Nic Caws, Associate Editor
Everyone remembers their first date with Harlequin. It might have been hiding under the covers reading your first Harlequin book by flashlight, being offered your first job by the amazing Harlequin family, or even getting ‘The Call’ to say Harlequin wants to buy your book! Whatever size, shape and significance of that ‘date’, these are the moments that make being a part of Harlequin so special!
To us here on the Harlequin editorial team, making a date with Harlequin means more than just finding your perfect publishing match and being a part of the Harlequin brand – although of course this is SO important too! It means relationships with fellow authors and editors, those editorial partnerships which evolve over many years (and in some cases, many drinks!). It means being a part of a romance community, a place where you’re quite within your rights to claim searching for images of hot movie stars or glamorous 5 star hotels counts as ‘research’ (don’t pretend you haven’t…).
As editors, our aim is to ensure that every date you have with Harlequin is as thrilling and creatively inspiring as the first. And we want to hear all about your experiences! On July 20th we’ll be tweeting all our favorite ways to #MakeADateWithHarlequin and we’d love to see all yours, too! Show us your favorite spot to curl up with a Harlequin Romance, or post a pic of you and your editor bonding over lunch!
And if you want to find out more about how to #MakeADateWithHarlequin, join us at the Harlequin Series Spotlight at RWA Orlando, on Thursday July 27th at 4.30 p.m. EDT. I’ll be there along with Senior Editor Stacy Boyd and Assistant Editor Claire Caldwell. We’ll be going speed dating with the series lines, and finding out what kinds of stories Harlequin editors are looking for!
4 replies on “#MakeADateWithHarlequin at this year’s RWA Series Spotlight”
Hi Nic,
I’ve added Harlequin Series Spotlight to my schedule at the RWA conference! I’m very eager to hear all about the Harlequin Historical Series’ needs and requirements. I’ve written almost 60,000 words of my first draft of an historical set in 19th century Louisiana. I look forward to meeting you there!
Hi Amy,
Amazing! How exciting! I look forward to seeing you in Orlando!
My date is set. See you there!
Will there be any online writing blitzes or pitch contests coming up this year?
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!