MAIN NEWS HEADLINES
October 1-15, 2005 Edition
Real Women Inspire
Harlequins New
Short Story Collection
NEW YORK, NY/9/22/05In a unique collaboration of reading and activism, Harlequin Enterprises Ltd., a leading publisher of women’s fiction, will soon publish MORE THAN WORDS, VOLUME 2 (October 05).
This collection of short stories is inspired by the five recipients of the Harlequin More Than Words award, given annually to women making extraordinary contributions to their community. Contributing to the collection are New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling authors Debbie Macomber, Sharon Sala, Jasmine Cresswell, Beverly Barton and Julie Elizabeth Leto. Each author’s story will be accompanied by a factual introduction of each recipient with proceeds from the book being reinvested in Harlequin’s charitable initiatives.
“I’m proud to be a contributor to the Harlequin More Than Words program. Together, I hope we can continue to make a difference in our communities by raising awareness about worthy causes that are of concern to women,” said New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber, who wrote a short story inspired by recipient Lauren Spiker’s life and the support group she set up for teens living with cancer.
“Harlequin’s goal in launching the More Than Words program was to raise awareness of the difference individuals can make in their own communitiesand to turn that awareness into action,” says Harlequin Enterprises’ Publisher and CEO, Donna Hayes.
After reviewing over 100 nominations from women across North America, Harlequin chose five outstanding women who represent a broad variety of women’s causes. All five recipients will receive a $10,000 donation from Harlequin to advance the work of their associated charities.
2005 Harlequin More Than Words Recipients
Dr. Paula Kay (P.K.) Beville’s Georgia-based organization Second Wind Dreams makes dreams come true for seniors living in nursing homes and assisted living. Since 1997 an average of three dreams per day have been granted to seniors in over 400 facilities in 41 states, Canada and India. Janet Lavender founded Dress for Success Los Angeles after enduring a year of her own hard luck. Since 1996 DFSLA has provided over 10,000 women with professional development that includes professional wardrobes, job training and placement, retention, mentoring and career coaching. Abigail Rosin’s Groove With Me program provides free dance classes for underprivileged girls in New York. With the help of volunteers, the program provides 21 dance classes a week to 220 students at their Spanish Harlem dance studio. Lauren Spiker is dedicated to helping teens with cancer meet their life challenges with the highest quality of life possible. Melissa’s Living Legacy Foundation, a tribute to her daughter, provides an online environment for teens to learn about and
share their cancer experiences at http://www.TeensLivingWithCancer.org. Peggy Ann Walpole founded Street Haven at the Crossroads in 1965. Today the shelter, based in Toronto, Ontario, provides emergency housing, food, clothing, medical attention and counseling to 40 to 60 women every day and prepares 200 meals for drop-in visitors and residents.
This is the second year of Harlequin’s innovative More Than Words program. Information on donations or volunteering time to the organizations highlighted in this year’s program are available at http://www.HarlequinMoreThanWords.com.
Readers are also encouraged to submit nominations for next year’s More Than Words award at http://www.HarlequinMoreThanWords.com.
About HARLEQUIN
HARLEQUIN ENTERPRISES LIMITED is the one of the world’s leading publishers of women’s fiction. Its books are published worldwide in 25 languages and sold in over 94 international markets. The company publishes over 115 titles monthly and publishes more than 1,000 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). The company’s Web site is located at http://www.eHarlequin.com.
