Critically Acclaimed and #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Melissa de la Cruz Inks Deal to Launch Seventeen Fiction from Harlequin TEEN
New York, NY — Seventeen, the largest monthly teen media brand, and Harlequin TEEN today announced the acquisition of a new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author, Melissa de la Cruz, to launch their Seventeen Fiction from Harlequin TEEN publishing partnership in Fall 2016. Seventeen Fiction from Harlequin TEEN will focus on multi-dimensional and empowered fictional female characters and explore topics and situations that authentically reflect the challenges and joys of being a teenager today, just as Seventeen does across all platforms.
The book, titled Something in Between, follows the daughter of immigrant parents who is living the American dream—until her world shatters when she learns she is ineligible to receive the National Scholarship Award because her family is in the country illegally and may be deported. But a chance encounter with the son of a powerful senator sets off a chain reaction that compels her to fight not just for the future that is rightfully hers but for the only place she’s ever called home.
“I am so thrilled to be able to publish a novel that is very close to my heart with such a passionate editorial team! I am very much looking forward to working with Seventeen and Harlequin TEEN to bring this timely story of immigration and identity to a broad audience of readers,” said de la Cruz. “We need diverse books more than ever, and I feel very lucky to be able to write one.”
Melissa de la Cruz is known for her critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens, including the Au Pairs and the Blue Bloods series, which have more than three million copies in print. Her adult titleWitches of East End spawned a hit television show on the Lifetime network and her latest novel, The Isle of the Lost—the prequel to Descendants, a Disney Channel original movie—has been on the New York Times bestseller list for thirty-six consecutive weeks since its publication.
“One of our primary passion points at Seventeen is to empower, entertain, and connect with teens through storytelling,” said Seventeen editor-in-chief Michelle Tan. “It’s been a joy partnering with Melissa onSomething in Between, and we’re so excited that Seventeen Fiction from Harlequin TEEN will be introducing readers to a diverse female character who is smart, strong, and determined—just like them.”
“I’ve been a fan of Melissa de la Cruz since I first discovered Blue Bloods in 2009, and my addiction to her compelling voice and fearless storytelling has never waned,” said Harlequin TEEN executive editor Natashya Wilson. “She is one of the most versatile and intelligent authors writing today. I am honored to be working with her on Something in Between and thrilled that she has come on board to launch this program.”
Seventeen Fiction from Harlequin TEEN will publish four original Seventeen novels in hardcover and ebook formats. These will be the first fiction novels for the brand, which also produces lifestyle guides, advice books, and nonfiction ebooks. Seventeen is the first magazine ever published for teens and remains the largest teen media brand. The Seventeen Fiction from Harlequin TEEN novels will feature co-branding and will be available to readers wherever, whenever and however they want to shop.
In addition to Something in Between, de la Cruz is set to publish two contemporary young-adult novels with Harlequin TEEN. The three-book deal was negotiated and acquired by Natashya Wilson, Executive Editor at Harlequin TEEN, from agent Richard Abate of 3 Arts Entertainment.
About Harlequin TEEN
Harlequin Teen™ is the home of critically acclaimed, award-winning, commercial young adult fiction from bestselling established authors and fresh new voices. The program publishes a variety of genres, including contemporary, fantasy, dystopian, paranormal, historical, romance and horror, and releases one to three original novels each month. Launched in 2009, Harlequin TEEN is dedicated to publishing authentic, compelling fiction that will resonate with readers and be remembered long after the covers are closed. Harlequin TEEN is an imprint of Harlequin—a division of HarperCollins Publishers—which has offices in 14 countries and publishes in as many as 34 languages and 102 international markets.
About Seventeen
Seventeen (www.seventeen.com) is the largest monthly teen media brand, reaching more than 15 million readers in print and online every month. For almost 70 years, Seventeen has helped generations of girls navigate the tricky terrain of adolescence, giving them the confidence they need to become strong, self-assured young women. Never losing sight of the importance of delivering her world her way, Seventeen is a leader on the digital front with Seventeen.com—the largest teen magazine website, the Seventeen Shopping Insider app for her iPhone and Droid as well as with the monthly edition of the magazine on the iPad. Seventeen continues the conversation on social platforms, connecting with millions of girls via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr. In addition to its U.S. flagship, Seventeen publishes seven editions around the world. Seventeen is published by Hearst Magazines, a unit of Hearst Corporation, one of the nation’s largest diversified media and information companies. With 21 titles in the U.S., Hearst is the leading publisher of monthly magazines in terms of total paid circulation (AAM 2H 2014), reaching 78 million readers (Spring 2015 MRI gfk) and 54 million site visitors each month (comScore). Follow Seventeen on Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook.
About Harlequin
Harlequin (www.Harlequin.com) is one of the world’s leading publishers of books for women, with titles issued worldwide in 34 languages and sold in 102 international markets. The company publishes more than 110 titles monthly and more than 1,300 authors from around the world. Harlequin is a division ofHarperCollins Publishers, itself a subsidiary of News Corp and one of the largest English-language publishers in the world. Harlequin has offices in 15 countries, including offices in Toronto, New York and London. For more information, please visit Harlequin.com and Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks. Follow Harlequin on Twitter: @HarlequinBooks.
