Editor Johanna Raisanen Guest Blogs!

Helen here.

I never knew what I wanted in an editor until I met and worked with Johanna Raisanen, Associate Editor at Harlequin. She’s professional, approachable, smart and flexible. Most importantly, she’s a calm island in my sea of uncertainty. She’s even willing to come on and blog with us even though I can’t be here today! Lois is going to act as hostess. Thanks Lois. And thanks Johanna – you’re the best!

Helen: Well, let’s jump right into this. Unpublished writers always talk about getting their submissions on the right editor’s desk on the right day under the right cycle of the moon. Do you ever think about how powerful you are? (She’s chuckling at this one, I know, because she’s one of the most unassuming people you could ever meet!)

Johanna: I am chuckling a little about this because I still find it so strange that people are in awe of me! Seriously, though, I do realize that editors hold writers’ dreams in their hands. I don’t take that responsibility lightly, nor do most editors, I’m sure. I have tremendous respect for anyone who writes a book and has the courage to send it to a publisher. I mean, wow! That takes guts. I also think it’s an amazing just to write a book. So my hat’s off to all of you!

Helen: I’m always curious how people get into their careers. Why editor? Can you see yourself in any other job either at Harlequin or in an entirely different industry?

Johanna: Like many people, I floundered a bit after university. I mean, a degree in political science? What’s up with that? I took a year to backpack around Australia, and, I hate to say it because it’s such a cliché, found myself! A lifelong love affair with books made me realize that I wanted to do something book related, although I had no idea how to get into publishing. When I got back to Canada, I did some research and found a college program called Book and Magazine Publishing. It was perfect! I learned the ins and outs of editing, marketing, copyediting, cover and layout design. And after a forgettable two-year stint at a legal publisher (blech!), I got hired as a proofreader at Harlequin. The rest is history. I love my job and can’t see myself doing anything else. Although if I somehow got paid to travel the world I wouldn’t say no to that! What do you think of my chances? (Ha!)

Helen: Shh, don’t tell your boss I suggested this … travel editor. Better yet, travel writer! It’s wonderful you have that experience of backpacking in Australia. You did that alone, right? It’d scare the begeebees out of me if my daughter wanted to do that. Did you ever feel frightened or threatened?

Johanna: Hmm. Travel writer, eh? Something to think about, but, yeah, don’t tell Kathleen!

As for Australia, yep, I went by myself. The only time I was scared was at the airport in Toronto about to leave. It was a huge step for an introvert like me. But I found that it was the best thing I’ve ever done. Traveling alone meant I had to step out of my comfort zone and meet people. I had so many wonderful experiences and met so many interesting folks from all over the world that I’m so glad I did it. Now I enjoy traveling on my own. Two years ago I went to New Zealand by myself and again made some amazing connections and had some fascinating conversations.

Helen: I’m jealous, love to travel. ::big sigh:: Okay, back to the real world … so you started out as a proofreader and you’ve been at Harlequin for almost ten years, right? Have you always been in the Superromance line?

Johanna: I was the proofreading supervisor for a while, then I got the assistant editor position working with Laura Shin on Supers in the fall of 2002. Now I’m an associate editor, but on the American Romance line with Kathleen Scheibling, although I still work on Supers with some authors.

Helen: Anything dramatically different about this new line? Like it so far?

Johanna: American Romance is a great line, as is Supers. I love the family elements in both. With AR there’s a great sense of community, focus on setting and celebrating the American spirit. Don’t ask me to pick a favorite between the two, though!

Helen: Ready for a gritty question? It seemed like Harlequin exploded several years back with new lines and approaches. Do you think that had anything to do with the company’s recent financial woes, or is it more likely that Harlequin is just one of many companies suffering within the publishing industry?

Johanna: Harlequin always tries to set the trends and strives for great innovations. A lot of work goes into new lines and approaches and when they don’t pan out the way we hope it’s a disappointment. But I think that if we don’t try to stay relevant to our readers we’ll be in trouble.

Helen: That’s a good point, and there’s obviously been a lot of talk about the tough year Harlequin had financially and the layoffs that took place a couple months back. Many writers are concerned their editors are going to be even more overworked than before. Could mean inferior product.

With my accounting background, I have a bit of a different view on the matter. Most companies going through tough financial times are forced to make some tough choices. I probably would have been concerned if Harlequin hadn’t made some adjustments in staffing. The publishing industry as a whole has taken some hard knocks lately.

What do you think?

Johanna: Those layoffs were tough. We lost a lot of great colleagues, but what people need to understand (and I think most people do) is that publishing is a business subject to market cycles. And these things happen from time to time to keep the company healthy. It certainly was not an easy decision. I also think that the publishing industry as a whole has struggled for a while, not just Harlequin. There are so many other things vying for our entertainment dollar that it’s been tough. I’ve heard that movie ticket sales are down, book sales are down–people just have so many more choices today.

Helen: I heard on the news this weekend that book sales were up for the first time in years, so maybe the cycle is turning our way. We can hope, anyway. From your perspective, what does the future of series romance look like?

Johanna: Series romance is here to stay. There are so many exciting voices in series that keeps the genre fresh, and at Harlequin we’re always striving to keep series relevant to today’s reader.

Helen: Even though you’ve moved to the American Romance line, will you still take queries for Superromance, or is it best that they go to Laura Shin or Victoria Curran?

Johanna: New submissions to Superromance should go to Laura or Victoria.

Helen: So what are you looking for in submissions? Aside from the technical aspects, formatting, grammar, spell checking, what makes you stop and give serious consideration to a manuscript?

Johanna: When I get a submission that makes me sit up and want to keep reading I get a little chill of excitement. I love finding new authors–it’s the best part of my job. Specifically, I look for great characters--characters that I can root for--and solid conflict. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen stories where the conflict between the characters is based on a silly misunderstanding. Conflict, true conflict, makes the reader wonder how on earth the hero and heroine will ever get together.

Helen: How does a writer do new and fresh without chasing trends?

Johanna: When I say new and fresh, I mean different ways to express or interpret popular themes. Let’s look at the secret-baby premise. That’s been done many times. A typical way to set this story up is to have the hero betray the heroine and thus she decides to keep her baby a secret. A more unique way to execute this premise would be if the heroine thinks the hero is dead. Now this may have been done, but already it’s a more interesting set up. How you construct your characters’ personalities will also affect the unique qualities of your story. Put your own stamp on it.

To me trends are about the bigger picture. Say, for example, that paranormal is popular at the moment—that’s a trend. This would determine the subgenre you wish to write for.

Helen: Interestingly enough, the second book you bought of mine is a secret baby plotline where the hero has betrayed the heroine, so what you’re saying makes complete sense to me. I’ve heard it said that there are a finite number of plots. It’s all about how we write them.

I’ve been dying to ask this. Do you remember why you bought my first book? Was there one particular thing that jumped out at you?

Johanna: I loved your first book! I remember through some mixup it was accidentally sent to Supers and to Intimate Moments (now Romantic Suspense). I think IM got it first, but I was ready to battle the New York editors for it–kidding! I just knew that you had to be published. The writing was so crisp, the characters totally believable and the drama kickass.

Helen: LOL! You’re so sweet, and, yes, I am blushing.

Agent, no agent, what’s your preference?

Johanna: No preference.

Helen: How many first time authors have you bought within the last year? Is there still hope for unpublished authors?

Johanna: Absolutely there’s hope! I brought two new authors to the Superromance lineup last year, and I’ve just read a submission for AR that I loved. I think all series are always looking for fresh new voices.

Helen: Do you ever get the chance to read for pleasure?

Johanna: Funny you ask that. Before January 19 I would have said I hardly ever get to read for pleasure any more, but that fateful winter day has me changing my answer. I slipped on some ice and fractured my left ankle (the doc said it was one of the most spectacular breaks he’d ever seen!). I’ve been on short-term leave and haven’t been allowed to put any weight on the foot for about six weeks. So, my new answer is yep. I’ve got time now! I like to immerse myself in mystery novels for a change of pace, and I’m currently reading Elizabeth George. I’m only on her third book so I have some catching up to do.

Helen: Ouch! That had to be some fall. Is your ankle healing as expected? Will you be on crutches for a while yet?

Johanna: I have an appointment to get my cast off tomorrow, and I think I’m getting a walking cast. Hooray for mobility!! It’s been awfully tough being off work and laying around on my rear end for a month. The worst part is that I haven’t been able to go home because I live on the fourth floor of a four-story building.

Helen: Gotta wrap it up. Anything else you’d like to add, like, oh I don’t know, “Buy Helen’s book?”

Johanna: Yes! Buy Helen’s book! She’s terrific and her book, TREASURE, is terrific! And I wanted to mention that I had planned to include some photos of my dog, Potter, and some pics around the office. But due to this stupid cast on my leg, I can’t. So I apologize for the boring blog entry!

Helen: There’s nothing boring about it, Johanna. Potter’s a cutie, though. I can vouch for that. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for coming to blog with us today.

Johanna’s open to questions, folks, so ask away!