I know I am biassed, but...

I don't think it is classy for agents or editors to snark queries without prior permission, and I likewise don't think it is classy for authors to use whatever platform is available to them snark rejection letters either. These are personal pieces of correspondence.

May I interest you in...?

No, thank you.

Sour grapes should be consumed in private.

(And this is why most editors no longer give detail feedback, leaving the rest of us to just try and guess why they said no.)

p.s. All Romance Ebooks turns three today. Happy Anniversary.

I am Cynic, hear me bitch.

So, Carina press, what exactly does it have going for it. One thing is the immense machinery that goes with a humungous publisher (or at least as much of it as they commit to the endeavor). The other is Harlequin's good name.

A good name that they do not use in association with the ring-fenced Carina imprint--but they are happy to slap all over their new vanity press imprint Harlequin Horizons.

"Parent company Harlequin Enterprises Limited has a history of providing opportunities to first time authors. Now with Harlequin Horizons, more writers have the opportunity to enter the market, hone their skills and achieve the goals that burn in their hearts..."

"However, we understand you may aspire to be published with a traditional house – a noble aspiration. While there is no guarantee that if you publish with Harlequin Horizons you will picked up for traditional publishing, Harlequin will monitor sales of books published through Harlequin Horizons for possible pick-up by its traditional imprints."

For $600 to $1,600 dollars you too can be a Harlequin author no matter how well, or how badly, you write.

Edited to Add: Further evidence that Harlequin is providing only their name, and the real business model comes from Authorhouse: "Through this strategic alliance, all sales, marketing, publishing, distribution, and book-selling services will be fulfilled by ASI, but Harlequin Horizons will exist as a division of Harlequin Enterprises Limited."

Linkfest
11/17
* Teddypig
* Publishers Weekly
* Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
11/18
* Pickled Cupid
11/19
* Murder She Writes
* New York Times

RWA does something I actually agree with.

Is this a sign of the end times?

"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.

Michelle Monkou
RWA President"

[Ann Aguirre's blog: full text reprinted here]

New Market, I guess.

Reflections Press is now accepting submissions for it's [sic] Spring 2010 launch. We are seeking stories which involve transsexualism, transvestitism and crossdressing.
Length Requirements:- 20,000-60,000 words.
What We're Seeking:- Romance- Erotica- Historical- Mystery- Paranormal
reflectionspress@yahoo.ca

Did it occur to them, I wonder, to post something about what the press will be able to do for an author--rather than just what they want?

From abwrite

Harlequin replies

Of at SBTB we have this response from a Harlequin staff member:

"First, why is Harlequin launching a self-publishing business? Bowker reported in 2008 that more titles were published through self-publishing than traditional publishers. Self-publishing is a fast growing and vibrant part of the publishing industry today. Harlequin has decided to provide a romance focused self-publishing business for those that choose to go down the self-publishing road."

And so why did you choose to partner with a fee-charging self-publishing provider whose authors typically do not make a profit, and whose offshoots (e.g. Authorhouse) have a rather poor reputation? Could it be anything to do with receiving a cut from those substantial fees?

"The use of the Harlequin name with Harlequin Horizons has raised the most questions and comments. At Harlequin, we are probably even more concerned about our brand than the commenters at this blog, so here, then, are some clarifications to your questions.
Brand – Harlequin put its name on the Harlequin Horizons site to clearly indicate this is a romance self-publishing site. The books published through Harlequin Horizons will not carry traditional Harlequin branding. The self-published author will be the brand and the Horizon double H logo will appear on the spine of the book. Harlequin is the gold standard in romance and that will not be compromised. Readers will not confuse Horizons books with traditional Harlequin books."

So these books won't be branded Harlequin, just called Harlequin and marked with an 'H' in the Harlequin font and offered the carrot of possibly being picked up by Harlequin. That's totally clear.

"Distribution – Self-publishing has a different distribution model than traditional publishing. Horizons books will not be carried nor appear in traditional Harlequin distribution. The self-published book will not appear next to a traditionally published Harlequin title.
The Harlequin Horizons site very clearly indicates it is a self-publishing business and that those who choose to publish with Horizons will not receive the traditional Harlequin distribution and marketing support."

So, Harlequin Horizons will use a different distribution model, of not being distributed.

"Many authors are choosing to self-publish. There are a number of reasons to select self-publishing including 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. Harlequin is providing a service to those choosing to self-publish with a leading organization in this field, Author Solutions. To recap, self-publishing is an option for those who want to put their story into print. The Harlequin brand will not be on these titles. The Harlequin Horizons site is very transparent that it offers self-publishing services."

I hear they also make good doorstops. But the Horizon website makes reference to being the centre of attention at a crowded book signing--in which alternate universe will this occur?

"Last, if anyone is wondering if this changes anything with Harlequin’s usual editorial processes, the answer is no. We remain committed to reading and acquiring manuscripts from aspiring authors. It’s new voices that set new directions for the future."

Except for the Harlequin Horizon books which will provided with the different editing model, of not being edited.

So that clears that up, Harlequin will get the self-publishing authors' money, after luring them with a Harlequin-branded website they will offer them a non-Harlequin edited book with no Harlequin branding and no distribution.

Wow, that's a great deal. Silly me for being so negative.

As Ava Quinn commented below: "Preditors and Editors has already changed its Harlequin Inc status to vanity publisher. http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/pebh.htm"

RWNZ Clendon Award

Back in 2007 I proudly proclaimed I was a member of RWNZ (Romance Writers of New Zealand): "I ... had that joyful of experience of asking whether they accept writers of gay romance--the experience where one is met with a response of total bemusement as to why they wouldn't."

I suppose I had never paid much attention to the Clendon book award RWNZ runs jointly with Barbara's books. But this year I did notice: "For the purpose of the contest, “romance” is defined as a fictional story which has the development and resolution of a romance between a male and a female as the primary motivation of the plot".

I sent in a question about this and over the intervening two weeks, until I recieved a courteous answer that my reading of the defintion was correct, my membership lapsed. And it shall be staying that way.

Who Gets to Wear the Big H?

I have been thinking about this Harlequin branding of the AuthorSolutions powered vanity press Harlequin Horizons, and ring-fencing of gay romance inclusive Harlequin ebook imprint Carina Press, which does not carry the Harlequin name. To me this seems to say:

* If you have really editors, take no fees and are selective ("editorial and marketing expertise"), this is not 'H'.

* So long as the book is printed on paper, even though it is not even seen by a Harlequin staff member at any time ("all sales, marketing, publishing, distribution, and book-selling services will be fulfilled by ASI [Authorsolutions]"), this is 'H'.

It makes me thing of people who say: "How dare you charge $7 for an ebook? There is no paper and distribution!"

If the value of a publisher could be measured in pulpwood and stamps, readers would just buy reams of blank paper and be well satisfied.

The value of a publish is, or should primarily be, its quality control, its editorial tone and standards--it's guarantee that what it gives you to read is worth reading.

Harlequin, it seems, does not agree.

Borders UK Keeps it Classy

Bookseller.com News Story: "Borders UK's e-commerce team is believed to have left the business. The Bookseller understands that the team of three, including head of e-commerce, Julie Howkins and e-commerce manager, Barbara Sussman left the company on Friday (13th November)."

Reader Comment: "Always good to hear these things from The Bookseller and not your own company."

OT: RIP Edward Woodward

Known for his appearances ranging for cult-favorite "The Wicker Man" (1973) to the long running series "The Equalizer" (1985-1989). Edward Woodward passed away after a period of illness, at the age of 79. Rest in peace.

Links

Self-Publishing: The Pros and Cons by Patricia Simpson
"I am the author of thirteen books published by HarperMonogram, Silhouette and TOR, and have been published in print since the early 1990s ... I thought, why not try the emerging print-on-demand (POD) technology and see what happens?"

Romancing the Recession
"But while the allure of the guaranteed happy ending can’t be denied, Jennifer Enderlin, associate publisher for St. Martin’s Paperbacks, says she believes that part of romance’s continued appeal is the high quality required to achieve such healthy sales. “In addition to providing escape, romance is so competitive that the writers who get published are really good,” she says."

Veinglory on Air

If you want to hear me talk about... whatever it is I talked about to Sascha for Radi Dentata's unNAMED Romance Show, here are the times and links. If you ever get the chance to be on this show I would certainly recommend it.

Sascha Illyvich Radio Show Host
Radio Dentata Listen to http://sascha.radiodentata.com/

Romance Show with No Name
Weekly at: Monday 4 PM & 10PM Thursday 6 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
November 16, 2009: Emily Veinglory
November 19, 2009: Emily Veinglory