Aspiring romance writers will appreciate the industry-insider tips and practical advice offered in this fully revised and updated guide written by a top romance novelist. Step-by-step explanations to creating believable characters, handling dialogue, choosing settings, developing workable conflicts, and crafting effective plots are provided. Writers will stay on track and motivated with checklists that are included throughout. In addition to creative advice, a marketing section educates would-be authors on the major publishing houses and how to match their manuscripts to the publishers' romance lines. Writers will also learn how to pitch and hopefully sell their book in 10 minutes to an editor at a writers' conference, where to find such opportunities, and how to make the most of them. An insider's look at the kinds of manuscripts that editors are seeking in genre romance, including paranormal themes, action-adventure, inspirational, and chick lit, provides valuable insight into achieving success in a competitive marketplace.