Welcome to… Alpha Heroes 101
With the Presents Blitz in full swing, it’s the question on everyone’s lips! “How do you a build a billionaire?” Well, we’re here to help! Here’s everything it takes to write the perfect alpha hero…
Powerful, successful and in-control… Nothing is out of a Presents hero’s reach. With a private jet on stand-by and an invite to every A-Lister party, the world is his oyster. But he’s missing just one thing – your heroine! How will he react to having his billion-dollar world turned upside down? You tell us!
He’s not afraid to fight for the woman he loves… An alpha hero wants one thing – and that’s your heroine! And, like everything your billionaire does in life, he’ll do whatever it takes to get what he wants. Though, don’t forget to show the reader what’s motivating your hero. He may have an iron-will, but what’s pushing him to fight for your heroine’s love? If he’s got a notorious reputation with women, what’s changed? How does the arrival of your fabulous heroine change his life?
More than just a billionaire… A Presents hero is so much more than his jet-set lifestyle. Show us the man behind the bespoke suit! Your hero may have a cold-heart, but can you tell us why? We want to know what makes your billionaire tick! Every billionaire is different, so don’t be afraid to dig deep. You want your reader to understand every decision made by your alpha hero and that means you can’t shy away from the fact that he’s a complex and nuanced individual. It’s that individuality that your heroine will fall head-over-heels in love with!
But of course, for every great billionaire, there is a great heroine…
Your hero may be a billionaire, but that doesn’t mean he’s perfect. Often, far from it! And the most important thing to remember? It’s your heroine that will make your hero want to change. Her power is unquestionable, because by the end of the romance, your hero won’t be able to live without her! So, show us why this is! What’s unique about your heroine, what is her strength, what makes her so irresistible to him? Your hero must be willing, when confronted with the possibility of losing your heroine, to turn his life upside down – to do ANYTHING – to keep the woman he loves. As much as the hero takes the heroine on a journey of emotional and sensual awakening, we want to feel, as we reach the final page, that he’s transformed into the best version of himself – and that, without his heroine, none of this would have been possible. And that means she needs to be a compelling, multi-dimensional and relatable character in her own right.
We hope these tips help you to write your Presents couples. We can’t wait to meet your billionaires, and the women who bring them to their knees!
Good Luck!
The Harlequin Presents Team
