What took so long?
Harlequin, the book publisher that made its name on steamy bodice-rippers for women, announced on Wednesday that it would team up with Cosmopolitan, the magazine for women who aspire to the low bodice-look, to produce steamy new digital fiction.
Obviously looking to get a piece of the overheated erotica market generated by the mega-best-selling “50 Shades†trilogy, the publishers promise that their series entitled “Cosmo Red Hot Reads†will feature “free-spirited women†committed to an “outgoing lifestyle.â€
Harlequin will publish two original titles a month, beginning in May. The novels will be by Harlequin writers but have the Cosmo name on the imprint as well. The novels will distinguish themselves by being short in length (about 30,000 words a title) so they may be discreetly appreciated on mobile devices.
“Cosmo readers love fabulous fiction and if you picked up '50 Shades of Grey' then this is the book serie s for you,†Cosmopolitan's editor-in-chief, Joanna Coles, said in a written statement. “This is fiction for the modern girl negotiating modern love - with all its unpredictability and complications!â€
Leslie Kaufman writes about the publishing industry. Follow @leslieNYT on Twitter.
