Harlequin is launching Graydon House Books, a hardcover and trade paperback imprint that will specialize in commercial women's fiction with "a relationship element woven through," the publisher said. "Stories will range in tone from lighthearted humor to emotional tearjerkers and edgier drama." The first titles will appear in September 2017; the imprint will be led by Dianne Moggy, v-p, editorial, and Susan Swinwood, executive editor.
"We're seeing a real shift towards bigger, more layered commercial fiction where the characters are dealing with a variety of relationships--with siblings, spouses, friends, lovers--and that's where Graydon House's focus will be," Swinwood said. "The unconventional love story, modern relationship fiction, with topical issues for book club discussions, women coping with the ups and downs of life, careers, dating, marriage, divorce, even death."
Loriana Sacilotto, executive v-p, global publishing and strategy, called the launch of Graydon House Books "the next phase of a plan to significantly expand our hardcover and trade paperback fiction publishing program."
The first titles from Graydon House include How to be Happy by Eva Woods, Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer, Now That You Mention It by Kristan Higgins, Perfectly Undone by Jamie Raintree, House of Shadows by Nicola Cornick, My Last Love Story by Falguni Kothari, Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda and Burned by Emily Belden.
Graydon House is named after the historic Georgian mansion that once stood on the 100-acre property in north Toronto where Harlequin's offices are located.