Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Stay safe, don't eat too much, and remember - no matter how bad things might seem, there is always something to be thankful for -

{{{HUGS}}} to everyone today!

Goodbye Harlequin Horizons, Hello... DellArte Press???

Okay, so Harlequin Horizons has been renamed. It's now, as the post title says, DellArte Press. Gone is the HH logo that reminded just about everybody of the Harlequin Historicals imprint. Gone are the links from (every single one of ) eHarlequin's pages to Harlequin Horizons. However, I don't know that they have also done the right thing and removed their reference to submitting to DellArte from their rejection letters. I hope so, but I don't know and as far as I know, no one in the general public knows either. If that's wrong and someone does know, please correct me, or steer me to where I might find it. I'm up to my eyes in projects right now, not to mention I've a house to clean since I'm doing Thanksgiving. I'll try to find something to confirm or correct, but in the meantime...

Now, the question becomes, does it really matter that Harlequin took these steps? Does it change the fact that it is in partnership with Author Solutions on a vanity publishing venture? Will it matter where RWA, SFWA, and MWA are concerned?

I don't know, as I've yet to see any indication that it changes Harlequin's standings within these organizations. I'm sure the various boards are discussing it - or soon will be, considering it's Thanksgiving week - and decisions are most likely forthcoming in the near future.

As for me, I don't really know just how I feel about it. A lot hinges on that line in Harlequin's rejection letter. You know, the one referring the rejected manuscript to the vanity line. That is just sleazy, as far as I'm concerned. If I were on the receiving end of that letter, I'd submit it anywhere but DellArte, just on principle.

But if that line is removed, it makes it a little less clear to me. True, it is still a vanity press, but... If Harlequin isn't steering rejected manuscripts toward DellArte, that removes some of the conflict of interest, in my opinion. If Harlequin is truly distancing themselves, then it really is no different than when Random House owned 49% of Xlibris (and made certain to distance themselves from Xlibris at the same time. But it's moot now, as RH no longer owns that 49%, either.)

So, it's time to hurry up and wait, to sit back and watch as it continues to unfold. I should be returning to my usual posts after the holiday - but I will definitely keep as much on top of this as possible. I don't envy RWA, SFWA, or MWA's boards having to muddle through all of this.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Don't OD on the turkey!

Still Sifting Through...

Thanks PG and Aston for those links regarding MWA (Mystery Writers of America) and their response to Harlequin Enterprises planned launch of Harlequin Horizons - their vanity imprint. It seems MWA had already expressed their concerns over Harlequin's "Manuscript Critique Service", which is basically what says. )For a fee, Harlequin will critique a manuscript - I'd look up the fees, but as far as I know, Harlequin has discontinued this service in order to move forward with HQHO - a name I LOVE by the way.)

Anyway, MWA was already unhappy with Harlequin over this -

On November 9, Mystery Writers of America sent a letter to Harlequin about the "eHarlequin Manuscript Critique Service," notifying Harlequin that it is in violation of our rules and suggesting steps that Harlequin could take to remain on our Approved Publishers list. The steps outlined at that time included removing mention of this for-pay service entirely from its manuscript submission guidelines, clearly identifying any mention of this program as paid advertisement, and, adding prominent disclaimers that this venture was totally unaffiliated with the editorial side of Harlequin, and that paying for this service is not a factor in the consideration of manuscripts.

And since that letter went out, Harlequin announced the plans for HQHO. So, basically, MWA is taking a wait and see attitude regarding HQHO, but has this to say in the meanwhile:

If MWA and Harlequin are unable to reach an agreement, MWA will take appropriate action which may include removing Harlequin from the list of MWA approved publishers, declining future membership applications from authors published by Harlequin and declaring that books published by Harlequin will not be eligible for the Edgar Awards.

So, there you have it, Harlequin - another professional writers organization will also consider you a vanity publisher. And I don't know how many other organizations (if any) responded over the weekend. Unfortunately, between a death in the family, and my birthday - I was away from my computer and the internets most of the weekend, so I've a bit of catching up to do regarding this mess. Hopefully I'll be able to slog away through some of it - but if anyone else has anything to add, let me know! =)

One of the things I did learn (through an email I received yesterday on one of the NJRW loops) is that, as things stand now with Harlequin, any book published by any Harlequin imprint will be ineligible for the RITA in the coming years and any current PAN applications from Harlequin authors have been on hold, pending resolution.

There's still a lot of information to sift through, and more coming out day by day - I'll do my best to keep on top of it! =)

Harlequin Horizons - SFWA Speaks Out

It just keeps getting worse for Harlequin Enterprises, now that Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA) have also responded to the news that Harlequin is opening their vanity publishing arm. Yesterday, SFWA released this statement regarding Harlequin's announcement. And here is that statement, in part:

Until such time as Harlequin changes course, and returns to a model of legitimately working with authors instead of charging authors for publishing services, 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 Harlequin is apparently shocked at the responses they've received. It seems to me they pretty much figured that, as the giant of the romance writing industry, they could do pretty much whatever they damn well pleased, and no one would call them out.

Guess they were wrong, huh?

See, it's not just that they are opening a new imprint, and it's not to say that vanity press automatically equals sleaze (there are instances when vanity publishing and/or self publishing are warranted and perfectly legitimate - just generally not for fiction.)

But one of the things that's really gotten so many people twisted into knots is how Harlequin is going about running this show. They play up to the hope and dreams of writers - pay x amount, and you, too, are a Published Author. Maybe your book will catch the attention of an editor. And maybe, just maybe it would happen, but not for the majority of "published" Harlequin Horizons books. To be honest, most of the works found in the slush pile are unpublishable. Basically, Harlequin will make money off said slush pile by encouraging writers who may have very little knowledge of how publishing works, and who may think nothing of writing that check because, hey, I'll be able to say I'm a Harlequin author.

And what's worse? They plan to include, as part of their standard rejection letter, a suggestion to try Harlequin Horizons. Basically, they are going to say, "We think this is too crappy to publish, but it's perfectly publishable if you pay us to publish it."

Imagine that - you're a new author, have waited three (or more) months for a response and not only is it a rejection, but includes a suggestion that, if you pay, they'll in effect, publish it. How crappy is that to do to someone? How sleazy?

And of course, there is the fact that they keep calling it self-publishing, which it isn't. It's vanity publishing. You pay to play, and Harlequin Horizons continues to take a cut in the form of half the royalties (and that's royalties on the net, mind you, not on the cover price.) With true self-publishing, the author pays to have the books printed - after that, all monies go to the author. So Harlequin's trying to pretty up that aspect as well.

I thought I saw somewhere about the Mystery Writers of America releasing a statement as well, but when I went to verify it, I haven't been able to just yet. I don't know that I'll get to it today, as I've got an uber busy schedule, but when and if I can, I will. In the meanwhile, if anyone else has a link, please send it to me so I can keep this updated.

For now, I'll just sit back and watch to see how/if Harlequin manages to fix this mess.

Harlequin Horizons - RWA Speaks Out!

The last 24-48 hours have been pretty interesting in the world of romance novels, watching how the drama regarding Harlequin Horizons unfolds. There are still comments going up at Smart Bitches and Dear Author regarding it, and the various authors' loops I'm on are now beginning to buzz as well.

The biggest shocker to me was not only how quickly RWA responded to this news, but what they had to say as well. Basically, they've stripped Harlequin Enterprises of their non-vanity/non-subsidy publisher status. Yes, you read that right, as of now, RWA deems HQ a vanity publisher. They are welcome to attend the National Conference, but they now have yo pay for that privilege and RWA will not offer up any resources to promote or publicize HQN or its imprints.

I've been fairly vocal in my disapproval (and at times, dislike) of RWA, but this time, I'm proud of the stance they've taken. I don't know how long they'll continue to take this stance, and they could backpedal on it, but I think to do so would be opening an entirely new can of worms.

However, I feel for the current Harlequin authors, who have worked so hard to get through those doors. I know quite a few, and I think it's a disgrace how Harlequin basically threw them under the bus in order to make a quick buck. I would assume current Harlequin authors will retain their PAN status (if they have it) and those whose books came out in time to enter the 2009 RITA contest are still eligible to enter, but for future Harlequin authors, this will not happen as long as RWA deems HQN a vanity publisher. I don't know how it will play out for works contracted, but not yet published - and I don't envy the RWA board for this sudden mess that's been thrown at them.

I'm trying to keep up with everything, but there's a lot of information flying about, from a lot of different sources. But I'm going to do my best to keep up with this, because how it plays out could mean a huge change looms in the distance. What remains to be seen is whether this change is for the better or for the worst.

Harlequin Horizons

I'm a little late to the game, as I only heard about this yesterday and wanted to do a little more research before I wrote anything, but yes - it's true. Harlequin has opened an imprint that is, basically, a vanity publisher.

Harlequin Horizons is a pay-to-play vanity arm of Harlequin Enterprises, Unlimited. That's right, for the low, low amount of $599, (packages start at $599 and go up to $1599) -  you can call yourself a Harlequin author. Forget honing your craft and polishing your work! Forget those endless months of waiting on a query/partial submission! Forget worrying about rejection. If you've got the money, you can be a Published Author.

Personally, if I was a Harlequin author, I'd be seething right about now. As a romance writer and lover of romance novels in general, I think it's a horrible idea on Harlequin's part because they are basically enforcing the negative stereotype that anyone can write a romance novel and have it published.

Harlequin has always been a premier name in the romance novel industry - even if you're one of those people who makes fun of romance novels (you know, dismisses them as 'bodice rippers' and 'porn for women'), chances are you know the Harlequin name. And now, in my opinion, that name has been sullied.

 True, there is a niche for self-publishing, which often works well for non-fiction that has a small, but existing platform (author Stacia Kane summed it up perfectly by using model train collecting as an analogy. There would be a market for a self-published book on model trains, but it would be a limited market.) But generally speaking, self-publishing is not the way to go for fiction.

But this isn't even self-publishing. It's vanity. And it is a slap in the face to those HQ authors who've worked so hard, paid their dues, waited months on end, only to have Harlequin basically say now, if you've got the money, you too can be a Published Author.

But we encourage you to indulge in your passion for writing and begin the next chapter of your life as a published author.

And that is taken from the Harlequin website. Their words.

Published

Author

I'm sorry, but buying a book package doesn't make a published author any more than my buying the entire run of ER on DVD makes me a doctor.

This cheapens the Harlequin brand. And it should be interesting to see how RWA responds to this, if they respond at all, since they are pretty clear in what they consider a publisher. And since Harlequin isn't marketing this line under another name, will Harlequin, by RWA's own definition, no longer be considered a non-vanity/non-subsidy publisher? I don't see how it could go any other way.

And what about the authors who buy these packages? Will they be eligible for RWA-PAN (Published Author Network)? Will their books be on the shelves next to the other Harlequin novels? And what happens when, if these books do find their way onto bookstore and grocery store shelves (my local Wegman's has two banks of shelves dedicated to Harlequin novels alone), and people do pick them up, only to find they are reading what is, essentially, slush? Books that haven't been edited (in the basic package, this is a separate charge. It doesn't become included in the price until you hit the $999 package), that possibly aren't even worthy of publication, what happens when those books end up in a reader's hand? It might be the last Harlequin title a reader ever picks up.

Of course, I don't know that any of the Harlequin Horizons books will ever end up on a shelf anywhere other that the author's own house. But what if? Because basically, what this line targets amounts to the slush pile. Not that the manuscripts are automatically unworthy of publication, there are bound to be gems hidden in that pile somewhere . But the purpose of most submission policies are designed to weed out the unpublishable dreck. And that's the truth. Just because someone writes a book, doesn't make it automatically worthy of publication.

I think it's a bad idea. A terrible idea, actually. And I think it's awful that Harlequin is doing this. Romance novels, and those who write them have enough negative stereotypes to deal with as it is, why make it worse? Why make the Anyone can write one of those books stereotype true? It's a slap in the face to romance writers, and especially those who write for Harlequin.

There's discussions going on at Smart Bitches and at Dear Author showing both sides of the argument.

NaNoWriMo - DONE!

And I am finished!

50629 / 50000 words. 101% done!

And then some. Yes, if you scroll back to last November, you'll see I finished on the same date last year as well. That was done purposely this year. My goal was to write 50k in the same amount of time, or less, than last year's project. Next year, I'll try the same thing.

I finished at about 10:30 this morning, but the story itself is only about 3/4ths of the way finished. I'll probably write a little more before trunking it -  I may even finish it - but I've got a few other projects that need my attention first. I also have a few new story ideas, so I'll jot them down somewhere. Then maybe I'll tackle One Wicked Kiss.

So, there goes another NaNoWriMo for me. It's tiring, but it's a good tired, and one that gets the creative juices flowing again, which means new ideas and new stories to write and that's always good, as far as I'm concerned.

Now, this is the unofficial word count. I won't have the final one (which will likely be higher) until after Nov, 25th, when I can officially upload to the NaNo site - but it's done. Any more words are just gravy now.

And now, I need a nap.

Twitter

I haz it.

Even though I don't have a frickin' clue what I'm doing, I'm there.

Right here.

So, if you're out there, let me know!

And now, back to our regularly scheduled NaNo WIP.

I'm almost finished. I should break 50k sometime this morning.

Yay me.

=)