tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post4230640151327430978..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Harlequin FailJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger267125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-50277709472576029732023-05-29T17:07:43.515-05:002023-05-29T17:07:43.515-05:00thanks much for this great info - much appreciate,...thanks much for this great info - much appreciate, as I'm seeking a literary agent. btw, I love anything to do with books & would be thrilled if you’d write a guest blog post for my site, which is for anyone who loves writing, books, and all the arts. If you think it might be fun or helpful to have my followers (who total about 10k across my various social media) meet you, here’s the link for general guidelines: https://wp.me/p6OZAy-1eQ - best - da-ALDaalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09710938238039411166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-21605275275861929122016-07-10T08:04:11.844-05:002016-07-10T08:04:11.844-05:00I've just submitted a chapter to Harlequin and...I've just submitted a chapter to Harlequin and they've made encouraging noises, asking me to submit three more for an evaluation. Only today did I think of googling what the actual pay/conditions are for an author. The first author I came across stated in their article that the pay was a 'private business' for each author, so thank god that you are open about it - this tendency among people to keep earnings private is a constant achilles heel that employers abuse. Only by sharing is it exposed. So thanks again!<br /><br />I am very confused now though how to go ahead. Is self-publishing a possibility if you are new author? How do you reach out to an audience that has never heard of you? I'm not even on twitter. <br /><br />Or is it best to go with Harlequin to start with (i.e. is there a way to sign the contract that minimises the damage while you benefit from the PR?). It should be added that English is my second language so the access to an editor that correct my errors is presently appealing.<br /><br />Really really appreciate any guidance, as I have never signed a contract in my life. It sounds daunting...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16195788749437203995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-88979340243772901212016-03-04T16:29:48.895-06:002016-03-04T16:29:48.895-06:00Stumbled on this again by accident. I know it'...Stumbled on this again by accident. I know it's super old, but if anyone needs the mystery of why Harlequin sells so badly in ebook, they BLOCK a lot of the world from buying their ebooks from Amazon, or their own digital website. I know this has to do with agents, licensing rights and all that, and someone called me stupid for not getting that authors get nice whacks of money if an agent can sell the rights to different countries, but be that as it may, it still means that lots of readers around the world are blocked from buying ebooks when they want them and that means a LOT of lost sales. If the same author puts the book out herself she makes money from anyone in the world who wants to buy.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04524682409287443810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-81386147458282177162016-01-10T17:16:28.422-06:002016-01-10T17:16:28.422-06:00What would you tell an author who has written thei...What would you tell an author who has written their first book? How do they get their foot into the industry?<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06268161528277177094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-23592074993157456572015-12-03T00:54:22.383-06:002015-12-03T00:54:22.383-06:00I am a new author. I value the info on Harlequin....I am a new author. I value the info on Harlequin. Do you think it still might be a good idea to start with Harlequin...when one is a newbie...I don't have anything published yet. Maybe have a few books published and under my belt as I learn more about self publishing...then go out on my own with more experience?!?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00989458500909899816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-829487891671012342015-08-16T18:14:58.135-05:002015-08-16T18:14:58.135-05:00Is it fair to say that writing for Harlequin turne...Is it fair to say that writing for Harlequin turned out quite profitable for those authors who decided to take their platform and turn indie. Would it have been possible to gain such success after leaving the company if you didn't get a start there? It sounds like they helped build that platform. I'm only asking because I wonder how many writers would leave and build a successful writing career from scratch if they didn't already have the readership built via Harlequin.Jo Vracahttp://www.jovraca.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-57615392930657803602015-08-10T08:39:13.832-05:002015-08-10T08:39:13.832-05:00Bless you Joe,for this!I had no idea.And here I wa...Bless you Joe,for this!I had no idea.And here I was thinking of seeing if I could get a deal with this very company.But saw Amazon's Kindle direct publishing and decided to compare the two and came across you post.Thank you for this!Thank Ms.Ann for telling her story.This has been HUGE help.Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-36912723739485324102015-07-18T09:10:44.320-05:002015-07-18T09:10:44.320-05:00Harlequin are doing a contest on wattpad, and I am...Harlequin are doing a contest on wattpad, and I am worried. I am worried because Wattpad has so many young, talented authors who could get suckered by Harlequin. (And Harlequin knows this). Most wattpad users are teenagers or young adults and romance-readers. They don't know what these big trad publishers are up to and aren't wise enough to read the fine print. I shudder at the implications. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-46836101678055231632015-06-19T08:01:31.665-05:002015-06-19T08:01:31.665-05:00I've admired Harlequin and written for over 10...I've admired Harlequin and written for over 10 years. I confess it’s more hassle than fun half the time to write for them. I'm yet to be accepted after ten years! Its a hard deal and the fact of life for most writers but its the hassle and red tape elements they put on the process that really make it hard. I entered their Christmas challenge contest in 2014 and gained interest in my soul surviving novel Snowbound: Christmas (a festive intrigue) for six months I've been Homeless writing the rest of the book in every unpleasant place and hide away I can find forever holding out hope that the interest in my book gained at Christmas might mean I've got the leg in the door. But they just told me that the contest was only for one soul category now mine gained interest as an intrigue (clearly stated) but is now unacceptable to that category due to not being made aware of this restriction at the start. Something that's left me without a leg to stand on in my hopes and left me with no foot in the door or any hope of getting anywhere any time soon with them. I still maintain they sell some really good books, I still love writing and have been through worse writer heartbreak than this to be stopped by this latest disappointment. But learning the costs and cut corners of Harlequin I'm really beginning to question their worth as a publisher. After all the good books they sell are owed to the writers. To think they are to getting the amount they are worth is despicable. <br />I've read many of Ann Voss Peterson's work, she's brilliant and I agree writhing intrigue romance is the best of both worlds. Stumbling upon this has left me with lots to think on. My only heartsick worry is for an unsolicited writer, what other publisher on this Isle I live on, will have me? I, like Ann, have little means to afford much of anything. I need to be published but is it worth signing with such a seemingly untrustworthy publisher? If I even get the chance. And if ever they discover this questionable post I suspect they won't ever make an offer but I believe in free speech so long as it's respectful. Now I’m not saying they are a horrible company only that I'm beginning to question their practice and where I want my precious novel to be given to.<br />Is there anything wrong in that? <br /> Eliana Robinsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-61659589290868646742015-06-15T13:11:36.673-05:002015-06-15T13:11:36.673-05:00I'm sorry to be stumbling in three years after...I'm sorry to be stumbling in three years after this post was written, but I wanted to thank you for writing it. Great information! I am wanting to get published and Harlequin used to be the "go-to" publisher for those starting out. It's good to know I have choices. I will also be looking to download a copy of Ms. Voss' books. JCEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02600934973381606458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-20638222813467248772014-10-03T18:11:46.303-05:002014-10-03T18:11:46.303-05:00http://www.thepassivevoice.com/05/2012/many-author...http://www.thepassivevoice.com/05/2012/many-authors-are-able-to-make-a-living-with-their-writing-with-harlequin/<br /><br />I believe that post was referring to this article. it comes across that way anyway. I found this article very interesting and informative, the one I linked to is a load of bigoted rubbish. Hopefully newbies considering publishing with HQ come across this article first, although the comments do a pretty good job of putting the original author of that post in his place :) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-34495487897467258192014-04-08T14:05:27.188-05:002014-04-08T14:05:27.188-05:00I've had various people shoving the Evil Harle...I've had various people shoving the Evil Harlequin concept in my earhole for quite awhile now. Warning me about how Harlequin pays almost nothing. Do I care? Nope. I plan to submit to Harlequin very soon. I don't care about the money. I have never been someone motivated by greed. I want the prestige of the Harlequin name on my book. That's it. Whenever you see a woman reading a romance, it is always a Harlequin. You ask anyone who doesn't know very much about the publishing business "Hey, what's she reading over there?" The response is usually "It has a couple on the cover, it must be a Harlequin." It doesn't matter if it is Avon, Amazon, Entangled, Zebra or an actual Harlequin. The Harlequin name has become synonymous with romances. As a male writer trying to break into the romance set, it is imperative that I publish with Harlequin. I have set the bar at Harlequin. I view it as sort of basic training. I learn about the industry in a semi-safe environment, earn a reader base and earn the right to label myself a published Harlequin author. I know before going in that Harlequin is going to rape me on the contract and money. I accept this. I am ready for it. I plan to use them as a stepping stone to start my career just as much as they will be exploiting me. After I am published with Harlequin, then I will take an easy breath and start looking at my other options. Until then, I will consider myself a success if I can put my signature on just one paperback that has the name Harlequin on it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16731098241531090624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-53573875741516158392013-11-15T06:07:15.746-06:002013-11-15T06:07:15.746-06:00Good job with the post. Thank you so much for shar...Good job with the post. Thank you so much for sharing the same. tax attorney san diegohttp://www.allenbarron.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-176227924564304572013-11-15T03:02:48.793-06:002013-11-15T03:02:48.793-06:00I just stumbled upon this post by chance and I am ...I just stumbled upon this post by chance and I am glad that I did. Absolutely wonderful . Keep it up. san diego tax accountanthttp://www.allenbarron.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-43699447410904094392013-09-22T22:52:39.183-05:002013-09-22T22:52:39.183-05:00Thank you for this wonderful share!! Thumbs up for...Thank you for this wonderful share!! Thumbs up for this one!! Keep it up!! san diego tax accountanthttp://www.allenbarron.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-6731460625636966782013-08-25T07:19:13.327-05:002013-08-25T07:19:13.327-05:00I'm just getting started out in the field. Wo...I'm just getting started out in the field. Would you recommend that I just start with digital publishing? It seems like going with the publishing houses is a lot of work for little reward. Or does it depend on the publishing house? <br /><br />Thanks!Bonnienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-62680618188299785582013-04-21T16:24:31.710-05:002013-04-21T16:24:31.710-05:00I laughed out oud when I read the line "Harle...I laughed out oud when I read the line "Harlequin hads been screwing romance writers..."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1084942343628227472013-04-08T18:45:56.650-05:002013-04-08T18:45:56.650-05:00This is a horror story. I am so glad I came to thi...This is a horror story. I am so glad I came to this blog. Thanks to Hugh Howey, Joe & Ann I will never seek to be published by a Big 6 publisher even though I review directly for them. . I am going Indie after researching everything. I see I am in fine company too. I will also spread the word amongst my author friends. You've lit a fire.Susan May Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05930643364001659194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-76673056355391109412013-04-08T18:44:51.124-05:002013-04-08T18:44:51.124-05:00This is a horror story. I am so glad I came to thi...This is a horror story. I am so glad I came to this blog. Thanks to Hugh Howey, Joe & Ann I will never seek to be published by a Big 6 publisher even though I review directly for them. . I am going Indie after researching everything. I see I am in fine company too. I will also spread the word amongst my author friends. You've lit a fire.Susan May Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05930643364001659194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-39844080683216988512013-03-14T19:54:50.566-05:002013-03-14T19:54:50.566-05:00Btw, we are talking HQ here, it's not exactly ...Btw, we are talking HQ here, it's not exactly high literature that comes from years of pain and concentration. Stereotypical stories, prescribed with precision on the HQ spec sheets to fit specific romance genres. In many cases, even characters are prescribed in detail. A typical book makes about $10,000, is quickly written and is about 55,000 words long. I know two HQ writers and they both publish under an alias; they wouldn't like that stuff associated with their name. HQ is just a source of income for an author, not his dream. It boils down to 18 cents per word. If you can't write this type of book fast, you shouldn't be working with HQ. And if you are having problems with plot, character, or style in this type of book, perhaps you shouldn't be a writer. My friends say they spend less than a month of their books and this is about 2,000 words per day. It's too bad HQ will not accept more, because they see it as fast cash.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-45618864737936490582013-03-14T19:27:08.579-05:002013-03-14T19:27:08.579-05:00A licensee does not make 1.88 per book. The costs ...A licensee does not make 1.88 per book. The costs brings this down to 10% usually. It's a publisher, a business with costs, book production cost, marketing, etc. Check the economical data of some of the Harlequin companies in other countries. 10% on revenue is considered great. They make about as much as they pay to the holder of the copyright (author + publisher in original country). 12 cents vs 12 cents, not whatever math you are presenting here. It's obvious that you never worked in publishing. Publishers are not the enemy, our friend amazon is. Allow it to grow and enforce its rules when it becomes a total monopoly. Then, they will not ask you about anything. It will either be 3 cents per reader for their $10 a month all you can read online lending library or making no money at all from your work. There will be no publishers, distributors and retail stores by that time. You will be the last one to be extorted and crushed down, but you WILL eventually be crushed down. The few that can sells millions of books per year will survive and we, the readers, will have less options. All because amazon got greedy about cutting the middlemen and authors cooperated without considering the consequences and the contribution of the middlemen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-54067134453589902992013-01-31T22:47:31.603-06:002013-01-31T22:47:31.603-06:00There is nothing brutal about what happened to Ann...There is nothing brutal about what happened to Ann. She signed a contract to earn a certain amount of royalties and that is what she was paid. If she decided she was no longer happy with the deal, she was free to leave. And did. <br />You will never make as much money self-publishing as you would with Harlequin because they have so many committed life-time readers. And the reason advances and royalties on serial romance books are lower than publishing norms are because they are published quickly: the author writes quickly, the word count is not as long as a regular novel, and the content is not as heavily edited by the publisher. It shouldn't pay as much.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-41348204890138196852012-09-24T14:21:04.278-05:002012-09-24T14:21:04.278-05:00Thanks so much for this sharing this and to Ann fo...Thanks so much for this sharing this and to Ann for sharing her story. <br /><br />I have to admit I'm feeling disappointed that writing for HQN is not the dream that I though tit would be. Especially after entering the so you think you can write contest. I knew something was up when they did not publish the value of the contract that is being offered.<br /> There should be a way to make the Big Six share a larger portion of the pie especially in light of the statistics I found:<br /><br />■Romance sales generated $1.36 billion in sales in 2009.<br />■9,089 new romance titles were released in 2009.<br />■Romance fiction sales are estimated at $1.358 billion for 2010.<br />■Romance fiction was the largest share of the consumer market in 2009 at 13.2 percent.<br /><br />This is from the Toronto romancewriters.com page. IT is pretty disgusting how little of that pie is being shared with the writers. <br /><br />I was just wondering for those of us who want to get into self publishing, if there is a preferred site to start with? <br /><br />Thanks so much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-22771298853316314912012-06-06T21:18:53.002-05:002012-06-06T21:18:53.002-05:00I'm coming late to this party, but all I can s...I'm coming late to this party, but all I can say is, "WAY TO GO, ANN!" Signet dumped not only their Regency authors but their editors as well, and indie pub has been my savior. I'm now making far more money than I did the first time around. Brava, the Brave New World!<br />Blair Bancroft (Grace Kone)Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04040441084648426091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-8211860477677222012012-05-29T11:58:16.332-05:002012-05-29T11:58:16.332-05:00I just inked my deal on Forgotten Dreams with Crim...I just inked my deal on Forgotten Dreams with Crimson, the new Adams Media romance imprint. Got great terms. I was pretty shocked by the article and feel badly for any author who works hard and doesn't receive appropriate compensation for her efforts! <br /><br />Alexia BanksAnonymoushttp://facebook.com/alexiabanksromancenoreply@blogger.com