Tessa Scott lives in the “Quiet Corner” of Northeast Connecticut (yes, it’s actually called the Quiet Corner!) with her horse, goats, pig, cats, and lots of trees and wildlife. She has been a newspaper journalist, full-time greeting card writer, magazine copy editor and agency copywriter, and is currently a copywriter for a large financial institution. But her biggest dream has always been to add “published romance writer” to this list. And now, as a debut author for Harlequin Medical Romance, that dream is about to come true!
Tessa’s debut novel was picked from the Medical Romance Month submission blitz in spring 2023.
Harlequin: Tell us about yourself. Our readers want to know!
Tessa Scott: I’m a huge animal and nature lover who enjoys living a low-key life in the woods of Connecticut, with the occasional adventure thrown in to keep me on my toes. Writing is my other passion, and I’ve been fortunate enough to make a career out of doing what I love.
H: Why did you want to become a romance writer?
TS: In many ways, romance stories are a mirror of life itself. The road to happiness is seldom smooth, but the payoff is worth working through all the conflicts. Plus, it’s just plain fun to create a world with two meant-for-each-other characters that starts in your thoughts, and then ends up as a book that can be shared with others.
H: What were the big steps in your journey to becoming a published author?
TS: Over the years, I sent out manuscripts here and there, and then dabbled in self-publishing when that became an option. But it never fulfilled my ultimate desire to have a book accepted by — and to build a relationship with — a well-known publisher like Harlequin. About a year ago, I started to do some deep soul-searching and realized I had more or less given up on my dream. So many times, I had read interviews with authors who found success in part because of their talent, but also because of their perseverance. I realized that I was the one who had dropped the ball, and it was up to me to pick it back up again.
It was at about this time that I came across a Harlequin Medical Romance submission blitz opportunity. It really seemed like one of those “stars lining up” moments, and since I only had to submit the first chapter and a synopsis, I felt I had nothing to lose and immediately got to work on those initial pieces. When I received a response several weeks later from Charlotte Ellis, saying that she felt the story had real potential and would like to see the next three chapters, I was of course thrilled — but also afraid to get my hopes up. But with each milestone — feedback on the chapters and an R&R (revise and resubmit request), then a request for the full manuscript — I started to think it might actually happen! Working with Charlotte has been amazing, and Harlequin has a great support system and so many helpful resources for both aspiring and published writers.
H: What advice would you offer aspiring writers?
TS: It may sound like a cliché, but if your goal is to become a published romance writer, it’s never too late. When I wrote my first manuscript right after college, the Internet didn’t even exist. (It’s difficult to admit this, but if that doesn’t convince you it’s never too late, I don’t know what will! LOL) And no matter how much you love writing, it can still be hard work at times. Which is all the more reason to write what you love, and to do so in your own voice. You’ll find that the words flow much more easily this way.
Also, I’ve always been more of a “pantser” when I write, so plotting out Healing the Baby Surgeon’s Heart from start to finish for the synopsis was a bit of a challenge for me. But when I got the green light to submit more chapters, it made it a lot easier for me to sit down and simply start writing, rather than staring out the window and thinking of what should come next. (Okay, I still stare out the window … but it’s half plotting and half birdwatching.)
H: What did you do when you got the call from Harlequin?
Now let’s hear from the editor, Charlotte Ellis:
“As soon as I read Tessa’s submission I knew there was something special about her writing. There was so much heart and warmth in her story, paired with a pathos and poignancy that blew me away. I couldn’t wait to read more of it and I can’t wait for readers to get their hands on her debut story. They’re going to adore Claire and Kiernan and their romance. I mean for starters who wouldn’t love a gorgeous rugby playing Irish surgeon…!”
