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Medical romance writer Allie Kincheloe shares the moment she received ‘The Call’ to write for Mills & Boon and her journey to getting her debut romance, Heart Surgeon’s Second Chance, published!
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Having my book published with Mills & Boon is a dream come true. I’m sure I’m not the only author who has submitted multiple times in the past to Mills & Boon, hoping for “the call” and receiving repeated rejections instead. Each rejection taught me something though, from what was working to what was definitely not working. So, in early 2019 when I saw the Medical Romance Blitz come across my Twitter feed, I decided to risk another rejection and give it a shot.
I submitted a synopsis and the first chapter—all I had on that story at the time. And waited for what I thought would be another rejection. Instead, I got a short message, along the lines of: “I’d love to read more when you have it”. I debated on if I should even bother continuing, but the story wanted to be told. So, I finished and submitted it. A month went by, where I waited for the surely inevitable rejection letter to come. Instead what landed in my inbox was an email from Victoria Britton filled with praise for what was working and suggestions for fixing what wasn’t. She said she’d love to see a revised story, if I was willing to make those changes. So, I got to work and went through all of her notes carefully, strengthening the story. And I sent it back.
A few days later, I received an email from Victoria, asking if we could schedule a phone call to discuss a few more suggestions to really finish the story off. My heart lurched in my chest when I read it, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up too much that this call would be ‘the call’. I sent an email back, confirming the time. For a good hour before the appointed time, I paced anxiously around my house. I tried to convince myself that it was merely a brainstorming session, and she wasn’t calling for ‘that’ reason. Rejections via email, I’d learned to take without it being personal, but I wasn’t sure I could do the same with a phone call, so I tried not to be too hopeful. I double checked that my ringer was on for my phone (repeatedly). I had a note book and two pens ready to take notes—two, in case one didn’t write, I guess.
And then, she called. I’m pretty sure I stuttered a lot due to nerves while we discussed Heart Surgeon’s Second Chance and the final few changes she wanted to suggest. I agreed to those and then she said they’d like to accept that book and offer me a two-book contract. I’m sure I was smiling like a fool and possibly vibrating in excitement, even after I hung up the phone and stared at the screen to try to convince myself that ‘the call’ actually happened.
A lot of time and dedication went into receiving “the call”. I hope for those dreaming of getting their own, they keep trying. It won’t be easy, but it will most certainly be worth it.
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