TORONTO, Oct. 5 -Harlequin Enterprises Limited, the world's leading publisher of series romance and women's fiction, today announced distribution agreements with three electronic content providers that will launch Harlequin in the North American e-book market.
Under the agreements, a variety of titles from Harlequin's bestselling women's fiction and romance series publishing programs will be available for download on handheld devices, computers and cell phones by three key distributors-Lightning Source, Motricity's eReader.com and OverDrive. These distribution agreements will ensure that Harlequin's loyal audience will find their trusted brands and favorite authors and stories in a convenient new format. In addition, new readers will be introduced to the variety of entertaining stories Harlequin offers within women's fiction-from classic romance to female-focused fantasy to thrillers and much more.
All selected titles will be available in several formats to ensure easy access. Harlequin's e-book program is slated to launch in October. Titles include the current New York Times #2 ranked bestseller 50 HARBOR STREET by Debbie Macomber, along with books from other New York Times bestselling authors Diana Palmer, Heather Graham and Brenda Joyce. Series romance novels and stories from exciting new voices like Maria V. Snyder with POISON STUDY-a Book Sense top pick for October-will also be included in the program.
"Harlequin became a publishing industry leader by making our books available wherever and whenever women shop," said Donna Hayes, Publisher and CEO of Harlequin Enterprises. "With this announcement we are extending that strategy by also making our stories available in other formats, such as audio, manga and now e-books so that our readers have a choice to read our books when they want to, where they want to-and how they want to. Our ability to move beyond traditional channels and seek innovative new ways to reach our audience continues to be a Harlequin trademark."
"With eReader.com, OverDrive and Lightning Source, we are working with key players in the e-book field," said Pam Laycock, Executive Vice President, New Business Development and Strategy at Harlequin. "Romance novels were the fastest growing category in the e-book marketplace in 2004. It makes sense that the leader in series romance fiction is chief among the choices for book readers. These partnerships offer our readers an exciting new way to enjoy the Harlequin experience anywhere and anytime they wish."
"Harlequin's beloved authors and bestselling series and brands are among the most requested titles at eReader.com," said Vickie Gibbs, Vice President at Motricity. "Women are among our fastest growing customer segments of e-book readers, and romance has become one of the top categories at eReader.com, so there are two reasons to celebrate the entry of Harlequin into the e-book marketplace."
"Our research has shown that romance novels are one of the most popular genres of downloadable e-books at libraries coast-to-coast," stated Steve Potash, CEO of OverDrive, Inc. "OverDrive and our library partners are ecstatic to have 24/7 access to the bestselling authors and titles from Harlequin, the world leader in romance."
"We are absolutely delighted to be a part of Harlequin's new e-book initiative," said J. Kirby Best, Chief Executive Officer of Lightning Source Inc. "Harlequin has a wonderful publishing tradition and adding e-books through Lightning Source will help them reach a new and diverse base of readers."
About Harlequin Enterprises Limited
Harlequin Enterprises Limited is the global leader in series romance and one of the world's leading publishers of women's fiction, with titles issued worldwide in 25 languages and sold in 94 international markets. The company releases over 115 titles monthly and publishes more than 1,300 authors from around the world. Harlequin Enterprises Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation, a broadly based media company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TS.nv.b). Harlequin's Web site is located at http://www.eHarlequin.com. Harlequin has offices in 18 countries including Toronto, New York and London. For more information please visit http://www.eHarlequin.com or press.eHarlequin.com.
About eReader.com
eReader.com, a division of Motricity, is the world's largest and most popular eBookstore. eReader.com offers hundreds of new releases each month through successful partnerships with the leading trade and reference publishers such as Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Merriam Webster, Time Warner Book Group and more than 80 other prominent publishers. Founded in 1998, eReader.com has built a devoted customer base with thousands of new customers purchasing for the first time every month. For more information, please visit http://www.ereader.com.
About Motricity
As the world's leading mobile content and solutions provider, Motricity's technology and solutions enable consumers to receive the right mobile content, at the right time, everytime. By offering technology and services that unify the mobile content ecosystem, Motricity creates compelling user experiences and delivers more profitable mobile content offerings for partners such as Cingular, Verizon Wireless, China Unicom, O2, Amazon.com, palmOne and a network of consumer websites, including eReader.com and PalmGear.com. Motricity is headquartered in Research Triangle Park, N.C., and has offices in Beijing, London, Munich and San Francisco. For more information, please visit http://www.motricity.com.
About OverDrive
OverDrive is the leading solution provider for trusted digital media fulfillment of audio books, eBooks, and other digital content to retailers, wholesalers, and libraries in the US and abroad. OverDrive offers customized, web-based solutions that enable libraries to loan best-selling digital books and other forms of digital media to their patrons. Current customers include Cleveland Public Library, King County Public Library, Denver Public Library, New York Public Library, and San Jose Public Library among many others. Strategic technology partners include Microsoft Corporation, Adobe Systems, Inc., SirsiDynix, and Mobipocket. The company is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio and has been producing digital document solutions since 1986. For more information on OverDrive, Inc., please visit http://www.overdrive.com.
About Lightning Source
Lightning Source Inc. is the industry's leading provider of book manufacturing and distribution services. Lightning Source stores books electronically and delivers them in either traditional printed format or as e-Books in response to orders from publishers, booksellers, and librarians. Lightning Source provides new options to the publishing industry in the storage, management and distribution of publisher content. Lightning Source has facilities in both the U.S. and United Kingdom and has printed books for more than 3,500 publishers around the world. For more information, visit the website http://www.lightningsource.com.
All trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.
