#137: Sareeta Domingo – Writing Love That Feels Real, Breaking into Publishing, Writing Intimacy on the Page, and Selling Romance
Mar 22, 2025
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Sareeta Domingo shares her journey in writing and publishing love stories that resonate with readers. She discusses the importance of crafting authentic intimacy and the evolution of the romance industry. Listeners learn about her experiences navigating the submission process and the balance between her roles as a writer and editor. Insights on the art of writing sex scenes and the unique challenges faced by authors of color are explored. The conversation also touches on indie publishing benefits and defining success in the literary world.
Starting a story close to the end enhances engagement and showcases writer confidence in a competitive submission landscape.
Juggling writing and editing careers requires effective time management, enriching writers' understanding of commercial storytelling elements.
Creating authentic intimacy in romance involves skillfully conveying character chemistry through dialogue and subtle interactions that engage readers.
Deep dives
Starting Your Story Effectively
The importance of starting a story as close to the end as possible is emphasized, as this strategy helps writers stand out in a competitive submission landscape. Writers are encouraged to focus on the essential ideas of their narratives right from the start, rather than assuming that the plot will pick up later. This approach not only engages readers quickly but also showcases confidence in the storytelling. By questioning the necessity of extensive setups, authors can trust that readers will follow their journey even if they begin in the thick of action.
Balancing Writing and Editing Careers
The duality of working as both a writer and an editor presents unique challenges and insights into the industry. Managing a writing career alongside editorial responsibilities requires diligent time management and a clear separation of creative processes. This experience can enhance a writer's understanding of commercial storytelling and the elements that captivate audiences. Authors often find that being immersed in the editing side of publishing informs their writing style, allowing them to craft more compelling narratives.
Key Ingredients for Chemistry in Romance
Creating authentic intimacy in romantic fiction involves skillfully constructing character interactions that convey chemistry and emotional depth. Writers must express these connections through dialogue, action, and subtle cues to engage readers effectively. This chemistry is essential for readers to invest in characters and their journeys towards love. A strong understanding of how characters interact can determine the success of a romance story, making it crucial for authors to hone their skills in this area.
Overcoming Submission Hurdles
Writers often face challenges when submitting their work, and understanding common pitfalls can enhance their chances of success. Many manuscripts fail to hook readers due to excessive setups or introductory content that delays the main action. Authors are encouraged to be direct and get to the heart of their stories quickly to capture the interest of editors and agents. This advice is particularly relevant in a crowded market where submissions often compete for limited attention.
The Evolving Landscape of Romance Writing
The romance genre continues to evolve, with a noticeable shift towards more diverse voices and contemporary themes that reflect societal changes. There is an increasing demand for stories that explore complex issues, such as body image and cultural backgrounds, allowing authors to bring authenticity to their characters. The conversation about representation within the genre highlights the significance of inclusive storytelling. As the landscape changes, writers are encouraged to embrace their unique perspectives to contribute meaningfully to the genre.
Author and Editorial Director Sareeta Domingo on writing love stories that feel real, breaking into publishing, and crafting authentic intimacy in fiction. She shares insights on balancing her dual careers in writing and editing, the biggest mistakes authors make when submitting, and how the romance industry is evolving.
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ABOUT SAREETA DOMINGO
Sareeta Domingo is the Editorial Director at Trapeze Books (Hachette) and the author of The Three of Us and If I Don’t Have You, shortlisted for the Diverse Book Awards 2021. She edited the romance anthology Who’s Loving You and writes YA fiction under S.A. Domingo.
This episode is brought to you by our friends at Lulu. If you're interested in self-publishing, Lulu has free resources such as helpful tutorials, templates to help you layout a book, design for print, and they have a very watchable YouTube University channel. Our community anthology is in fact published using Lulu. Check them out at lulu.com.