Niche Markets: Romance

Since August is all about fiction, and as part of that, I want to help you find ways to make money with the fiction that you write. So, during the next few weeks, I’ll be posting a series called “niche markets.” Each will focus on one kind of fiction and include links to writer’s guidelines for places that publish short fiction and novels. You can see all of the niche market posts here, in case today’s niche isn’t your cup of tea!

Today, let’s check out some markets for romance writers!

Image: sxc.hu

• Kensington Publishing Corp:

This company publishes a variety of different kinds of fiction. Some of the sub-genres they’ve listed include historical romance, erotica, paranormal romance, gay fiction, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and young adult. For fiction, they ask that authors query with a cover letter, first three chapters, and synopsis of less than five pages. Read Kensington Publishing Corp guidelines.

• Harlequin

Harlequin is a giant in the romance writing world. A number of their divisions are accepting submissions, and each has very specific guidelines. New opportunities for writers include Kimani Press, Harlequin Teen, Harlequin Historical Undone, Nocturne Bites, and Nonfiction Editorial (click for submissions). Since these are listed as “new” opportunities, you may have a better chance getting published here. You can find even more writer’s guidelines for Harlequin imprints at this page.

• Dorchester Publishing

The romance they publish includes historical, futuristic, time-travel, paranormal, contemporary, fantasy, suspense, and African-American. They publish romance that 75K to 90K in word count and only accept email submissions. Read Dorchester Publishing guidelines here.

• Amira Press

Interested in trying your hand at erotic? Amira Press is an ebook publisher that is looking for “captive romance, interracial romance superhot erotica romance in all genres, science fiction romance/erotic romance, paranormal romance/erotic romance, and fantasy romance/erotic romance.” They have no interest in “sweet contemporary romance” and “extremely limited interest in spicy contemporary romance.” They publish both novellas and full length novels, but in ebook format. Read Amira Press guidelines here.

• The Rose & Thorn
  

They don’t accept submissions for prose from February 1 to September 14, so you’ll have to wait to submit, but they do publish short romance fiction of up to 2000 words. This is an e-zine, and while they do pay for stories, don’t expect to get rich at this publication! Read The Rose & Thorn guidelines here.

• Every Day Fiction

This online publisher has a romance category. They publish flash fiction, so if you have a short short, this is the place to look for publication. Since the site publishes a new story of less than 1000 words every day, your chances of getting published here are higher than with many magazines, but pay if very low. Read Every Day Fiction guidelines here.