What is #MedicalBlitz?
Harlequin Medical are always seeking new authors to write for our line. We’re committed to finding and growing talent…and the #MedicalBlitz is your chance to become one of our authors! Send us your contemporary Medical submission between February 1st and Valentine’s Day, and you’ll get a fast-tracked response including editorial feedback by Friday, February 19th.
What makes a great Medical romance?
Medical romances are intense, uplifting romances set in the medical world. Our heroes and heroines are dedicated (delectable!) professionals who navigate the high stakes of falling in love in the pressured world of saving lives. We’re looking for fresh, contemporary voices who can deliver high-octane medical drama with a heart!
So what are the key ingredients for a perfect Medical?
- Strong, gorgeous medical professional heroes at the top of their game, with hearts of gold…and heroines to match!
- Heroes and heroines who work together in a medical setting – their working relationship and the medical drama helping to drive the romantic relationship. But they don’t have to both be doctors – our line features a full range of professionals from surgeons to paramedics to midwives.
- Contemporary, international settings. We’re looking for glitz and glamour in big cities in particular. And remember, the medical setting should be integral to the romance!
- An emotionally intense read, ranging from the traditional to the ground-breaking! We’re interested in innovative emotional conflicts as well as traditional emotional themes developed in a unique way.
- The key focus of the story is the development of the romance between the hero and heroine.
- A range of sensuality from intensely passionate to warm and tender.
- Well-researched medical detail. We don’t need to see every suture (!), these are romances after all, but we do want a compelling sense of the medical drama your hero and heroine find themselves in.
- Give rein to your own unique style! We advise that you read widely from the line to discover more about Medicals, but don’t try to imitate things we’ve seen before – write the story you want to, and let your authentic voice shine through.
- Our books are 50,000 words.
What would the Medical team editors like to find in the blitz submissions?
Sheila Hodgson, Senior Editor — “A Medical Romance set in a transplant unit (particularly children’s).”
Laura McCallen, Assistant Editor — “A story set in an entirely new location for Medical Romance. Moscow, Singapore, Alaska – the possibilities are endless!”
Tilda McDonald, Editorial Assistant — “A Medical Romance which captures all the drama of the A&E!”
From February 1st to February 14th you can send in your submission by going to https://Harlequin.Submittable.com and clicking on ‘#MedicalBlitz Submission Fast Track!’
Good luck and happy writing – the Medical team are excited to read all your fabulous submissions!
Any questions? Comment below and we’ll do our best to answer.
8 replies on “Submitting to #MedicalBlitz: What we’re looking for…”
Should you submit the entire manuscript or the first three chapters?
Hi Kim,
We’re only looking for the first chapter in this submission fast-track, but if your chapter shows promise for the Medical Romance line then we might request to see more! Don’t worry if you don’t have the whole manuscript already prepared, we’re happy to see first chapters from works-in-progress too. You can find more information here: http://www.writeforharlequin.com/2016/01/medicalblitz-announcement/ (under the sub-heading ‘Here’s how it works’).
– The Medical Romance Team
I have several books in the works but wasn’t sure if you still like alternate medical professions like Paramedics or home health or lab heroes or heroines. Just want to know which one to finish and polish. 🙂
Hi Mary Alice,
We’d be excited to see any types of medical professionals – diversity is encouraged! So feel free to explore whichever roles capture your imagination.
– The Medical Romance Team
I’m not familiar with large cities since where I live isn’t large at all. Now 25 minutes away from me is a large city which is Charlotte, NC but I hardly ever go there. Does write what you know still stands? Or whether write about places you are familiar with?
Hi Kisha,
Movies and books are great sources of inspiration for writing about the glitz and glamour of a big city if you don’t live in one yourself – but if you feel more comfortable setting your story in a small town, then by all means do. We’re open to a variety of settings, as long as the writer’s voice captures our imaginations!
– The Medical Romance Team
Hi. I clicked on the http://Harlequin.Submittable.com #sthash.es85cIJr.dpuf tab and it took me to the submissions website, however I didn’t find the #MedicalBlitz Submission Fast Track!’ tab to click on
Hi Oladoyin,
That’s because submissions for the contest aren’t open yet. The link will go live on February 1st and you can submit then!
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!