As we’ve said before, Harlequin series editors need to buy 4 books a day to make next year’s commitment—and while we’ve got a group of talented and prolific authors, and dedicated senior editors who keep a close eye on inventory, sometimes some lines have more openings. We thought we’d spotlight a few for this month…
Do you have a book for us? These lines are particularly open at this time!
Love Inspired Suspense:
Due to the upcoming increase to six books, the Love Inspired Suspense team is certainly looking for new authors! Though you can check out the Writing Guidelines and the Harlequin Community for more areas, Executive Editor Tina James says she’d like authors to remember that the suspense needs to be evident from the very first page, that she’s looking for settings with interesting groups that lend themselves to suspense (like the K-9 unit!), and that the protector hero is always popular.
Harlequin Superromance:
Superromance books have broader scopes and mainstream themes to fill the higher page count. Senior Editor Wanda Ottewell is looking for stories that are meaty yet uplifting with a powerful romance. She’d love to see how you take stories with emotional resonance and give them new dimensions. Check out the Writing Guidelines and the Harlequin Community for more details.
Harlequin Heartwarming:
Heartwarming is still in its first full year of publishing original “clean” romances, and it’s brought on a number of new and compelling authors—as you have no doubt seen in this blog! Senior Editor Victoria Curran passionately supports these debut authors and the Heartwarming team has a great eye for spotting talent. Check out the Writing Guidelines and Community and see if your novel can deliver that romantic, inspiring (though not inspirational), warm and charming feel!
Harlequin Cosmo Red-Hot Reads:
These Red-Hot novellas are growing fast! So far there have been no first time author acquisitions, but HarlequinE Director Malle Vallik is open to changing that! A Harlequin Cosmo Red-Hot Reads story is like the magazine. Sexy, contemporary, featuring fun, fearless women taking what they want in the job and in bed! The Writing Guidelines and reading the novellas will give you some clues, but always keep in mind that your heroine is the type of woman who’d read Cosmo—and your story might be one that could inspire an article!
Depending on the month, these might change. But if you have a story for any of these lines you’ve been polishing, now is the time to send it in to the editors. They are eager and excited to make time for you!
Get reading–and writing!
2 replies on “What Harlequin Lines are Looking for Your Story this Spring?”
Ohhh, SuperRomance my fave line to read.
So in a few months I should be ready to send. 85k takes a bit of time to write!
Writing for LIS is a dream of mine!
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!