A Canberra author’s perspective on working with the world’s leading romance publisher
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Canberra author Justine Lewis has always loved love stories – so when Mills & Boon offered her a two-book deal in 2022, her heart was in it right from the start.
After all, they’re a staple in the world of romance fiction.
Publishing their first novel in the United Kingdom in 1909, Mills & Boon has carved a name for itself as the world’s leading romance publisher, seeing novels found in over 150 countries and six continents, and a book sold every two seconds.
And in a milestone moment, Mills & Boon ANZ is celebrating 50 years of bringing Australians sensual, sweet, and suspenseful romance stories.
We sat down with Justine – who has just finished her eighth novel – to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to write for the world’s most iconic romance publisher.
Tell me about yourself, did you grow up in Canberra?
I’m a Canberran born and bred – I grew up here, went to school and university here, and even though I toyed with the idea of leaving once or twice, Canberra has always seemed like the best place to live, and still does. I’m now entrenched here with my husband, two teenagers, and my dog. I work part-time in the public service and fit my writing around that – and everything else.
Why romance? What do you love about this genre?
I love all books and read widely fiction and non-fiction, but romance is simply my favourite. I love the rush of emotions, the fun and games but most of all I love happy endings. I also love that it is a genre first and foremost about relationships and how people tick, but romance novels also let me escape from every day and give all the gooey feelings and heartwarming shivers.
How did you turn romance writing into a career?
Perseverance! Being published isn’t a finish line, only the beginning. If you want a career you have to keep writing and being a little bit stubborn helps. I was first published ten years ago, but the publisher closed the imprint I was writing for, so I had to find another publisher. It wasn’t easy, but I love writing so I’m not about to give it up.
How did you get involved with Mills & Boon?
I honestly can’t remember a time when I didn’t love stories and wanted to write romance. When I decided to learn how to construct stories and write them down, I joined Romance Writers of Australia, who have amazing links and contacts with publishers all over the world. I submitted to Mills and Boon via the slush pile (the online submissions portal) and was lucky that my editor saw something she liked and offered me a two-book deal. I’ve just published my sixth book with Mills and Boon.
Why did you want to write for them?
Mills and Boon is practically synonymous with romance so of course I wanted to write for them! I also adore the short, trope-lead reads of category romance. Category romances give you an intense love story, focused on a couple, their problems, and their happy ever after.
What has your experience of working with the world’s leading romance publisher from Canberra been like?
Super exciting! Apart from the initial call from my editor saying that she loved my book and wanted to publish it, the highlight was having the chance to meet my editor and the team at the Mills and Boon offices in London. A definite career (and life!) highlight.
Working with the team in both London and Sydney has also been easy and seamless – especially in the age of video calls. Mills and Boon has authors all around the world and they are quite used to working with authors in different time zones and locations.
Tell me about your process – where do you draw inspiration from?
I think I probably sit closer to the ‘pantser’ (write by the seat of my pants) end of the spectrum, as opposed to being a plotter. I envy plotters because it seems like a much more efficient and less chaotic process, but I just don’t seem to be able to manage it. Over the years I’ve become comfortable with the chaos and the revisions because I tend to have more fun if I don’t know exactly what is going to happen and when I’m open to all the possibilities as I go along.
I get inspiration and ideas from everywhere around me (yes, even in Canberra). The question I most often ask of myself, or my characters is ‘What if…?’ and fill in the blanks. ‘What if that happened next? What if she did this? What if he wanted that?’
What do people need to keep in mind when writing romance?
The story must always promise a happy ever after for the couple and the fact that romance readers are very discerning and voracious readers. They can tell if you don’t believe in your story or your characters and keep us writers on our toes.
What do you personally look for in a romance novel?
I look for fun, an escape, a couple I can fall in love with, and perhaps a twist on a well-known trope. I’m a sucker for an enemy-to-lover romance and opposites attract.
Why do you think romance fiction is so popular at the moment?
Romance novels have always been popular because people always want happy ever afters! Romance novels are popular because they continue to meet the ‘happy ever after’ promise – people want escapism, enjoyment, fun, and the gooey mushy feelings in their stomachs.
But romance novels also endure because they have changed with the times, these are not the same novels that were being published fifty years ago. Modern heroes and heroines are diverse, and of all ages and backgrounds. The heroes are trustworthy, well rounded and worthy of their strong, independent heroines.
What’s next for you and what’s on your TBR?
My next release is out on 5 September, Worth Waiting For, which is two stories featuring estranged brothers who have to travel around the world to attend their mother’s last-minute wedding in Bali and the women who go with them. Breaking the Best Friend Rule is a friends-to-lover slow burn. The Billionaire’s Plus One Deal is a fake relationship, grumpy/sunshine romp.
But before that, I am about to head off to Italy for a few weeks with my husband (in fact I might be there already when you read this!) I will be soaking up the sun and some inspiration for my next novels.
I’m packing my Kindle and loading it with Harlequin romances and the latest Dervla McTiernan.
Images supplied.
