Smart Bitches Trashy Books discussion regains focus on Harlequin Horizons self-publishing options

Participants in the ongoing discussion being held on the Smart Bitches Trashy Books website defied the prediction made yesterday, November 19, 2009, by the Nora Roberts Examiner. The group did indeed regain its focus on the consequences of Harlequin Enterprises' decision to enter the self-publishing arena with its currently named Harlequin Horizons division.

  The Smart Bitches Trashy Books discussion page for  the Harlequin
   Horizons topic. (Screenshot taken 11-20-2009 by Carol Thomas)

Over 570 posts had been made before the Smart Bitches discussion ended for the day at 11:32 PM (PT)  Respondents included in their discussion two significant new developments in this ongoing drama.

Richard Curtis's E-Reads blog revealed yesterday that the Mystery Writers of America (MWA) had issued its own ultimatum to Harlequin Enterprises. The MWA could revoke Harlequin's Approved Publisher status if the company fails to respond to the MWA's concerns regarding both the Harlequin Horizons self-publishing program and the eHarlequin Manuscript Critique service by December 15, 2009.

The Smart Bitches discussion also picked up a more recent development. The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America has prepared its own "Statement on Harlequin’s self-publishing imprint." This statement was issued after Harlequin Enterprises CEO Donna Hayes announced yesterday that Harlequin Horizons would change its name in response to the concerns of its writers. Consequently, the SWFA statement contains the view held by that organization's president, Russell Davis, and its Board of Directors as to Harlequin's most recent action:

SFWA does not believe that changing the name of the imprint, or in some other way attempting to disguise the relationship to Harlequin, changes the intention, and calls on Harlequin to do the right thing by immediately discontinuing this imprint and returning to doing business as an advance and royalty paying publisher.

Wow! Or, as Nora Robert said in her  03:03 (PT) Smart Bitches post this morning, "Boy, SFWA nailed the issue, the actions and the problem."