Are you a young Filipino writer who dreams of getting a big break in publishing? Do you have a certified page-turner in the works that’s in dire need of a new home?
If you said yes to both questions, then this upcoming anthology project might be the opportunity you’re looking for.
On February 14, 2026, bestselling author Mica de Leon announced her latest creative writing endeavor, The Philippine Love Stories Anthology, in partnership with Indie Pop and Summit Books. The exciting new project encourages Filipino writers ages 15 and up to turn in their most sentimental and kilig-worthy love stories, which Mica herself will edit and curate into a full-fledged compilation.
Photo: Mica de Leon/Instagram
Most bookworms and literature enthusiasts today grew up immersed in their favorite hit romance novels, which eventually transformed into major motion pictures. From modern takes on love and its complexities to classics that withstood the test of time, these emotionally charged narratives never failed to tug at our heartstrings.
This time, it’s our turn to pick up the pen and help the people around us believe in love again. There are no limits to this upcoming labor of love, which makes it a great outlet to pour your heart out, support Philippine literature, and earn a new feather in your cap as a writer all at once.
Here’s how you can contribute to The Philippine Love Stories Anthology and help Mica de Leon bring this collaborative passion project to fruition:
A Celebration of Love for All Ages
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Our perceptions of love have evolved throughout generations, so it’s only fair that The Philippine Love Stories Anthology accepts submissions from young storytellers and more experienced authors in the field. Everyone deserves a spot in this book, and we bet you can’t wait to see your name (and your words) in it, too.
If you want to take part in The Philippine Love Stories Anthology, here are more details about the project worth taking note of:
A Heartwarming Premise
This anthology strives to put a Pinoy spin on classic romantic comedies, or rom-coms, from the ‘90s and early 2000s.
“What if Sleepless in Seattle was set in Cebu? What if How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days happened between Filipino influencers? What if Before Sunrise were a walking historical tour of Manila? The sky’s the limit! It doesn’t have to have a happy ending, but it has to be a love story,” wrote Indie Books on Instagram.
Thanks to this exciting project, long-time rom-com enthusiasts, bookworms who perpetually daydream, and especially hopeless romantics finally have a shot to make their “main character” fantasies a reality. After all, why watch a one-of-a-kind romance unfold from the sidelines when you can take center stage in your own?
Submission Formats
Your short story for The Philippine Love Stories Anthology must follow these conditions:
- File type: Microsoft Word document
- Font style options: Times New Roman, Garamond, or Arial
- Font size and spacing: size 13, double-spaced
- Page layout: 8.5 x 11 inches, with page numbers (1 of 10) at the lower right corner
Submissions will close on July 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Selected writers will be notified two months after the deadline.
More Important Reminders
- Your short love story must be inspired by rom-coms in the ‘90s and 2000s.
- It must be written in ritten in English, Filipino, or Taglish by a writer of Filipino descent.
- Your submission should be 1,000 to 10,000 words long.
- You must submit original work that has never been published before.
- You need to attach a cover letter, synopsis, and bio note to your short story.
Interested writers can turn in their work through this Google Forms link.
Get to Know Mica de Leon
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Mica de Leon has contributed a great deal of her knowledge and literary expertise to stories that champion feminist views, contemporary romance, history, and Filipino identities. She won the esteemed Don Carlos Palanca Awards for Literature in 2019 and 2022 for her extensive work on these topics.
As an author, Mica has worked closely with Penguin Random House Southeast Asia (Penguin SEA) to publish five well-received novels (and counting), namely:
- Love on the Second Read,
- Meant to Be in Manila, and
- The Seedmage Cycle trilogy: Winds of War, Veins of Power, and Seeds of Conquest.
Mica has two more full-length novels under Indie Pop Books: Some Days I Wish I Was a Cat and The End is Here!
Aside from The Philippine Love Stories Anthology, Mica is set to release two new romance books with Penguin SEA—Love Between the Lines this year, and Last Chance La Union in 2027.
ALSO READ: “She Gets the Girl” Is the Sapphic Campus Romance You’ve Been Waiting For
Will you participate in this upcoming romance anthology? Let us know in the comments below!
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