Mystery Writers of America have decided to reinstate Harlequin into the organization’s influential Approved Publishers list.
Here’s more from the release: “We are pleased to welcome Harlequin, and all of its imprints, back onto our Approved Publishers list. Harlequin has agreed to abide by all of our existing criteria for inclusion. This means that Harlequin books, including those published within the last year, are eligible for Edgar consideration and their authors for active status MWA membership.”
In a unanimous vote last December, the MWA board voted to cut Harlequin and all of its imprints. Harlequin had drawn criticism for its recently launched self-publishing arm. The MWA rules state that the “publishing entity” must “be wholly separate and isolated” from “an entity that provides self-publishing, for-pay editorial services, or for-pay promotional services.” (Via Publishers Lunch)