Rachael donovan

Rachael Donovan is a publisher with HQ, a division of HarperCollins Australia. She has been in the Australian publishing industry for over fifteen years, with a wide variety of roles at Hachette Australia, Allen & Unwin and HQ. The past ten years have been spent commissioning and building popular brand authors, from romance to mystery to historical and gothic. Working with amazing authors: Alissa Callen, Fiona Lowe, Jo Dixon and Stella Quinn, plus many more growing names and an array of bright new stars. Passionate about how genre fiction can reach out to entertain, move readers’ hearts and change minds, Rachael remains dedicated to connecting readers with inspiring stories and talented Australian voices.

What is the minimum word-count your agency takes, or your publishing house requires? 
Single title only (80k and upwards)

What sub-genres or genres are you not looking for?
At this stage, I'm not taking submissions that are books of a series, previously published, or in young adult, erotica, gritty crime or horror, sci-fi, children's or non-fiction.

Is there a genre or sub-genre you’re particularly keen to see?
The broad-brush of the kinds of submissions I'm looking for is genre fiction with a fresh voice, book club fiction, character-driven-centric fiction (contemporary and historical) and hooky character-driven adventure or thriller.                                                                                                                But we're gathering together for genre fiction, so I'm particularly interested in well-written romance with an elevated high concept and celebrated its subgenre/trope but brings a freshness to it. Any kind of setting will do - contemporary, rural. suburban or historical - but an Australian hook is always a benefit. Sweet slow-burn romance or some heat in there is fine, but not to the point of erotica. It can be relatable, funny or touching and bittersweet, but I love stories that say something about who we are and how we live our lives. And, particularly in a historical context, feature strong capable women taking the reins back into their own hands.                                                                                                                                                            I’m also looking for mystery, crime and adventure thriller that is fast-paced and surprising, with characterisation so absorbing the real world melts away. In particular, I’m interested in when mystery or crime questions something about women’s experience in the world.

What genre is your personal favourite?
It's always changing, but at the moment, like everyone else, I'm reading a bit of fantasy, and I'm into stories with a super-light touch of horror.

What is your major turn-off in a book?
Things that feel contrived or too convenient. When there's no compelling, or confused, character motivation things get boring.

What is likely to really knock your socks off besides an engaging voice and well-written book?
An elevated high concept.

Any advice to your potential pitchers?
We want to hear about new stories and we want to hear about you. So bring along as much about who you are, and why you wanted to write this particular idea, as much what the story is about.