This is your last day to submit your contemporary sexy romance to the Harlequin Dare Blitz and get editorial feedback by May 4th!
All submissions must be in by Friday, April 20th at midnight EDT.
Here’s a quick reminder of what we need from you:
- A cover letter that introduces you and your book and includes any previous publishing credits, contest wins and affiliations.
- A synopsis that gives us a rundown of what happens in your book and how it ends.
- Your complete first chapter!
If we love what we see, we’ll invite you to submit further chapters. This isn’t a guarantee of publication, but upon reading further, we’ll consider acquiring your book or working with you to develop it to its fullest potential.
These romances are fresh, fast-paced, and scorching hot! The heroine should be fierce, the voice should be captivating, and the story should be sexy. For more information and editorial insights, make sure to read all our blog posts during the blitz, check out our guidelines, and follow our editors on Twitter (@kscheibling, @flonicoll, and @patiencebloom).
And here are some last minute tips to consider before you hit “Submit”:
- Can you pitch your DARE romance in two sentences? Make those the first lines of your cover letter. Give us the Who, What, Where: the hero and heroine, the hook, the setting.
- You’ve given us the teaser in your pitch. In the synopsis, let us know how the story develops and how the romantic conflict plays out—including the ending!
- Take one final look at your first chapter and proofread. If you have a friend or partner nearby, ask them to take a look for you. A fresh set of eyes may catch typos you’ve missed.
Oh, and don’t forget to celebrate! You’ve earned it!
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!