What We Want: Calling all meet-cute enthusiasts! We’re looking for short romance stories that hook you in and refuse to let you go. We’re talking red wine spilled on your ex-boss’s new (and very attractive) fiancé, rival pickleball players getting stuck in a haunted elevator, estranged lovers who reunite for the first time in ten years—at their wedding on national TV. One catch: your story has to have a Virginia element, whether that’s a main character who plays for the Flying Squirrels, a best friend who’s determined to move to Chincoteague, or a beloved family pet named Ol’ Dominion. We’re looking for a wide range of meet-cutes with variable levels of spice, ranging from short and sweet to spicy and sweeping.
Submission Window:5/1/26 – 7/31/26
Genre: Any romantic subgenre (contemporary, rom-com, fantasy/romantasy, western, historical, paranormal, sports, etc.)
Spice Level: Variable. No erotica
Violence & Language: This is an anthology for an adult audience, but keep it moderately classy (no extreme/gratuitous violence).
Original Stories Only: No reprints
Format: Shunn Standard or Modern Manuscript Format. If you’re not familiar refer to this website: https://www.shunn.net/format/
Use three asterisks to indicate a scene break. Italics for italics. Curly (not straight) apostrophes and quotation marks. DOC or DOCX file format. DON’T USE THE TAB KEY.
We’re are conducting blind submissions. Follow the Shunn Format, but remove your name.
I’m confused: Shunn Format requires the author’s name (and contact info) on the front page, a byline, and in the header. How can I include this if the submission should be blind?
Answer: Follow the Shunn Format except for identifiable information. Remove your name and contact info from the first page. No byline. No name in the header.
Eligibility: While stories must have a Virginia element, writers from anywhere in the world are welcome.
You must be 18 years of age by September 30th, 2026 or have the permission of a parent or guardian to submit.
Simultaneous Submissions: Allowed. But notify us immediately if your story is accepted elsewhere.
Multiple Submissions: You may submit multiple stories. Only one story per author will be chosen for the anthology.
Generative AI: No
Payment:
U$25.00 (Payment for non-U.S. contributors will be made by Amazon eGift Card redeemable on your local Amazon site)
eCopy of the book
Right to buy unlimited author print copies at 40% of retail price.
Rights:
We are buying exclusive worldwide English language rights (print and electronic) for one year after publication day. And the non-exclusive worldwide English language rights (print and electronic) in perpetuity.
Acceptances:
We will not be sending out acceptances (or rejections) until after the submission period closes on July 31st.
Projected Timeline:
May 1, 2026 – Submissions Open
July 31, 2026 – Submissions Close
Sept 30, 2026 – Acceptances go out. Contracts signed.
October 2026 – Copy Editing
November 2026 – Proofreading
November 2026 – Cover Commissioned
December 2026 – ARCs go out to advanced reviewers/blurbers
February 2, 2027 – PUBLICATION DAY
Questions? Email us at Catherine [at] WhitakerLyon.com