Taking Submissions: Meet Virginia – The Horror Tree

Meet Virginia is accepting submissions for romance stories with a Virginia connection, from rom-com disasters to paranormal sparks and second-chance love stories. Writers have until July 31, 2026, to submit original romance fiction for this anthology.

About This Submission Call

Meet Virginia is seeking romance stories featuring memorable meet-cutes, emotional reunions, awkward disasters, and sweeping romantic tension tied to the state of Virginia in some meaningful way. The anthology welcomes a broad range of romantic subgenres, from contemporary rom-coms and paranormal romance to fantasy and historical love stories. Editors are looking for adult-focused romance with varying spice levels, though blocka is not accepted.

Submission Guidelines

What We Want: Calling all meet-cute enthusiasts! We’re looking for short romance stories that hook you in and refuse to let you go. We’re talking red wine spilled on your ex-boss’s new (and very attractive) fiancé, rival pickleball players getting stuck in a haunted elevator, estranged lovers who reunite for the first time in ten years—at their wedding on national TV. One catch: your story has to have a Virginia element, whether that’s a main character who plays for the Flying Squirrels, a best friend who’s determined to move to Chincoteague, or a beloved family pet named Ol’ Dominion. We’re looking for a wide range of meet-cutes with variable levels of spice, ranging from short and sweet to spicy and sweeping.

Submission Window: 5/1/26 – 7/31/26

Word Length: 1,500 to 7,500

Genre: Any romantic subgenre (contemporary, rom-com, fantasy/romantasy, western, historical, paranormal, sports, etc.)

Spice Level: Variable. No blocka

Violence & Language: This is an anthology for an adult audience, but keep it moderately cl***y (no extreme/gratuitous violence).

Original Stories Only: No reprints

Format: Shunn Standard or Modern Manuscript Format. If you’re not familiar refer to this website: 

Use three asterisks to indicate a scene break. Italics for italics. Curly (not straight) apostrophes and quotation marks. DOC or DOCX file format. DON’T USE THE TAB KEY.

We’re are conducting blind submissions. Follow the Shunn Format, but remove your name.

I’m confused: Shunn Format requires the author’s name (and contact info) on the front page, a byline, and in the header. How can I include this if the submission should be blind?

Answer: Follow the Shunn Format except for identifiable information. Remove your name and contact info from the first page. No byline. No name in the header.

Eligibility: While stories must have a Virginia element, writers from anywhere in the world are welcome.

You must be 18 years of age by September 30th, 2026 or have the permission of a parent or guardian to submit.

Simultaneous Submissions: Allowed. But notify us immediately if your story is accepted elsewhere.

Multiple Submissions: You may submit multiple stories. Only one story per author will be chosen for the anthology.

Generative AI: No

Payment:

U$25.00 (Payment for non-U.S. contributors will be made by PayPal)

eCopy of the book

Right to buy unlimited author print copies at 40% of retail price.

Rights:

We are buying exclusive worldwide English language rights (print and electronic) for one year after publication day. And the non-exclusive worldwide English language rights (print and electronic) in perpetuity.

We are buying the exclusive worldwide English language audio rights for seven years after publication day. And the non-exclusive worldwide English language audio rights in perpetuity. If we fail to produce an audio anthology, those rights will revert to the author.

Acceptances:

We will not be sending out acceptances (or rejections) until after the submission period closes on July 31st.

Projected Timeline:

May 1, 2026 – Submissions Open

July 31, 2026 – Submissions Close

Sept 30, 2026 – Acceptances go out. Contracts signed.

October 2026 – Copy Editing

November 2026 – Proofreading

November 2026 – Cover Commissioned

December 2026 – ARCs go out to advanced reviewers/blurbers

February 2, 2027 – PUBLICATION DAY

Questions? Email us at Catherine [at] WhitakerLyon.com

Ready to submit? Go here.

More Submission Opportunities

Looking for more speculative fiction submission opportunities?
Browse more speculative fiction submission calls.

Submission FAQ

When is the submission deadline?

Submissions close on July 31, 2026.

What genres are accepted?

The anthology accepts all romance subgenres, including contemporary romance, rom-com, fantasy romance, paranormal romance, historical romance, western romance, and sports romance.

What is the word count limit?

Stories must be between 1,500 and 7,500 words.

How much does the publication pay?

Accepted contributors receive: $25 USD, An ebook copy of the anthology, Access to discounted author print copies at 40% off retail price

Are reprints allowed?

No. Only original, unpublished stories are accepted.

Via: Whitaker Lyon.