Harlequin’s Romance Includes You Mentorship aims to increase diversity and representation in the romance genre by calling for story submissions by authors in underrepresented communities. Since 2020, it has kickstarted the careers or four debut romance writers and counting. Each year, one recipient gets a publishing contract with Harlequin for their debut novel, a year-long mentorship with an editor to complete their novel for publication, and a grant to further develop their writing careers.
2024 Recipient
Simone Sims wrote the top submission for Harlequin’s 2024 mentorship opportunity and she will publish her debut novel with Harlequin Intrigue in spring 2026. One of 160 submissions that were individually reviewed by Harlequin’s team, her story rose to the top as a thrilling reunion romance with a crime-story backdrop. As part of the mentorship, Simone signed a one-book publishing deal with Harlequin and received a grant to help further her writing career. She will work one-on-one with her mentor editor at Harlequin Intrigue for a year to complete her debut novel for publication.
“Simone’s story stood out with its intriguing premise and high suspense that left our judges wanting to read more. Her writing potential and sheer enthusiasm for the romance genre came through loud and clear in her submission and I am excited to work with Simone as her mentor editor,” said Emma Cole, Editor for Harlequin Intrigue and one of the mentorship judges.
The writer has self-published five romance short stories and novellas. This title will be her first novel with a traditional publisher. “I’m incredibly honored to embark on this journey with Harlequin to make this thing we call romance just a bit more inclusive,” said Simone.
Previous Recipients
2023: Emma-Claire Sunday published her debut novel, The Duke’s Sister and I, with Harlequin Historical Romance in September 2024. A spellbinding sapphic love story set in the Regency period, this romance between the ton’s most in-demand debutante and the sister of her handsome new suitor is filled with wit and queer joy. Emma-Claire has since published a second LGBTQ+ historical romance, Gentleman Prefer Scandal, for Harlequin’s Online Reads targeting new romance readers with serialized stories. A playwright, filmmaker, preacher and competitive spoken word poet, Emma-Claire Sunday’s mission is to fill the world’s libraries with queer happily-ever-afters. Find her on Instagram: @ec.sunday.author.
2022: Faye Acheampong was the recipient of the 2022 Mills & Boon Love to Write competition. Faye’s Harlequin debut, The Christmas that Changed Everything, was published by Harlequin Romance and Mills & Boon True Love in November 2023. Her second novel, Prince’s Reunion in Paradise, releases in December 2024. When she isn’t writing, Faye loves to discover new food places to frequent and attend cinema or theatre showings. Visit her website at fayeacheampong.com.
2020: Sera Taíno was the inaugural mentorship winner and continues to publish with Harlequin today. Sera’s submission for her story, Incomparable, was selected from among 11 finalists and
over 160 submissions in 2020. Her Harlequin debut, A Delicious Dilemma, was published by Harlequin Special Edition in 2021 followed by two more stories and her upcoming title, A Summer to Start Over. When she’s not writing or teaching, she can be found traveling, or wrangling her family. Visit her website at serataino.com.
Interested in becoming a Harlequin author?
Harlequin is always on the lookout for new talent and is currently acquiring for all Harlequin Series romance lines. We welcome all authors and are committed to publishing diverse and inclusive stories. For more on how you can submit your love story to Harlequin, read How to Submit and visit Harlequin.Submittable.com.
Harlequin wants readers to see themselves reflected in the books it publishes. Read our latest update on initiatives to diversity, equity and inclusion at Harlequin.