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Harlequin Shivers (the new gothic)

Harlequin Shivers is looking for moody, atmospheric, lush gothic-inspired stories. We are updating the pulp gothic as a rich romance with dark, sexy, mysterious heroes and anti-heroes and sensible heroines beguiled by male magnetism and allure against all better judgment. The focus is on the building sensual tension and the sumptuous and scary surroundings that this chilling type of story elicits in the reader. Shivers are exactly what the reader will feel both from the mystery suspense and the carnal romance. We think the perfect Shivers story is 30,000-50,000 words, but we are open to both shorter and longer stories. Whether your story is contemporary, historical or horror we want to be frightened and seduced!

High sensuality
Comparative Authors: Amanda Stevens
Movie Examples: The Others, True Blood

Please state that your manuscript is aimed at Harlequin Shivers in your submission (cover letter, 1st page of mss).

http://www.harlequin.com/articlepage.htm...&chapter=0

"The Others" is a ghost story, "True Blood" is vampire porn / soap opera. They want Paranormal Romance but don't want to call it that for some reason. I tried reading Amanda Stevens but gave up. She's on the Romantic Suspense end of Paranormal Romance.

(12-17-2012, 11:47 PM)RareMale Wrote: [ -> ]"The Others" is a ghost story, "True Blood" is vampire porn / soap opera. They want Paranormal Romance but don't want to call it that for some reason. I tried reading Amanda Stevens but gave up. She's on the Romantic Suspense end of Paranormal Romance.

I would actually try reading something from this line. I read two books by Jana DeLeon from their Intrigue line which were very Gothic and set in the Louisiana bayous. I was highly impressed... and to me they didn't have an overemphasis on romance.

I'll probably try them as well, as long as they don't overdo the "male magnetism" and "carnal romance". If they do, the wife can have them.

This is a hopeful sign that more Gothic novels might be published. Fingers crossed that they sell well........

(01-05-2013, 09:32 PM)The Ming Wrote: [ -> ]This is a hopeful sign that more Gothic novels might be published. Fingers crossed that they sell well........

Harlequin are having a big push over the next few months on their digital Shivers line. Details are here:
http://www.harlequin.com/articlepage.htm...&chapter=0
My first gothic noverl has been acquired by them and my second has been submitted. I'm a huge fan of the true gothic and I'm really hopeful that Harlequin's interest in the genre signals a revival.

(09-12-2013, 08:42 AM)Jane Godman Wrote: [ -> ]Harlequin are having a big push over the next few months on their digital Shivers line. Details are here:
http://www.harlequin.com/articlepage.htm...&chapter=0
My first gothic noverl has been acquired by them and my second has been submitted. I'm a huge fan of the true gothic and I'm really hopeful that Harlequin's interest in the genre signals a revival.

Jane, can you tell us if Harlequin compensates their authors fairly and offers royalties? They have a less-than-sterling reputation in the publishing world.

Hi Penfeather, I'm not able to discuss the details of my contract with Harlequin, but I have several books with another publisher and my Harlequin contract is very similar to that one.