Novel Idea Two writers followed their passion for romance . . . and ended up with a love story of their own.

What: Personalized romancenovels
Who: J.S. Fletcher and KathyNewbern of YourNovel.com
Where: Raleigh, NorthCarolina
When: Started in 1992

Who knew regular people could star as protagonists in romancenovels? Upon hearing a friend's passing comment about the idea,writers J.S. Fletcher, 52, and Kathy Newbern, 46, decided it wouldmake a great business. After purchasing a computer and a printer,the two launched YourNovel.com and immediately set out to writetheir first customized romance novel.

Initially, the partners used simple search and replace commands,but today they use a custom-made software program to personalizeeach book. Since 1992, they've written 10 novels together underthe pen name Fletcher Newbern; customers can choose either wild(steamy scenes) or mild (hugging and kissing) versions. They'veeven released a book written by the winner of their romance novelcontest.

Customers who log on to the Web site simply fill out aquestionnaire, which gathers such data as names of characters (realor imagined--the most popular bachelor is George Clooney) andromantic setting of choice (such as exotic Caribbean islands,cruise ships and North Carolina lodges). The order is then sent toan outsourced printer; the personalized book, featuring afull-color cover and professional binding, is shipped and receivedin a matter of days.

Last year alone, the company sold 6,000 copies. And althoughsales were $300,000 in 2001, the payoff for Fletcher and Newbernhas been more than just financial--they got married two years afterlaunching the business.

Cookie's Fortune

What: Fresh-baked cookiesdelivered to homes and offices
Who: Geoff Auslen and AndrewKoven of Geoff and Drew's Incredible Cookies
Where: Boston
When: Started in 2001

When Geoff Auslen, 35, and Andrew Koven, 33, went into businesstogether by purchasing the assets of an existing bakery, makingcookies was only part of their vision. Intent on leaving a lastingimpression with customers, the longtime friends added deliveryservices--to Boston-area dorm rooms, homes and offices--to themix.

Available until midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends, thecookie delivery service, which doles out fresh-baked cookies in sixflavors, has been a hit with customers, especially collegestudents. In an effort to boost growth even further, Auslen andKoven have since expanded the business to include cakes, pastriesand brownies as well as corporate sales of gift baskets and tinsand catering services for corporate parties and events. To date,success has been sweet: 2002 sales are estimated to hit$500,000.

Auslen and Koven say they plan to build the business one recipeat a time. "We're not out to beat the world just yet;we're out to make good cookies," Koven explains. Next up:adding a few new cookie flavors to the menu.

Contact Sources

• Geoff and Drew's Incredible Cookies
  http://www.geoffanddrews.com