And now we give you the last of Michelle Styles’ columns to date. Problem is, I (Devon) somehow neglected to notice that this is actually January’s column. Oops! No matter, there is some stuff that I was unaware of and will definitely be of interest to readers.
Join us in March for more from Michelle Styles!
TGTBTU’s Harlequin Insider: New in 2008
By Michelle Styles
January is a month of beginnings and this January is no exception. This column intends to bring you news of what is happening within Harlequin Enterprises, the world’s largest publisher of romantic fiction.
For any aspiring author, debut authors are very important to read. It is here that you are most likely to see the direction that the editors are taking the line. January sees the publication of Nocturne’s new author — Patrice Michelle. It is the start of her Scions series–entitled Scions: Resurrection — the next one will be released in May 2008. [Ed. Note: See Devon’s review and Alicia Thomas’ review.]
January also sees the expansion of the Presents line to twelve titles per month. Within these twelve titles, two Modern Heat titles will be included. Modern Heat was formerly known as Temptation. However, in the time that it has been abroad, the line has changed and has gained a whole new crop of authors and London-based editors.
As the writing guidelines say: Take an international city background that vividly conveys the sophistication and buzz of cosmopolitan life, an independent woman who knows what she wants from love and her career and a guy who’s very much an alpha male—charismatic, confident, gorgeously sexy—and you have the Modern Heat line. Recent settings have included: Hong Kong, London, New York City and Melbourne.
Modern Heat writers to seek out include Julie Cohen, Trish Wylie and Kate Hardy. Kate Hardy’s The Pregnancy Ultimatum is out this month. It was originally published in the UK as In the Gardener’s Bed. [Ed. Note: Ooh, ooh! I read a Kate Hardy that I really liked.] Kate got her start writing for Black Lace and she is also one of the Medical stars. Julie Cohen’s His for the Taking (originally Driving Him Wild) is a February release.
To help celebrate the expansion, the Presents editorial team is running a writing contest . The top prize is an editor for a year. There are several runners’ up prizes of a telephone consultation with an editor. Exactly who the editor will be has not been disclosed, but ALL the editors in the London office are excellent. Tessa Shapcott, the executive editor for the line, is known to produce legendary revision letters. The prize really emphasizes the Harlequin commitment to growing authors. Harlequin doesn’t simply buy books; they buy authors. Presents is also the engine that drives Harlequin. It is the most popular line worldwide. There is no limit to the times a person can enter BUT they are emphasizing Quality. The contest closes on 14 February. [Ed note: Ummm…hope ya’ll saw this already…oops.]
The I (Heart) Presents blog has lots of tips and helpful hints for anyone wishing to submit. In addition to the contest, the editors are still accepting submissions in the normal fashion: query letter, one to two page synopsis and, most importantly, the first three chapters.
The other big new look is at e-harlequin. In recent months, they have totally revamped the community portion of the site and it goes live on 2 January. The primary purpose of e-harlequin will still be to sell its books, but its community pages will have more of a social networking approach.
