MENTOR:
Etta Easton (she/her)
CATEGORY:
Adult
SUB GENRES:
Contemporary, Rom Com, Fiction with strong romantic elements
BIO:
I’m Etta and I have been falling in love with romance stories since I was a kid. My debut, THE KISS COUNTDOWN, in which a struggling event planner and a sinfully hot astronaut must decide if their fake relationship is worth a shot at happily-ever-after, will be published with Berkley in April 2024 after being acquired by Esi Sogah in a pre-empt. I am represented by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
I began my journey to publishing about five years ago when I wrote my first novel, and have since sought out to learn the in’s and outs of crafting compelling stories. I was able to participate in the 2022 KissPitch Mentorship program as a mentee where I learned so much, and am a big believer in paying it forward. I love sharing the knowledge I’ve gained and uplifting other authors!
Outside of books, I love the arts. I took music all throughout school (I was in marching band when the movie Drumline came out, and couldn’t nobody tell us nothin!!), sang in a choir (nowadays I won’t even sing in front of my husband, I’m so shy), and enjoy scrap journaling. I don’t watch a lot of TV and movies, so I’ll normally have some r&b slow jams playing the background of whatever it is I’m doing.
Some of my favorite authors include: Nalini Singh, Kennedy Ryan, Ali Hazelwood, Kristina Forest, and Farrah Rochon.
MSWL:
I love reading just about any sub-genre, but I’m best equipped to help with Contemporary, Romcoms, and Women’s Fic with strong romantic elements.
I enjoy Dual POV romances where both voices are distinct, though I tend to gravitate more to Single where we get to discover the love interest’s feelings alongside the POV character.
I love tropes! Fake dating, forced proximity, opposites attract, rivals, and friends to lovers, just to name a few. If you have some fun tropes or new spins on our oldies but goodies, please send them my way.
I will never turn away from a badass FMC, but I also love a character embracing their soft-girl era. If she loves pinks, flowers, self-care, and wears her heart on her sleeve, I am dying to meet her!
I love strong MMC’s with a protective streak, but please no over-bearing alphas.
I am fine with heat ranging from sweet to scorching hot, but please no erotica.
Really, this is just a sample of what I like in romance. If you think we’d be a good fit, please send your manuscript my way!
I’m not the best fit for:
-Romantic couplings outside of two people (polyamorous couples, why choose).
-Age gaps involving someone in their teens or early twenties and someone much older.
-Police or military MMC’s
-Dark Romance sub-genre
-Love triangles
MENTORING STYLE
I’m here to support you, but I am on my own deadline as I crank out book 2, as well as a full-time mom homeschooling my two girls. I’m usually not able to find quiet time until everyone is in bed. For that reason, most of my communications will be through email and DM.