Harlequin books seeks "real men" for covers

[Unknown User]

Posted: 3/26/07 at 3:23pm

Apparently those pretty boys on the cover of Aunt Edna's romance novels just aren't doing it for the average reader ("predominantly female and averaging 42 years of age") so Harlequin is launching a hunt for "real men". "Some of the heroes are captains of industry, billionaires," said Deborah Peterson, a Harlequin creative designer and a judge at the audition. "A lot of the models were too young, men in their twenties ... and our audience likes men a little bit older, a bit bigger, than the runway models."

What about back hair??? Throw in "back hair" and you got yourself a cover boy here!

'Prudence's eyes glistened as Joseph removed his shirt and she caught sight of his abundant back hair. "Now THAT'S a man!" she thought as she sank back into the pillows. "He's a captain of industry, he's got a big gut and he's as hairy as a monkey! Oh, I might be in love!"'
Do you have what it takes???

[keen on kean]

Posted: 3/26/07 at 3:35pm

Now if they could only get "real authors" to write these books, they'd be in business!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/26/07 at 3:40pm

I suppose their millions of readers are not "real" either.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 3/26/07 at 3:44pm

Oooh...I should call my agent!

[keen on kean]

Posted: 3/26/07 at 3:46pm

On the contrary, these books make a fortune but one wouldn't look for depth of character or originality in them. I've read a fair number of them - very formulaic.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 3/26/07 at 4:00pm

"There are no real men any more. Facsimiles. Just facsimiles."

Hugh Wheeler
"Something For Everyone"

[a film that needs to be on dvd]

[misschung]

Posted: 3/26/07 at 4:28pm

I love me some romance novels.

this news about "real men" is hysterical, but also sad. I mean who do we really want to see on these covers - Kevin James? Then you'd have to picture him delivering those hysterical, cliched lines in the story.

this reminds of how they just updated the Brawny guy on the paper towels

[ABSteel]

Posted: 3/26/07 at 4:30pm

Don't be messin' with my Brawny guy!

I'd buy any book with Mike Rowe on the cover.

[justagirl2]

Posted: 3/26/07 at 5:00pm

You know what always annoyed me? How the guy on the front would be clearly blonde, but then he'd have black hair in the book. Is it that hard to make it match up?

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 3/26/07 at 5:04pm

Yes, it is. You ask too much.

[misschung]

Posted: 3/26/07 at 5:07pm

Mike Rowe should be the new Brawny guy.

That's true about blond/brunette disconnect. And did you ever notice that sometimes there will just be random pieces of jewelry on the cover? Even if it has nothing whatsoever to do with the story?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 3/26/07 at 5:18pm

why is the guy auditioning in the picture the usual romance novel cover type if they're looking for real men? and by real men are we assuming that they mean ugly? who's going to buy these books? and if we are supposed to be judging these books by their cover you'd think the ones with the hotter guys would be better anyway...

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 12:04am

"I'd buy any book with Mike Rowe on the cover."

AMEN, to that ABSteel

[gertrudejessalynn]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 12:18am

Why? Why? Why?

I'm really hoping their "real men" are just older guys who have a lot of muscles. If not, what's the point of these damn books? All the books are formulaic and all of the men have perfect bodies. What's the problem?

[misschung]

Posted: 3/27/07 at 12:36am

Yeah, I mean I doubt we'll ever read one where the woman has 'lots to love.' that's such a double standard. in these books they always go on and on about how the woman is so petite and graceful and the guy overpowers her with his 'masculinity' etc etc etc