This past Friday, we wrapped up the We Want Westerns Blitz for Harlequin Desire. First, a sincere thank you to everyone who submitted. We loved meeting your cowboy heroes and heroines!
During the submission period, which officially ran from January 22nd to February 5th, we received 40 submissions from all over the world. From this promising batch, we acquired 2 books, requested more material from two other authors, and we are still reviewing a handful of promising stories where we wanted to provide detailed feedback. If you submitted a Western after February 5th, we’re excited to read those too! We will get back to you in our normal three-month time frame.
We hope you’ll continue to query Harlequin Desire with your Westerns and other tropes. So here are some tips for your next submission:
- Develop the internal conflicts as much as, if not more than, the external obstacles. It’s the main characters’ personal goals that will create strong sensual tension and give the reader the emotional ride they love.
- Make sure the intense emotion and chemistry are the true core of the story. All the tropes can be there, but it’s the spark, that brings the characters’ attraction into focus.
- While there is a home for Western stories that skew more heartwarming and tender at Harlequin, Desire stories need to be dramatic and have high emotional stakes.
- Incorporating interesting and deeply layered hooks will set your premise apart—and it will raise the stakes for your couple on their way to the HEA.
We wanted to thank everyone again who participated, spread the word, and engaged with us online. It was a joy to read your query letters and stories and escape to the world of Westerns. And, as always, our submissions box is open all year ‘round!
Until next time,
The Harlequin Desire Team
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!