THIS WEEK
LGBTQ+ News Review Te headlines
Mills & Boon launches LGBTQI+ search
Mills & Boon has joined forces with the Romantic Novelists’ Association to launch a search for new books by and about LGBTQI+ writers, starting next month
Mark Chandler @mark_chandler
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ills & Boon has linked up with the Romantic Novelists’ Association
(RNA) to launch a competition aimed at finding new standalone romance novels featuring LGBTQI+ protagonists. Anyone who writes romances focusing on LGBTQI+ characters will be eligible to enter the Romance Includes Everyone competition, including published and unpublished authors, regard- less of whether they are agented or unagented.
Entrants will be asked to include a short statement on why they are passionate about cham- pioning LGBTQI+ characters in
commercial romantic fiction. The contest particularly encourages those who identify as LGBTQI+ to submit their stories. Lisa Milton, executive publisher of Mills & Boon, said: “We want to publish romances for everyone. Acquiring stories celebrating LGBTQI+ characters is crucial to ensure that we continue to serve our readers today and tomorrow.” Submissions will be judged by Mills & Boon senior editor Becky Slorach, senior marketing manager Kirst Capes, and senior publicit manager Joe Thomas, alongside Liam Livings (the RNA’s diversit and inclusion officer, member of the Rainbow Chapter and romance author), and Brigid Coady, a fellow member of the RNA’s Rainbow Chapter and HarperCollins author. The Rainbow Chapter is a
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Andersen links up with Just Like Us to launch Elmer Pride t-shirt range
lmer the Patchwork Elephant, the classic children’s book character
created by David McKee, is celebrating Pride in 2021 with a range of products which will see all proceeds go to charity Just Like Us. Available through
TruffleShuffle.com, a new adult t-shirt and children’s t-shirt will go on sale on 17th May, which this year marks International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. The products form part of
Andersen Press’ Elmer Pride collaboration with Just Like Us, an LGBT+ young people’s charity. Elmer, created by David McKee
more than 30 years ago, was named an LGBTQ+ icon by the Guardian in 2014 thanks to the book’s message of celebrating everyone’s true colours, accept- ance and inclusivity.
08 30th April 2021 The book is also part of a new
teaching resource in Just Like Us’ School Diversity Week toolkit. The charity’s annual event aims to empower school staff and pupils across the UK to tackle homo- phobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying by organising activities that celebrate LGBT+ equality in education. In 2020, schools and colleges representing 1.9 million young people signed up to take part; this year’s week runs from 21st–25th June 2021. Paul Black, Andersen Press
PR and brand director, explained: “Every year we see Elmer read by LGBT families, and used in classrooms and homes around the world to open discussions on acceptance and inclusivity. “We have wanted to give back
for some time now and promote Elmer’s links to the community, and raise some money at the
group within the RNA for writers who identify as LGBTQI+. Imogen Howson, chairperson of the RNA, said: “We are delighted to be working once again with Mills & Boon on this exciting new competition. I am sure that so many of our members will be thrilled at this wonderful opportunit, and we can’t wait to discover some fantastic new romances.”
KIRSTY CAPES AND LIAM LIVINGS WILL JUDGE THE MILLS & BOON COMPETITION
The competition will be open to submissions on
Friday 21st May from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Entries should be initially submited to Mills & Boon via Twiter or Facebook using the #LGBTQLoveStories hashtag. If Mills & Boon gives a pitch a “like”, the tweeter will then be invited to send their first chapter, of no more than 5,000 words, a story synopsis and a short statement on why they want to increase the representation of LGBTQI+ protagonists in romance novels to submissions@
millsandboon.co.uk. All “liked” submissions will be read and responded to within 60 days.
same time. Elmer celebrates everyone’s true colours, and that sentiment is shared by the amazing work of Just Like Us in schools around the UK. We hope with our new clothing range we’ll not only be able to raise a lot of money for the charity, but share Elmer’s message far and wide this Pride season.” Dominic Arnall, chief executive
of Just Like Us, added: “We’re delighted to be launching this collaboration with Andersen Press and TruffleShuffle, and funds raised will enable Just Like Us to continue improving the lives of LGBT+ young people through school talks, resources and School Diversity Week. “We can’t wait to see Elmer
opening up much-needed conversations about inclusion, acceptance and celebrating your true colours.”
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