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Writing Guidelines and Samples

Read the most up-to-date writing guidelines for the Harlequin and Silhouette series as well as our single title programs including the LUNA, MIRA and Steeple Hill imprints.

• New writing opportunities! Check out the new guidelines!
• Harlequin Teen
• Nocturne Bites
• Nonfiction Editorial
• Harlequin Historical Undone
• Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical
• Spice Briefs

Want to submit your manuscript to an editor, but not quite sure what your manuscript, synopsis and query letter should look like? Use our handy Submission Samples as models to make sure you've formatted everything properly before you send your masterpiece.

Hear what the editors of this series are really looking for in a book—it could be your story! Listen to the Meet the Editors podcast.

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This Month's Feature

You're here for one reason: to write a Harlequin novel. You love the romance and the conflict, the fantasy and the truth, the drama and the tension. And you want to be a part of it. For it to be a part of you.

But as we all know, there are a lot of preconceptions and misconceptions about Harlequin books. And at 115 titles a month, how do you find the line that fits your style? By going to the source, of course!

You'll always find writing tips, support and challenges in our online Community! This month, editor Victoria Curran is looking for YOUR Superromance pitch. Then, join author Emily McKaskle on The Write Stuff board from February 22-26 to learn more about character plotting!

Comments? Anecdotes? Have a question about Harlequin that you've always wanted answered? Send an e-mail to Learn_To_Write@Harlequin.ca

Happy writing!

Writing Challenges

• The Harlequin Presents Writing Competition 2009 is now closed. We thank all who entered! Watch for details about the winners on the I Heart Presents Blog.
• Harlequin seeks true stories about ordinary women who are making extraordinary contributions to their communities. Click here for more details!

Winners' Circle

• The Big Finish 2: Congratulations to everyone who entered The Big Finish 2! We were thrilled by all of the creative responses—choosing just three was certainly very difficult. Read the top three entries now!
• Find out who won the Instant Seduction Writing Competition! And click here for some exciting news about one of the winners.
• The results are in! We are pleased to announce the winners of the Ultimate Secret Contest. Thanks once again to all who entered. Read the top three scenes now!

More Articles

• Editors' Pet Peeves
• Organizing Your Writing
• Glossary of Publishing Terms
• Do-It-Yourself Editing

• Proofreaders' Marks
• Quick Query Letter Checklist
• Writing the Dreaded Synopsis
• Learning to Rewrite

• Hitting the Target
• Get Out and Stay Out…of the Slush Pile
• From Slush to Published
• Make Time to Write