Harlequin Presents (M&B Modern) is an imprint of Harlequin Romance, which is an imprint of Harper Collins. We have also reviewed a number of their other imprints previously, including Afterglow Books, Carina Press, Mills & Boon, Love Inspired & Love Inspired Suspense, Special Edition, Harlequin Historical, Harlequin Heartwarming, Harlequin Medical Romance, Harlequin Romantic Suspense, and Harlequin Intrigue. All of the different imprints have clear focuses, and separate submission guidelines, and clear word count guidelines.
Harlequin Presents (M&B Modern) has a word count limit of 50,000 words. They describe themselves by saying that what they are looking to publish is “bold, outrageous, addictive and escapist. We want to see the drama and intensity dialed right up to eleven! In Presents, you’ll often find stories featuring pregnancies, marriages of convenience, royals, forbidden romances, enemies becoming lovers, revenge schemes, workplace/office romances, and Mediterranean settings. How can you combine some of these themes in a thrilling and unique way? “
They share the following list of what they are seeking to publish as part of this series, what they consider to be the “key elements”:
“An alpha hero who will command and seduce. There’s nothing in the world his powerful authority and money can’t buy…except the love of someone strong enough to tame him!
A Harlequin Presents heroine isn’t afraid to stand up to the hero in her own way, whether she’s at home in his opulent world or not. She can be shy and innocent, feisty and daring or anywhere in between.
These stories are pure romantic fantasy with glitzy, glamorous, international settings. A glimpse into luxurious and exclusive worlds most can only dream of. Money is no object!
High sensuality and sky-rocketing sexual tension to quicken your pulse.
Captivating internal emotional conflicts that will sustain the story over the course of 50,000 words.
Tone should be contemporary but with a strong intensity, delivering an instant hit of powerful emotion.
Give classic themes a fresh 21st century twist – tease, surprise and delight.
We welcome LGBTQ+ romances featuring all gender pairings.
We love to see characters from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences – it’s all part of the international flavor of our books!
The mafia has infiltrated the world of Presents! We are excited to feature mafia romance in the series. These stories are high fantasy, high sensuality and have the power dynamics between the protagonists at the forefront. Though the characters can be embedded in the mafia world, the primary focus needs to remain on the central romance.”
They publish eight books a month as part of this imprint/series, and you can see those books here.
They ask that you submit the first three chapters, as well as 3-5 page synopsis which includes a plot outline, character development, and the conflict resolution/ending.
They ask that you only submit one manuscript at a time for their consideration.
To learn more and potentially submit, go here, and scroll down to Harlequin Presents (M&B Modern). All submissions must be made via Submittable.
Emily Harstone is the author of many popular books, including The Authors Publish Guide to Manuscript Submissions, Submit, Publish, Repeat, and The 2026 Guide to Manuscript Publishers. She regularly teaches three acclaimed courses on writing and publishing at The Writer’s Workshop at Authors Publish. You can follow her on Facebook here.
