The Love At First Line Writing Competition

Love At First Line Writing Competition
This summer Hodder & Stoughton, bestselling author Mike Gayle and the Romantic Novelists’ Association have joined forces to champion love stories and discover new voices in commercial fiction with a romantic theme, in association with Hachette UK’s The Future Bookshelf.
WHAT IS THE PRIZE?
We are inviting all writers from a Black, Asian or Mixed Heritage background to submit the first 5,000 words of a commercial novel with a romantic theme, as well as a synopsis of up to 500 words describing the rest of the story.
The winner of the Love at First Line competition will receive a cash prize, a virtual conversation with Mike Gayle, four mentoring sessions with an editor from Hodder & Stoughton and entry onto the Romantic Novelists’ Association New Writers Scheme.
Judges include bestselling writer Mike Gayle, a literary agent (Ariella Feiner from United Agents), the Chair of the Romantic Novelists’ Association (Jean Fullerton), a member of the Hodder editorial team (Nick Sayers) and the host of the Capital XTRA Book Club, Leah Davis.
KEY DATES
22nd June 2023 – Submissions open
1st October 2023 – Submissions close
January 2024 – Winner and runners-up announced
For queries about the LOVE AT FIRST LINE prize, please email: loveat.firstline@hodder.co.uk
CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE AND SUBMIT YOUR STORY