Are you thinking about submitting to Harlequin’s Inspirational Cold Case romance submission call? We’re looking forward to seeing your stories!
Many authors have asked about submission deadlines for Inspirational Mountain Rescue and Inspirational Cold Case. This submission call isn’t a blitz, so you don’t have to rush a proposal to us in the next few weeks. However, publishing needs are always subject to change, and the opportunity to submit to Inspirational Cold Case and Inspirational Mountain Rescue may not be around forever!
So let’s get started!
You can check out the Inspirational Cold Case guidelines here for all the requirements, from word count and POV, to faith elements and story themes. A couple of points to highlight:
Romance is the focus
These are inspirational romances first and foremost. The cold case investigation provides the backdrop for the romance. The main plot must center on the hero and heroine falling in love, and there needs to be a strong internal conflict pushing them apart even as circumstances push them together.
The faith element is key
An element of faith must be present and integrated into the plot. How does the characters’ faith influence their actions or create emotional barriers to the romance? To see how authors weave faith into the plot, take a look at some recent titles from Love Inspired Suspense.
Deduction over danger
The crime plot should focus on the mystery, and the hero and heroine solving a crime, not on the suspense. Think, police procedural, rather than thriller. This gives you room to focus on the romance, as your hero and heroine interact during the investigation.
Ideas, ideas, ideas…
The writing guidelines on Submittable have some great examples of cold case stories and themes from movies and television. Here are some additional story hooks and themes to consider:
- Professions outside law enforcement, such as investigative journalist, forensics specialist, archeologist and historian.
- Family secrets: a family death or disappearance is seen differently in the light of new information.
- Haunted by the past: an investigator can’t let go of an unsolved crime.
- The outsider: the hero or heroine is convinced a crime has taken place, but no one else believes them.
- The witness: She saw something long ago that changed her life. She thought it was history…
Looking for even more ideas? Check out our Manuscript Wish List for themes, settings and characters our editors would love to see!
Questions?
If you have more questions, the Harlequin Writing Community is hosting an Editor Q&A on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, 11am-12pm ET for your Inspirational Cold Case and Inspirational Mountain Rescue questions. You must join the Facebook group to participate in the discussion. To join today, go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HarlequinWritingCommunity/
We’re excited you’re on the case!
8 replies on “Spotlight on: Inspirational Cold Case”
You’ve already answered some of my questions here. Thanks for this informative post.
Good to know I don’t have to hurry (because that never ends well), though I do need to get my idea on paper and plotted.
And like Maurine said – thanks for this informative post.
Thank you!
Quick question. Do you require debut authors to submit full manuscripts, or is the proposal request for everyone?
I’m not an editor, but I’m pretty sure new authors need to have a completed manuscript and short synopsis. That’s how it’s always been in the past unless specifically stated in the call.
Hi Sami! As Maurine says, we would need to see a full manuscript from a new author before acquiring. You are welcome to submit a complete synopsis and the first three chapters, but if an editor is interested, she will ask to see the full before making a decision to publish. Hope that helps!
Thank you!!
Yes, this is more informative than the guidelines on Submittable. For inspriation anyway. Thanks!
I can’t even express how pumped I am about this line.
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!