South African publishing industry .
  
  Format of manuscripts
  
  Please send your completed manuscript to kwela@kwela.com. The manuscript should be in one document (in Word), and be clearly legible.
  
  
• How many short stories should I include?

  Short story submissions should include at least 15 of your best short stories.

  We prefer a hard copy (a printed version) to be posted to us. Our postal address is Kwela Books, PO Box 6525, Roggebaai, 8012. Please include all your personal contact details when submitting a manuscript.

  It is not necessary to send a disc or other electronic version in addition to the paper copy.

  We will consider emailed submissions in exceptional circumstances please email kwela@kwela.com.

  
• Can I submit short stories to Kwela?

  Experience has shown that collections of short stories by a single author are difficult to sell, and that full-length novels are usually more successful. Despite these market constraints, Kwela will consider an exceptional collection for assessment. We recommend exposure and publication in local literary magazines before you submit to us, however this is not a prerequisite.

  
• What's the first step in getting my poetry published?

  Having a collection of poems published is a significant step in a poet's career. For this reason, we suggest that aspirant poets first develop a name for themselves by having their poems published in local poetry journals. A list of these journals is available by emailing kwela@kwela.com, or by contacting the Centre for the Book at www.centreforthebook.org.za.

  
• Does Kwela accept poetry manuscripts?

  No, unfortunately not. We keep track of new work published in local literary magazines (on-line as well as paper editions), and make publication decisions based on new talent featured in these magazines.

  
• How many words should my manuscript consist of?

  Kwela tries not to be too strict about manuscript length. As a rough guideline, fiction & non-fiction manuscripts should not be shorter than 35 000 words.

  
• Should I send a synopsis?

  You are welcome to send a synopsis with your manuscript, but it is not a requirement.

  
• How many chapters should I include in my submission?

  Wherever possible, Kwela provides feedback on submissions that have a reasonable degree of merit. For this reason, we prefer to assess a manuscript in its entirety. When making your submission, please include the whole manuscript, and not just a few sample chapters.

  
• How will I know that you have received my manuscript?

  Kwela acknowledges receipt of all manuscripts within a few days, via post or email. Please allow a few extra days for posted letters. Remember to include your postal and/or email addresses, as well as a telephone number, with your submission.

  
• Must I supply a hard copy of my manuscript or can I email it?

  We prefer a hard copy (a printed version) to be posted to us. Our postal address is Kwela Books, PO Box 6525, Roggebaai, 8012. Please include all your personal contact details when submitting a manuscript.

  It is not necessary to send a disc or other electronic version in addition to the paper copy.

  We will consider emailed submissions in exceptional circumstances - please email kwela@kwela.com.

  
• Should I include a cover letter?

  It always helps to include a cover letter. You could tell us a bit about yourself and the manuscript. You could also include any other relevant information, such as whether you've been published before or are attending any writing courses.

  You could also tell us in your cover letter if you have submitted your manuscript to other publishers. This would mean that if we are seriously considering your manuscript, we are aware that there may be other publishers interested as well.

  
• How should I format my manuscript?

  We try not to be too prescriptive, but a correctly formatted manuscript is preferable:

  • Use 1.5 line spacing as it is easiest to read.

  • Make sure that the pages are numbered.

  • Do not write your entire manuscript in bold, italics or CAPS.

  • Use a simple, easy-to-read serif font like Bookman Old Style or Times New Roman.

  • Use a 12 pt font.

  • Use correct paragraphing (an indent should indicate the start of a new paragraph or dialogue, and a line break should indicate a shift in focus). If you are uncertain about this have a look at published novels to see how paragraphs are formatted.

  • A fancy full-colour cover is not necessary.

  • The manuscript should not be bound.

  • We will accept handwritten manuscripts in exceptional circumstances and only if they are easy to read.

  
• How long does it take to publish a book?

  This will depend on the manuscript. The length and quality of a manuscript usually affects production time but, generally, it rarely takes less than a year from receipt of the manuscript.

  
• Do I need an agent?

  Publishers in South Africa rarely work with agents, and it is not necessary to have one.

  
• How are authors paid?

  Authors are paid a royalty, which is a percentage of the selling price of the book, for each copy of the book sold. This percentage is agreed on and defined in the contract.

  
• What does a publishing company actually do?

  We choose the best publishable manuscripts from the hundreds that we receive from the public every year. Only a small percentage of the manuscripts we receive will be selected for publication. If his or her manuscript is selected, the author is informed, and a contract is negotiated and signed.

  The manuscript will then be put into production. This includes a lengthy editorial process. During this time the manuscript is usually worked on by an editor, in conjunction with the author and publisher. Other aspects of the production process include cover and book design, proofreading and printing. The publisher is responsible for the management of all of these processes, as well as marketing, distribution and sales to the booksellers.

  
• Can I pay Kwela to print my book?

  Kwela is a publisher, not a printing company, and you cannot pay us to have your book printed. If your manuscript is accepted for publication, Kwela will manage the production process (as outlined above), which includes having your book printed. The author does not need to pay the publisher for this.

  
• In which languages does Kwela publish?

  We publish books mainly in English and Afrikaans. After initially testing the market for trade books in other languages, such as Zulu and Sesotho, Kwela had to abandon publishing these books due to a lack of demand.

  However, in 2008, we will be publishing Ukuvuka Kwan Ekufeni, the Xhosa translation of Thembelani Ngenelwa's The Day I Died.

  We will re-evaluate our mandate on publishing in other languages depending on the market response to this venture. Unfortunately, until this has been established, we do not accept manuscripts in other languages for consideration.

  
• What type of books does Kwela NOT publish?

  We do not publish children's books, full-colour illustrated ('coffee table') books or scripts for plays.

  
• What type of books does Kwela publish?

  Kwela is a small publishing house specialising in (mostly literary) fiction and unusual non-fiction (mainly autobiography and travel writing). We only publish 12 to 15 titles per year and consequently stay very close to our mandate – which is to publish fresh, new South African fiction, and exceptional non-fiction.

  Please have a look at our website, www.kwela.com, for more information.

  

Some tips from published Kwela authors:

• Henrietta Rose-Innes, author of The Rock Alphabet (2004) and Shark's Egg (2000):

  Back up your files!

  If you hate what you're writing and are feeling bogged down, leave it completely alone for a while a month, two months, three. When you come back with a fresh eye, more often than not, you'll get excited all over again about what you've written.

  Don't censor yourself while you write write first, then make decisions later about what to cut or change.

  
• William Dicey, author of travel book, Borderline (2004):

  The most valuable writing tip I have been given came from Hetta Hager of the Mary Moffet Museum in Griquatown. She called it the ABC of writing: Apply Bottom to Chair.

  While this may sound flippant, it isn't at all. If you spend enough time with your bottom applied to your writing chair, you will overcome many of the obstacles to good writing.

  
• Simo Kikamba, author of Going Home (2005):

  Set your book in your backyard, never ever on the moon, unless of course you've been there; write about something familiar to you, something you can relate to...

  Focus on the story line while writing your first draft and never mind making mistakes (you will have to revise anyway). Refrain from discussing the details of your work at this stage if you can. Remember the baby is yet to be born, and no one should guess what it will look like until it is out there!

  A fine writer is an avid reader.

  Write for fun (never for money), and write and write and write.

  
• Thembelani Ngenelwa, author of The Day I Died (2007):

  When you write your manuscript, picture it as if it is a movie. The reader should be able to visualize what you are writing about. It might help to visit the location in which the story is set. Also, when you write, don't forget to paint the pictures in between the main scenes.

  Try not to digress too much from your main story and characters. Write about what you know, and don't forget to describe the emotional parts. Pretend you're sitting down and narrating a story to a new friend (the reader).

  The way in which you introduce and end your story is very important. When you have finished, detach yourself and read from the start to finish and pretend you are reading the story for the first time. Does it make sense? Your answer will give you an idea if you're on a right track. Happy writing!

  When you write your manuscript, picture it as if it is a movie. The reader should be able to visualize what you are writing about. It might help to visit the location in which the story is set. Also, when you write, don't forget to paint the pictures in between the main scenes.

  Try not to digress too much from your main story and characters. Write about what you know, and don't forget to describe the emotional parts. Pretend you're sitting down and narrating a story to a new friend (the reader).

  The way in which you introduce and end your story is very important. When you have finished, detach yourself and read from the start to finish and pretend you are reading the story for the first time. Does it make sense? Your answer will give you an idea if you're on a right track. Happy writing!

  
• Niq Mhlongo, author of After Tears (2007) and Dog Eat Dog (2004):

  The process of writing and submitting a manuscript to a publishing house can be a very long and frustrating exercise. The moment you decide to sit down next to your computer and undertake this ambitious journey to become a writer, I think you must have three key elements Discipline, Patience and Passion.

  Discipline involves a lot of sacrifices. It might mean a complete change from what you are used to doing like changing friends, your habits etc.

  You'll need Patience, because writing a novel is not an overnight thing. It might take up to twenty years before realizing your dream. But if you're willing to wait and stay focused, your chance will come sooner or later.

  You have to have the Passion for becoming a writer before you become one. Passion is that bubbling energy inside you that keeps motivating you because writing is what you love the most. Passion is a trigger to your success because it keeps reminding you that you have a good story to tell to the world, and that story will leave a lasting impression.

  My personal experience in writing my debut novel Dog Eat Dog is that it took me almost three years between writing and publishing it. When the first manuscript was rejected I felt useless, depressed and frustrated, and my passion was at its lowest. I started to question my ambition of wanting to become a writer in the first place. But my Patience and Discipline helped to re-boost my Passion. Because of that I was lucky to have had my manuscript accepted for publication on my second attempt. Looking back at my experiences today, I don't think I would be this fulfilled in my heart if I had lost hope when my manuscript was rejected during that first attempt.