Harlequin Enterprises

{{Short description|Canadian book publisher of series romance and women's fiction}} {{Use Canadian English|date=April 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox publisher | image = Harlequin_Enterprises_logo.svg | parent = HarperCollins | status = | founded = {{start date and age|1949}} in Winnipeg, Manitoba | founder = {{plainlist| * Richard Bonnycastle * Jack Palmer * Doug Weld }} | successor = | country = Canada | headquarters = Toronto, Ontario | distribution = | keypeople = | publications = Books | topics = | genre = Romance, action | imprints = Carina, Canary Street, Kimani, Love Inspired, Mira, Hanover Square, Park Row, Graydon House | revenue = $585 million<ref name="wyatt"/> | owner = | numemployees = | nasdaq = | url = {{URL|http://www.Harlequin.com}} }}

'''Harlequin Enterprises ULC''' (known simply as '''Harlequin''') is a Canadian publisher of romance, women's fiction and various other genres under multiple publishing imprints. Founded in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1949, from the 1960s, it grew into the largest publisher of romance fiction in the world.

Based in Toronto since 1969,<ref name="wirten64" /> Harlequin was owned by the Torstar Corporation, the largest newspaper publisher in Canada, from 1981 to 2014. It was then purchased by News Corp<ref>{{cite news|title=Three Reasons News Corp Bought Harlequin, World's Biggest Romance Book Publisher|work=Forbes|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremygreenfield/2014/05/02/news-corp-buys-harlequin-worlds-biggest-romance-book-publisher-three-reasons/|date=2 May 2014 |author=Greenfield, Jeremy}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Torstar Corporation Completes Sale of Harlequin Enterprises Limited|url=http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/press-releases/story.aspx?id=1003186087&er=NA|access-date=2014-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808051945/http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/press-releases/story.aspx?id=1003186087&er=NA|archive-date=2014-08-08|url-status=usurped}}</ref> and is now a division of HarperCollins.<ref>{{cite news|work=Digital Book World|url=http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2014/news-corp-acquires-harlequin-adds-to-harpercollins-portfolio/|title=News Corp Acquires Harlequin, Adds to HarperCollins Portfolio|date=May 2, 2014|author=Greenfield, Jeremy Greenfield|access-date=May 2, 2014|archive-date=November 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115043029/http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2014/news-corp-acquires-harlequin-adds-to-harpercollins-portfolio/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":26">{{Cite web |title=HarperCollins Canada {{!}} Harlequin |url=https://careers.hcc-hqn.com/ |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=HarperCollins Canada {{!}} Harlequin |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1971, Harlequin purchased the London-based publisher Mills & Boon Limited and began a global expansion program opening offices in Australia and major European markets such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Netherlands, and Scandinavia. Harlequin launched an audiobook program in 2015.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bookbusinessmag.com/article/harlequin-harpercollins-launch-new-audiobook-imprint/all/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820135811/https://www.bookbusinessmag.com/article/harlequin-harpercollins-launch-new-audiobook-imprint/all/ | url-status=usurped | archive-date=August 20, 2019 | title=Harlequin & HarperCollins Launch New Audiobook Imprint }}</ref>

== History ==

=== Early years === Harlequin was founded in 1949 by Richard Bonnycastle in Winnipeg, Manitoba, as a paperback reprinting company.<ref name=":26" /><ref name=":27">{{Cite web |title=Home - Corporate Harlequin |url=https://corporate.harlequin.com/ |access-date=2023-03-18 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Hrlqn">{{cite web|last1=Faircloth|first1=Kelly|title=How Harlequin Became the Most Famous Name in Romance|url=http://pictorial.jezebel.com/how-harlequin-became-the-most-famous-name-in-romance-1692048963|website=Pictorial|publisher=Jezebel.com|access-date=March 29, 2015|date=March 19, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He founded the business while working at Winnipeg's Advocate Printers, a branch of Toronto's Bryant Press, as a way to keep the presses busy.<ref name=":28" />

The business would be owned by Advocate Printers, Doug Weld of Bryant Press, and Jack Palmer, head of the Canadian distributor of the ''Saturday Evening Post ''and the ''Ladies' Home Journal''. Palmer oversaw marketing for the new company and Bonnycastle took charge of the production.<ref name=":28">{{cite news|work=Funding Universe|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Harlequin-Enterprises-Limited-Company-History.html|title=Harlequin Enterprises Limited Company History}}</ref>

Harlequin released its first book, Nancy Bruff's ''The Manatee'', in May 1949.<ref name=":28" /> In the beginning, Harlequin typically acquired rights from various other publishers, though a few original books were published as well.<ref name=":28" /> Among the novels they reprinted were works by James Hadley Chase, Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Somerset Maugham. Their biggest success was Jean Plaidy's ''Beyond the Blue Mountain'' (1951). Of the 30,000 copies sold, only 48 were returned.<ref name="wirten63">Hemmungs Wirten (1998), p. 63.</ref>

Although the new company had strong sales in its nascent years, profit margins were limited, and the operation struggled to stay solvent. Following the death of Palmer in the mid-1950s, Bonnycastle acquired his 25% interest in Harlequin. With the company still struggling to survive, soon Weld departed and Bonnycastle, now in full control, transferred Weld's shares to secretary Ruth Palmour.<ref name=":28" />

In 1954, the company's chief editor died, and Bonnycastle's wife, Mary, began proofreading books at home and took over his duties.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,908131-2,00.html|title=ENTERPRISE: What Women Want, Or Kitsch Rewarded|magazine=Time|date=5 November 1973|via=content.time.com|access-date=16 February 2019|archive-date=4 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104142513/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,908131-2,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":28" /><ref name=":27" /> Mary enjoyed reading the romances of British publisher Mills & Boon, and, at her urging, in 1957 Harlequin acquired the North American distribution rights to the category romance novels which had been published by Mills & Boon in the British Commonwealth.<ref name="Thurston 1987, p. 42">Thurston (1987), p. 42.</ref>

The first Mills & Boon novel to be reprinted by Harlequin was Anne Vinton's ''The Hospital in Buwambo'' (Mills & Boon No 407).<ref name="wirten64">Hemmungs Wirten (1998), p. 64.</ref>

=== Mills & Boon partnership === The contract with Mills & Boon was based solely on a handshake, given each year when Richard Bonnycastle visited London. He would lunch at the Ritz Hotel with Editorial Director Alan Boon, the son of Gerald Mills, co-founder of Mills & Boon. The two would informally agree to extend their business agreement for an additional year.<ref name="wirten66">Hemmungs Wirten (1998), p. 66.</ref>

Mary Bonnycastle and her daughter Judy Burgess exercised editorial control over which Mills & Boon novels were reprinted by Harlequin. They had a "decency code" and rejected more sexually-explicit material that Mills & Boon submitted for reprinting. Upon realizing the genre was popular, Richard finally decided to read a romance novel. He chose one of the more explicit novels and enjoyed it. On his orders, the company conducted a market test with the novel he had read and discovered that it outsold a similar, tamer novel.<ref>Regis (2003), p. 185</ref> Overall, intimacy in the novels never extended beyond a chaste kiss between the protagonists.<ref name="Thurston 1987, p. 42" />

The romances proved to be hugely popular, and by 1964 the company was exclusively publishing Mills & Boon novels under the Harlequin imprint.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Pettegree |first1=Andrew |title=The Library—A Fragile History |last2=Weduwen |first2=Arthur der |publisher=Basic Books |year=2021 |isbn=9781541600775 |location=New York |page=379 |language=en-UK}}</ref> Although Harlequin had the rights to distribute the Mills & Boon books throughout North America, in 1967 over 78% of their sales took place in Canada, where the sell-through rate was approximately 85%. Richard Bonnycastle died in 1968 and his son, Richard Bonnycastle Jr., took over the company. He immediately organized the 1969 relocation of operations to Toronto, Ontario, where he built the company into a major force in the publishing industry.<ref name="wirten64" /> In 1970, Bonnycastle Jr. contracted with Pocket Books and Simon & Schuster to distribute Harlequin romance fiction novels in the United States.<ref name="wirten64" />

On October 1, 1971, Harlequin purchased Mills & Boon.<ref name="Regis 2003, p. 156">Regis (2003), p. 156.</ref> This move was made primarily to secure the talents of Alan Boon and his editorial team. John Boon, another of the co-founder's sons, remained with the company as Managing Director overseeing British operations and English language exports to markets around the world, including Australia, India and South Africa.<ref name="wirten66"/>

As North American booksellers were reluctant to stock mass-market paperbacks, Harlequin chose to sell its books "where the women are,"<ref name="Thurston, pp. 46-47">Thurston, pp. 46-47.</ref> distributing them in supermarkets, drug stores and other retail outlets.<ref name="wirten66"/> The company focuses on selling the line of books as a brand name, rather than individual titles. Headed by Larry Heisey, the marketing team modelled its techniques on those of Procter & Gamble. As well as selling through retail outlets, Harlequin established a direct marketing division taking as its inspiration the systems used by Reader's Digest. Rather than traditional advertising, the company focused on giveaways. A sampling of books within a line would be given away, sometimes in conjunction with other products, in the hopes that readers would continue to buy books within that line.<ref name="wirten66"/> Harlequin Reader Service sold directly to readers who agreed to purchase a set number of books each month.<ref name="Thurston, pp. 46-47"/>

At the time that Harlequin purchased Mills & Boon, the company only published one line of category romances. The Harlequin Romance line released six novels each month. At John Boon's urging, in 1973 Harlequin introduced a second line named Harlequin Presents. Designed partially to highlight three popular and prolific authors, Anne Hampson, Anne Mather, and Violet Winspear, these novels were slightly more sensual than their Harlequin Romance counterparts. Although Mary Bonnycastle disapproved of the more sensual nature of these novels, they had sold well in Great Britain, and the company chose to distribute them in North America as well. Within two years Harlequin Presents novels were outselling Harlequin Romance.<ref name="wirten66"/>

In late 1975 Toronto Star Ltd. acquired a 52.5% interest in Harlequin, and in 1981 acquired the balance of the shares.<ref name="fundinguniverse.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/harlequin-enterprises-limited-history/|title=History of Harlequin Enterprises Limited – FundingUniverse|website=www.fundinguniverse.com}}</ref>

=== Romance wars === By 1975, 70% of Harlequin's sales came from the United States.<ref name="wirten64"/> Despite this fact, the company contracted with only British writers. Harlequin contracted its first American author in late 1975 when they purchased a novel by Janet Dailey.<ref>Thurston (1987), pp. 46-47.</ref><ref>Regis (2003), pp. 155-156</ref> Dailey's novels provided the romance genre's "first look at heroines, heroes and courtships that take place in America, with American sensibilities, assumptions, history, and most of all, settings."<ref>Regis (2003), p. 159.</ref> Harlequin was unsure how the market would react to this new type of romance, and was unwilling to fully embrace it. In the late 1970s, a Harlequin editor rejected a manuscript by Nora Roberts, who has since become the top-selling romance author, because "they already had their American writer."<ref>Regis (2003), pp. 158, 183, 184.</ref>

thumb|right|Silhouette Books logo

Harlequin terminated its distribution contract with Simon & Schuster and Pocket Books in 1976. This left Simon & Schuster with a large sales force and no product.<ref name="wirten66"/> To fill this gap, and to take advantage of the untapped talent of the American writers Harlequin had rejected, Simon & Schuster formed Silhouette Books in 1980.<ref>Regis (2003), pp. 156, 159.</ref> Silhouette published several lines of category romance, and encouraged their writers to experiment within the genre, creating new kinds of heroes and heroines and addressing contemporary social issues.<ref>Regis (2003), p. 184</ref>

Realizing their mistake, Harlequin launched their own line of America-focused romances in 1980. The '''Harlequin Superromance''' line was the first of its lines to originate in North America instead of in Britain. The novels were similar to the Harlequin Presents books, but were longer and featured American settings and American characters.<ref>Hemmungs Wirten (1998), p. 67.</ref>

Harlequin had also failed to adapt quickly to the signs that readers appreciated novels with more explicit sex scenes, and in 1980 several publishers entered the category romance market to fill that gap. That year Dell launched Candlelight Ecstasy, the first line to waive the requirement that heroines be virginal. By the end of 1983, sales for the Candlelight Ecstasy line totaled $30 million. Silhouette also launched similar lines, Desire and Special Edition, each of which had a 90–100% sellout rate each month.<ref name="barret">{{Citation | last =Barrett | first =Mary Ellin | title = Pure as the Driven Slush | newspaper = Family Weekly | date = January 9, 1983 | url =http://www.cherylclarke.net/cherylclarke.net+folder/cherylclarke.net/pdf_files/Binder+3.pdf |access-date = 2007-05-24 }}</ref> The sudden increase in category romance lines meant an equally sudden increase in demand for writers of the new style of romance novel. By 1984, the market was saturated with category lines and readers had begun to complain of redundancy in plots.<ref>Thurston, p. 188.</ref> The following year, the "dampening effect of the high level of redundancy associated with series romances was evident in the decreased number of titles being read per month."<ref>Thurston, p. 128.</ref> Harlequin's return rate, which had been less than 25% in 1978 when it was the primary provider of category romance, swelled to 60%.<ref>Thurston, p. 190.</ref>

In 1984, Harlequin purchased Silhouette from Simon & Schuster.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Another Life: A Memoir of Other People|last=Korda|first=Michael|publisher=Random House|year=1999|isbn=0-679-45659-7|location=New York|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/anotherlifememoi00kord}}</ref> Despite the acquisition, Silhouette continued to retain editorial control and to publish various lines under their own imprint.<ref name="Regis 2003, p. 156"/> Eight years later, Harlequin attempted to purchase Zebra, but the deal did not go through. Despite the loss of Zebra, Harlequin maintained an 85% share of the North American category romance market in 1992.<ref>Hemmungs Wirten (1998), pp. 67–68.</ref>

=== International expansion === Torstar Corporation, which owns Canada's largest daily newspaper, the ''Toronto Star'', purchased Harlequin in 1981 and began actively expanding into other markets.<ref>Hemmungs Wirten (1998), p. 69.</ref> Although the authors of Harlequin novels universally share English as a first language, each Harlequin office functions independently in deciding which books to publish, edit, translate, and print, "to ensure maximum adaptability to the particulars of their respective markets."<ref>Hemmungs Wirten (1998), pp. 21-22.</ref>

Harlequin began expanding into other parts of Europe in 1974,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=April 12, 2010 |title=Harlequin Buys-Out German Partner |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/international/international-deals/article/42799-harlequin-buys-out-german-partner.html |access-date=31 December 2023 |website=Publishers Weekly |language=en}}</ref> when it entered into a distribution agreement with Cora Verlag, a division of German publisher Axel Springer AG. The companies signed a two-year agreement to release two Mills & Boon novels each month in magazine format. The books sold well, and when the agreement came up for renewal Harlequin instead purchased a 50% interest in Cora Verlag. The new joint venture format allowed Harlequin to receive more of the profits, and allowed them to gain continued distribution in Austria, Switzerland, and West Germany. As of 1998, Germany represented 40% of Harlequin's total European business.<ref name="wirten101">Hemmungs Wirten (1998), p. 101.</ref>

During this same period, Harlequin opened an office in the Netherlands. Although this office lost money in its first year, by its third year in business it had accumulated a profit. In 1979, the company expanded in Scandinavia with an office in Stockholm.<ref name="wirten101"/> Expansion was rapid in both Finland and Norway. Within two years of its opening Harlequin held 24% of the market for mass-market books in Sweden.<ref name="writen102">Hemmungs Wirten (1998), p. 102.</ref> Scandinavia offered unique problems however, as booksellers refused to sell the category romances, complaining that the books' short life span of one month created too much work for too little compensation. Booksellers and distributors also worried that the uniformity of Harlequin's book covers made advertising too difficult. Instead, Harlequin novels in Scandinavia are classified as magazines and sold in supermarkets, at newsstands, or through subscription. Harlequin retains their North American-style direct marketing. Its message in Scandinavia is very similar to that of North America, but its target audience differs slightly.<ref name="wirten103">Hemmungs Wirten (1998), p. 103.</ref>

The 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall gave Harlequin an opportunity to extend into previously closed markets. Cora Verlag distributed over 720,000 romance novels at border checkpoints to introduce East Germans to the company's books.<ref>Hemmungs Wirten (1998), p. 19.</ref> The same year, Harlequin's German joint venture began distributing books in Hungary. By 1991 the company was selling 7 million romances in Hungary, and by 1992 Harlequin had sold 11 million books in a nation which, at the time, contained only 5.5 million women. At the same time, Harlequin's wholly owned subsidiary in Poland was able to order initial print runs of 174,000 copies of each title, and the Czech Republic was purchasing over $10 million in Harlequin novels each year.<ref name="wirten68">Hemmungs Wirten (1998), p. 68.</ref> In 1992, Harlequin had its best year (as of 1998), selling over 205 million novels in 24 languages on 6 continents. The company released a total of 800 new titles in English, with 6,600 foreign editions.<ref>Hemmungs Wirten (1998), p. 20.</ref>

Harlequin moved into the Chinese market in January 1995. In China, the company produced books in both Mandarin and English. Twenty titles were offered each year in Mandarin, with print runs of 550,000 copies each. An additional ten titles were offered in English, with print runs of 200,000 copies each.<ref name="wirten68"/>

== International editions == In total,{{when|date=May 2014}} Harlequin has offices in Amsterdam, Athens, Budapest, Granges-Pacot, Hamburg, London, Madrid, Milan, New York, Paris, Stockholm, Sydney, Tokyo, and Warsaw as well as licensing agreements in nine other countries.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}}

The editors in Harlequin's branch offices have a great deal of control over which Harlequin novels will be published in their market. An editor generally chooses a book after either reading it personally, receiving a favorable review of the book from someone else, or reading a tip sheet about the novel.<ref>Hemmungs Wirten (1998), p. 112.</ref> The editors accept a novel for one of four reasons:<ref>Hemmungs Wirten (1998), p. 115.</ref> *Anticipated high sales *Perceived quality *A setting or topic that fits into a monthly theme *Direct orders from the Harlequin head office

The novels published overseas are not necessarily contemporaries of those sold in North America or Europe. International editors are allowed to choose from Harlequin's backlist, and books published in a particular country may have been published in North America six or seven years previously.<ref>Hemmungs Wirten (1998), p. 121.</ref> As the novels are translated into the country's native tongue, the names of the hero or heroine may be changed and the title might not be translated literally. Furthermore, each novel is usually shortened by 10-15% from its original English version. This is usually accomplished by removing references to American pop culture, removing puns that do not translate well, and tightening the descriptive passages.<ref>Hemmungs Wirten (1998), pp. 130, 133.</ref>

==Current== {{update section|date=June 2022}} As of 2024, Harlequin had published over 40,000 romance novels and sold over 131,000,000 copies, just under half of all romances released in North America.<ref name=":29">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/pages/harlequin-enterprises-limited-a-global-success-story.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007180718/https://www.harlequin.com/shop/pages/harlequin-enterprises-limited-a-global-success-story.html |archive-date=2025-10-07 |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=www.harlequin.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=HARLEQUIN CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF ROMANCE ALONGSIDE NEW AND ESTABLISHED FANS - Corporate Harlequin |url=https://corporate.harlequin.com/press-room/harlequin-celebrates-75-years-of-romance-alongside-new-and-established-fans/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Porter |date=2025-06-06 |title=Circana Cites 'Dark Romance' Growing in US Market |url=https://publishingperspectives.com/2025/06/circana-cites-dark-romance-in-growing-us-market-sway/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Publishing Perspectives |language=en-US}}</ref>In 2024, Harlequin published books in 29 languages in 107 international markets.<ref name=":29" /> Their sales of 131 million books are similar to the company's sales in 2005.<ref name="2006results">{{cite press release|title=Torstar Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter and 2006 Full Year Results|publisher=Torstar Corporation|date=February 28, 2007|url=http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/070228/0221322.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303094156/http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/070228/0221322.html|archive-date=2007-03-03|access-date=2007-08-27}}</ref>

The company is considered one of the most profitable publishers. Over $585 million worth of books sold in 2003 for gross profits of $124 million and a profit margin of 21%. Its large profit margin can be tied in part to the amount of advance that its authors receive. These advances are often smaller than the industry average and can total to only a few thousand dollars for a series romance.<ref name="wyatt">{{citation |last=Wyatt |first=Edward |title='Sorry, Harlequin,' She Sighed Tenderly, 'I'm Reading Something Else' |date=August 17, 2004 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/17/books/17romance.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5090&en=86a63e8a76228f5b&ex=1250481600&adxnnl=0&partner=rssuserland&adxnnlx=1180450818-+P4ZCTVCA7SnWP2hbjPlgQ |access-date=2007-08-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503044020/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/17/books/17romance.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5090&en=86a63e8a76228f5b&ex=1250481600&adxnnl=0&partner=rssuserland&adxnnlx=1180450818-+P4ZCTVCA7SnWP2hbjPlgQ |archive-date=2014-05-03 |url-status=live}}</ref> Despite its profitability, and a 37.2% pay hike for Harlequin President and CEO Donna Hayes in 2011,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/48338-the-top-pay-grade |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008103646/http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/48338-the-top-pay-grade.html |archive-date=2012-10-08 |title=The Top Pay Grade}}</ref> the firm's royalty program for authors is controversial. In 2011, the Romance Writers Association sent a letter to all members to "exercise due diligence in reviewing contracts" with Harlequin because "several members of RWA have expressed concern regarding" Harlequin's digital royalty rate changes and non-compete clauses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thepassivevoice.com/07/2011/attorney-to-harlequin-what-have-you-been-smoking/ |title=Attorney to Harlequin: What Have You Been Smoking? |publisher=The Passive Voice |date=2011-07-14 |access-date=2012-07-19}}</ref> This is not the first time Harlequin had been called out by the Romance Writers Association regarding Harlequin's treatment of their authors. In 2009, Harlequin was called out by the Mystery Writer's Association, Romance Writers of America, and Science Fiction Writers Association for schemes of making their authors pay for publishing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/24112-rwa-mwa-andsfwa-angered-by-harlequin-s-new-self-publishing-imprint-html |title=RWA, MWA and SFWA Angered by Harlequin's New Self-Publishing Imprint |publisher=Publishersweekly.com |access-date=2012-07-19}}</ref>

In late 2025 the French division of Harper Collins announced that it had engaged the company '''Fluent Planet''' to create AI translations of its romance novels into French in order to save costs and maintain low prices. The translations would then be checked for errors by human freelance editors before publication. The ''Association of France's Literary Translators'' (ATLF) and a collective of translators ''En Chair et en OS (In the Flesh)'' have voiced objections based on both quality and the negative effect on their member's income.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baron |first=Eva |date=Jan 5, 2026 |title=Harlequin France to Test AI-Assisted Translation |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/international/international-book-news/article/99385-harlequin-france-to-test-ai-translation.html |access-date=2026-01-07 |website=PublishersWeekly.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bouhadjera |first=Hocine |date=Dec 17, 2025 |title=Harlequin, premier éditeur qui assume l'IA : les traducteurs se rebiffent |url=https://actualitte.com/article/128192/acteurs-numeriques/harlequin-premier-editeur-qui-assume-l-ia-les-traducteurs-se-rebiffent |access-date=2026-01-07 |website=ActuaLitté.com |language=fr-FR}}</ref>

=== Class action lawsuit === In 2012, a class action lawsuit was filed against Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd. from authors alleging the publisher had fraudulently licensed e-book publishing rights at low rates to one of its subsidiaries in order to pay royalties only on the licensing fees instead of on the full sales receipts; the publisher responded that its authors "have been recompensed fairly and properly".<ref>{{citation |last=Woods |first=Stuart |title=Harlequin faces lawsuit for unpaid digital royalties |date=July 19, 2012 |url=http://www.quillandquire.com/blog/index.php/2012/07/19/harlequin-faces-lawsuit-for-unpaid-digital-royalties/ |magazine=Quill & Quire |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822135417/http://www.quillandquire.com/blog/index.php/2012/07/19/harlequin-faces-lawsuit-for-unpaid-digital-royalties |archive-date=2012-08-22 |url-status=dead}}.</ref>

The lawsuit alleges that Harlequin deprives plaintiffs and the other authors in the class of e-book royalties due them under publishing agreements entered into between 1990 and 2004.

== Imprints == {{more citations needed section|date=May 2014}} thumb|150px|Harlequin Nocturne series

=== Harlequin === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Name !Description |- |Harlequin American Romance |American protagonists and settings. Four titles released per month.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin American Romance - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-american-romance.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> Re-released as '''Harlequin Treasury Harlequin American Romance 90s'''.<ref name=":21">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Treasury Harlequin American Romance 90s - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-treasury-harlequin-american-romance-90s.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |- |Harlequin Blaze |Erotica. Imprint was ended in 2017 and superseded by '''Harlequin Dare'''.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Amanda Diehl |date=2017-03-20 |title=Harlequin Unveils New Imprint: Dare |url=https://bookriot.com/harlequin-unveils-new-imprint-dare/ |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=BOOK RIOT |language=en-US}}</ref> As of March 2022 Harlequin Dare has been ended and Harlequin Blaze is releasing four titles per month.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Blaze - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-blaze.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref><ref name=":23" /> |- |Harlequin Dare |Erotica; four titles released per month.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Dare - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-dare.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> Launched in 2017.<ref name=":22" /> Defunct as of June 2021.<ref name=":23">{{Cite web |title=DARE Romance Series Publication |url=https://help.harlequin.com/en/articles/5207436-dare-romance-series-publication |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=help.harlequin.com |language=en}}</ref> |- |Harlequin Desire |Wealthy and successful American protagonist-focused. Six titles released per month<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Explore Romance Series - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/pages/brand-landing.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Desire - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-desire.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |- |Harlequin Duets |Defunct. Re-released as '''Harlequin Treasury Harlequin Duets 90s collection'''.<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Treasury Harlequin Duets 90s - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-treasury-harlequin-duets-90s.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |- |Harlequin E<ref name=":18">{{Cite web |date=2014-04-21 |title=Harlequin.com {{!}} Home |url=http://www.harlequin.com/store.html?cid=189 |access-date=2022-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421190744/http://www.harlequin.com/store.html?cid=189 |archive-date=2014-04-21 }}</ref> | |- |Harlequin Everlasting Love<ref name=":19">{{Cite web |date=2007-07-21 |title=eHarlequin.com eBook Boutique |url=http://ebooks.eharlequin.com/25F6D297-5D75-4966-B8E2-268F77430F20/10/120/en/Default.htm |access-date=2022-03-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070721114112/http://ebooks.eharlequin.com/25F6D297-5D75-4966-B8E2-268F77430F20/10/120/en/Default.htm |archive-date=21 July 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |Defunct<ref name=":20">{{Cite web |date=2011-07-10 |title=Harlequin eBook Store |url=http://ebooks.eharlequin.com/00000057-0000-0000-0000-0000000000A1/10/141/en/Default.htm |access-date=2022-03-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710174157/http://ebooks.eharlequin.com/00000057-0000-0000-0000-0000000000A1/10/141/en/Default.htm |archive-date=10 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |Harlequin Flipside |Defunct as of 2004<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |title=Breaking News Harlequin Nixes Three Lines in U.S., Beefs Up Others {{!}} Authorlink |url=https://authorlink.com/news-and-views/news/breaking-news-harlequin-nixes-three-lines-in-u-s-beefs-up-others-2/ |access-date=2022-03-15 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Harlequin Ginger Blossom |Defunct romance manga reprints. Formerly '''Harlequin Violet'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Ginger Blossom manga :: Archived Press Releases :: Dark Horse Comics |url=https://www.darkhorse.com/Press-Releases/1208/Harlequin-Ginger-Blossom-manga |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.darkhorse.com}}</ref> |- |Harlequin Heartwarming |Wholesome family- and community-focused plots. Four titles released per month<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Heartwarming - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-heartwarming.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |- |Harlequin Historical |Historical romance. Six titles released per month.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Historical - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-historical.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> Included Harlequin Historical Undone.<ref name=":18" /> Only distributed outside of the United States as of 2004.<ref name=":14" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-04-27 |title=Update on the closing of Harlequin Blaze / Harlequin Historical |url=https://dearauthor.com/features/industry-news/update-closing-harlequin-blaze-harlequin-historical/ |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=Dear Author |language=en-US}}</ref> In February 2026, Harlequin confirmed it will discontinue Harlequin Historical in the fall of 2027.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spratford, Sam, "Harlequin to Discontinue Historical Romance Line," Publishers Weekly, Feb. 13, 2026. |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/99704-harlequin-to-discontinue-historical-romance.html |access-date=2026-02-17 |website=www.publishersweekly.com}}</ref> |- |Harlequin Intrigue |Romantic suspense. Six titles released per month<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Intrigue - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-intrigue.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |- |Harlequin KISS |Flirty first-encounter contemporary romances. Four titles released per month.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harlequin KISS - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-kiss.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-08 |title=Harlequin.com {{!}} Harlequin Series |url=http://www.harlequin.com/store.html?cid=233 |access-date=2022-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208075129/http://www.harlequin.com/store.html?cid=233 |archive-date=2014-02-08 }}</ref> |- |Harlequin Love And Laughter |Defunct. Re-released as the '''Harlequin Treasury Harlequin Love & Laughter 90s''' collection.<ref name=":24">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Treasury Harlequin Love & Laughter 90s - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-treasury-harlequin-love-laughter-90s.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |- |Harlequin Medical Romance |Medical-focused protagonists and plots. Six titles released per month.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Medical Romance - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-medical-romance.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |- |Harlequin Mystique |1977-1982{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} |- |Harlequin NEXT<ref name=":19" /> |Launched in 2005.<ref name=":14" /> Defunct.<ref name=":20" /> |- |Harlequin Nocturne |Paranormal romance. Two titles released per month.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Nocturne - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-nocturne.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> Includes Harlequin Nocturne Cravings series.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Nocturne Cravings - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-nocturne-cravings.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |- |Harlequin Nonfiction<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Nonfiction - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-nonfiction.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> | |- |Harlequin Presents |Glamorous and wealth-based plots that often feature "alpha male" protagonists. Eight titles released per month.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Presents - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-presents.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> Includes Harlequin Presents Extra erotica series. |- |Harlequin Romance |Uplifting, feel-good plots. Four titles released per month<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Romance - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-romance.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |- |Harlequin Romantic Suspense |Romantic suspense. Four titles released per month<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Romantic Suspense - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-romantic-suspense.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |- |Harlequin Signature Select |Defunct. Harlequin/Silhouette imprint.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} |- |Harlequin Special Edition |Relatable protagonists. Six titles released per month<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Special Edition - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-special-edition.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |- |Harlequin Special Releases<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Special Releases - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-special-releases.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> | |- |Harlequin Superromance |Emotional plots with happy endings. Four titles released per month<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Superromance - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-superromance.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |- |Harlequin Temptation |Only distributed outside of the United States as of 2004.<ref name=":14" /> |- |Harlequin Treasury<ref name=":18" /> | |- |Harlequin Western Romance |Westerns and cowboy protagonists. Four titles released per month.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Western Romance - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-western-romance.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |}

==== Harlequin Treasury collections ==== The Harlequin Treasury imprint re-released a number of titles as collections.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-03-28 |title=Harlequin.com {{!}} Harlequin Treasury Harlequin American Romance 90s |url=http://www.harlequin.com/store.html?cid=3642 |access-date=2022-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328153533/http://www.harlequin.com/store.html?cid=3642 |archive-date=2014-03-28 }}</ref>

* Harlequin Treasury Harlequin American Romance 90s<ref name=":21" /> * Harlequin Treasury Harlequin Duets 90s<ref name=":17" /> * Harlequin Treasury Harlequin Historical 90s<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Treasury Harlequin Presents 90s - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-treasury-harlequin-presents-90s.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> * Harlequin Treasury Harlequin Intrigue 90s * Harlequin Treasury Harlequin Love & Laughter 90s<ref name=":24" /> * Harlequin Treasury Harlequin Presents 90s * Harlequin Treasury Harlequin Romance 90s * Harlequin Treasury Harlequin Superromance 90s * Harlequin Treasury Harlequin Temptation 90s * Harlequin Treasury Love Inspired 90s * Harlequin Treasury Silhouette Desire 90s<ref name=":25">{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Treasury Silhouette Desire 90s - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-treasury-silhouette-desire-90s.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> * Harlequin Treasury Silhouette Intimate Moments 90s * Harlequin Treasury Silhouette Romance 90s * Harlequin Treasury Silhouette Special Edition 90s * Harlequin Treasury Silhouette Yours Truly 90s

=== Kimani Press === {{Main|Kimani Press}} Kimani Press, which focuses on African-American protagonists, was formed by Harlequin in December 2005, with the purchase of the Arabesque, Sepia, and New Spirit Imprints from BET Books. {| class="wikitable sortable" !Name !Description |- |Kimani Arabesque<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Kimani Arabesque - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-kimani-arabesque.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |"The soul of romance, passion, adventure and intrigue." |- |Kimani New Spirit<ref name=":19" /> |Defunct |- |Kimani Romance<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Kimani Romance - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-kimani-romance.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |These stories "feature sophisticated, soulful and sensual African-American and multicultural heroes and heroines who develop fulfilling relationships as they lead lives full of drama, glamour and passion." |- |Kimani Sepia<ref name=":19" /> |Defunct |- |Kimani Special Releases | |- |Kimani TRU<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Kimani TRU - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-kimani-tru.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |Young adult |- |Kimani Press<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Kimani Press - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-kimani-press.html |access-date=2023-03-18 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> | |}

=== Silhouette Books === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Name !Description |- |Silhouette Bombshell |Launched 2004.<ref name=":14" /> Defunct. |- |Silhouette Desire |Defunct. Re-released as '''Harlequin Treasury Silhouette Desire 90s'''.<ref name=":25" /> |- |Silhouette Intimate Moments |Defunct. Re-released as '''Harlequin Treasury Silhouette Intimate Moments 90s'''. |- |Silhouette Nocturne |Defunct<ref name=":20" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Admin |first=A. A. R. |title=silhouette romance Archives |url=https://allaboutromance.com/tag/silhouette-romance/ |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=All About Romance |date=27 October 2010 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Silhouette Romance |Defunct. Re-released as '''Harlequin Treasury Silhouette Romance 90s'''. |- |Silhouette Special Edition |Defunct. Re-released as '''Harlequin Treasury Silhouette Special Edition 90s'''. |- |Silhouette Special Releases |Defunct<ref name=":18" /> |- |Silhouette Yours Truly |Defunct. Re-released as '''Harlequin Treasury Silhouette Yours Truly 90s'''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Treasury Silhouette Yours Truly 90s - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-treasury-silhouette-yours-truly-90s.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |}

=== Love Inspired === {{Main|Love Inspired}}

Inspirational romance. {| class="wikitable sortable" !Name !Description |- |Love Inspired<ref>{{Cite web |title=Love Inspired - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/love-inspired.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> | |- |Love Inspired Classics<ref>{{Cite web |title=Love Inspired Classics - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/love-inspired-classics.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> | |- |Love Inspired Cold Case<ref>{{Cite web |title=Love Inspired {{!}} Inspirational Cold Case Collection |url=https://www.loveinspired.com/shop/brand/inspirational-cold-case-collection.html?rg=previousRelease&rg=comingSoon&pg=1&pz=12&ord=podate%20ASC,title_copy%20asc&vm=grid |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.loveinspired.com}}</ref> | |- |Love Inspired Historical<ref>{{Cite web |title=Love Inspired {{!}} Inspirational Historical Collection |url=https://www.loveinspired.com/shop/brand/inspirational-historical-collection.html?rg=previousRelease&rg=comingSoon&pg=1&pz=12&ord=podate%20ASC,title_copy%20asc&vm=grid |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.loveinspired.com}}</ref> |Historical fiction |- |Love Inspired Inspirational Romance<ref>{{Cite web |title=Love Inspired {{!}} Love Inspired |url=https://www.loveinspired.com/shop/brand/love-inspired.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.loveinspired.com}}</ref> | |- |Love Inspired Mountain Rescue<ref>{{Cite web |title=Love Inspired {{!}} Inspirational Mountain Rescue Collection |url=https://www.loveinspired.com/shop/brand/inspirational-mountain-rescue-collection.html?rg=previousRelease&rg=comingSoon&pg=1&pz=12&ord=podate%20ASC,title_copy%20asc&vm=grid |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.loveinspired.com}}</ref> | |- |Love Inspired Novels<ref>{{Cite web |title=Love Inspired {{!}} Love Inspired Novels |url=https://www.loveinspired.com/shop/brand/love-inspired-trade.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.loveinspired.com}}</ref> | |- |Love Inspired Special Releases<ref>{{Cite web |title=Love Inspired {{!}} Love Inspired Special Releases |url=https://www.loveinspired.com/shop/brand/love-inspired-special-releases.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.loveinspired.com}}</ref> | |- |Love Inspired Suspense<ref>{{Cite web |title=Love Inspired Suspense - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/love-inspired-suspense.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Love Inspired {{!}} Love Inspired Suspense |url=https://www.loveinspired.com/shop/brand/love-inspired-suspense.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.loveinspired.com}}</ref> |Romantic suspense |}

=== Other === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Name !Description |- |Carina Press<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carina Press - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/carina-press.html?&&sortci=onsaledate%20desc |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> | |- |Carina Adores<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carina Adores - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/category/carina-adores.html?sortci=onsaledate%20asc |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |LGBTQ+ romance |- |Canary Street Press<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canary Street Press - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/canary-street-press.html?brdtype=imprint&sortci=onsaledate%20desc |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |Absorbed by MIRA in 2025<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nawotka {{!}} |first=Ed |title=Harlequin Trade Publishing Consolidates Its Imprints |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/96861-harlequin-trade-publishing-consolidates-its-imprints.html |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=PublishersWeekly.com |language=en}}</ref> |- |DellArte Press |2009-2015<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-02-13 |title=Harlequin Has Closed Author Solutions Front Company DellArte Press |url=https://the-digital-reader.com/2015/02/13/harlequin-closed-author-solutions-front-company-dellarte-press/ |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=The Digital Reader |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Gold Eagle |Defunct as of 2014 |- |Graydon House<ref>{{Cite web |title=Graydon House - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/graydon-house.html?sortci=pubdate%20asc |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |Defunct as of 2025<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nawotka {{!}} |first=Ed |title=Harlequin Trade Publishing Consolidates Its Imprints |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/96861-harlequin-trade-publishing-consolidates-its-imprints.html |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=PublishersWeekly.com |language=en}}</ref> |- |Hanover Square Press<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hanover Square Press - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/hanover-square-press.html?brdtype=imprint |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref>

|crime, thrillers, high-concept fiction, narrative history, journalism. memoir<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hanover Square Press - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/hanover-square-press.html |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |- |Heartsong Presents<ref name=":18" /> | |- |Canary Street<ref>{{Cite web |title=HQN - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/hqn.html?&&sortci=onsaledate%20desc |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> |Formerly HQN, launched 2004<ref name=":14" /> |- |Inkyard Press |Formerly Harlequin TEEN,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Teen - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-teen.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Inkyard Press - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/inkyard-press.html?brdtype=imprint |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> defunct as of 2023<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milliot {{!}} |first=Jim |title=HarperCollins to Shutter Inkyard Press, Lay Off Staff |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/92797-harpercollins-to-shutter-inkyard-press-lay-off-staff.html |access-date=2025-02-25 |website=PublishersWeekly.com |language=en}}</ref> |- |LUNA |2004–2017<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harlequin LUNA - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-luna.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref><ref name=":14" /> |- |MIRA Books<ref>{{Cite web |title=MIRA - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/mira.html?&&sortci=onsaledate%20desc |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> | |- |Park Row Books<ref>{{Cite web |title=Park Row Books - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/park-row-books.html?&sortci=pubdate%20asc&brandChildItemsDTO-p=1 |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> | |- |Red Dress Ink |2004–2014<ref>{{Cite web |title=Harlequin Red Dress Ink - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/harlequin-red-dress-ink.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref><ref name=":14" /> |- |Rogue Angel |Defunct<ref name=":20" /> |- |Spice |Defunct; now published under HQN.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SPICE - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/spice.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> Included Spice Briefs (defunct).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-05-17 |title=eHarlequin.com eBook Boutique |url=http://www.ebooks.eharlequin.com/ |access-date=2022-03-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517054941/http://www.ebooks.eharlequin.com/ |archive-date=17 May 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |Worldwide Library<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-05-22 |title=Harlequin eBook Store |url=http://ebooks.eharlequin.com/00000057-0000-0000-0000-00000000000D/10/141/en/Default.htm |access-date=2022-03-15 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522221401/http://ebooks.eharlequin.com/00000057-0000-0000-0000-00000000000D/10/141/en/Default.htm |archive-date=22 May 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | |- |Worldwide Mystery<ref>{{Cite web |title=Worldwide Mystery - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/worldwide-mystery.html?brdtype=imprint |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> | |- |Worldwide Suspense<ref>{{Cite web |title=Worldwide Suspense - Harlequin.com |url=https://www.harlequin.com/shop/brand/worldwide-suspense.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=www.harlequin.com}}</ref> | |}

==== MIRA Books ==== {{Main|Mira Books}}

In the early 1990s, many of Harlequin's authors began leaving the company to write single-title romances for other publishers. To retain their top talent, in October 1994 Harlequin launched the MIRA Books imprint to publish single-title romances. Most of their early novels were written by well-known Harlequin authors, including Heather Graham Pozzessere, whose novel ''Slow Burn'' (2001)<ref>{{cite book |author=Pozzessere, Heather Graham |url=https://archive.org/details/slowburn00heat |title=Slow Burn |date=2001 |publisher=MIRA Books |isbn=978-1-55166-000-4 |author-link=Heather Graham Pozzessere |url-access=registration}}</ref> launched the imprint.<ref>{{cite web |title=Review: Slow Burn |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-55166-000-4 |access-date=May 2, 2014 |work=Publishers Weekly}}</ref> For its first few years, MIRA produced four novels each month. Of these, one would be an original novel, while the other three were repackaged backlist by other Harlequin authors.<ref>Hemmungs Wirten (1998), p. 84.</ref>

Harlequin has expanded its range of books, offering everything from romance novels under its various Harlequin and Silhouette imprints; thrillers and commercial literary fiction under the MIRA imprint; erotic fiction under the Spice imprint; Bridget Jones-style "chick lit" under its Red Dress Ink imprint; fantasy books under the LUNA imprint; inspirational fiction published under the Steeple Hill and Steeple Hill Café imprints;<ref name=":14" /> African-American romance under its Kimani Press imprints; male action-adventure books under Gold Eagle imprint; and single-title romances under the Canary Street imprint.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}}

==== Harlequin Horizons/DellArte Press ==== In 2009, Harlequin Enterprises announced the creation of a vanity press imprint, '''Harlequin Horizons'''.<ref name="CB2">{{cite web |last=Lopresti |first=Rob |date=2009-12-02 |title=Helplessly Hoping |url=http://criminalbrief.com/?p=9983 |work=Self-publishing, Vanity Presses |publisher=Criminal Brief |location=University of Washington, Bellingham}}</ref><ref name="WB1">{{cite web |last=Strauss |first=Victoria |date=2009-11-18 |title=Harlequin Horizons: Another Major Publisher Adds A Self-Publishing Division |url=https://accrispin.blogspot.com/2009/11/harlequin-horizons-another-major.html |work=Publishing Pitfalls |publisher=Writer Beware}}</ref>

The Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, and Science Fiction Writers of America denounced the move and revoked the eligibility of Harlequin's other imprints for their associations' conferences and awards.<ref name="CB2" /><ref name="horizons">{{Citation |last=Andriani |first=Lynn |title=RWA, MWA and SFWA Angered by Harlequin's New Self-Publishing Imprint |date=20 November 2009 |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/24112-rwa-mwa-and-sfwa-angered-by-harlequin-s-new-self-publishing-imprint.html |newspaper=Publishers Weekly |access-date=2015-06-24}}</ref> Following the backlash, the imprint changed its name to '''DellArte Press'''.<ref>{{Citation |last=Andriani |first=Lynn |title=Mystery Writers Boots Harlequin from Approved Publishers List |date=7 December 2009 |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6710199.html |newspaper=Publishers Weekly |access-date=2009-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212152345/http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6710199.html |archive-date=2009-12-12}}</ref>

==Harlequin More Than Words== Harlequin Enterprises operates '''Harlequin More Than Words''', a community investment program to reward women's work in communities across North America. The company solicits nominations of women who are making notable contributions to their communities. Five women are chosen as Harlequin More Than Words award recipients each year, and a donation of $50,000 is divided equally among their charitable causes. A collection of romance-fiction short stories inspired by their lives is then written by five of Harlequin's leading authors. Authors contributing to the ''More Than Words'' anthology include Diana Palmer, Debbie Macomber, Susan Wiggs, and Linda Lael Miller. The first anthology was published in 2004, with a new volume published annually. Proceeds from the sale of the book are reinvested in the Harlequin More Than Words program.

==See also== * List of Harlequin Romance novels * Laser Books * Lawrence Heisey

==References== {{Reflist}}

===Sources=== *{{cite web | author =Hemmungs Wirten, Eva| title =Global Infatuation: Explorations in Transnational Publishing and Texts. The Case of Harlequin Enterprises and Sweden| version =Section for Sociology of Literature at the Department of Literature, Number 38 | publisher = Uppsala University | year =1998 | url =http://www.littvet.uu.se/digitalAssets/77/77424_3global-infatuation.pdf | access-date =2015-03-25 }} *{{citation|last=Regis|first=Pamela|title=A Natural History of the Romance Novel|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|year=2003|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|isbn=0-8122-3303-4}} *{{Citation|last=Thurston|first=Carol|title=The Romance Revolution|publisher=University of Illinois Press|location=Urbana and Chicago|year=1987|isbn=0-252-01442-1}}

==External links== * [http://www.eharlequin.com/ Harlequin homepage] * [http://www.HarlequinMoreThanWords.com Harlequin More Than Words] * [http://pictorial.jezebel.com/how-harlequin-became-the-most-famous-name-in-romance-1692048963/+jparham How Harlequin Became the Most Famous Name in Romance]; {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094412/http://pictorial.jezebel.com/how-harlequin-became-the-most-famous-name-in-romance-1692048963/+jparham |date=2015-04-02 }} * {{Open Library publisher|Harlequin Enterprises ULC|Harlequin}}

{{Harlequin}} {{HarperCollins}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Harlequin Enterprises Category:1949 establishments in Manitoba Category:Bonnycastle family Category:Book publishing companies of Canada Category:Companies based in Toronto Category:Culture of Winnipeg Category:Free ebooks Category:News Corporation subsidiaries Category:Publishing companies established in 1949 Category:Romance book publishing companies