Shana Asaro
Associate Editor
Love Inspired
Associate Editor Shana Asaro has been with Harlequin for over five years–though you might recognize her more easily as Shana Smith. She found her HEA in September 2013, and we’re getting used to her new name! A few months ago she did a Q&A on the Harlequin forums–the link is here–but we thought we’d refresh it a bit.
What most distinguishes your line from the other lines (especially lines that may be similar to yours)?
While Love Inspired shares some aspects with other home and family lines like Special Edition and American Romance, there is a distinct difference when it comes to sensuality levels. Love Inspired is wholesome and free of sensuality. An integrated faith element is key to Love Inspired as is a strong sense of community.
What is your biggest submission pet peeve?
Authors not reading the guidelines and familiarizing themselves with the types of books the line publishes.
If your line was a TV series, which one would it be?
For the small-town community feel, Gilmore Girls (one of my favorite shows!).
What’s your favorite part of being an editor?
I love discovering great new writers and working on books that make me excited to share them with the world.
What does your typical day look like?
On any given day I might work on an edit or review a copyedit, read a manuscript or proposal, write up a memo on a proposal or new manuscript that I’ve read, write up revision notes for one of my authors, talk to an author about a problem she’s having with a manuscript, review copy or review art information. Then there are all those pesky little housekeeping details like gathering front matter, checking and responding to emails and of course popping in on Twitter every now and then.
What’s the most recent book you’ve read for pleasure?
I’ve just finished reading Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner and The Spellmans Strike Again by Lisa Lutz and am currently reading Where We Belong by Emily Giffin.
Why did you become an editor?
Because I didn’t want to be a journalist after I graduated college. I’ve always loved reading, and once the idea of working in publishing occurred to me, I wondered why I’d never thought of it before.
Do you have any hobbies?
I like to travel, watch movies, buy more shoes and clothes than I have room for in my closet, eat cupcakes and pet my dog’s super-soft ears.
What type of character/plot are you DYING to see?
I love storms and weather disasters and any kind of really great twist.
Thank you, Shana, for sharing these details! You can also find Shana on Twitter at @Shana_Asaro where she tweets about books, writing tips, Love Inspired, and whatever is catching her attention at the moment!
