A good rejection and a question re Harlequin

RoccoMom · Oct 25, 2006

This has to be, bar none, the best rejection I've gotten from an agent so far:

Dear Toni,

I read through the material you sent and, yes, I can see what you are targeting. However, there is no one in (and no inroads from) this office to any publishing house that is a likely candidate for your manuscript. The editors and publishers we deals with are a mix-match for your novel. May I suggest you contact someone at Kensington Press directly? If not them, Harlequin has a new division that may be of use.

Sorry we can not help,
All the best,

Does anyone know the name of the new division at Harlequin this agent suggests? BTW, his turnaround time to me was less than a week.

mistri · Oct 25, 2006

Tell us a bit more about your manuscript: Harlequin tends to have several newish divisions at any one time

RoccoMom · Oct 25, 2006

mistri said:
Tell us a bit more about your manuscript: Harlequin tends to have several newish divisions at any one time

OK, this is a copy of the query:

I am a sequentially single-minded individual, a take-no-prisoners kind of gal. That’s mainly because I don’t have the time to feed the prisoners.’ – Chancey O’Neill, Soap Opera Times

Chancey O’Neill is the primary focus of “The Diva Is in the Building,”a 75,000-word women’s lit novel. As the newest addition to the fading soap, “The Sands of Time,” Chancey’s explosive entrance makes her a number one hit with the fans, but not with Eva St. Clair, who’s the lead on the rival soap, “Passion Place.” After Chancey’s first two husbands are mysteriously murdered, she finds herself under scrutiny by Dante “Chinese” Gordon, a Lieutenant in the NYPD Homicide Division. Chancey can’t deny the sparks that fly between them, but her track record with husbands makes her leery of another romantic entanglement. Just as the ice around her heart begins to melt, a voice from her past threatens to reveal a long-buried secret from Chancey’s past. Chancey knows she must resort to anything to unmask the culprit and protect her past—even if it means risking her career and her new love

Sakamonda · Oct 25, 2006

Harlequin NEXT

This sounds like it might be a fit for Harlequin NEXT.

Marlys · Oct 25, 2006

Maybe Intrigue? Here's the link to Harlequin, with descriptions of all their lines.

Sakamonda · Oct 25, 2006

. . ..

I thought I heard that Intrigue was being discontinued, but maybe I'm incorrect. Anybody know for sure?

stormie · Oct 25, 2006

That is a great rejection, Toni! For the life of me, I can't remember what line Harlequin is discontinuing. I think it was posted on Publisher's Weekly (Publisher's Lunch, maybe?). Your novel sounds really interesting.

Susan Gable · Oct 25, 2006

Sakamonda said:
I thought I heard that Intrigue was being discontinued, but maybe I'm incorrect. Anybody know for sure?

Intrigue is NOT being discontinued. Intrigue contines (as far as I hear from Intrigue authors) to have strong sales.

You may be confusing the change with Silhoutte Intimate Moments, which is also NOT being discontinued, but it's being renamed. I think the new name is Silhoutte Romantic Suspense.

From the little blurb, it doesn't sound like an Intrigue to me, but then, it's more about how you execute it that makes it one line over another. Good luck!

Susan G.

RoccoMom · Oct 25, 2006

I don't think my book fits Harlequin's Intrigue, but it might be good for their NEXT line.

Actually, it seems from reading the info on the site the best fit might be the Red Dress Ink, but they only take queries.

Maprilynne · Oct 25, 2006

Toni1953 said:
Actually, it seems from reading the info on the site the best fit might be the Red Dress Ink, but they only take queries.

So send a query! Go for it!

Maprilynne

Crinklish · Oct 25, 2006

Toni1953 said:
I don't think my book fits Harlequin's Intrigue, but it might be good for their NEXT line.

Actually, it seems from reading the info on the site the best fit might be the Red Dress Ink, but they only take queries.

I edit for HQN, not RDI, but I don't think this sounds like the sort of chick-lit they're doing (especially as the line has reduced the number of titles it puts out and competition is fiercer than ever). My first thought was NEXT, too.

Jenny · Oct 25, 2006

Toni, good luck with NEXT! What a fabulously nice agent.

RoccoMom · Oct 26, 2006

OK, NEXT it is! wish me luck

mexcindi · Oct 26, 2006

Good luck, Toni! Your idea sounds great! I'll buy the book when you publish it.

I'm glad to hear Intrigue is continuing. I've got 2 WIP's that I think will fit that line.

RoccoMom · Oct 27, 2006

Thanks Mexcindi - good luck with yours too.

I see you live in Mexico - I'm headed that way next week for vacation. My first time.

Kasey Mackenzie · Oct 27, 2006

Toni1953 said:
Thanks Mexcindi - good luck with yours too.

I see you live in Mexico - I'm headed that way next week for vacation. My first time.

Mexico is WONDERFUL! My husband and I got married there in 2004. It was gorgeous and a wonderful experience! =)

mexcindi · Oct 27, 2006

Toni, where are you planning to visit? I live in central Mexico. If I can answer questions or direct you to resources, let me know.

Kasey, where did you get married?

Toni: Keep us informed about where your book ends up.

Kasey Mackenzie · Oct 27, 2006

mexcindi: We got married at the Xpu-ha Palace resort near Playa del Carmen. Absolutely the best vacation of my life and I can't wait to go back. =)

RoccoMom · Oct 28, 2006

Playa del Carmen is where we're headed too...the Royal Porto Real all inclusive resort. We got a REALLY GOOD deal on it. I liked the idea of the in-room Jacuzzi!

I will absolutely let you know where this book ends up. I'd like to see it end up somewhere besides my center drawer.

WackAMole · Oct 29, 2006

From what I understand, Red Dress Ink is pretty actively seeking atm as well, and what you wrote in your query seems to fit well there. A friend of mine that published once through MIRA suggested them as they are a fairly new division.

RoccoMom · Oct 29, 2006

WackAMole said:
From what I understand, Red Dress Ink is pretty actively seeking atm as well, and what you wrote in your query seems to fit well there. A friend of mine that published once through MIRA suggested them as they are a fairly new division.

I did send a query to Red Dress Ink. what's atm?
I believe you have to have an agent to submit to MIRA. I wanted to submit to them, but unfortunately, no agent...at least not yet.

Kasey Mackenzie · Oct 30, 2006

Have fun in Playa del Carmen, Toni. I just loved it! =)

And atm is an acronym for "at the moment."

Irysangel · Oct 30, 2006

WackAMole said:
From what I understand, Red Dress Ink is pretty actively seeking atm as well, and what you wrote in your query seems to fit well there. A friend of mine that published once through MIRA suggested them as they are a fairly new division.

How recent is your info, WackAMole? I'm curious, because everything I've heard about RDI lately is that they're slimming the line due to the slumping chick-lit market.

Thanks!

RoccoMom · Nov 17, 2006

Two Updates....

NEXT turned down my manuscript, but I had an awesome time in Mexico!

LitFa · Nov 17, 2006

I had been following the threads on this forum, I am sorry to see that Toni. Did they tell you why they rejected? Like was it not right for that specific line? Because perhaps you can try another line. Anyways, good luck on further endeavors. :Hug2:

And YAY for fun in Mexico!

A good rejection and a question re Harlequin

RoccoMom

mistri

Sneezy Member

RoccoMom

Sakamonda

...

Marlys

Resist. Love. Go outside.

Sakamonda

...

stormie

storm central

Susan Gable

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

RoccoMom

Maprilynne

Author Waiting in the Wings

Crinklish

Jenny

Who should be writing ...

RoccoMom

mexcindi

RoccoMom

Kasey Mackenzie

One Hit Wonder?

mexcindi

Kasey Mackenzie

One Hit Wonder?

RoccoMom

WackAMole

WTF?!?!

RoccoMom

Kasey Mackenzie

One Hit Wonder?

Irysangel

She of Many Names

RoccoMom

LitFa

Writing Frantically