Harlequin FAQ re Horizons
Harlequin Horizons FAQs
KEY POINTS:
Ø For the first time since figures have been kept, print-on-demand titles outpaced traditionally-published titles in 2008 according to Bowker. Self-published print-on-demand titles make up a large portion of this expanding sector. This is not traditional vanity press publishing; self-publishing is a large and vibrant part of the publishing industry today.
Ø Horizons books will not be distributed by Harlequin. They will not appear in stores next to your book. Self-published books are generally distributed through large online catalogs.
Ø Horizons books will not have Harlequin branding. Horizons is a separate brand and will carry the double-H Horizons logo on the spine only, NOT the Harlequin brand.
Ø Readers will not be confused. Harlequin is the gold standard for romance. Readers purchase Harlequin because they trust Harlequin to provide a great story. There will be no ‘dilution’ of quality. Horizons is a separate imprint with no Harlequin branding.
Ø We’ve taken care to be very transparent. The website is very clear that this is self-publishing; we make no promises that Harlequin will in any way publish and distribute Horizons books in the traditional sense. The Harlequin Horizons author keeps her copyright.
Ø We’re doing this to support aspiring romance authors who choose to self-publish. Although we do not promise this, we will in fact be monitoring sales/editorial for new voices.
1. What is Harlequin Horizons?
Ø Self-publishing is one of a suite of publishing options an aspiring author can choose from these days; with the launch of Carina Press we can provide the flexibility of a digital-only press, and Horizons offers a self-publishing option.
Ø It is a partnership with Author Solutions – they provide the self-publishing services, we provide our brand name and we make authors we have rejected aware of this service.
Ø It is a publishing service in which authors pay for their work to be published in print and/or eBook formats. Authors purchase publishing “packages” with varying levels of service options including (but not limited to) editing, cover design, and a certain number of print copies of their work.
Ø Competitive examples include Cross Books and West Bow Press from Thomas Nelson.
2. How is this related to Harlequin?
Ø Horizons will be a division of Harlequin, operated by Author Solutions.
Ø Authors published with Harlequin Horizons are not published by Harlequin. The books will carry the double-H Horizons logo on the spine.
3. Why is Harlequin launching a self-publishing business?
Ø Many aspiring authors choose self-publishing as a way to see their work in print – to give copies as gifts, to have a bound copy to help in finding an agent, or simply as a keepsake.
Ø Horizons will make it possible for thousands of authors, whose manuscripts Harlequin or other traditional publisher cannot publish, to see their books in print.
Ø This offers aspiring authors an opportunity not only to be published, but to grow and develop as writers and refine their personal brand.
4. Why is this branded Harlequin?
Ø We’re proud to offer this option to those who choose to self-publish, and for aspiring romance authors, an association with the Harlequin brand makes sense.
Ø The brand, however, is only author-facing; Harlequin will not be branded on the books or in any of the metadata or sales information accompanying the book.
Ø We hope to discover new authors through this service and welcome them into the Harlequin brand family proper.
5. Isn’t this misleading for aspiring authors?
Ø We are not misleading people, but simply offering a Harlequin-approved option for those authors who choose to self-publish.
Ø This does not change our commitment to finding, publishing, and developing new authors through our series and imprints.
Ø Our partnership with Author Solutions is not an endorsement of self-publishing over submitting to a publisher or press; but if you choose to self-publish, we endorse Author Solutions through our partnership with them.
6. Why would authors submit slush to us if this is a better option for them?
Ø For the same reasons they have always submitted slush – not just for the chance to be published by Harlequin, but with the hope of beginning long and fulfilling career as a Harlequin author.
7. Will Harlequin and Author Solutions work together?
Ø Yes and no. The self-publishing house is a separate business with separate staff, website, contract, etc.
Ø However, if a title sells very well, Harlequin can acquire the title for future print publication.
8. What’s going to happen with the slush Harlequin currently receives?
Ø We will continue to welcome unsolicited manuscripts from aspiring authors.
Ø All standard/form/template rejection letters will include a short note about Harlequin Horizons as a self-publishing option for the aspiring author.
Ø Author Solutions will not have access to the author contact information in our eHERS database.
Ø No one from Author Solutions will contact any aspiring authors unless they opt-in through the website (www.harlequinhorizons.com).
9. Will eHarlequin.com sell these self-published books?
Ø No.
KEY POINTS:
Ø For the first time since figures have been kept, print-on-demand titles outpaced traditionally-published titles in 2008 according to Bowker. Self-published print-on-demand titles make up a large portion of this expanding sector. This is not traditional vanity press publishing; self-publishing is a large and vibrant part of the publishing industry today.
Ø Horizons books will not be distributed by Harlequin. They will not appear in stores next to your book. Self-published books are generally distributed through large online catalogs.
Ø Horizons books will not have Harlequin branding. Horizons is a separate brand and will carry the double-H Horizons logo on the spine only, NOT the Harlequin brand.
Ø Readers will not be confused. Harlequin is the gold standard for romance. Readers purchase Harlequin because they trust Harlequin to provide a great story. There will be no ‘dilution’ of quality. Horizons is a separate imprint with no Harlequin branding.
Ø We’ve taken care to be very transparent. The website is very clear that this is self-publishing; we make no promises that Harlequin will in any way publish and distribute Horizons books in the traditional sense. The Harlequin Horizons author keeps her copyright.
Ø We’re doing this to support aspiring romance authors who choose to self-publish. Although we do not promise this, we will in fact be monitoring sales/editorial for new voices.
1. What is Harlequin Horizons?
Ø Self-publishing is one of a suite of publishing options an aspiring author can choose from these days; with the launch of Carina Press we can provide the flexibility of a digital-only press, and Horizons offers a self-publishing option.
Ø It is a partnership with Author Solutions – they provide the self-publishing services, we provide our brand name and we make authors we have rejected aware of this service.
Ø It is a publishing service in which authors pay for their work to be published in print and/or eBook formats. Authors purchase publishing “packages” with varying levels of service options including (but not limited to) editing, cover design, and a certain number of print copies of their work.
Ø Competitive examples include Cross Books and West Bow Press from Thomas Nelson.
2. How is this related to Harlequin?
Ø Horizons will be a division of Harlequin, operated by Author Solutions.
Ø Authors published with Harlequin Horizons are not published by Harlequin. The books will carry the double-H Horizons logo on the spine.
3. Why is Harlequin launching a self-publishing business?
Ø Many aspiring authors choose self-publishing as a way to see their work in print – to give copies as gifts, to have a bound copy to help in finding an agent, or simply as a keepsake.
Ø Horizons will make it possible for thousands of authors, whose manuscripts Harlequin or other traditional publisher cannot publish, to see their books in print.
Ø This offers aspiring authors an opportunity not only to be published, but to grow and develop as writers and refine their personal brand.
4. Why is this branded Harlequin?
Ø We’re proud to offer this option to those who choose to self-publish, and for aspiring romance authors, an association with the Harlequin brand makes sense.
Ø The brand, however, is only author-facing; Harlequin will not be branded on the books or in any of the metadata or sales information accompanying the book.
Ø We hope to discover new authors through this service and welcome them into the Harlequin brand family proper.
5. Isn’t this misleading for aspiring authors?
Ø We are not misleading people, but simply offering a Harlequin-approved option for those authors who choose to self-publish.
Ø This does not change our commitment to finding, publishing, and developing new authors through our series and imprints.
Ø Our partnership with Author Solutions is not an endorsement of self-publishing over submitting to a publisher or press; but if you choose to self-publish, we endorse Author Solutions through our partnership with them.
6. Why would authors submit slush to us if this is a better option for them?
Ø For the same reasons they have always submitted slush – not just for the chance to be published by Harlequin, but with the hope of beginning long and fulfilling career as a Harlequin author.
7. Will Harlequin and Author Solutions work together?
Ø Yes and no. The self-publishing house is a separate business with separate staff, website, contract, etc.
Ø However, if a title sells very well, Harlequin can acquire the title for future print publication.
8. What’s going to happen with the slush Harlequin currently receives?
Ø We will continue to welcome unsolicited manuscripts from aspiring authors.
Ø All standard/form/template rejection letters will include a short note about Harlequin Horizons as a self-publishing option for the aspiring author.
Ø Author Solutions will not have access to the author contact information in our eHERS database.
Ø No one from Author Solutions will contact any aspiring authors unless they opt-in through the website (www.harlequinhorizons.com).
9. Will eHarlequin.com sell these self-published books?
Ø No.
Labels: Carina Press, Harlequin, Harlequin Horizons, Romance, Romance Writers of America
