We're the Harlequin Romance editors and we are actively looking for new voices to join our group of talented authors, so we're here today to tell you about the series we acquire for. We'll also be holding an online chat this Wednesday between 10-11 am at the Harlequin community, so pop online for a chance to ask the team any questions!
And it just gets betterwe're excited to say that after the chat on Wednesday, we'll be launching a fast track submission period! Anyone who sends us their first chapter and synopsis between 14th March and 23rd April will hear back from us less than ONE MONTH after the closing date, before the 18th May.
The email address to send your submission to is romancefasttrack@hqnuk.co.uk Please attach your first chapter and short synopsis to the email as well as a short query letter, letting us know how much of the manuscript is complete. Please note, we'll be looking at only one submission per person.
Without further ado, let's get to grips with what the Harlequin Romance team is looking for! We acquire for both Harlequin Romance and some of the books from Harlequin Presents Extra. Let's kick off with a look at the world of Harlequin Romance.
We offer readers a romantic, uplifting, contemporary story that captures the thrill and rush of falling in love. However, the tone of the series varies quite a lot from traditional and emotional with well-loved romantic themes, to fun and flirty lighter reads.
For the softer, more emotional, romantic end of the series, the heroine is really the key. Readers need to be able to relate to her, laugh with her, cry with her and imagine she could be their friend. Remember, it's through the heroine's eyes that we fall in love with the hero!
Our heroes are alpha but attainable - they're not all super rich international tycoons (although some might be!). They're successful in their own right and should be a strong man our heroine would aspire to be with, the kind of man you would hope to meet in real life.
What about sensuality level? Well, these stories are certainly high on emotional and sensual tension but low on explicit sexual detail - that's left to the imagination.
So, from one fantasy to another here is Harlequin Romance's sassier side:
The lighter, flirtier end of Harlequin Romance offers a contemporary twist on classic themes. Here, 21st Century alpha males take centre stage, but they have to share it with their spirited, feisty heroines who always give as good as they get! You'll find editorial here which pushes the boundaries of usual series themes (check out Fiona Harper's Swept Off Her Stilettos, which is in the first person or Nikki Logan's Mr Right at the Wrong Time where the hero is married!). Every story has a high level of sensual tension, but with a low level of explicit detail, against a backdrop of fabulous, mostly urban, cosmopolitan settings. This is quintessential romance for the modern day!
As some of you may know, two of the flirtier, less traditional Harlequin Romance stories per month are published as part of the RIVA series in the UK, along with the sassier books from the Presents Extra series.
For this Presents Extra/RIVA editorial we are looking for edgy, sharply contemporary stories, which, like Harlequin Romance's sassier side, offer a fresh take on core romantic themes. These are glamorous, high octane books with irresistibly alpha heroes, who will meet their match in fabulous, feisty heroines. They are much higher in explicit sensual detail than the Harlequin Romance/RIVA stories, however the contemporary voice, mostly urban and glamorous settings and boundary-pushing editorial are the same.
Confused? Don't worry! Pop along on Wednesday and ask us questions - we'll be happy to explain! For now, there's one overriding thing to take away with you
No matter whether your story is flirty and edgy or warm and cosy, we're looking for stories that have happy endings and a sense of joyful escapism! Since these books are no more than 50,000 words, the main focus is the romance itself - whether your story is about a gorgeous rancher and a single mum, or a single girl in the city, it should be driven by the characters themselves and their growing feelings for each other.
It's goodbye from the Harlequin Romance team for now, but we can't wait to chat to you on Wednesday, or to read your entries!
