We will have some of the Harlequin Historical Editors dropping in today. If you have questions for them, ask away. I am not sure about the timezone thing (it always confuses me) so it is possible they take questions later. But to start us out and just in case you haven’t read them before… Writing Guidelines for Harlequin Historical
Length: 70,000–75,000 words
Senior Editor: Linda Fildew
Editorial Office: UK
Historical Romances promise the reader richly textured, emotionally intense stories set in widely diverse historical time periods, from ancient civilizations up to and including the First and Second World Wars. Regency tales remain ever-popular and cover the range from drawing-room antics that scandalise the ton, to the salacious underworld inhabited by pickpockets and prostitutes, to the hazardous battlefields of the Peninsular War.
Other popular periods range from Viking invasions through to the turbulence of the Middle Ages, from Elizabethan England to 20th-century families at war. Western American and Australasian settings are also welcome, with highly dramatic and emotional stories unfolding in the wilderness at society’s edge.
The central relationship is the key driving force, set against an accurate backdrop. Readers should feel as if they are there. These novels are for born storytellers with a love of history, who have the ability to bring a period vividly to life, and to create characters that involve and absorb the reader from page one.
I love reading Harlequin historicals. Is there a particular time period that seems more popular than others with readers?
Cheryl, like the guidelines say, Regency is very popular, but the great thing about HH is that the editors are prepared to consider any time setting as long as the story is good. Most other publishers won’t. Bit sad really. I miss medievals. I constantly see reader comments pleading for other time periods, but according to the publishers they don’t sell.
Of course a short while ago we were being told very loudly that historicals were dead. Can’t say it was noticeable!
Hi Cheryl
With the time difference between North America and the UK, I’d slipped home to watch the Andy Murray Wimbledon match – what a nailbiter! – yesterday evening when you posted your note.
As Elizath says, the Regency period remains globally popular – readers can’t seem to get enough of them. Also, in North America, the Western continues to sell incredibly well. Not so much the urban-based stories, it’s more the passions and dangers of the wild frontier which fuels readers’ imaginations. We do publish some strong Medieval books – dark age Vikings, through Norman Conquest up to the glories of the Tudor court – and these are particularly popular in our overseas markets such as Italy and Japan. As the guidelines say, we’re open to all periods of history. If you have a good story to tell, we want to read it.
Thank you so much for bringing Harlequin Historicals to TGTBTU! I write Regency myself, but I love to read about Medieval knights and a politically incorrect Vikings. 🙂
I’ve noticed HH selecting more raw, boundary pushing stories, and wanted to pass on my thanks. You’re doing a wonderful job.
I look forward to reading more here and from the shelves.
Thank you for your praise of HH. We do like to encourage authors to push the boundaries, experiment with time periods, take chances with their characters. What will sell us on a new author is ‘How strong is the voice?’ ‘Will HH readers get sucked into the story?’ ‘How deep is the all-vital emotional intensity and characterisation?’ If you love Vikings, you should look for Michelle Styles’ VIKING WARRIOR, UNWILLING WIFE in December 08. She’s great at creating an authentic atmosphere with characters who will draw you in.
Thanks for the tip, Linda! I will keep an eye out for Michelle’s book. And thank you for pinpointing what draws you in and keeps you reading. Very helpful.
My question is about the querying process. Since the editorial office is in UK and I live in America, I’m guessing the proper way to SASE is with an IRC? But every time I go to my Post Office to get one, they don’t know what I’m talking about. Will you accept American stamps? Or will HH every start accepting email queries?
~Phyllis~
Phylllis —
Your Post Office should carry IRCs or International reply coupons. If the person at the counter does not know what you are talking about, demand to see a supervisor. The way to issue IRCs is in the manual. Every Post Office employee should be trained on the procedure.
US stamps are only good for posting things in the US.
One good way to save is to make sure that you write somewhere on the ms that it is okay to shred/recycle. Then you only have to provide the postage for the return letter.
If you visit eharlequin, you may be able to hook up with someone in the UK who is targetting the New York office and exchange stamps. I know that this has been done before.
And I am still blushing from Linda Fildew’s kind words about Viking warrior, Unwilling Wife…
Thanks, Michelle. I know I haven’t queried HH as much as I should, since I adore historicals, and most of the books I’ve written are historical. The reason I haven’t queried is because I hate arguing with my Post Office. I could train them on how to use the IRC. heehee I was just hoping that some day Harlequin would start accepting email queries. Maybe in the future…
Michelle, I’m going to have to check out your book. I do like Vikings, and I don’t see as many as I used to. A few of my author friends have written a Viking story, but they were told by publishers that Vikings are fading. Darn! They are some sexy men, if you ask me.
Currently, I just finished a Regency. I thought about querying HH, but the story is too long and I’d have to chop a bunch. I don’t dare because I don’t want my characters mad at me. Thankfully, agents are requesting this story.