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Spotlight on
Gerry Bartlett By Cheryl Bolen Five years after it was a Golden Heart finalist, Gerry Bartlett (writing as Lynn McKay) has seen the publication of her Regency-set historical, Sweet Deceit (previously titled A Matter of Duty). Leisure published it in March, but because of scheduling conflicts she was unable to sign it at a West Houston RWA meeting until May. Fortunately, Gerry did not have to wait unpublished the whole five years it took her award-winning manuscript to sell. In 1999, Kensington Precious Gems published her short contemporary, Wild About You, which was quickly followed by You're the One. Her historical was rejected by every major house, Gerry said. "Because it had adultery as a major conflict, it was too daring for most houses." At Leisure, it sat on the editor's desk for two years before her editor Kate Seaver gave Gerry The Call. Gerry is equally at home writing contemporaries or historicals. "I have a short fuse and am easily frustrated when I'm writing, so it feels like a break to switch." Having critiqued with Gerry, I can attest she nails a contemporary voice with the same level of professionalism she captures her historical voice. A recently retired elementary school teacher, Gerry has more than paid her dues in the romance field. She began writing in 1981, but did not join RWA until 1991. She's a former president of the Bay Area RWA chapter and prior to publishing, she successfully toured the contest circuit. While Leisure is taking its time to decide if they want to buy a second historical from her, Gerry is fighting hard to claw her way into the Harlequin contemporary market. She recently received a revision letter from an editor at Harlequin Blaze for her novel Nice Girls Never. Blaze is a line she targeted because she enjoys reading it. If she sells to Blaze, she will join her long-time critique partner, Kimberly Groff (formerly Rangel) who writes as Kimberly Raye. Raye was one of Blaze's launch authors. She and Gerry and Nina Bangs (another pub who's spotlighted this month) have been critiquing together for a decade. Though many others have come and gone from their group over the past ten years, those three have remained constant. Over five years ago, Donna Maloy joined the group. Kim sold first, in 1994. Nina sold next in 1998, and Gerry followed a month later. For several years the group met religiously once a week. As publishing demands have increased, the regularity of the group has decreased, but the members are always there for one another when needed--especially for a quick read. In addition to writing during her "retirement," Gerry has become an antiques dealer, an avocation that indulges her obsession for shopping. Also recently retired is John, her husband of 31 years. They have one son, and Gerry is super step-mom to four daughters. |