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

22^nd 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