I never get tired of expressing that sentiment even though 2009 is winding down. It’s been a good year and we’ve had lots of fun celebrating with readers and authors. I really appreciate how many of you have been involved from writing special reader letters, giving away books or hosting a link to harlequincelebrates.com.
Thousands upon thousands of visitors have come to the site and I’m pleased to report that the Blaze book was extremely popular. That translates to many new readers looking for the Blaze series each month either on the bookshelf or online. It’s truly been a great sampling effort!
I’m just back from our Sales Conference in Montreal where we had a chance to sit down with the reps who make sure our books get out there month after month. No easy job in a year of recession and uncertainty but their hard work along with the 60th Anniversary momentum gave consumers lots of great books to enjoy.
Our Harlequin Teen program is also in-market and we had a sneak preview of all the wonderful upcoming titles. The Non-Fiction program was also presented and once again I’m excited how Harlequin has moved into a whole other world of books.
Blaze of course is always close to my heart and a big part of my world. Back in 2001 it was “my baby,” but I had to give her up a few years later. I know she’s in good hands with Brenda—and all of you. I can still claim to be a Blaze babe now and then. (But boy not sure I can write about vegetables the way you all do!)
I love my job these days as I get to hang out with not only the Blaze babes but all the great authors from American, Supers and Intrigue. Only the latter occasionally make me nervous as they know a lot of ways to kill people and don’t mind discussing it over lunch!
I’m looking forward to 2010, which for all of us in publishing, is well underway. We’ll be building on the excitement created by the 60th but also looking for new ways to reach readers. And as always we’re looking for the best books we can find to publish.
Have a good week and looking forward to chatting if you have time.
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I started reading the Blaze line after the Temptation line. I basically read almost all of the Harlequin/Silhouette line. Blaze is one of my favorites. There are a great group of authors here as well as at the other lines. Especially since some of them write for the other lines. I hope Blaze is here for a long time.
Birgit–not to worry… a smart, classy, funny lady like you would never pop up in any of our more nefarious discussions over lunch.
Though I think it does make my hubby nervous when he sees me reading something like UNDETECTABLE POISONS at night in bed. 
I’m really looking forward to the Harlequin TEEN line, too. I’ve been recommending it to several of my students, and thus far, they’re eating up the titles. INTERTWINED has been especially well-liked.
Personally, I’m enjoying the Uniformly Hot series from Blaze. Just can’t get enough of those men in (and out of!) uniform.
I’m like Linda above and came to the Blaze line when the Temptation line closed. I think what I like best about Blaze is how it encompasses everything. I can find everything I want in a romance in Blaze, whether that’s hot and sexy (always), humor, that touch of mystery/action/danger or – now – even vampires, historical, etc. Something for everyone. For writer and reader.
Julie
Birgit, I’m taking 30 seconds away from writing my Dear Reader letter (due today!) to thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to join the Blaze line. I’m thrilled beyond limits about my Blaze debut. (plug here: March 2010: Possessing Morgan…I’m shameless, I know)
And now, back to work!
Bonnie
Hi Bonnie,
Thanks for getting that letter in!! Brenda and I had a busy day yesterday getting all the copy and prelims ready for Blaze.
Any plans to visit Ontario this year? If so let us know.
B
Hi Birgit,
Welcome to the Blaze blog. And I guess I should warn you – you’re regarded as the ‘ultimate Blaze Babe’.
Thanks for posting about all the great things happening this year.
Hi Birgit!! I’m so glad to see you here on the blog and WOW, what a year (60 of them, actually). I love how focused Harlequin is on bringing the readers great reads – in so many different ways. I’m almost as big a non-fiction reader as I am a romance reader, so I can’t wait to see what comes from that new venture. Any hints?
Welcome, Birgit! So good of you to join us today! Thank you for helping make Blaze become a reality. The series has allowed me to write so many different kinds of sexy stories…. it’s a fabulous home for writers. And as a reader I’m so grateful to Blaze for bringing people like Rhonda Nelson and Tawny Weber and so many others to my reading pile. I can’t wait to see what sorts of things 2010 has in store for us. Lots of miniseries, I hope. Oh, and lots of Wrong Bed stories. And plenty of Encounters! Thanks again for all you do.
Thanks so much for the Blaze update, Birgit. Harlequin has stayed strong through the worlds financial woes by producing a wonderful line of stories for all of us to read! Keep up the great work!
I discovered Mills & Boon when I was living in England in the 1970s and early 1980s. When I came back to the U.S., I subscribed to several Harlequin lines for years. I’ve always been a fan of BLAZE, and many of my “keepers” are in this line.
I still enjoy reading BLAZE authors — I reviewed Tawny Weber’s new title at Romance: B(u)y the Book today: http://romancebytheblog.blogspot.com/
Here’s to another 60 years!
Was regularly reading The Temptations at the time I discovered the Blazes (around Launch). Almost all of my “auto buys” are Temptation authors, who migrated over to the Blazes. (Might I say how much I miss the Temptations; though, am a big fan of the Blazes.) My lst Temptation auto-buy was Tori Carrington (aka Lori & Tony). Through their mini-series, “Bad Girls” & others, I discovered Leslie Kelly, Julie Leto, (also, Alison Kent), whose books I still buy. I am also a huge fan of Kristin Hardy, whose work I’ve missed in the last year or so, not only with the Blaze line, but. with Hq. in general (please bring her back).
Not that you asked, but, for me, I prefer the Blazes tell contemporary, fun & sexy stories, focusing on the romance blossoming between the h/h. Am not a fan of paranormal, RS or Historicals, though understand not all agree with me.
Hope Hq. endures for another 60 years.
Patricia
It’s great to hear from everyone regarding how you started reading Blaze and what you like about the line. For me the core elements are always humour and sexiness, which provide a great escape from the often crazy world today.
Tawny, some of the nonfiction titles I’m particularly taken with include: Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove Cookbook (the recipes are easy to make and tasty to boot), 113 Things to Do by 13 (great for moms of teens) and Eat Your Way to Happiness (who doesn’t need another diet book?). The program is wide-ranging and they are always looking for the next big thing. One key element is that the author has a platform–eg an expert in that area, previous projectst etc.
One thing we often talk about is how the publishing business has changed especially in the last few years. Social media is such a big thing these days. Do many of you have time to tweet? Do you maintain a presence on Facebook etc? How worthwhile are they? Let me know your thoughts.
Birgit
Mmmmm, recipes AND a diet book *g* I love it. I’m excited to check out the books.
Social media… oooh boy. Would you believe I even bought “Facebook For Dummies” trying to figure that out (see, more NF LOL) I’m finally getting the hang of it, and am on both Facebook and Twitter. Of the two, I think I’d be inclined to spend more time on FB just because it seems to lend itself to easier socializing for me. The Dressed to Thrill series authors have a Twitter Round Robin story going right now – myself, Samantha Hunter, Karen Foley and Lisa Renee Jones. Julie Leto was a guest author a week or so ago, too. We’re doing 4 months of twitter story… which is an interesting challenge and a fun way to try out the media.
Is it worthwhile? I’m not sure LOL. Its kind of like blogging was when it first started. It takes a lot of time and commitment to do it well, and the results aren’t really measurable that I’ve seen. It is fun, and its a great way to connect with people so it can’t be a bad thing.
One of the things I love about Facebook is that it’s an easy way for me to keep in contact with my son who’s away at college. If nothing else, we can give each other a poke to let the other know we’re thinking of him/me. He’s far more likely to show up on Facebook than to check his email. And I haven’t embarrassed him yet.
Another thing I love about Facebook is that it has helped me rediscover friends from high-school and my hometown. It’s cool to be able to stay in touch on a more regular basis instead of waiting for a reunion.
As far as how it affects my writing? It goes in spurts. It’s an easy way to get announcements out to readers/fans, as well as post current news and covers as soon as I received them.
Haven’t learned to Tweet yet. I worry about taking too much time away from my writing if I get too good at all the social networking.
One of the things I love about Facebook is that it’s an easy way for me to keep in contact with my son who’s away at college. If nothing else, we can give each other a poke to let the other know we’re thinking of him/me. He’s far more likely to show up on Facebook than to check his email. And I haven’t embarrassed him yet.
Another thing I love about Facebook is that it has helped me rediscover friends from high-school and my hometown. It’s cool to be able to stay in touch on a more regular basis instead of waiting for a reunion.
As far as how it affects my writing? It goes in spurts. It’s an easy way to get announcements out to readers/fans, as well as post current news and covers as soon as I received them.
Haven’t learned to Tweet yet. I worry about taking too much time away from my writing if I get too good at all the social media networking.
As a reader, no FB, twitter, etc. for me. I don’t have the time to even find how to get there, &, honestly, don’t wish to do so.
BTW, since you were speaking of D. Macomber, just bought the anthology in which she is the lead author, THAT HOLIDAY FEELING, which includes a story by Robyn Carr which is about my fave series, “Virgin River”. Really love these books which feature brave & gutsy heroines, sexy & caring ex-Marines & ex-Army heroes & love for family, neighbors & one’s home town. This is a series with a great deal of heart. Thank you, ?Robyn & Mira, for providing such wonderful entertainment.
Patricia