Welcome to New Faces, where we are delighted to introduce some of the newest romance authors around. In this column, we are pleased to spotlight Tracy Sumner, whose historical romance Carolina Rose is now on sale. Welcome, Tracy!

Tell us about yourself.

I live in South Carolina. But, in the last three years, I have lived in Korea, Taiwan, France and Switzerland. My fiancee and I got sick of the corporate grind and left to see the world. Now, we're tired, a little over 30, and ready to settle a bit. A bit. Interests: my ferret, Clemson University football, reading, movies (1930s and 40s are my favorite). Ethnic foods: Indian, Thai, Korean. I majored in Journalism--Master's in Media Arts/Scriptwriting--but I don't think "special training" is necessary in any way to write romance. A love of the genre, the ability to create another world and interesting characters, is the talent here.

Are you coming to romance from another career?

I am a graphic designer, which I love. Working with colors and different types of paper excites me--weird I know. But, I love creative writing, too. So, I will do both as long as I can. We'll see, I guess.

What inspired you to write romance?

I read Vows, by LaVryle Spencer, when I was, oh, nineteen and fell in love with the romance novel. Then, I devoured them for the next five years (mostly historical) before deciding to write one of my own. That was in 1991, I guess. And, I keep on reading while I write. Can't seem to stay away.

Tell us about your experiences getting your book into print.

I went to the RWA national conference in Orlando in 1997 with my first completed manuscript in hand (Carolina Rose) and met editors and agents there. My editor at Kensington requested the full ms, which was fine, because it was finished, but I still needed to revise. I did this and sent it off in February (a little late) and got THE CALL five weeks later. But, I did get one very nice, personal rejection from Avon and later, after the sale to Kensington, another rejection from Dell. So, if not for Kensington (lucky timing, who knows?) I would still be out there bumping along. By the way, I never did use a critique group. I'm a shy writer--no one sees the ms until my editor does.

Tell us about the research for Carolina Rose.

Due to my journalism background (and my firm belief that the research you do for a book should be something that is very interesting to you) I decided to give Charlie and Adam this interest as well. I researched lots about printing presses, political editorials and penny newspapers in the south in the 1840s and 1850s. Also, because this was my first historical, I dug around a lot about songs, books, furnishings, etc. I placed the book in South Carolina, following the old adage, write what you know. Then researched South Carolina like crazy, cause 1850 ain't exactly what I know. (I think writing what you don't know works great, too.)

What authors have you looked to for inspiration?

Well, certainly Gone With The Wind and Margaret Mitchell, Vows (LyVyrle Spencer, which I mentioned earlier), Stephen King. Any great book--Anna Karenina, A Separate Peace, A Knight in Shining Armor (Jude Deveraux). Oh, so many-romance and other genres-Jane Austin. If you love to write, or it nags at you, any great piece of writing will inspire. I LOVE Judy Cuevas/Judith Ivory. Her intelligence shines through in her writing. I would love to talk with her and ask her how she does it. She makes it seem easy. She writes heavy--lots of detail, etc. Great male characters...great! Nora Roberts...Patricia Ryan...

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

They love it! My father is my PR Manager, my mother my Office Manager. They take promo materials everywhere and show them off. You never know who might buy your book and love it as much as you do.

Tell us about your upcoming works.

So far, I have Carolina Rose coming out in April. Then, a Christmas novella, When All Through the Night, is slated for December (Zebra anthology Christmas Kisses.) And, the second novel, Tides of Love, (still in progress) hopefully in Feb. of 2000. All are historical novels, set in South and North Carolina. No civil war or plantations. More small town America, which I like!

How can readers contact you?

I would love to hear from readers at: Chicago921@aol.com or visit my website at: members.aol.com/Chicago921. Look out for future listings of my booksignings. Also, I just received gorgeous bookmarks for Carolina Rose--send a SASE to 4768 Fernwood Rd, Columbia, SC 29206 for a signed one!

Thank you, Tracy, and best of luck! Readers, we have a review of Carolina Rose for you.

March 15, 1999