Comments on: Harlequin Is Like Your Parents, Constantly Embarassing You Every Time You Try to Be Cool http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/ Romance, Historical, Contemporary, Paranormal, Young Adult, Book reviews, industry news, and commentary from a reader's point of view Sat, 26 May 2012 18:55:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: impending independant author http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-211264 impending independant author Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:39:39 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-211264 Why are all Harlequin books the same. I love them honestly, but I find I can only read a few then take a break because the plot, characters and story lines are all THE SAME! And the more I look into it, it seems that's kind of a requirement? Kind of too bad though, there's alot of readers looking for something fresh and different, and as addicted to these short novels as we are, we kinda need some REALITY.... hmm.. Why are all Harlequin books the same. I love them honestly, but I find I can only read a few then take a break because the plot, characters and story lines are all THE SAME! And the more I look into it, it seems that’s kind of a requirement? Kind of too bad though, there’s alot of readers looking for something fresh and different, and as addicted to these short novels as we are, we kinda need some REALITY…. hmm..

]]> By: Confess Yourself: Are you a closet category romance reader? | Dear Author: Romance Book Reviews, Author Interviews, and Commentary http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-80526 Confess Yourself: Are you a closet category romance reader? | Dear Author: Romance Book Reviews, Author Interviews, and Commentary Tue, 09 Oct 2007 09:01:36 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-80526 [...] release from Harlequin a couple of weeks ago about the online version of the Romance Report that I made fun of last year. The theme was confessions. This year, though, I figured it would be just too easy and [...] [...] release from Harlequin a couple of weeks ago about the online version of the Romance Report that I made fun of last year. The theme was confessions. This year, though, I figured it would be just too easy and [...]

]]> By: spyscribbler http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-78661 spyscribbler Tue, 02 Oct 2007 03:24:13 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-78661 Wow, I didn't know they did that. That report is just plain weird. It reads like a mock report. It's just ... um, weird. Wow, I didn’t know they did that.

That report is just plain weird. It reads like a mock report. It’s just … um, weird.

]]> By: Love and Romance » Blog Archive » What do you think’s romantic? http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-23206 Love and Romance » Blog Archive » What do you think’s romantic? Tue, 13 Feb 2007 03:46:21 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-23206 [...] 2007 Romance Report has been criticised for what it doesn’t do: Does the report talk about how smart romance readers are? Or how diverse they are? Does the report [...] [...] 2007 Romance Report has been criticised for what it doesn’t do: Does the report talk about how smart romance readers are? Or how diverse they are? Does the report [...]

]]> By: Karen Scott http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22836 Karen Scott Sat, 03 Feb 2007 01:21:03 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22836 <blockquote>Maybe we're the oddballs, maybe we don't realize that the average romance reader is truly a Cosmo reading, Sex in the City wannabe sending dirty text messages and emails.</blockquote> I'll have you know that I read Cosmo for its interesting view on politics in the western society, and I constantly channel Samantha Jones whenever there's a hot guy around. Is sending dirty text messages during work time a bad thing? Crap. *g*

Maybe we’re the oddballs, maybe we don’t realize that the average romance reader is truly a Cosmo reading, Sex in the City wannabe sending dirty text messages and emails.

I’ll have you know that I read Cosmo for its interesting view on politics in the western society, and I constantly channel Samantha Jones whenever there’s a hot guy around. Is sending dirty text messages during work time a bad thing? Crap. *g*

]]> By: C newman http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22827 C newman Fri, 02 Feb 2007 18:26:39 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22827 [quote comment="22393"]I can only say: Le sigh. Nora[/quote] [quote comment="22472"]I own several pairs of Manolo's and Choo's (okay, I'm a shoe ho, so what?)[/quote] You and Linda Howard!!! What are we going to do with the two of you? [quote comment="22393"]I can only say: Le sigh.

Nora[/quote]
[quote comment="22472"]I own several pairs of Manolo’s and Choo’s (okay, I’m a shoe ho, so what?)[/quote]

You and Linda Howard!!! What are we going to do with the two of you?

]]> By: Lynne http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22795 Lynne Fri, 02 Feb 2007 03:48:22 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22795 OMG, Sandy! I saw that, too! A big, honkin' typo in the first line. LOL!! OMG, Sandy! I saw that, too! A big, honkin’ typo in the first line. LOL!!

]]> By: Dee http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22616 Dee Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:13:36 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22616 "I'm sorry, but no matter what they say, I don't think the image of romance novels/novelists/readers will ever be changed significantly until the book covers are changed." I agree wholeheartedly, Lynn M. I've fought against the dreaded clinch since my first boo came out in 1999. It seems I've won a battle or two since my last two covers are sans clinch, It says to readers all that is important in this book is the frequency and duration of the hot and heavy. But surprise, Virginia, there is an actual plot in romances that is enhanced by lovemaking scenes, but is not the whole thrust (couldn't help the pun) of the story. “I’m sorry, but no matter what they say, I don’t think the image of romance novels/novelists/readers will ever be changed significantly until the book covers are changed.”

I agree wholeheartedly, Lynn M. I’ve fought against the dreaded clinch since my first boo came out in 1999. It seems I’ve won a battle or two since my last two covers are sans clinch, It says to readers all that is important in this book is the frequency and duration of the hot and heavy. But surprise, Virginia, there is an actual plot in romances that is enhanced by lovemaking scenes, but is not the whole thrust (couldn’t help the pun) of the story.

]]> By: riley http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22614 riley Wed, 31 Jan 2007 16:30:13 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22614 Whan I first read the heading, I thought it said, Harlequin Is Like Your Parents, Constantly Embarrassing You Eveytime THEY Try To Be Cool. Actually, Harlequin is like the tryingtobecool parents, while the non romance reading public are the teenagers. They will never, ever be cool enough for them because of things like this. No wonder romance has a bad rep. Whan I first read the heading, I thought it said, Harlequin Is Like Your Parents, Constantly Embarrassing You Eveytime THEY Try To Be Cool.
Actually, Harlequin is like the tryingtobecool parents, while the non romance reading public are the teenagers. They will never, ever be cool enough for them because of things like this. No wonder romance has a bad rep.

]]> By: Kristie(J) http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22551 Kristie(J) Wed, 31 Jan 2007 04:19:17 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22551 Acckk!!! What a wasted opportunity. It's so frustrating isn't it. We romance readers are just like the Rodney Dangerfields of reading aren't we. So untrue and so unfair! Acckk!!! What a wasted opportunity. It’s so frustrating isn’t it. We romance readers are just like the Rodney Dangerfields of reading aren’t we. So untrue and so unfair!

]]> By: Emily http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22548 Emily Wed, 31 Jan 2007 03:59:46 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22548 Whenever a company has to try to be hip, they always miss by at least a decade. Whenever a company has to try to be hip, they always miss by at least a decade.

]]> By: Lynn M http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22540 Lynn M Wed, 31 Jan 2007 01:58:05 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22540 I'm sorry, but no matter what they say, I don't think the image of romance novels/novelists/readers will ever be changed significantly until the book covers are changed. If the images in this post are two of the five books shown and I didn't know any better from being a reader myself, I would get the distinct impression that Harlequin is all about sex and nothing but sex. Not that we should hide erotica or romantica or "hot" books beneath brown paper wrappers. But just as the clinch covers of the 1980s gave romance novels a certain lack of respectability (who can take a book seriously when it features bare-chested men astride bucking black stallions while clutching a torn-bodiced, hair-blown models?), these covers simply represent photographic clinches of a sort. I’m sorry, but no matter what they say, I don’t think the image of romance novels/novelists/readers will ever be changed significantly until the book covers are changed. If the images in this post are two of the five books shown and I didn’t know any better from being a reader myself, I would get the distinct impression that Harlequin is all about sex and nothing but sex. Not that we should hide erotica or romantica or “hot” books beneath brown paper wrappers. But just as the clinch covers of the 1980s gave romance novels a certain lack of respectability (who can take a book seriously when it features bare-chested men astride bucking black stallions while clutching a torn-bodiced, hair-blown models?), these covers simply represent photographic clinches of a sort.

]]> By: Leslie Kelly http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22482 Leslie Kelly Tue, 30 Jan 2007 21:11:56 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22482 PS: Of the ideas we discussed, the one I liked the most was something along the lines of, "Bet you thought you didn't like romance..." showing people watching romantic movies, romantic TV shows, having candlelight dinners, etc., and tying it in to romance reading. PS: Of the ideas we discussed, the one I liked the most was something along the lines of, “Bet you thought you didn’t like romance…” showing people watching romantic movies, romantic TV shows, having candlelight dinners, etc., and tying it in to romance reading.

]]> By: Leslie Kelly http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22481 Leslie Kelly Tue, 30 Jan 2007 21:06:47 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22481 I've heard it explained just as Christine did above. Whether it works, I have no idea. But I honestly can't imagine how much it costs to produce and send out. And FYI--I was on the "image committee" for RWA and one of the reasons it was disbanded was because there was *zero* budget. We tossed around dozens of ideas but very few could be implemented for little or no money. Most of them involved Nora being her goddess-self...lol! I’ve heard it explained just as Christine did above.

Whether it works, I have no idea. But I honestly can’t imagine how much it costs to produce and send out.

And FYI–I was on the “image committee” for RWA and one of the reasons it was disbanded was because there was *zero* budget. We tossed around dozens of ideas but very few could be implemented for little or no money.

Most of them involved Nora being her goddess-self…lol!

]]> By: Christine Rimmer http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22478 Christine Rimmer Tue, 30 Jan 2007 20:21:54 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22478 Jane, well... Just to clarify: the Romance Report is *not* a catalog. It's *not* for readers or authors, nor is it *about* readers or authors. It's not even about books. It's for drivetime radio jocks and the like, so on Valentine's Day they'll have something to crack wise about during rush hour. Any book advertising they do in there is viewed as a sidelight. It's about getting various media to talk Romance on 2/14 and maybe, just maybe, say they got their stats from Harlequin. It's about Harlequin=Romance. Since Harlequin continues to put it out year after year in the same very costly format, they must think it's working. I personally would prefer a higher royalty rate, but...there you have it. Jane, well…

Just to clarify: the Romance Report is *not* a catalog. It’s *not* for readers or authors, nor is it *about* readers or authors. It’s not even about books. It’s for drivetime radio jocks and the like, so on Valentine’s Day they’ll have something to crack wise about during rush hour. Any book advertising they do in there is viewed as a sidelight. It’s about getting various media to talk Romance on 2/14 and maybe, just maybe, say they got their stats from Harlequin. It’s about Harlequin=Romance. Since Harlequin continues to put it out year after year in the same very costly format, they must think it’s working.

I personally would prefer a higher royalty rate, but…there you have it.

]]> By: jmc http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22475 jmc Tue, 30 Jan 2007 20:06:01 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22475 Do you think Harlequin intended to repeat its methodology and "About Harlequin" 10+ times in the press release? As I scrolled down the page, I saw the body of the release at least four times before I stopped counting. Again, is there an editor in the house? I just skimmed the Romance Report. Does anyone at Harlequin Enterprises really think that readers need Harlequin to tell them what's hot and what's not, or where to go for a romantic vacation? I'd check out Lonely Planet and a variety of other sources for that. Stick with the books, please! Do you think Harlequin intended to repeat its methodology and “About Harlequin” 10+ times in the press release? As I scrolled down the page, I saw the body of the release at least four times before I stopped counting. Again, is there an editor in the house?

I just skimmed the Romance Report. Does anyone at Harlequin Enterprises really think that readers need Harlequin to tell them what’s hot and what’s not, or where to go for a romantic vacation? I’d check out Lonely Planet and a variety of other sources for that. Stick with the books, please!

]]> By: Nora Roberts http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22472 Nora Roberts Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:52:48 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22472 I own several pairs of Manolo's and Choo's (okay, I'm a shoe ho, so what?) But they don't appear to know me either. I own several pairs of Manolo’s and Choo’s (okay, I’m a shoe ho, so what?)

But they don’t appear to know me either.

]]> By: Sybil http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22466 Sybil Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:55:14 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22466 [quote comment="22446"]Maybe if Harlequin has enough money to turn out this drivel they have enough to actually buy a clue.[/quote] If Harlequin has this much money they have enough to pay higher rates to their authors for their ebooks. Just saying... [quote comment="22446"]Maybe if Harlequin has enough money to turn out this drivel they have enough to actually buy a clue.[/quote]

If Harlequin has this much money they have enough to pay higher rates to their authors for their ebooks.

Just saying…

]]> By: Sara Dennis http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22464 Sara Dennis Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:51:16 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22464 Tattooed fingers are romantic? I thought that was prison block chic. Tattooed fingers are romantic? I thought that was prison block chic.

]]> By: Jaci Burton http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22453 Jaci Burton Tue, 30 Jan 2007 16:22:11 +0000 http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007/01/30/harlequin-is-like-your-parents-constantly-embarassing-you-every-time-you-try-to-be-cool/#comment-22453 It might just be my opinion, but shouldn't an expensive publisher catalog feature....books? It might just be my opinion, but shouldn’t an expensive publisher catalog feature….books?

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