In November 2009, Harlequin Enterprises announced the launch of their new “Horizon” line in conjunction with Author Solutions. Good news, right? Well, maybe not. Harlequin’s new line is being touted as an opportunity for authors when in reality most are calling it what it is…a vanity press. At least, that’s what SWFA says. And they are taking a hard stand on what that means for their authors and their recognition of the publisher. See for yourself:
…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 nominate or vote for a work that was published in this manner.
And what does that mean for the romance industry and romance writers? Well, it’s not super clear. While most believe readers will become upset about the possible dilution and/or quality of the Harlequin imprints, some say it might not really matter because the “Horizon” self-published books won’t have the Harlequin brand or logo on them.
Regardless, RWA has released their statement:
RWA Alert: RWA Responds to Harlequin Horizons
Dear Members:Romance Writers of America was informed of the new venture between Harlequin Enterprises and ASI Solutions to form Harlequin Horizons, a vanity/subsidy press. Many of you have asked the organization to state its position regarding this new development. As a matter of policy, we do not endorse any publisher’s business model. Our mission is the advancement of the professional interests of career-focused romance writers.
One of your member benefits is the annual National Conference. RWA allocates select conference resources to non-subsidy/non-vanity presses that meet the eligibility requirements to obtain those resources. Eligible publishers are provided free meeting space for book signings, are given the opportunity to hold editor appointments, and are allowed to offer spotlights on their programs.
With the launch of Harlequin Horizons, Harlequin Enterprises no longer meets the requirements to be eligible for RWA-provided conference resources. This does not mean that Harlequin Enterprises cannot attend the conference. Like all non-eligible publishers, they are welcome to attend. However, as a non-eligible publisher, they would fund their own conference fees and they would not be provided with conference resources by RWA to publicize or promote the company or its imprints.
Sometimes the wind of change comes swiftly and unexpectedly, leaving an unsettled feeling. RWA takes its role as advocate for its members seriously. The Board is working diligently to address the impact of recent developments on all of RWA’s members.
We invite you to attend the annual conference on July 28 – 31, 2010 in Nashville, TN, as we celebrate 30 years of success with keynote speaker Nora Roberts, special luncheon speaker Jayne Ann Krentz, librarian speaker Sherrilyn Kenyon, and awards ceremony emcee Sabrina Jeffries. Please refer to the RWA Web site for conference registration information in late January 2010.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Gaylord Opryland!
Michelle Monkou
RWA President
What do you think? As a reader, will it impact your buying Harlequin books? As an author will you be leery of submitting to the big publisher?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Candidly, I’ll not buy books from Harlequin’s new imprint since it is, at worst merely a vanity press or at best a print-on-demand publisher. Either way, books published under this imprint are in no way guaranteed to meet commercial publishing standards. For Harlequin to lend its name and reputation to a vanity press operation gives wannabe writers the sad illusion of being successful although their books haven’t stood the scrutiny of a professional editorial team. The introduction of Harlequin’s new line lends writers who are willing to pay for publication the an illusory aura of success–and gives readers the false impression that the quality of the trusted Harlequin imprint is attached to the book. My advice to Harlequin: If you want to run a vanity press, keep it well away from the Harlequin imprint. You diminish your commercial imprint with this new venture, which is a disservice to your readers who’ve always been able to place their confidence in the quality of Harlequin’s output.
LaRue,
I’m going out on a limb here and putting my two cents out there. First, I understand your position but I wonder if it isn’t important to remember two things: (1) it might not be the author’s fault their book couldn’t be published in one of the main Harlequin imprints; and (2) Harlequin will profit on the author’s wanting their book published but so will the authors won’t they? … maybe???
I’m not sure you’re really punishing the publisher by not buying books authors might have available on their sites (or wherever they put them up for sale, I guess). I know plenty of super authors out there whose books are very well written with great plots and characters that are what you might want to read…but they didn’t fit in any of the ‘imprints’ that Harlequin offers and since there are even fewer lines of publication out there for this size book they might want to see if they can’t sell it themselves. It wasn’t that there book didn’t meet the publication standards (whatever those truly are). Just an idea to stick out there.
What do you think? Do you think readers not buying an author’s book because they published it through other sources (even if it is a vanity press) makes the book not worthy–a piece of junk? I think it would depend on the book/author whether I would or not. I try not to base my opinion on a book on the publisher so much as whether I like an excerpt of review I find about it.
It’s interesting nonetheless and I’m not really supporting the new ‘imprint’ as a way for an author to get their work out there but I’m not going to bash it either.
Personally, though, I just can’t really figure out why Harlequin decided to branch out this way. For money, sure but a lot of authors and readers have points (see all the other blogs out there that discuss this topic and you’ll find varied opinions) that their is a certain expectation when you see the Harlequin name. But there are plenty of ways authors print-on-demand (like Amazon’s program) and some others. So hm…