from
VALERIE PARV

One of the most satisfying aspects of being a romance writer is knowing your books are enjoyed by readers all over the world.

To date mine have been translated into 26 languages as varied as Russian, Indonesian, Icelandic, and Korean, and I always get a buzz out of receiving a new translation in the mail.

Most recently, CODE: NAME PRINCE (the North American cover is shown at left) was translated into a Manga – a Japanese comic book for adults. The artwork is exquisite.

These books are enormously popular in Japan with special cafes offering the latest Manga for enthusiasts to read over their tea or coffee.

For many years, I’ve corresponded with a Japanese penefrendo (penfriend) in Kyoto, and once asked him – yes, him – why romance novels are so popular in Japan. The Harlequin fan club in Tokyo has over 8,000 members.

He told me Japanese readers love the same things that English-speaking readers do – strong, likable characters who overcome their problems to find lasting love.

So many classical Japanese novels end in tragedy that we romance writers are known in Japan as “happy ending ladies” because we make sure everything turns out right in our stories.

Congratulations to KYLIE GRIFFIN on winning the Golden Heart Award from Romance Writers of America for her unpublished manuscript, Blood Born .

Kylie was last year's winner of the Valerie Parv Award and I wish her every success in her writing career. Look for her name in lights!

Also congratulations to this year's Valerie Parv Award winner, ANNA COWAN, with The Three Loves of Miss Beatrice Sutherland .

Anna wins an engraved medallion and a year of mentoring with me, and I look forward to working with her on her highly original and entertaining novel.