Category:Blog, Editor's Corner

Avon Romance Submission Guideline

By: Tessa Woodward
March 19, 2010

Avon Romance Submission Guidelines

Your dream: To become an Avon romance writer!

Your desire: To figure out how to get started.
Your questions: Will all be answered here.

As a writer, your imagination allows you to create so many stories.  And at Avon Books, we are eagerly seeking those stories.  Our program allows us to publish the most unforgettable voices in historical and contemporary romance.

Your mission: to write the very best book possible.

Our goal: to find the perfect spot on the Avon list for that book.

Right now we are looking for romances in several areas–Historical Romance; Contemporary Romance, including romantic suspense, paranormal romance, women’s fiction, African-American Romance, inspirational romance, and Erotica.

So, don’t hesitate!  Here’s the information you’ll need to get started.  Now is the time to make your dream of becoming an Avon romance writer come true!

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

(90-000- 100,000 words)
At Avon, we’re seeking deliciously romantic historical novels for all parts of the list.  These are love stories set primarily in Great Britain before 1900, and they are filled with all the promise–and passion–that Avon readers expect.

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
(90,000-100,000 words)

We seek stories of emotional complexity, written by authors with unique voices. Books with humor, drama, romantic suspense -– all types and tones can be right for Avon. If your manuscript is exciting, electrifying and exceptional then we want to see it.

PARANORMAL ROMANCE

(90,000-100,000 words)

Vampires, and werewolves, and witches, oh my! We are seeking all types of paranormal romance, contemporary or historical. The darker the better.
AFRICAN-AMERICAN ROMANCE
(90,000 words)

We are actively seeking romance with African-American heroes and heroines. These should be contemporary or historical love stories of approximately 90,000-100,000 words, set in the United States. If your manuscript has the unforgettable emotion, irresistible characters–especially the hero–and sizzling sensuality that are hallmarks of Avon romance, please send it right away.

AVON A

(60,000-90,000 words)

General commercial women’s fiction as well as quality non-fiction books that readers can relate to and get something out of. Both historical and contemporary stories are welcome. Some of our Avon A authors include Meg Cabot, Jacqueline Sheehan, and Tracy Grant.

INSPIRE

(60,000-90,000 words)

A new line of inspirational romances from Avon Books. These stories and their characters are primarily Christian, and promote traditional values and beliefs. They also are first and foremost stories of the heart, romantic novels about learning to trust, to open ourselves up to love, both to the men in our lives but ultimately to God. Set in America, contemporary settings as well as historicals will be considered, as well as romantic suspense and romantic comedy. There should be no alcohol, drug use or premarital sex for the main characters. For non-Christian characters, these subjects can be explored but primarily to show their destructive nature and how a virtuous life is the better path. Foul language should be avoided at all costs.

How To Submit A Manuscript

Please note Avon’s submission policy

To submit your romance or women’s fiction (only), please query first. You must query by e-mail. When you do so, please put QUERY in the subject line. Due to the overwhelming amount of Spam email we receive, subject lines that have manuscript titles often do not reach the editors. Your query should be brief, no more than a one-page description of your book. Do not send chapters or a full synopsis at this time. Also, please do not send attachments – THEY WILL NOT BE OPENED. You will receive a response — either a decline or a request for more material — in approximately six to eight weeks.

Please e-mail your query to avonromance@harpercollins.com.

OTHER DISCUSSIONS HAPPENING IN BLOG Romance

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

  • Respond

    Susanne Renee says: August 30, 2010 at 9:59 am

    I have sent my query to your email and I keep receiving the message that the email is incorrect. The email address I have is avonromance@harpercollins.com

  • Respond

    Ali Hemmati says: August 24, 2010 at 12:58 am

    Dear sir or madam,

    Hi,
    With greeting and desire of the best success and prosperity in all of your lifetimes.
    I like to be more familiar with your publications. Therefore I would very much appreciate if you arrange some different samples of your company’s books (any title) to be sent us.

    Best wishes,

    Ali Hemmati

    Address: Address: P.O.BOX 14515/1433,Tehran,Iran
    Tel No.+98-9126197318

  • Respond

    Elizabeth Ventsias says: August 17, 2010 at 10:48 pm

    Hello, I have written a manuscript that is 255,000 words roughly. I realize that the limit is 100,000 words. Would my manuscript be rejected because it is over the limit?

  • Respond

    Terri Kionka says: August 14, 2010 at 6:39 pm

    Hi Tessa,
    I have written a paranormal romance but it also has a historical fiction dimension. Would it qualify as a paranormal even though it’s about modern characters who go back in time?

  • Respond

    Erika Galpin says: August 11, 2010 at 6:33 pm

    Do you see Avon publishing sci-fi romance in the future?

    • Respond

      Daniel Escurel Occeno says: August 16, 2010 at 3:34 am

      I sure hope so. I can write 90-100,000 words of romantic interludes in the future or a created world.

      I am just about to finish my first novel ever completed in the genre of Mystery. I was told to concentrate on Mystery or Romance if I wanted a career as a novelist. I just found out AVON does not need a literary agent and will accept E-mail submissions. It gives me a better chance since I cannot afford the SNAIL MAIL correspondence to find an agent sent internationally from the Philippines to the United States.

      I can concentrate on a specific genre when I find an editor that likes my work and pays me.

      I might have written romance novels years ago. It was the snail mail cost and printing cost to post office mail a manuscript of 100,000 words of pages that has discouraged me from just finishing a novel. Living in the states it was “cheaper” to fly to Manhattan and hand deliver it to a secretary. Maybe not.

      Daniel Escurel Occeno (Pen Name: Enrique Gubat)

  • Respond

    Tina Carreiro says: August 5, 2010 at 8:49 am

    I recently received a rejection from Avon. I noticed that my word count is over and could have been the reason for the rejection. Does Avon allow me to re-submit my query providing I am within the guidelines?

  • Respond

    LeAnne says: August 4, 2010 at 2:35 pm

    In Avon’s Submission Guidelines, it states that Avon is accepting erotic submissions – is this still the case? I am in the process of finishing up an erotic historical romance and would like to know who/what genre to submit my query when it is ready.

    Thanks,

    LeAnne

  • Respond

    Tori C. says: August 4, 2010 at 12:12 pm

    Hello!

    Are the editor’s still working within the 6-8 weeks response time? I submitted to Avon Inspire over 4 months ago and also sent an request for an update email and still haven’t received any word.

    Thank you!

  • Respond

    Jamie says: August 3, 2010 at 9:37 pm

    Does inter-racial romance qualify for Avon African-American? The hero is African-American, the heroine is not. Thank you.

  • Respond

    Elisabeth Popolow says: August 2, 2010 at 1:56 pm

    Hello! I’d like to submit my paranormal romance novel for consideration, but it’s 61,000 words. Is that still acceptable? Also, to whom should I address the query to? Thanks so much!

    -Elisabeth

    • Respond

      Erika Tsang says: August 4, 2010 at 11:17 am

      You do not need to address your query to anyone specific. However, we do require that the word count be 90,000-100,000 words. Thanks!

  • Respond

    Anneliese Brier says: July 27, 2010 at 5:46 pm

    Hello! I was searching for how to write a novel, and found your website. I really like your blog.

  • Respond

    Jerome says: July 17, 2010 at 3:24 pm

    Pardon my ignorance, but what is a query?

  • Respond

    Tessa Woodward says: July 9, 2010 at 9:59 am

    Head over to http://www.avonromance.com/2010/07/to-whom-it-may-concern/ to see an answer to a common query question.

  • Respond

    kate says: July 8, 2010 at 12:58 pm

    My novel has 45 000 words, will my manuscript be accetpted?

  • Respond

    Lietha Wards says: July 7, 2010 at 12:03 pm

    Hello, I sent a query in on April 3rd and haven’t heard back yet. It will be ten weeks come monday July 12th. I understand that there are many to sort through, being a Nurse should give me the patience of a saint, but I’m concerned that perhaps it wasn’t recieved because the website states 6-8 weeks and it has been longer. Should I resubmit?

    Thanks

  • Respond

    Julaine says: July 4, 2010 at 10:28 am

    I am so glad I can across Avon Romance and will submit a query soon!

  • Respond

    paty says: June 25, 2010 at 7:10 pm

    hola solo queria saber si la pagina de internet donde puedo enviar la hoja de pedido esta vigente porque ya intente enviar mi pedido y no logro encontrar la pagina ni tampoco entrar gracias
    y sale aver si puedo encontrar la pagina de inicio

  • Respond

    Carrie says: June 18, 2010 at 9:26 am

    Dear M D Greenhill:

    Thanks so much for reaching out to us. I really appreciate hearing from readers, especially ones with suggestions on how to do a better job. Often readers find small mistakes in books, such as typos that have slipped through, or a plot point that is slightly off, and we are able to make corrections for the next printing.

    At Avon, we follow the Chicago Manual of Style, and when books are in production, copyeditors bring issues to our attention. However, in the end, if an author prefers to use “whiskey” instead of “whisky” we allow them to as long as they keep it consistent throughout their book. And each author has their own style of writing commercial fiction, and I would hate to standardize all language. These are creative people, and for that reason I like to give authors a lot of license with their style. And yes, we all have favorite words that we overuse. The one I overuse is “amazing.”

    We are very glad you are a fan of Stephanie Laurens and Lisa Kleypas. We don’t publish Mary Balogh, but I am a big fan.

    Best,
    Carrie

  • Respond

    Stacie says: June 17, 2010 at 12:51 am

    I have written several (12 finished, 14 altogether) novels about plus size women in comtemporary settings. My love scenes are rather graphic so I’m not sure if it is erotica or only really good romance. I want to send in my query but have no idea to whom I should address it to specifically. Addressing it to “To whom it may concern” is to impersonal. Please help.
    Thank you

  • Respond

    Sierra says: June 16, 2010 at 5:55 am

    Hi Tessa,

    I have written a 90,000 word contemporary romance novel, I think it’s really good. I was wondering if my book can be illustrated if you accept it? And do the submissions go to you or someone else. Sorry for disturbing you.

    Sincerely,
    Sierra

  • Respond

    Qwillia Rain says: June 13, 2010 at 7:01 pm

    Tessa,

    Question regarding queries.

    I am an author of erotic romances (three novels and three novellas with a reputable epublisher.) If the Avon Red line is no longer accepting submissions, does this mean Avon is no longer accepting queries and submissions for novels that might be considered erotic romance even within other subgenres (i.e. contemporary, historical, or paranormal)?

    I ask because I am working on several projects that could be considered erotic romance, and I’d like to submit them, but not if Avon is no longer considering any books of an erotic nature. I would prefer not to waste your time or mine.

    Thank you,
    Qwillia Rain

  • Respond

    Terri Crews says: June 9, 2010 at 6:29 am

    Hi, I’ve submitted a query a few days ago, excited to hear from you. I am a published author, with one book under my belt. I have many different types. I have over forty written novels. I write because I love to tell a story and most of all sharing it, I like to write novels that grips all the emotions and have a positive outcome over adversity. I love romance but believe in shutting the door and letting the imagination take over but leave enough to establish the relationship. I have paranormals, westerns, contemporary, detective, and historicals. I hope to hear from you soon, thank you.

  • Respond

    Dr M D Greenhill says: June 8, 2010 at 9:23 am

    Dear Folks,
    I have read most of the novels of Mary Balogh, Liza Kiepas and Stephanie Laurens.
    Most of their novels are a delightful read.
    However, the truly terrible quality of editing lets your authors down.
    Your editors demonstrate an all too obvious lack of grounding in English usage, spelling or punctuation.
    Modern American language patterns grate when voiced by 18th and 19th century, English aristocrats.
    Solecisms such as spelling Scotch as whiskEy -
    THERE IS NO “E” WHISKY DISTILLED IN SCOTLAND.
    The Irish and Americans distil whiskey.
    Then there is Ms Laurens overuse of the word “evocative”.
    I realise that these novels are mainly aimed at American female readers, but I cannot believe that you so underestimate their sensibilities by passing off such careless work. You let yourselves, your readers and you authors down.
    You should be ashamed.

  • Respond

    Melissa van Hetten says: June 1, 2010 at 10:17 am

    Hi,

    I live in the Netherlands and I was wondering if I can stil submit my manuscripts.

  • Respond

    Carlene says: May 27, 2010 at 2:47 pm

    I have had several rejections and a friend said it was because my hero is a ghost, who is not dead. He is looking for his body which was seperated from his spirit and once he finds it he can be whole again and alive! Come on this is a fantasy and love story where anything goes. Please someone take a chance and read it. YOU WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH BOTH THE HEROINE AND HER HERO.

  • Pingback: Adult trade publishers that encourage direct (unagented) submissions «

  • Respond

    james hughes says: May 26, 2010 at 3:38 pm

    The book sizzles, it’s pages almost trembling in the hand of an Avon Editor. She tries to put the book down, thinking to either banish it to the slush pile or vanquish it through the shredder, but the book is too hot to handle, it’s torrid love scenes and uncompromising prose sending “read me” vibes of escalating pleasure, racing up and down her unsuspecting spine.
    “Why do I feel like I have to read you,” she whispers, her pulse racing, her breath quickening and a thin layer of salty sensual sweat forming over her brow. She tries to toss the book away in desperation but it’s burning pages beckon irresistably, panting “betcha can’t put me down.”
    “Damn you,” she squeals, cursing the book as it forces her to start reading, “why do you have to be so damn good!!!???”

  • Respond

    Jennifer says: May 19, 2010 at 12:52 pm

    I just submitted my very first query!! I hope it gets excepted! This is my very first book ever written.

  • Respond

    Michael says: May 16, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    I have written a 700,000 word fantasy trilogy and a few other full length novels and am currently seeking pulication elswhere for those. I am thinking about writing a fantasy romance for Avon to tide me over… Can you tell me the single most praised avon romance novel to read for reasearch???

  • Respond

    Lucy Tamajon says: May 16, 2010 at 10:26 am

    I’m going to submit my query for my Paranomal Romance. It’s dark and very different. Is it real or just a dream? Is Catherine trapped in her own mind or is her taunting visitor a real man?

  • Respond

    J.S. says: May 15, 2010 at 1:11 pm

    I have a story of magical realism (a story with a realistic setting in which there lie some fantasy elements). But it is set in a modern San Francisco high school. I was thinking if it would be appropriate for the contemporary category. It also isn’t finished (I have around 7000 or 8000 words of it so far with 5 chapters), but if it falls slightly (less than 1500 words) short of the contemporary category requirement, would it be all right to submit to the contemporary category?

    Also, it is a homosexual romance story, though one of the two main characters (who is heterosexual at first) thinks the other is a female when he falls in love with him. Do you accept manuscripts with homosexuality?

    Lastly, I have some training in fine arts and graphic arts, so I was wondering if I could submit the front and back cover (w/o text for the back cover) for my book if you choose to accept more of my manuscript.

    Thank you so much for taking the time to read my questions.

  • Respond

    Erica says: May 14, 2010 at 10:37 am

    Hello,
    Are there any certain guidelines the manuscript must meet to be considered?

  • Respond

    Abhilasha khetan says: May 12, 2010 at 4:32 pm

    Hi,
    I completed my book and it doesn’t have more than 100,000 words. what i would like to know is, do you publish books of authors outside the US? i’m from mumbai,India. thanks a lot.

  • Respond

    Athena Wolf says: May 11, 2010 at 3:07 pm

    I’v just submitted a synopsis of sorts to Avon publishing and i know that i fall under the category of Paranormal Romance. But my book is unfinished, truthfully i’m nervous just sending something of mine in. But i have at least ten other romance stories all along the same lines but way different possibilities and ending i was just wondering if those books too would be looked at if i were to publish one of my books with Avon. I am very interested in getting started. Oh and another thing i’m interested in How old do you have to be to submit a Query?

  • Respond

    Margaret says: May 6, 2010 at 7:51 am

    I’ve started a historical romance. The first time I’ve attempted it actually. The story flows smoothly and it heartwarming. but it is a tad hard to be frank. Though when I get it finished and edited up, I’ll be sure to send it to you Tessa.

    I wish you all the best,

    MB

  • Respond

    Carol Gambill says: April 30, 2010 at 11:08 am

    Hey Tessa,
    Stupid question, I’m sure. I know that at one time I saw the expected time frame for reply after a query letter. I thought I saw 6-8 weeks somewhere. Am I correct?
    Thank!

  • Respond

    Deborah Mendoza says: April 23, 2010 at 9:53 am

    Do you have to be a member of the RWA in order to submit a query? Also, what should be included in the query?

  • Respond

    Lucy Tamajon says: April 21, 2010 at 10:40 pm

    The silence of her bedroom engulfed her as she laid motionless on her bed. She could hear his breathing, feel his presence hovering over her. She closed her eyes hoping that he would leave, but she knew he wouldn’t. He owned her soul, her body, and she feared, her heart… She gasped as his warm breath whispered in her ear, “I own you, Catherine. I own you. You belong to me.” And with those words, she was lost in the darkness of his heart.

  • Respond

    Annamaria Crooks says: April 21, 2010 at 7:14 pm

    I am writing to your publishing company because I had purchased a book recently and found pages missing from the Story.
    I enjoy reading Barbara Delinsky, you could only imagine the disappoint when I discovered that part of the book was not there. The book “Suddenly” had skipped the pages from 137-280 . Then after page 328 the book started back at 185.and then repeated the pages that started at 281. The pages from 137-184 were not found at all. In the future I may be a bit leery of the books that you publish.
    Thank you for taking the time to read my complaint.

  • Respond

    Lauren Tallman says: April 20, 2010 at 10:11 am

    I have written a series of erotic coming of age stories about a girl in Scotland during the Victorian era. Do you accept erotic literure?

  • Respond

    Dawn Balsdon-Deane says: April 16, 2010 at 12:08 pm

    So i have submitted a query for my novel Eden’s Fall, but I also have another Romance novel in the works, called Stuff that goes wrong in a marriage.

    My question is…Would you be interested in a romance told from a male perspective? If so, under which category would it fall, given that it is set in the early 70′s, with irish and italian immigrants with a gritty mob twist and loads of humour?

    thanks
    Dawn

  • Respond

    Lori Leger says: April 15, 2010 at 8:59 am

    I’d also like to know who to address the queries to. I have looked all over the website trying to find individual names…please help.

  • Respond

    gn eltoukhy says: April 11, 2010 at 12:58 am

    dear tessa
    my book under the category of paranormal romance of course written in english but i,m afraid to send a query , because i’m living now in egypt , africa
    so , can you tell if i send a query , will be considred or not

    best wishes

  • Respond

    Abhilasha khetan says: April 10, 2010 at 6:01 am

    Hi,
    I’m still writing my book and its under the category of contemporary romance, my book has more than 100,000, will that be a problem?

  • Respond

    Trinity Blacio says: April 9, 2010 at 2:02 pm

    Hello I was trying to get hold of anyone with Avon books to invite to our group for a chat? We are pretty open for dates and would love to have a representative from Avon books. Our groups is centered around the author, publishing houses anything to do with the publishing world. It’s called The Publishing Trove you can find us here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/publishingtrove/

    Thank you,

    Trinity Blacio

  • Respond

    Joyce Myers says: April 9, 2010 at 9:16 am

    I have written a 73,000 Time-travel. The hero is a contemporary Christian and travels back and forth in time to the U. S. Civil War. In reguards to the genres, to which category should I submit?

    Thank you,
    Joyce

  • Respond

    Jadee says: April 8, 2010 at 7:23 am

    Hello Tessa,
    I was just wondering if our books should get through how much percent of the overall revenue would we get?
    For I have been offered already a deal with a publisher and is wondering if this publisher gives me more percentage of revenue, if not than I shall go with my original publisher.

    Thanks for all your help
    Jadee xx

  • Respond

    Rita says: April 7, 2010 at 1:14 pm

    Hi Tessa,

    I have the email for submissions, but who should the queries be addressed to?

    Thank you!

  • Respond

    Tessa says: April 7, 2010 at 9:51 am

    Hi Everyone,
    Okay, I’m going to try and answer some of these questions!
    Going in order:
    Amy: good luck!
    Sandrine and Joann: As long as it’s a good story, we’re happy to take a look at a query. Send it to avonromance@harpercollins.com.
    Mya: No, we’re not taking Avon Red submissions any longer.
    Tatiana y Palmira: No, submissions must be in English.
    Brooke: You should check out the HarperCollins Human Resources website. I’m not really sure how it’s done.
    Hope that helps!
    -Tessa

  • Respond

    Brooke Moody says: April 6, 2010 at 9:26 pm

    Hi,
    I would like to know how the Avon books are edited and proofread? Do you contract this work to freelancers? If so, could you please let me know how to apply for a position.
    Thanks

  • Respond

    Palmira Luisa says: April 1, 2010 at 3:15 pm

    I would like to know if you accept manuscripts in Spanish.
    I have written a novel and would like to submit it to your Reading Department for its evaluation.
    It is a paranormal story about two people with outstanding features, and also a novel with vocation for a saga in the style of Nora Roberts in the style of Nora Roberts , Anne Rice, etc.
    Since I do not know on which of the HarperCollins stamps would fit in my book, I would appreciate any information.
    Regards, Palmira Luisa

  • Respond

    Lori Leger says: March 29, 2010 at 8:21 am

    I’ve got three contemporary romance manuscripts written and am currently working on the fourth. Ideas for the next two are already shaped and outlined. My manuscripts are fresh and exciting works with juicy subplots and insights into the lifestyles of the bright, friendly people of south Louisiana. I have had so many people tell me that the characters I created stayed with them long after they’d finished the books. I’m having a blast writing and I know I’ll turn this into a full time career one day.

  • Respond

    Tatiana Agudelo says: March 27, 2010 at 3:15 pm

    Reciben material en español…saludos, Tatiana

  • Respond

    Mya Baidy says: March 22, 2010 at 10:16 am

    Are you still accepting submissions for Avon Red? I know before the website switched over there used to be guidelines for that line but I have been unable to locate them on this website.

  • Respond

    Joann Fuoss says: March 21, 2010 at 6:59 pm

    I have written a book set in the future with a lot of romance in it. I was wondering if that would be something you would consider?

  • Respond

    Sandrine Thomas says: March 19, 2010 at 9:18 pm

    Is Avon looking for more African-American historical romance? What about African-American or Interracial paranormal romance?

  • Respond

    Amy Valentini says: March 19, 2010 at 4:01 pm

    I have the book … it’s finished, it’s been rewritten three times and each time it only gets better. Now if I can only get one of the editors at Avon to read it, I know they would be thrilled. I enjoyed writing it as much as reading the wonderful books already being published by Avon and just as when I’m reading, I hate to have the story end. I’ll query again and hope that this time someone chooses to read it. Wish me luck … I have even more stories ready to be put down in words. Happy Day, it’s almost Spring and time for those leisure times with a good book … mine!


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