After five fantastic years of Harlequin’s SYTYCW bootcamp and contest, we know full well how much aspiring authors love an opportunity to submit their work directly to a Harlequin editor with a guaranteed turnaround time.
So, for 2016 we have decided to take a different approach! Regular followers of the SYTYCW blog will have noticed some exciting new developments on it this year, namely the introduction of series-specific Blitzes – so far, we’ve had Medical, Desire, Heartwarming and Historical Blitzes, as well as a Love Inspired Manuscript Match, and it’s not even June yet! They have been immensely popular, and we’ve been thrilled with the number, and quality, of entrants’ submissions.
Rather than building towards one annual SYTYCW contest, and because we’re actively looking to acquire authors year round, in 2016 we will be focusing on these series-specific contests instead. This means we’ll be able to focus on one series at a time, giving authors as much in-depth information as possible. What’s more, submissions will land straight on the desk of the acquiring editors for a particular series, and it won’t need to be a full manuscript!
We’re really excited about these more targeted contests, and we hope you are too. Make sure you’re following @HarlequinSYTYCW, and keep your eyes on this blog, for all the latest updates about upcoming submission opportunities.
In the meantime, if you just can’t wait, submit to your chosen series via Submittable here!
Happy Writing!
The Harlequin Editors
21 replies on “SYTYCW Announcement”
Would it be possible to know in advance the upcoming Blitzes so that we can focus a few months ahead and polish our manuscripts?
Yes, what Patsy says. I would have had a Historical ready if I had known far enough in advance that it was coming. Historicals is one of my favorites and I was sad not to be able to participate.
Hi Patsy, Kimber,
Absolutely – we’re working on a calendar of blitzes as I type, which we’ll aim to share ASAP.
Thanks!
Flo & the SYTYCW Editors
Sad to see SYTYCW go – but I love the idea of multiple line-specific blitzes. Hurrah! Would love to see a vague schedule, so we can see when “our” line’s events are coming up, and begin to gather ideas, but obviously understand if surprise is an important part of the approach.
We’re working on it, Rachel! We’ll aim to share as soon as we have this information available.
Flo & the SYTYCW Editors
Personally I prefer the targeted contests because your story won’t get lost amidst entries that aren’t Harlequin-specific.
Glad you’re excited, Marcie – we are too 🙂
Flo & the SYTYCW Editors
As a writer who has been excluded fron Sytycw due to residency issues I was very happy to read this news! But I agree… It would be great to know in advance.
We agree, and we’re working on it, Andrea!
Flo & the SYTYCW Editors
So exciting!
Yay, glad you’re excited too, Ellay!
Flo & the SYTYCW Editors
Ditto on Patsy’s thoughts. A schedule of the planned Blitzes for the year would be great. I’ve been patiently waiting for another Romance Blitz (since the Christmas one in 2014). Oh, and Kimani would be great too. 🙂
Hi Marna,
Great to hear you’re keen on Harlequin Romance and Kimani – we’ll have to see what we can do to organize some blitzes for you!! The series spotlights aren’t related to the blitzes, they’re just general info so authors can target the series all year round.
Flo & the SYTYCW Editors
Wait, are the Series Spotlights hints as to what is coming up next?
Excellent new approach!!
Glad you’re on board, Laurie!
Flo & the SYTYCW Editors
That’s brilliant news, Flo! If you have been receiving a lot of great submissions to the # Blitzes so far, I imagine you will be inundated in the future!!!!
Sounds great! Thanks for the opportunity.
This is amazing news!
Wonderful development! “Specialization” will give the writers the focus on their chosen line while keeping the contests coming regularly all year long will ensure that nobody will miss an opportunity for too long. Thank you SYTYCW team! Very excited and impatienly awaiting the schedule of individual contests. Greetings from Houston 🙂
I love these. I missed the historical 🙁 I had to send later.
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!