Have You Submitted to Harlequin Historical Undone

Think historical combined with their Desire line.

Claire Crossdale said:

Thank you so very much brainstorm77.

That helps, I've read some of their Desire novels and have a good idea what the setup is like.

Claire

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NP. I have a story on the backburner for them myself Best of luck to you.

Hi Claire, I'm not sure what you mean when you say you're thinking about subbing the novelette instead . Undones are shorts (10-15k) and undones, briefs and bites are the only submissions Harlequin accepts electronically. Subs to the category imprints are by snail mail--a query letter, 3-5 page synopsis and 3 sample chapters.

I haven't subbed to any of the ebook imprints, but from what I hear, people are getting a response in anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months. The snail mail subs are usually 3-6 months.

Good luck!

Claire Crossdale said:

Lainey,

So sorry I wasn't clear, I thought rather than continuing to write a short for the sole purpose of submitting for the undone line only to wait four month I would instead submit the 72,000 words novelette I already have done to the Mills & Boon.

Here Lainey tell me, do you know, will it truly take them four months to get back to Simone?

Claire

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Submit both if you can do it?

What line in HQ are you submitting your novel to?

Claire Crossdale said:

Lainey,

Here Lainey tell me, do you know, will it truly take them four months to get back to Simone?

Claire

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Hi, Claire sorry I misunderstood. When you said novelette, I assumed you meant a short-short.

As to your question, from what I hear from writing friends who have subbed to the ebook imprints, the wait time is generally about half of the 4 months.

I'd venture a guess that Harlequin states the worst case scenario wait-wise so they don't get inundated with follow up queries from authors if the editors happen to get swamped and take 10 weeks instead of 12 etc. Four months gives them a nice buffer to empty what I am sure are rapidly filling email boxes.

Good luck with the queries. As brain said, sub one, write the other and get them both out there!

Mills and Boon are HQ the UK part.. I mean what line within them like historical etc..

Hi Claire,
That harlequin guideline was vague for me too so I wrote them a note and was told 'sexy so long as it relates to the characters,' I don't know if that helps.
I've been waiting a month and will let you know when I hear from them.
Cass

I submitted a story to HQN Undone 3-1/2 months ago. No word yet. I'll post again when I hear something, so you get a sense of current wait times.

Claire Crossdale said:

the 72,000 words novelette

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72,000 words isn't a "novelette"--it's a novel. That's actually a bit long for a North American HQ category title.

Length guidelines for HQ:

Harlequin American Romance 55,000—60,000 words
Harlequin Blaze 55,000–60,000 words
Harlequin Historical (Mills & Boon Historical Romance) 70,000–75,000 words
Harlequin Historical Undone 10–15,000 words
Harlequin Intrigue 55,000–60,000 words
Harlequin Medical Romance (Mills & Boon Medical Romance) 50,000–55,000 words
Harlequin Presents (Mills & Boon Modern Romance) 50,000 words
Harlequin Presents (Mills & Boon Modern Heat) 50,000 words
Harlequin Romance (Mills & Boon Romance) 50,000 words
Harlequin Superromance 60,000–65,000 words
Harlequin Teen 50,000–100,000 words

HQN Books ~100,000 words
Mira 90,000–100,000 words Note: Agented only
Luna 100,000-120,000 words

Kimani Press 80,000–85,000 words
Kimani Press Arabesque Romance 75,000–85,000 words
Kimani Press Romance 50,000–60,000 words
Kimani TRU 60,000–70,000 words

Nocturne Bites 10,000—15,000 words
Nonfiction Editorial Note: No specific word count. Agented only.

Silhouette Desire 50,000–55,000 words
Silhouette Romantic Suspense 55,000–60,000 words
Silhouette Nocturne 70,000–75,000 words
Silhouette Special Edition 55,000–60,000 words


Spice 90,000–120,000 words
Spice Briefs 5,000–15,000 words


Steeple Hill Love Inspired 55,000–60,000 words
Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical 70,000–75,000 words
Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense 55,000–60,000 words


Worldwide Mystery Note: Reprint program only.

Claire Crossdale said:

brainstorm77,
You are always so very helpful, I really appreciate it.
Claire.

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Np HQ is pretty specific with their counts. But I think you can go a thousand or so words over and it will be ok.

Claire: I just join Absolute Write. I am member of eharlequin community.
At Write Stuff Forum, September 4, 2009, Linda Fildew, Editor of Historical
Undone will be answering questions from members and aspiring historical
romance writers.

Here is the long text link:
http://community.eharlequin.com/forums/write-stuff/undone-editor-chat-linda-fildew

I hope that answer your questions.

I'll be at chat learning all about Undone too
Jane O'Connor

Oh thanks for the chat!
Here is another place that Linda Fildew, Senior Editor Histotcals was chatting this
morning.
Word Wrench-
http://wordwenches.typepad.com/word...ldew-senior-editor-harlequin-historicals.html
Also to eharlequin Writer Guidelines also.
You don't have too submit query or proposal. They way e-mail submissions of full
manuscripts.
Jane

Jane,
You rock
Thank you so very much for the link.
Cass