If you saw our announcement last week, you know we’re currently on the hunt for inspirational romance for our brand-new limited series: Cold Case and Mountain Rescue!
That’s right, we want to see your gripping, tension-filled stories featuring characters on the precipice of danger, whether they’re beating the odds against nature to survive the wilderness or investigating old crimes where the trail to the truth has long gone cold.
We’re looking to acquire a wide range of stories, including those by diverse authors and featuring characters of all backgrounds. #OwnVoices stories are absolutely welcome!
We asked the editors what they’re looking for in particular and they gave us some great answers! Read on to find out what Johanna Raisanen, Leah Mol, and Evan Yeong are hoping to find in the submissions pile.
Johanna Raisanen (@jo_raisanen)
Will be looking for both Cold Case and Mountain Rescue stories:
- I love tortured heroes. Give him a redemption story and I’m all in!
- Really like seeing the heroine as a protector, or the one in charge.
- I’m a big fan of reunion stories. Nothing brings emotional conflict like a broken heart.
- For Cold Case, I don’t want anything too dark or twisted.
- It would be great to see some stories set outside of North America.
Leah Mol (@leahmol)
Will be looking for inspirational romantic suspense for our Cold Case series:
- I’d love to see some submissions that avoid using violence against women as a plot point.
- Diversity (on every level!).
- Complex “villains” – and I’d love to see a couple female villains.
- Conflict that focuses on social issues rather than nature or the elements (especially to differentiate from the mountain rescue stories).
Evan Yeong
Will be looking for inspirational romantic suspense for our Mountain Rescue series:
- Going last means that I have to echo Leah’s call for diversity (which encapsulates Joanna’s desire for active heroines)!
- Those of you who have participated in my Writing Challenges know I’m looking for writers who think outside the box (the trope of huddling for warmth WILL get old).
- Well-researched scenes of wilderness survival!
- Faith being a real, believable part of the character’s lives.
We look forward to reading all your stories. Please be sure to check out our Cold Case and Mountain Rescue guidelines on Submittable to learn even more about what we’re looking for.
Have a question about our new inspirational limited series? Join us on Tuesday, April 21st at 11 am in the Harlequin Writing Community on Facebook for a Q&A with the editors! Make sure you join the Facebook group in advance so you’re ready to go when we start. We look forward to seeing you there!
7 replies on “Inspirational Limited Series: A Manuscript Wishlist”
Will that be 11am Eastern time?
Hi Maurine! Yes, that’s EST.
Thank you, Evan, for your answer.
What is the deadline on this? Are you open to accepting proposals (synopsis + first three chapters) or strictly full ms?
I asked this before and if you aren’t already a Harlequin author it is fulls with synopsis.
I understand these are both limited, but are you still accepting submissions? Thanks in advance.
Hi Elizabeth,
This limited call is now closed. For current opportunities please see our writing guidelines at https://harlequin.submittable.com/submit.
Thanks!
Comments ( 7 )
I spent the entire shutdown working. Had no time to wind down. I didn’t see my son much when school shutdown. My one co worker was told to stay home for 3 weeks so I picked up her hours. This year has been really crappy.
Ugh, Janell. Here’s hoping the rest of your summer is better.
Thanks for the info, Carol! Everyone is different in how they deal with the shutdown! I stay at home all the time since I don’t work so I haven’t been too effected but my shopping and errands sure have been effected!
Valri, I’ve been doing most of my shopping online. My local Target is still low on some items – mostly cleaning supplies. Grocery store is pretty much back to normal. Most of the dining in our town is outdoor. I can’t imagine have school-age kids!
Wow–getting your creative process on track must have been daunting–especially with “extra-large dog” glad to have you home. You don’t like coffee–I love coffee and have enjoyed my fortifying 2 cups in the morning even more than usual! How as COVID affected your story lines and characterizations? Best Wishes for all releases!
Interesting question, Virginia. You’ll have to tell me if the tone of my “COVID” books changed any! LOL
Life has changed so much! My dad passed Feb 2. The assisted living facility my folks were at went into hardcore lockdown the beginning of March. Mom couldn’t leave her apartment for 4 months! She was on the third floor, Will be 89 in two months & doesn’t use the phone. My husband and I remodeled the lower level completely and moved her in with us July 1. What a life change and difficult transition for the 3 of us! But we’re working thru it!