Welcome to our New Faces column, where we are pleased to introduce some of the debut authors you'll find on the romance bookshelves. This time we're visiting with Linda Morelli, whose first historical is Fiery Surrender from small press Port Town Publishing.

Linda, welcome to TRR! Tell us about yourself.

I was born in Michigan and lived in California, Florida, Virginia and even in Germany before settling down in Maryland. I majored in Fine Arts at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, and graduated in 1986 with honors. My mother is German and my father was of French descent (and fourth generation Chippewa Indian to boot, which probably explains why I love walking in forests so much). My husband and I have been married for twenty years and, in addition to our two grown children from pervious marriages, we have a second family: a daughter we adopted from Russia five years ago and a son, recently adopted from Kazakhstan.

Are you coming to romance writing from another job?

Oh yes, several. I've been a professional artist and model, a direct mail fundraiser, an editor and writer, and a Director of Human Resources. I've been very fortunate in that I was able to stop working full-time to devote myself to writing and motherhood, although I still do part-time consulting several days a week. I've also recently accepted the position of "Associate Romance Editor" with my publisher, Port Town Publishing, which began last September. If you guessed that I'm a "Type A" personality, you'd be right. I'm not happy unless I'm doing several things at once.

What led you to write romance?

I have always been a voracious reader since I was a child. I started with Grimm's fairy tales, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, mysteries, and then branched out to horror, mysteries and history books. I really didn't start reading romances until I was going through my divorce, and quickly realized what I had been missing! Far as writing, I started when was in elementary school, illustrating my own stories. I've written several poems, a few of which have been published, and found some way to write in every job I've held. I've done technical manuals, Policies and Procedures, and even served as Editor of HOUSE COUNSEL, a major donor newsletter for the National Republication Congressional Committee.

My love of history is strong and I have probably toured every battlefield on the East Coast, not to mention those in France and Germany. It wasn't until I visited Yorktown Battlefield in Virginia during the early 70's that the urge to write a novel struck me. My book, FIERY SURRENDER, began as an historical about the last days of the Revolutionary War, but soon became a romantic saga about a hero who possessed a dark past and an independent, feisty heroine.

Tell us about your road to publication.

I started FIERY SURRENDER back in 1972, and typed over 800 pages on a manual typewriter. I spent every spare moment I could writing the book -- during my lunch break, after my son was in bed, and often wrote until the early hours of the morning. Then I met my current husband -- the result of my first blind date set up by his mother -- and my life took a different turn, definitely for the better. We each had a child from our previous marriages so we had many adjustments to make as a new family. I set aside my novel and returned to it in 1994, after my husband surprised me with a computer for my birthday.

Like most writers, I've had my share of rejections from publishers, though I have to admit few of them were form letters. I made a note of each personal comment and reworked my manuscript, then joined Romance Writers of America and Washington Romance Writers and learned as much as I could to improve my writing. I believe that writing, like painting, is an art. Michelangelo and Renoir certainly had talent, but they were wise enough to learn technique under the guidance of experts.

I attended every meeting I could, read every book on writing I could lay my hands on and took so many notes that I felt like I was back in college. When I finally felt my manuscript was ready, I sent query letters to agents. Out of 17 queries, I received 14 back, each asking for the manuscript. At least I learned how to write a query letter! I went with one agent for several years, then fired him and went with Linda Hyatt of Hyatt & Brown Literary Agency. She read my manuscript, made some suggestions, then submitted FIERY SURRENDER to two category publishers, both of whom recommended a mainstream publisher. I didn't stop writing during this process, because waiting for a response is a killer. I started another book, a contemporary romantic suspense and, when that was finished, yet another.

Then, last year, I was approached by Port Town Publishing and asked to review "Wagons to the Past" on my "Books for Romance Readers" site. I checked out their site first and noticed that PTP was looking for historical romances. I contacted the Senior Editor, Jean Hackensmith, who offered me a contract a few days after she received my manuscript.

What kind of research was involved for your first book?

Tons and tons, all of it checked and double-checked! When I first started my manuscript, I would spend every weekend with my son visiting Yorktown and Williamsburg, Virginia. He was twelve then, and I have to admit he trudged beside me over the battlefield without complaint, waited patiently while I spoke to Park officials and made furious notes, and actually enjoyed walking through Colonial Williamsburg with me. He did, however, spend most of his time in the children's section when I conducted additional research at several libraries.

After I picked up the book again in 1994, my husband, also a lover of history, joined me for trips to Newport, Rhode Island; Williamsburg and Yorktown, VA; and even to Europe, where we both have relatives. I have to admit that the Internet is a Godsend -- saves wear and tear on shoes, husbands and kids.

Who are your influences as a writer?

There are far too many to mention here. Among them are Oivd, Shakespeare, James Fennimore Cooper, Agatha Christie and Louisa May Alcott. For romance, Nora Roberts, Kathleen Gilles Seidel, Robin Schoen, Eileen Charbonneau and new authors like Carole Bellacera and Hope Tarr, whose romances are absolutely wonderful.

What does your family think of having a romance author in their midst?

My mother is absolutely thrilled, my oldest son loves the book and my stepdaughter is proud. My husband has always been supportive (he's actually learned how to recognize sexual tension -- in more ways than one). My two youngest children love the cover I painted. They might have more to say, however, when they begin to read.

Tell us about plans for future books.

I'm currently working on a time-travel romance centering on the California Gold Rush and a nonfiction book about adopting from aboard. I have two other books in the works: an historical romance and a mystery romance. (I did say I'm "Type A," didn't I?)

How can readers get in touch with you?

They can email me at: RomRiter@aol.com, or write me at Linda Morelli, PO Box 551, Glen Echo, MD 20812-0551. They can also visit my main website at: http://members.aol.com/lbmwriter/romance/INDEX.htm. My "Books for Romance Readers" page, which won an AOL Hometown Award, can be accessed from there, as well as my other pages which include romance links, writing information, etc.

Linda, thank you for joining us, and best of luck! Readers, we have a review of Fiery Surrender in our Historical section.

April 16, 2002