LBA and London Writers Centre have partnered to launch a year-long programme aimed at supporting new and emerging romantic fiction writers from under-represented backgrounds, including a first chapter competition, free masterclasses and professional development opportunities.

It’s a Love Story: Demystifying Romantic Fiction launches on 4th November with an online survey inviting writers to share the barriers they have encountered when writing and publishing romantic fiction, and the support they would like from the publishing and agenting industries.

The programme will also offer a bespoke Guide to Romance: It’s a Love Story, written by agents at LBA to help writers develop or write their first romantic fiction novel.

A free online panel on 2nd December will bring together Clare Hey, publishing director at Pan Macmillan, Molly Walker-Sharp, editorial director at Sphere, and Amy Mae Baxter, editorial director at Avon. Chaired by LBA agent Hannah Schofield, the discussion will explore opportunities in the romantic fiction market and the processes of acquiring and commissioning novels.

Three free online masterclasses will follow in 2027, led by authors Emma Cooper, Laura Wood and Anam Iqbal. An agents’ seminar led by Amanda Preston, Louise Lamont and Hannah Schofield will also take place in April.

From April to June 2027, London Writers Centre will run a first chapter competition for unpublished, unagented writers from backgrounds under-represented in UK publishing, including disabled, LGBTQ+, low-income, Black, Asian and Global Majority writers, and those from working-class backgrounds.

A small cohort of selected writers will receive developmental support from LBA and London Writers Centre, including a group session with Cooper.

Amanda Preston at LBA said: "In our day-to-day work with authors and publishers, the LBA team is constantly thinking about what makes a great love story – irresistible meet-cutes, believable obstacles to keep lovers apart, avoiding the dreaded ick factor – and we cannot wait to share our writing advice and industry knowledge with new or emerging authors whose stories will make us fall in love all over again."

Cooper said: "When I wrote my debut, I had no connections to the publishing industry, was raising four children and working full-time as a teaching assistant, so I know first-hand how daunting it can feel to have a creative dream alongside the often overwhelming demands of everyday life."

Bobby Nayyar, senior programme manager at London Writers Centre, said: "We’ve been looking to focus more on romantic fiction for a long time – working with the team at LBA to create a truly bespoke programme for new and emerging writers has been a delight."

The survey will remain open until 28th January 2027, while the first chapter competition will open on 21st April and close on 16th June. The programme also includes an access fund to support disabled writers.