Romance Includes You UK 2026 - Competition Terms and Conditions
1. This Competition (“Competition”) is promoted by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd (“HarperCollins”), 1 Robroyston Gate, Robroyston, Glasgow, G33 1JN.
2. ELIGIBILITY
a) This competition is open to debut romance writers who are legal residents of the United Kingdom, who are unpublished or self-published and not already represented by a literary agent (“Eligible Entrant”).
b) Employees of HarperCollins (or their parent, subsidiaries or any affiliated companies) and their immediate families, and all agencies, entities and persons engaged in marketing and/or administration of the Competition, are not eligible.
c) Entrants must be at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry.
d) For this Competition, HarperCollins is interested in submissions by authors in underrepresented communities, including but not limited to: writers who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of colour, biracial and multiracial; writers in LGBTQIA+ communities; members of marginalised ethnic and religious cultures; writers living with disabilities and neurodiversity; and writers from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
3. PRIZE
a) There will be one (1) winner of this competition (the “Winner”). The Winner will be offered:
• A one-book publishing contract with Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins. The contract will have an advance of £2000 GBP;
• A writing grant of £1500 GBP; and
• The chance to work one-on-one with a Mills & Boon editor for one (1) year to complete a romance novel for publication. Publication is subject to the Winner developing the novel to a publishable standard, as assessed by the editorial team.
(the “Prize”).
b) There is one (1) Prize to be won by the Winner.
4. ENTRY METHOD
a) To enter the Competition, an Eligible Entrant must perform the Entry Method(s) during the Entry Period. Eligible Entrants can enter the Competition by submitting through harlequin.submittable.com and uploading the required submission materials to the “2026 Romance Includes You Mentorship” inbox with the following:
• The first 5000 words or first chapter of a romance novel, whichever is longer;
• A one paragraph summary of the story’s pitch and a strong synopsis outlining the story arc, characters, plot, themes and ending (maximum 1000 words); and
• A cover letter that includes a personal statement explaining why the Entrant applied, what they hope to get out of the mentorship if selected, and what greater diversity and representation in the romance genre means to them (maximum 300 words).
b) Entry must be submitted in Word format only. Entries will be accepted in the romance genre for adult readers only. Entries of young adult romance, other fiction genres and nonfiction are not eligible. Entry submission must be in the English language. Entry must be entirely the Entrant’s own original content; Entrant must own all rights in the Entry submission; and Entrant should not have previously sold or licensed those rights in the Entry submission to anyone else. Entrants will be asked to verify eligibility of submitted work at the time of entry.
c) Only one (1) entry is allowed per Entrant during the Entry Period. If more than one entry is made by an Entrant, only the first submission will be considered.
5. ENTRY PERIOD
a) The competition opens at 12:01am British Summer Time (“BST”) on 1st July 2026 and closes at 11:59pm BST on 31st July 2026. Entries received outside these dates and times will not be accepted.
6. COPYRIGHT
a) The Winner’s entry will be subject to the agreed terms of any publishing contract entered into by HarperCollins and the Winner. All non-winning Entrants will retain copyright for their submissions. HarperCollins may retain non-winning submissions for a period of up to twelve (12) months following the closing date for the purpose of considering certain submissions for other publishing opportunities. After this period, all non-winning submissions will be deleted from HarperCollins’ systems. Submissions will not be returned to Entrants.
7. WINNER SELECTION
a) A shortlist of up to ten (10) submissions (the “Shortlisted Submissions”) will be chosen from entries received in accordance with these Terms and Conditions by members of the Mills & Boon editorial team.
b) The Shortlisted Submissions will be announced on blog.millsandboon.co.uk, on or about 1st September 2026. We reserve the right to publish the names of shortlisted Entrants. If you do not wish your name to be published upon being shortlisted, please notify us at the time of entry by emailing submissions@harlequin.com.
c) In September 2026, one (1) potential Winner will be selected by the Mills & Boon editorial team (the “Judges”) from the Shortlisted Submissions, in their absolute discretion based on the following criteria (“Judging Criteria”):
• The writing quality of the sample and story synopsis;
• The creativity of the story, characters and ideas and the strength of the romantic element;
• Suitability to be published in a Mills & Boon series, adhering to the series guidelines for either Mills & Boon Modern, Mills & Boon Love Always or Mills & Boon Medical;
• Personal interest and commitment, toward completing and publishing a romance novel as demonstrated in the personal statement included in the submission.
d) The winner will be announced on blog.millsandboon.co.uk. The winner will be notified in September 2026, provided that suitable submissions are received for publication.
e) HarperCollins is under no obligation to award the Prize or to enter into a publishing contract with any Entrant. If, in the sole opinion of the Judges, none of the submissions received are of a suitable standard for publication and/or do not comply with the criteria set out in clause 7(c) of these Terms and Conditions, HarperCollins reserves the right not to select a Winner and to cancel or withdraw the Prize. In such circumstances, HarperCollins’ decision shall be final and no compensation or alternative prize shall be payable to any Entrant.
f) HarperCollins is not responsible for contacting or forwarding the Prize to entrants who provide unclear or incomplete information or for entries lost, misdirected, delayed, or destroyed. If the winner cannot be contacted within a reasonable timeframe, HarperCollins reserves the right to select another winner.
g) Before the potential Winner is offered a contract, HarperCollins will arrange a discussion with the potential winner and one of the Mills & Boon editors to discuss the opportunity to publish the Entry. The potential winner will have the chance to review any publishing contract before signing. Submitting an entry puts Entrants under no obligation to accept the mentorship or publishing contract.
h) Once a potential winner has responded with all required documentation and information set out in these Terms and Conditions in good order, they will be awarded the Prize.
i) The Winner will be responsible for all applicable taxes associated with their acceptance of the Prize and any other expense not explicitly included in the description of the Prize.
j) The Prize is non-refundable, non-transferable and subject to availability. No guarantee is given as to the quality of the Prize. No cash or other alternatives to the Prize/s are available, and HarperCollins reserve the right in their reasonable discretion to substitute any Prize with a prize of equal or greater value.
k) HarperCollins’ decision as to who has won the competition shall be final.
l) To obtain the name of the prize winner after the closing date, please write to Harlequin Enterprises, HarperCollins Publishers, The News Building, 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF.
8. CONDITIONS, RELEASE AND INDEMNITIES
a) By entering the competition, you are agreeing that, if you win, your name and image may be used for the purpose of announcing the winner and in any related publicity with HarperCollins without any additional payment or permission. If you do not wish your details to be published or used in publicity, please notify us at the time of entry by emailing submissions@harlequin.com, and we will discuss alternative arrangements with you.
b) All entrants are expected to act fairly and in the good spirit of the competition. HarperCollins reserves the right to investigate any irregularities and disqualify entrants at its absolute discretion.
c) The entry instructions are part of the Terms and Conditions for this competition. By entering this competition, you are agreeing to accept these Terms and Conditions. Any breach of these Terms and Conditions by you will mean that your entry will not be valid, and you will not be allowed to enter this competition.
d) Under no circumstances will HarperCollins be responsible for any loss, damages, costs, or expenses arising from or in any way connected with any errors, defects, interruptions, malfunctions, or delays in the promotion of the Competition or Prize.
e) Any dispute relating to the competition shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales and will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
f) No purchase necessary to participate or receive a Prize. Purchase or acceptance of a product offer does not improve your chances of winning.
9. PRIVACY AND USE OF PERSONAL DATA
a) By participating in the Competition, each Entrant consents to HarperCollins’ collection and use of the Entrant’s name, mailing address, telephone number, e-mail address, photograph and likeness for the purpose of administering the Competition (including but not limited to contacting and announcing the winner); for publicity and promotional purposes relating to the Competition, in any and all media now known or hereafter devised, without further compensation; and in accordance with these Terms and Conditions, unless prohibited by law.
b) HarperCollins will use the Entrant’s Personal Information only for identified purposes, and will protect the Entrant’s Personal Information in a manner that is consistent with HarperCollins’ privacy policy located online at: https://corporate.harpercollins.co.uk/reporting/privacy-policy/. Any personal information you give to HarperCollins will be used solely for these purposes and will not be passed on to any other parties without your express consent.
c) By participating in the Competition you acknowledge that we may keep your personal data and submission on file for a period of up to twelve (12) months following the closing date, for the purposes set out in these Terms and Conditions. After this period, your data and submission will be deleted unless you have been contacted regarding a separate publishing opportunity.
d) By entering this Competition, you agree to the complete release of Instagram and Facebook in relation to this competition and promotion.
10. This competition and promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or X.