Update on HARLEQUIN/SILHOUETTE - from RWA National 2007 - part 3

*** From Cindi Myers’ eNewsletter *** 

We’ll start with a look at the Harlequin Single Title Spotlight from the Romance Writers of America conference. Diane Moggy, Director, Global Single Titles served as moderator for this workshop, which covered Mira, HQN, Red Dress Ink, Luna and Spice. She started off by announcing that in the first six months of 2007, Harlequin single titles have been on the NYT bestseller list for a total of 101 weeks, an increase of 15% over the same time period in 2006.

Senior Editor Valerie Gray spoke about Mira Books. Mira has been around 13 years. She characterized Mira as a “relationship-focused line.” All of the stories have something to do with relationships. “We examine the human condition in whatever area the story is taking place.” Mira’s roots are in romance, although they publish a lot of genres, including thrillers, historical fiction and contemporary literary fiction. Most of the books do have a romantic thread in them, though they are not romance. Mira titles have “great stories with complex characters and situations.” Mira takes risks editorially and creatively. They don’t want “run of the mill stories.” They are looking for “thought-provoking stories that will resonate with readers.“ They are always looking for new authors and new voices and have published several new authors in the past year. Currently, they’re looking for 5 main types of books: relationship novels (women’s fiction), thrillers, historical fiction (not historical romance), paranormal fiction, and commercial literary fiction. The editors are very selective and work with agented authors only.

Editor Tara Parsons spoke about HQN. “HQN is the place for big romances.” They publish all kinds of romance — contemporary, historical, paranormal, and romantic suspense. They publish primarily in mass market paperback, along with some hardcover and trade books.  HQN covers have changed in the last year, trying for a more sophisticated and distinctive look. She urged authors to look at the current list to see if their book fits in with what HQN is already publishing. She suggested in pitches that authors point out how their book is similar to a book on the list, but also how it is significantly different. HQN works primarily with agented authors, but will look at queries only from unagented authors.

Editor Kathryn Lye presented the portion of the workshop devoted to Red Dress Ink. Red Dress Ink is devoted to contemporary chick lit. They publish one title a month in trade paperback. In he past year they had two debut authors in the line. They are buying new submissions but are very selective. They do have quite a full inventory right now. They are primarily interested in books aimed at 18-24 year old readers. RDI will consider query letters only from unagented authors.

Associate Editor Margo Lipschultz provided information on Luna. Luna publishes up to 12 titles a year. The line publishes single title fantasy with romantic elements, primarily in trade paper. Right now they publish primarily urban fantasy and other world fantasy. The books focus on a strong female protagonist who is coming to terms with some sort of magical power. They’re looking for believable world-building, accessible fantasy story lines and a strong romance.  They are striving to appeal to both the core fantasy audience and romance readers and mainstream readers. They like new ideas and fresh voices. They’re looking for loosely-linked series of stand-alone books with strong female leads. Luna will consider proposals and sample chapters from both agented and unagented authors.

Susan Swinwood (formerly Susan Pezzack) spoke about Spice, Mira’s erotic fiction imprint. Spice launched in May of 2006. They’re looking for erotic fiction — very, very sexy. Graphic and explicit sexual content with an exceptional story. They’re definitely open to submissions, but are selective. They want very high quality. They don’t require a romance in the stories. The stories should be female focused. There are no real boundaries. Her only caveat is that while characters may have same-sex experiences, they should be primarily heterosexual. Spice Briefs launched in August. Spice Briefs are erotic short stories — 5000-15,000 long — published exclusively as ebooks. Submit Spice Briefs online at spicebriefs@harlequin.ca. They publish two Spice Briefs per month.  For Spice, Susan prefers to see a full manuscripts, but will look at chapters and a synopsis. 90,000 - 110,000 words.

For all the above imprints, writer’s guidelines are available at www.eharlequin.com (go to the very bottom of the page and click on Writer’s Guidelines.)

***From Cindi Myers eNewsletter. Subscribe by sending a blank email to cynthiasterling-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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