Self-Publishing Imprint Harlequin Horizons Furthers Opportunities for

Harlequin Enterprises Limited has launched Harlequin Horizons; a self-publishing partnership with Author Solutions, Inc. (ASI) -- the world's leading self-publisher.

Harlequin, Book Business magazine's 2009 Publishing Innovator of the Year, regards the self-publishing venture as an accessible opportunity for emerging authors to bring themselves to the attention of the reading public.

"Harlequin Horizons expands upon Harlequin's tradition of providing wonderful opportunities for fresh voices in women's fiction," said Donna Hayes, publisher and CEO of Harlequin Enterprises. "Partnering with Author Solutions, Inc., the recognized world leader in self-publishing, is an innovative and original approach to discovering new authors to add to our traditional publishing programs."

Through this strategic alliance, all sales, marketing, publishing, distribution, and book-selling services will be fulfilled by ASI, but Harlequin Horizons will exist as a division of Harlequin Enterprises Limited. Harlequin will monitor sales of books published through the self-publisher for possible pickup by its traditional imprints.

"Harlequin has been a leader in driving change in the publishing industry for many years, and we are thrilled to partner with them to launch Harlequin Horizons. This new imprint will give thousands of emerging authors the unprecedented opportunity to make their professionally published books available to the enthusiastic and growing set of women's fiction readers," said Kevin Weiss, ASI president and chief executive officer.

Harlequin Horizons is the second such partnership ASI has launched with a leading trade publisher in the last two months. The parent company of industry-leading self-publishing imprints AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Trafford Publishing, and Xlibris, ASI brought to market more than 21,000 new titles in 2008.

To learn more about the publishing packages available through Harlequin Horizons, visit http://www.harlequinhorizons.com/.