Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Harlequin Announces New Non-Fiction Division

I saw this press release on a lit agency blog. Harlequin Romance has announced a whole new division for non-fiction books. See the press release below.

Harlequin Announces Launch of Nonfiction Program
Editorial to include relationship books, self-help, memoirs and biographies
Toronto, (May 30, 2007)

Harlequin Enterprises Ltd, one of the world's leading publishers of women's fiction, announced today that they will enter the nonfiction market in the fall of 2008. Harlequin will publish titles in numerous genres, including relationship, health, self-help, diet, fitness, inspirational, memoir and biography, as well as companion pieces to successful fictional series by the company’s many bestselling authors. “Harlequin’s entry into the nonfiction market builds upon our existing strengths as a publisher who provides millions of women around the world with great entertainment and a rewarding reading experience,” says Donna Hayes, Publisher and CEO of Harlequin Enterprises Limited.

Industry analysis and reader feedback clearly indicate that the nonfiction category holds tremendous opportunity for Harlequin, with its unique stature as a publisher of content for women. Harlequin had tremendous success with Friends: A Love Story by Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance. Spotlighting the compelling real-life love story of the Hollywood power couple and published in February 2007 under the Kimani Press imprint, Friends: A Love Story was a New York Times bestseller and marked Harlequin’s very first nonfiction romance story.

Harlequin is not creating a new imprint for the nonfiction program. Instead, the books will be author/title-led and will be published under Harlequin’s existing imprints, based on their content.“The publishing strategy will focus on content that entertains, supports, inspires and provides insights to women as their lives and roles change,” says Loriana Sacilotto, Executive Vice President, Global Publishing & Strategy. “The editorial will concentrate on such categories as health, diet, fitness, self-help, motivational and relationship books as well as narrative nonfiction—nonfiction that tells a story, such as memoirs and biographies—and will cater to women 35 years and older.”

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