Think Harlequin for Romance Novels!
by Linda C. Butler
Do you think that all romance novels feature rich glamorous men and women and their escapades in exotic locations? Do you think that all romance novels are alike, and written by a formula with a predictable ending? Think again! Think Harlequin! Romance novels deal with romantic love between two people and have an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending, but can also deal an extensive range of topics. Harlequin, a global leader in romance fiction, and has many different imprints to appeal to a wide range of tastes.
Do you like mystery? Harlequin has a “Worldwide Mystery” category. If Science Fiction is your preferred genre, think LUNA, Harlequin’s imprint for other worlds. Readers of contemporary, Christian oriented romance think Steeple Hill but if you prefer a spicier read, then reach for the Spice category. Want to read about Afro-Americans or other cultures? Check out the Kimani Press. For a good read check out MIRA books, Harlequin’s single title line, with many of the authors on the best seller list. E-books are now available in many titles. Wherever women shop, they are reaching for Harlequin books.
Harlequin romance novels have grown since they started their series lines in the 1960s and today they publish over 115 titles a month in various lines written by over 1,300 authors in over 25 languages and in 94 international markets. The series lines are replaced each month, so the self-life for a series novel is short. Books in the single-title imprints, such as MIRA, have a much longer self-life.
If you are a writer of romance, Harlequin is a great place to submit your novel. They accept manuscripts without an agent in many of the categories, which is a great opportunity if you are breaking into the market. Harlequin wants to build long-term relationships with their writers and to encourage them to continue writing and submitting their work. They are concerned about careers as well as books. Likewise, Harlequin values their readers and wants to provide them with stories from their favorite authors.
Harlequin’s website: www.eharlequin.com offers advice to beginning writers and offers a critique service where you can submit a manuscript for a fee and receive comments back.
If you are a web designer, Harlequin offers an affiliate program where you can display their books on your website and receive a commission on sales.
Harlequin wants to hear from their readers and writers and their site offers blogs to discuss favorite authors, and also to tell Harlequin what you’d like to read in future romance novels.
Romance novels offer a universal appeal to an emotional love connection between two people and if you write romance, Harlequin is a great place to submit your manuscript. If you are successful, your novel may be translated to other languages and be available on store shelves in many different parts of the world. It is a great way for a beginning novelist to build a readership and to gain exposure.
