Harlequin

For more than 70 years, Harlequin has defined romance publishing, selling billions of books worldwide and launching the careers of bestselling authors like Nora Roberts and Debbie Macomber. With over 100 titles released each month across diverse imprints—including Harlequin Presents, Intrigue, Desire, and Love Inspired—the publisher caters to every corner of the romance market. Backed by HarperCollins, Harlequin combines competitive advances, an unmatched global distribution network spanning 100+ countries and 30+ languages, and a rare open submission policy that welcomes unagented authors. From mass-market paperbacks in grocery stores to digital-first imprints like Carina Press, Harlequin continues to lead the industry by blending tradition, accessibility, and innovation.

Harlequin Publishing: The Global Leader in Romance Books, Imprints, and Author Submissions

Few names are as synonymous with romance as Harlequin, a publisher that has dominated the genre for more than seven decades. With over 7 billion books sold worldwide and distribution in more than 100 international markets, Harlequin has shaped the way readers consume love stories while launching the careers of some of the most successful authors in commercial fiction. Its strength lies in its diverse range of imprints, global reach, and unmatched ability to connect with romance readers at scale.

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A Legacy of Romance and Love Stories

Founded in 1949 in Winnipeg, Canada, Harlequin began as a small independent press publishing a variety of genres, from Westerns to mysteries. By the mid-1950s, however, the company shifted its focus entirely to romance fiction, a decision that would define its identity and secure its place in publishing history.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Harlequin expanded aggressively into international markets, establishing partnerships and subsidiaries across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Its mass-market paperbacks, often sold in supermarkets, drugstores, and nontraditional retail outlets, became cultural touchstones, making romance fiction more widely available than ever before. By this era, Harlequin was selling millions of books per month, effectively cementing its status as a global publishing juggernaut.

In 2014, HarperCollins acquired Harlequin, integrating it into one of the world’s largest publishing groups and expanding its reach even further. Today, Harlequin publishes over 100 titles every month, covering every subgenre of romance imaginable—contemporary, historical, paranormal, inspirational, and more. Imprints such as Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Intrigue, Harlequin Historical, and Harlequin Desire ensure that readers can find stories tailored to their specific tastes, while digital-first imprints like Carina Press reflect Harlequin’s adaptability to changing reading habits.

Through its legacy and its evolution, Harlequin has remained the undisputed leader in romance publishing, blending tradition with innovation to meet the expectations of an ever-expanding global readership.

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A Wide Range of Romance Subgenres

Harlequin’s strength lies in the breadth of its publishing program. With over a dozen active imprints, the company ensures that virtually every corner of the romance market is represented, from traditional category romance to emerging subgenres. Each imprint caters to a distinct readership, allowing Harlequin to maintain dominance across the full spectrum of romance publishing.

• Harlequin Presents — Glamorous, high-stakes romances featuring billionaires, aristocrats, and jet-setting heroes in exotic international settings. Known for its drama and intensity, this remains Harlequin’s best-selling imprint worldwide.

  
  

• Harlequin Intrigue — Romantic suspense stories that blend mystery, danger, and romance, appealing to readers who enjoy fast-paced thrillers with emotional stakes.

  
  

• Harlequin Historical — Sweeping love stories set in richly detailed historical eras, from Regency England to the American frontier, appealing to fans of period fiction.

  
  

• Harlequin Desire — Emotionally charged, passionate contemporary romances, often featuring ambitious characters, power dynamics, and high drama.

  
  

• Harlequin Special Edition — Contemporary romances emphasizing heartfelt relationships, family bonds, and small-town or community settings.

  
  

• Harlequin Love Inspired — Inspirational romance with faith-based themes, one of the most successful imprints in the Christian romance market.

  
  

Beyond these, Harlequin publishes in emerging and evolving subgenres such as erotic romance, LGBTQ+ romance, and romantic fantasy, reflecting the company’s commitment to inclusivity and its ability to adapt to changing cultural trends. Digital-first imprints like Carina Press further expand this range, specializing in contemporary and diverse romance, including stories that larger commercial imprints have historically underserved.

With this vast array of imprints, Harlequin not only dominates the global romance market but also ensures that readers of every taste, background, and preference can find stories that resonate with them.

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Notable Authors and Bestsellers

Over the decades, Harlequin has launched and sustained the careers of some of the most recognizable names in romance and commercial fiction. Its reach has made it both a training ground for debut authors and a long-term home for bestselling writers whose books have reached readers in more than 100 international markets.

• Nora Roberts — Widely regarded as one of the most successful romance authors of all time, Roberts published dozens of early category romances with Harlequin before becoming a global brand with over 500 million books in print.

  
  

• Debbie Macomber — Known for her emotionally resonant small-town romances, Macomber’s Harlequin titles helped establish her reputation, leading to enduring series like Cedar Cove (later adapted into a Hallmark Channel TV show).

  
  

• Mercedes Lackey — A powerhouse in fantasy, Lackey has also written romance-focused works within Harlequin’s lines, demonstrating the publisher’s crossover appeal with genre authors.

  
  

• Christopher Rice — Son of Anne Rice, Rice contributed to Harlequin’s growing LGBTQ+ romance list, reflecting the publisher’s expanding commitment to inclusivity and diverse storytelling.

Beyond individual authors, Harlequin maintains one of the largest and most profitable backlists in publishing, with thousands of titles in active circulation and millions of books sold annually across print, ebook, and audiobook formats. Its bestselling series often sell in the hundreds of thousands of copies per title, making Harlequin a perennial leader not only in romance but in global mass-market fiction overall.

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Publishing Model and Advances

As one of the largest and most established romance publishers in the world, Harlequin stands out for its long-standing commitment to paying advances to nearly all of its authors—a practice that is increasingly rare outside of the Big Five publishing ecosystem. While amounts vary by imprint and author experience, category romance titles (such as those under Harlequin Presents or Intrigue) typically see advances ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 per book, while bestselling authors and long-term franchise writers can command significantly higher advances, often in the six-figure range for multi-book contracts (Publishers Marketplace data).

These advances are paired with a traditional royalty structure—generally 8–10% on mass-market paperbacks, 25% on ebooks, and variable rates on audiobooks—ensuring authors benefit from both upfront security and long-term sales performance. With Harlequin publishing over 100 titles per month across multiple imprints, this system has enabled the company to attract and retain top romance talent while continuing to serve as an entry point for debut authors.

In addition to advances, Harlequin has been a pioneer in digital-first publishing. Its Carina Press imprint, launched in 2010, was among the earliest digital-only romance publishers, embracing genres like LGBTQ+ romance and erotic romance that were underserved in traditional print markets. Harlequin has also invested heavily in print-on-demand technology, which reduces overhead costs and allows for greater backlist availability. As a result, Harlequin maintains one of the largest continuously active backlists in commercial publishing, with thousands of titles available in both print and digital formats.

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Global Reach

One of Harlequin’s greatest strengths is its unparalleled ability to put romance novels into the hands of readers everywhere. Unlike most publishers that rely primarily on bookstores and online retailers, Harlequin has mastered multi-channel distribution, ensuring its books are available in bookstores, grocery stores, big-box retailers, pharmacies, airports, and digital platforms around the globe.

Harlequin currently publishes in over 100 international markets and translates its titles into more than 30 languages, making it one of the most widely read publishers in the world. This reach has given Harlequin authors a truly global readership—series like Harlequin Presents and Harlequin Intrigue are just as likely to be found in a supermarket in Sydney or a newsstand in São Paulo as they are in a Barnes & Noble in New York.

Its distribution power is further bolstered by its parent company, HarperCollins, which provides additional global infrastructure and marketing support. This partnership ensures Harlequin maintains dominant visibility not only in North America but also across Europe, Asia, and Latin America, where demand for romance continues to grow.

With this expansive network, Harlequin sells tens of millions of copies annually, maintaining its reputation as the most accessible and internationally recognized romance publisher in the world.

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How to Submit to Harlequin

One of Harlequin’s defining features is its open submission policy for many of its imprints, making it one of the few major publishers where authors do not need a literary agent to be considered. This accessibility has helped Harlequin launch the careers of countless debut authors over the past seven decades.

That said, the romance market is intensely competitive, and Harlequin receives thousands of submissions each year. To maximize their chances, authors should carefully review the specific guidelines for each imprint, as each line has distinct requirements regarding word count, themes, heat level, and tone. For example:

• Harlequin Presents typically runs 50,000–55,000 words, focusing on high-drama, glamorous romances with alpha heroes and international settings.

  
  

• Harlequin Intrigue expects 55,000–60,000 words, blending fast-paced romantic suspense with mystery or thriller elements.

  
  

• Harlequin Love Inspired requires 55,000–60,000 words, emphasizing faith-driven romance with wholesome, inspirational themes.

  
  

• Harlequin Historical accepts romances set across diverse eras, including Regency England and the American West, usually in the 70,000–75,000 word range.

  
  

Harlequin also runs regular writing contests and open submission events, such as the So You Think You Can Write contest, which has discovered numerous bestselling authors.

Authors should submit through Harlequin’s official online submission portal, which allows them to select the imprint that best fits their manuscript. A strong submission includes a polished manuscript, a compelling synopsis, and a clear understanding of the target line’s voice and readership.

With its open-door policy and global distribution power, Harlequin remains one of the most attractive publishers for aspiring romance writers looking to break into traditional publishing.