Recipe for the perfect Harlequin Special Edition
Have you always wondered what ingredients go into a great Harlequin Special Edition? Here’s the recipe for a stellar Special Edition novel:
- Start with one sexy hero. Whether he’s a hometown single dad, a big-city billionaire, or a dashing rancher, he’s sure to make the reader – and the heroine! – swoon.
- Add in a heroine who complements the hero and balances him out. From small businesswomen to cowgirls, the ladies of Special Edition are smart, savvy, and looking for happily-ever-after – whether they know it or not!
- Toss in some family elements. Your characters don’t have to have kids themselves to be looking for a forever family – maybe they’ll find just what they need in each other’s arms! But we do love adorable children popping up in our stories, adding conflict and perhaps even playing matchmaker.
- Create a convincing community. Whether it’s a cute canine or funny local shop owner, don’t forget to build a sense of home around your hero and heroine. They don’t have to live in a small town to have a realistic group of friends and acquaintances surrounding them.
- Drop in some hooks. From secret babies to surprise pregnancies, cowboy characters or second-chance sweethearts, we love tropes work for all romance readers. Fresh twists on classic hooks are key.
- Simmer to ensure the conflict and romantic tension remain on “high” until the end of the book. Of course, the book doesn’t have to start out with the hero and heroine realizing their mutual attraction, but make sure their relationship develops and progresses over the course of the novel.
- Check your temperature – and your word count. Special Edition features a wide range of sensualities, from sweet to sexy, in our books. Also, be careful your manuscript doesn’t runneth over. Special Editions typically run between 55-60,000 words.
- Top it off with a happy ending! After all, what’s romance without the hero and heroine riding off into the sunset together?
Special Edition Team
Senior Editor: Gail Chasan
Editor: Susan Litman @susan_litman
Editorial Assistant: Carly Silver @CarlyASilver
2 replies on “Series Spotlight on… Harlequin Special Edition!”
Thanks so much for this Gail, Susan and Carly. And thank you Flo for the link and Barb for sharing. I wrote a book that may fit SE except for the word count. It’s shy of 45,000 finished. Perhaps the next one!
Thanks Tricia! Best of luck with your next book!
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!