Conferences

Harlequin editors attend writers’ conferences throughout the year to meet authors, hear story pitches, speak on panels, and participate in Editor Q&A sessions – in person and virtually. Here’s a run-down of recent and upcoming events.

Be sure to check the writing guidelines for Harlequin romance lines to help you prepare to pitch your story to an editor. You can read editor bios on the Meet the Editors page.

Two women sitting at a table, one facing the camera and the other facing away

Crime Writers of Color
January 15, 2024

Emma Cole, Associate Editor for Harlequin, will meet virtually with CWOC members to talk about writing romantic suspense. Check their website for more information.


Chicago North Romance Writers Spring Fling
April 18-20, 2024

Jennifer Macey, Assistant Editor in Harlequin’s London office, will be available for virtual pitch sessions on April 20. Jenny acquires for Harlequin Historical Romance, Harlequin Medical Romance, Harlequin Presents, and Harlequin Romance. Check the Spring Fling conference website to see what’s on Jenny’s submissions wish list.


Readers Take Denver
April 18-20, 2024

Lynn Raposo, Assistant Editor for Canary Street Press and Graydon House Books, will attend Readers Take Denver for a publishing spotlight, pitch appointments and networking. Check the conference website to see what Lynn is interested in acquiring and visit the websites for Canary Street Press and Graydon House Books to learn more about these imprints.


The Festival of Literary Diversity
April 28-May 5, 2023

Harlequin is excited be a part of The FOLD 2024, Canada’s leading festival for diverse authors and storytellers. Visit Harlequin’s virtual booth at the festival marketplace on opening day for information about our romance and fiction publishing programs. Check the festival website for details.


Romance Slam Jam
July 11-13, 2024

Harlequin is thrilled to be involved in RSJ’s Virtual Romance Book Convention for 2024. We are excited to meet with writers at sessions before and during the conference:

  • Pre-conference webinar on June 6: Spotlight on Harlequin Medical and Historical Romance. Fans of Bridgerton and Grey’s Anatomy take note! If you are interested in writing medical romance or historical romance, join Harlequin’s London editors, Laurie Johnson and Hannah Rossiter, for the scoop on what readers – and editors! – are looking for in these Harlequin lines.
  • Conference session: Writing craft workshop on creating emotional intimacy in your romance novel
  • Pitch appointments: Editors Dana Grimaldi (Harlequin Heartwarming) and Emma Cole (Harlequin Intrigue) will welcome story pitches via Zoom for all Harlequin Series. Please read the writing guidelines before you pitch to know which romance line is best suited to your story.

Check the conference website for registration information and details.


Romantic Novelists’ Association Annual Conference
August 9-11, 2024

Editors from Harlequin’s London office are looking forward to joining writers at this annual conference. They will take part in in-person story pitches and give an overview of the wide variety of romance stories Harlequin acquires for its romance lines. Check the conference website for full details.

Participating editors:

  • Laurie Johnson, Editor
  • Jenny Macey, Associate Editor
  • Laurie and Jenny acquire stories for Harlequin Medical Romance, Harlequin Romance (True Love), Harlequin Presents (Modern), and Harlequin Historical Romance. Writers are welcome to pitch romance stories in other romance genres and will direct writers to the most suitable series.
  • Read the writing guidelines for all romance lines on Harlequin.Submittable.com before you pitch

Romance Writers of Australia
August 16-18, 2024

Australian romance writers will gather for this annual conference, dubbed “Trope Actually” for 2024. Longtime Harlequin fan favorite, BJ Daniels, will share her extensive experience writing romantic suspense and Harlequin editors will take story pitches via Zoom.

Participating editors:

  • Based in London, Charlotte Ellis, Acting Senior Editor for Harlequin Presents, and Jenny Macey, Associate Editor for Harlequin Medical Romance and Harlequin Romance, welcome story pitches for Harlequin Presents (Modern), Harlequin Romance (True Love), Harlequin Medical Romance and Harlequin Historical Romance.
  • John Jacobson, Associate Editor, acquires spicy, contemporary romance novels in the 65-75,000 word length for Afterglow Books, Harlequin’s newest series.
  • Allison Lyons, Senior Editor for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, is interested in romance-focused stories with a thrilling suspense element.

Please read the writing guidelines for all Harlequin romance lines posted on Harlequin.Submittable.com before requesting a pitch appointment. Visit for conference website for more information.


ACFW
September 5-8, 2024

Editors Tina James and Melissa Endlich will represent Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense at this annual conference. They will offer a publishing spotlight on Love Inspired, take pitch appointments, and look forward to networking with ACFW attendees. Check full schedule on the conference website.


Faith, Hope and Love Christian Writers
September 27-29, 2024

Shana Asaro, Editor for Love Inspired, will attend this event in Phoenix for sessions, pitches and networking with authors. See website for details.


Pacific Northwest Writers Association
September 2024

Harlequin Executive Editor Kathleen Scheibling and an editor for MIRA Books will attend this multi-genre conference for workshops and sessions, pitch appointments and networking. See the conference website for details and schedule updates.


Georgia Romance Writers Moonlight and Magnolias
October 3-5, 2024

Harlequin Editor Kathryn Lye will attend this conference for sessions, networking and pitch sessions. Kathryn acquires for Harlequin Heartwarming and is a guest editor for several Harlequin lines. An experienced Harlequin editor, Kathryn welcomes pitches for all Harlequin Series. Read the writing guidelines before you pitch to know which romance line is best suited to your story.