As well as having been completely horrified and distraught by the recent terror attacks in the UK, I’ve also felt quite helpless. The latest attack at London Bridge spurred me into action—I might not be in a position where I can physically help victims, but I can do something. I can put together an anthology where all proceeds go to a charity that will help those affected. So that’s what I’m doing. Please consider writing something for this collection, and do share the call for submissions with anyone you think might be interested. Thank you.
United in Love (tentative title).
I want love stories about unity in the UK. About pulling together in the face of hardship and adversity. About solidarity. About positivity. I want heart-warming tales with a heat level of 3+—so hot romance to erotic romance. No closed-door sex or sweet romance. I’d like stories with a British flavour—so set in Britain. Authors do not have to be British or living in the UK, as long as the story has a British flavour.
I’m not looking for pure erotica, or BDSM/kink/similar. The emphasis is on love stories, and I’m looking to appeal to a wide variety of romance readers in order to maximise sales and therefore monies raised.
Stories should be between 3—6k (there’s a tiny bit of wiggle room, especially if your story is exceptional, but not much), with double quote marks around dialogue, double spaced, indents not tabs, UK spellings, and have been edited to the best of your ability. If you can get someone else to go through it once you’re done, all the better. I will be editing/proof-reading stories that are accepted, but the less work I have to do on that front, the more quickly the anthology can hit digital shelves and start earning money for charity. Stories do not have to be brand new, but they must adhere to the theme, and if they are previously published, please ensure you hold the rights to re-publish.
Which brings me on to the chosen charity. I’ve selected the British Red Cross. They’ve just set up a UK Solidarity Fund to help victims of terror anywhere in the UK—assisting with immediate issues and ensuring that victims and their families do not face short-term financial difficulties. All money raised from sales of the anthology will go directly to them.
I want to move fairly quickly on this, so the deadline is quite short, I’m afraid. Stories should reach me no later than 14th July 2017. Ideally, I would like to publish the collection sometime during August. Please send your story to lucy@lucyfelthouse.co.uk with the subject: United in Love submission. Please refer any questions to the above email address.
Thank you so much for considering this, and please do share widely!
Lucy
I would submit, but I haven’t got a love story anywhere near 2, let alone 3+. I’ll Tweet when it’s published. Good luck, Lucy. xx
I will get onto it right away! 🙂
Thank you, Madalyn, I appreciate the support xx
Excellent – I look forward to it!
I am going to set to work for this one straight away!
I’m on it (husband’s British, I know the lingo).
Lucy I’m on this. Romantic/erotica is my genre. Timeline is tight as I have family staying with me very shortly but I will give it my best shot. 3-6k should be doable. Good luck with the book anyway.
Fantastic – I look forward to it!
Excellent news! (on the story and the British husband, LOL)
Thank you, Marcia. I’m sorry the deadline is so tight but I don’t want to leave it too long to release the book and help those in need.
I understand completely and thank you for this opportunity to do something so wonderful. It’s nice to feel you have helped even in a small way.
Hi Lucy – love the idea of this, and applaud you for taking it forward. Am a Brit (London born, now living in W Sussex), so more than happy to help with the authentic flavour, lol.
couple of questions:
a) did you have a set theme for stories in mind? As in, do the characters have to be coming together in a wide-spread crisis?
b) you okay with M/M pairings?
Sam
Such a great idea, Lucy. I have a story to finish this week and I can work on this.
Hi Sam – thanks for your comment and questions. In terms of the theme, it’s basically heart-warming, positive stories about unity/coming together/etc. However writers want to interpret that is fine with me. And yes, I’m absolutely okay with M/M pairings!
Fantastic, Kiru, I look forward to it!
I’d love to participate but I just found 1st round edits lurking in my inbox. What’s your timeline on this?
The deadline is the 14th July. Good luck with the edits!
Hi Lucy,
I would like to submit to the Anthology. I can have a short 3-6k to you by the deadline.
Thanks,
M.C. Cerny