Participate in #HistoricalRomanceIncludesYou, our upcoming Twitter and Facebook pitch events for Harlequin Historical on December 3, 2020!
Have you been wanting to sweep readers away to another time? Do you have a larger-than-life rake, rogue or rebel taking shape in your mind? Or perhaps he’s a Viking bursting off the page with a sword and shield! We are looking for Historical Romance books from underrepresented authors that will immerse readers in the rich details of the past.
We’re specifically looking for Historical Romances set in any time period by underrepresented authors; perhaps featuring diverse characters and/or different perspectives on history. This could include characters of colour, different religious experiences and cultures but also includes all aspects of a diverse society.
The romance writing and reading community includes people of all backgrounds, communities and cultures who share an enjoyment of stories that celebrate love and happiness. Harlequin is committed to bringing readers a wide range of stories that reflect our diverse society.
This is an opportunity to showcase your story idea to the Harlequin Historical editors and maybe get some helpful feedback from Harlequin editors. You may even become our newest author!
#HistoricalRomanceIncludesYou is happening on Thursday, December 3, 2020 from 8am GMT to 8pm GMT. Here’s everything you need to know:
Chere Tricot from the Harlequin Historical editorial team will be monitoring the #HistoricalRomanceIncludesYou hashtag on Twitter for book pitches from own voices authors. Follow Chere Tricot on Twitter at @C_Tricot for updates and tips leading up to the #HistoricalRomanceIncludesYou Pitch event.
Carly Byrne from the Harlequin Historical editorial team will be monitoring the #HistoricalRomanceIncludesYou event on the Harlequin Writing Community Facebook group. Join the Harlequin Writing Community group on Facebook, select “going” to the #HistoricalRomanceIncludesYou event and post your pitch (500 characters max) to the event “Discussion” area.
If Chere or Carly give your pitch a “like” please send your first chapter and story synopsis to Harlequin Historical for review and submit it at Harlequin.Submittable.com. Be sure to include “Historical Romance Includes You” in the subject line, and make sure your submission is long enough. One chapter should be about 3000-5000 words.
All submissions will be read and responded to within 60 days.
Please choose only one social platform, Twitter OR Facebook, to post a pitch on. Please do not pitch your book on both platforms. Don’t worry, Chere and Carly will be reading every single pitch, so as long as you post it once, they’ll see it!
You’ll find the writing guidelines and word counts for Harlequin’s Historical series here. There is lots of information on the Write for Harlequin website to guide you on what the historical team are looking for, so check it out here.
These Twitter and Facebook pitch events are specifically looking for underrepresented voices who love to write Historical Romance. We welcome submissions from all authors at any time to Harlequin Historical via Submittable.
We can’t wait to see your pitches!
7 replies on “The Harlequin Historical Editors Want to See Your Historical Romance Pitches Today!”
Question: I would love to write a story set during the slavery era in America but fear I won’t get the POC right as far as backgrounds and inner thoughts. Is it possible for a non-POC to write a believable tale or should I let this one go?
I too have a question.
Would a pitch (this is a set of WIPs) sound like this?
Welcome to Redemption, a town in which both light and darkness are allies against the chaos and desires running amuck, but for the many noble houses’ alliances, love may be the most dangerous currency of all.
Thank you
The fact that your facebook group considers discussions about race to be “divisive” makes it an incredibly unsafe space for BIPOC. Shutting down conversations about race in a space about writing and where you’re explicitly asking for diverse pieces is just..bad. I was excited about this opportunity, and was preparing to submit my historical interracial romance, but will no longer be doing so. As a Black writer, I don’t trust your editing team, at all, to treat BIPOC creators with care.
Perhaps you should reevaluate yourselves and head over to WritingWithColor before proceeding with this offer.
Hi Ciara, thank you for your feedback. It seems that you may be referring to the guidelines on divisive topics for Harlequin’s writing community on Facebook. You raise an important point and we will review the guidelines of our Facebook community. We are working hard to make positive changes and appreciate hearing feedback on how we can improve.
Hi Ciara, we have revised our guidelines and appreciate you raising this concern with us.
Hi Harlequin Team!
How long after a ‘like’ on your pitch do you have to submit what is required?
Thank you.
I’m so upset with myself. I check this site so much for news about writing opportunities, but somehow I dropped the ball on this event. Will there be another event like this in the future? Also, is there alternative way to pitch? I do not have any kind of social media.
So exciting!
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!