Harlequin Horizons

[pbray]

As someone who got my start writing romances (Zebra Regencies), I've been watching the developments with Harlequin Horizons with interest. If you haven't heard about it, here's a few links that explain what's happening.

Jackie Kessler analyzes the new venture and RWA's reaction.
Edited on 11-20-09 followup entry on Harlequin's response.

Smart Bitches, Trashy Books-- short blog post followed by hundreds of comments.

The always savvy Writer Beware weighs in.

Any bets on how long before an SF&F publisher follows Harlequin's example?

Comments

[lagilman]

Any bets on how long before an SF&F publisher follows Harlequin's example?


I doubt it -- there just aren't enough of us to make that a going concern, and this sort of thing requires an all-company mandate, not just a single imprint.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

You're probably right, the SF&F pool isn't big enough for the individual imprints to do this.

Romance is over 50% of the fiction market, but I suspect romance writers are an even larger percentage of the actively submitting unpublished writers pool, and most of them at least consider Harlequin at some point.

[mtlawson.livejournal.com]

Okay, for this non-romance reader, exactly how dominant is Harlequin in the business? I figure the only way they could hope to get away with this is because they are the 800 lb. gorilla in the room. (Or, if you're like me and in the IT field, the Microsoft in the room.)

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Harlequin is huge (but not as huge nor as profitable as they once were.) They dominate the category romance market (titles published by month for specific lines that are often sold in nonbook outlets such as supermarkets), and as I recall they publish over half the romance titles in the US, so they are not Microsoft dominant, but they're the major player.

And many romance authors have gone started their careers at Harlequin and then gone on to great things, so it's always been considered a good place to break in.

[mtlawson.livejournal.com]

They dominate the category romance market (titles published by month for specific lines that are often sold in nonbook outlets such as supermarkets)

Yeah, I noticed that. The last time I happened to be wheeling ye olde shopping cart past the book section in Kroger's, I had a hard time noticing anything other than Romance titles. Gone are the days when you could find some actual SF/F books at a supermarket (not written by J.K. Rowling, that is. Or Stephanie Meyer.)

[pbray.livejournal.com]

One more thing to think about, Harlequin is the parent company of the SF&F imprint LUNA.

[lagilman]

*sigh* Yes. Luna is sort of removed from all this, since most of us are SFWAns, not RWAns, but... it is being contemplated and talked about.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

:-( I can't imagine the editorial staff was thrilled by this, though naturally they are too professional to comment.

[mtlawson.livejournal.com]

Yes, that was my follow up question, actually.... What LUNA is saying about this.

[lagilman]

Luna (not LUNA, that's the protein bar) isn't saying anything -- you don't bite the corporate hand. Not more than once, anyway.


MWA just came out and announced that Harlequin books will not be eligible for the Edgar so long as Harlequin is considered "non-pro." SFWA hasn't made a statement yet, but our Pres tells me he is in discussions with the Board. So we'll see...

[pbray.livejournal.com]

:-(

[mtlawson.livejournal.com]

Luna (not LUNA, that's the protein bar)

Ouch. Brain fart.

Where's alcohol when you need it?

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

There is a variant of this in the UK already, although it is subjected to some editorial control. I haven't seen figures, but my impression is that it isn't too successful.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

It would be nice if this died a quick death because it was unprofitable, but there are so many people who are desperate to be published, that I'm sure they'll find some takers.

[scbutler.livejournal.com]

I think they'll find a ton of takers and make plenty of money. This is the start of the publishing minor leagues I've been talking about.

What they have to do is fully separate it from the Harlequin brand. I hear they already dropped the Harlequin name as their first response to RWA's shot across their bows.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Jackie's second blog entry had a good summary of Harlequin's reaction to the criticism pouring in.

[asterling.livejournal.com]

Well, I hope there are a few other writers organizations on board in the next day or so. They may choose to gamble that they can continue to attract good writers for their legitimate lines. I hope that's not the case. Certainly long-term success won't be theirs if all they have left for this business plan is people who have no contact with any other writers or groups - i.e. those who don't use the internet and aren't part of RWA or even close to it.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Mystery Writers of America issued their own statement denouncing the new venture, and specifying that Harlequin titles would no longer be eligible for their awards.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

MWA:

It is common for disreputable publishers to try to profit from aspiring writers by steering them to their own for-pay editorial, marketing, and publishing services. The implication is that by paying for those services, the writer is more likely to sell his manuscript to the publisher. Harlequin recommends the “eHarlequin Manuscript Critique Service” in the text of its manuscript submission guidelines for all of its imprints and include a link to “Harlequin Horizons,” its new self-publishing arm, without any indication that these are advertisements….If MWA and Harlequin are unable to reach an agreement, MWA will take appropriate action which may include removing Harlequin from the list of MWA approved publishers, declining future membership applications from authors published by Harlequin and declaring that books published by Harlequin will not be eligible for the Edgar Awards.

SFWA:

Until such time as Harlequin changes course, and returns to a model of legitimately working with authors instead of charging authors for publishing services, SFWA has no choice but to be absolutely clear that NO titles from ANY Harlequin imprint will be counted as qualifying for membership in SFWA. Further, Harlequin should be on notice that while the rules of our annual Nebula Award do not expressly prohibit self-published titles from winning, it is highly unlikely that our membership would ever nnominate or vote for a work that was published in this manner.

Already the world’s largest romance publisher, Harlequin should know better than anyone else in the industry the importance of treating authors professionally and with the respect due the craft; Harlequin should have the internal fortitude to resist the lure of easy money taken from aspiring authors who want only to see their work professionally published and may be tempted to believe that this is a legitimate avenue towards those goals.

Self-Publishing

[vespican.livejournal.com]

A few years ago when I realized that I was a writer, one of the first local groups I heard about was Spokane Authors and Self-Publishers. I joined, not for the self-publishing angle, but for the writerly comradery. As time has gone on, I've come to have a great deal of respect for those authors who do self-publish their own work. However, the majority of folks in SASP understand the limitations of being self-published, and understand that the dream of having a self-published book picked up by a major player is a true long shot.

Self-publishing isn't a route to the big time. It's more for the writer whose work has a small niche market. It might also be for the author who merely wants to see his book in print while having the chance to sell copies to family, friends, and others in the local area.

Currently SASP includes those who have (or will be) self-published. The group also includes those seeking publication by more traditional means. Currently we are trying to educate members as to what level or option of publishing best fits their work and their plans for it.

SASP's web-site is at www.spokaneauthors.org if anyone would care to take a look.
Dave

Re: Self-Publishing

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link. There are indeed many good self-publishing groups out there, and I know a number of writers who have self-published.

But obviously there's a huge difference between self-publishing and vanity press publishing outfits that are less interesting in helping authors publish books than they are in scamming authors out of every buck they can, by charging outrageous fees and offering misleading promises.

Re: Self-Publishing

[vespican.livejournal.com]

I totally agree. What is also great for the sel-published or small/independent press published author is a local bookstore that supports and promotes local authors.
Dave