Harlequin Digital First Adds "Space Opera" Category

Sharp-eyed Galaxy Express passenger Christine Dong alerted me about additions to Harlequin's digital-first series. The company is seeking submissions in a variety of new categories and one of them is Harlequin Space Opera, which can include romance but it isn't a requirement. That to me says they're interested in acquiring romantic SF, which is great because authors who write romantic SF have been needing more digital-first publishing options.

Here's more information:

Harlequin Space Opera

Sweeping, melodramatic, adventure in space. High stakes, larger-than-life action, individuals against a massive operation. Intergalactic politics, military conflicts, galaxies hanging in the balance. If these words get your blood pumping, moving your phaser settings off stun and arming the plasma torpedoes, then send us your stories! In these novels—stand alone or multiple volumes—the world is vivid and the action nonstop, but the story focuses on the individual relationships in the heart of the battle, whether romantic, adversarial or otherwise. Readers will want to understand the magnitude of the undertaking, but also be able to comprehend the strategy and events of our heroes and heroines as they face their enemies from the bridge of a starship or the deck of an orbiter. Romance or romantic elements are welcome, but not a requirement.

For books, think about the Vorkosigan saga by Lois McMaster Bujold, the Old Man's War series by John Scalzi, the Honor Harrington series by David Weber, The Ender's Shadow saga by Orson Scott Card, Empire of Man/Prince Roger series by David Weber and John Ringo, The Confederation series by Tanya Huff, or Vatta's War by Elizabeth Moon among others. For movies/TV, imagine capturing the action in Battlestar Galactica, Star Wars, Firefly, The Fifth Element or even Galaxy Quest.

Happy writing!

Joyfully yours,

Heather