As the romance and love story imprint of DAOwen Publications, Love Knot Books is devoted to publishing narratives that explore the depth, vulnerability, and power of love. Whether contemporary, historical, LGBTQ+, or beyond — our stories are rooted in authenticity using the unique voice of our authors.

Contemporary Romance
Contemporary Romance is a literary genre that captures the complexity and thrill of modern love, set against the backdrop of the present day. Grounded in realism, it explores the emotional journeys of individuals navigating relationships in a world shaped by current social norms, technology, and cultural expectations.
These stories often focus on the development of romantic relationships between relatable protagonists, emphasizing emotional authenticity, personal growth, and mutual vulnerability. Settings range from bustling cities to quiet small towns, and characters are diverse in background, lifestyle, and identity—mirroring the world we live in.
Conflict in contemporary romance typically arises from internal struggles, past traumas, career ambitions, or social pressures, rather than external fantasy or historical constraints. Yet despite their realism, these novels retain the essential promise of the genre: a satisfying and emotionally fulfilling ending, whether it’s happily ever after or happy for now.
More than just love stories, contemporary romance novels reflect the heartbeat of modern relationships—raw, messy, beautiful, and true.
Historical Love Stories
Historical Love Stories are a subgenre of romance that weave passionate, often sweeping tales of love set in meticulously rendered past eras. These narratives transport readers to bygone times—whether it’s the candlelit ballrooms of Regency England, the windswept moors of Victorian Britain, the sun-soaked villas of Renaissance Italy, or the turbulent streets of wartime Europe.
Rooted in rich historical detail, these stories are shaped as much by their time period as by their characters. Societal norms, gender roles, class divides, and historical events all influence the course of the romance, often acting as both obstacle and backdrop to the emotional arc. Lovers must navigate not only their personal desires but the rigid expectations and limitations of the world around them.
The genre blends the intimacy of personal connection with the grandeur of historical drama, offering readers both emotional depth and a sense of time-travel escape. Themes of forbidden love, sacrifice, duty, and resilience are common, as characters are often forced to choose between what they want and what their world expects of them.
At its core, a historical love story celebrates the timelessness of the human heart—proving that while eras change, the yearning for love, connection, and understanding remains eternal
LGBTQ+ Romance
LGBTQ+ Romance is a vibrant and emotionally rich literary genre that centres romantic relationships between characters across the spectrum of gender identities and sexual orientations. It offers stories that are as diverse and multifaceted as the communities it represents—celebrating love in its many authentic forms.
These narratives often explore the unique joys and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals as they seek connection, intimacy, and acceptance—both from others and within themselves. Set in contemporary, historical, or even fantastical worlds, LGBTQ+ romances delve into themes of identity, self-discovery, societal expectation, chosen family, and resilience, while always grounding the story in the universal human experience of falling in love.
From tender coming-of-age tales to sweeping historical dramas and steamy modern love stories, the genre spans tone and style—but always honours its characters with emotional depth, respect, and narrative significance. Whether featuring the slow burn of first love, the second chances of a rekindled romance, or the unapologetic heat of desire, LGBTQ+ Romance invites readers into stories where every kind of love is worthy, complex, and powerful.
At its heart, this genre affirms what all great love stories do: that love, in all its forms, is transformative—and everyone deserves to find it.
Paranormal Romance
Paranormal Romance is a genre that entwines the allure of the supernatural with the deep emotional pull of romantic connection. These stories transcend the boundaries of the ordinary, blending elements of fantasy, horror, and myth with passionate love stories that defy the laws of nature.
Set in shadowed worlds where vampires roam, witches weave spells, shifters prowl, and ghosts linger, paranormal romance explores what it means to love beyond the human experience. The genre often features heightened stakes, both literally and emotionally—where the thrill of danger is matched only by the intensity of desire.
At its core, paranormal romance is about the collision of the extraordinary with the intimate. Themes of forbidden love, transformation, fate, redemption, and immortality abound, as characters wrestle not only with supernatural forces, but with the very nature of their identity and emotions. These tales ask: What happens when you fall in love with something not quite human—or discover that you yourself are not?
With its potent blend of mystery, magic, and emotion, paranormal romance captivates readers who long to be swept into a world where love defies logic, breaks curses, and quite literally conquers death.
Sweet Romance
Sweet Romance is a heartwarming subgenre of romance that celebrates love in its purest, most tender form. Free from explicit sexual content, these stories focus on the emotional intimacy, personal growth, and quiet magic of falling in love—making them accessible and appealing to readers of all ages and backgrounds.
In a sweet romance, love unfolds through meaningful glances, heartfelt conversations, gentle touches, and shared moments that build trust and connection. Conflict tends to be internal or situational, rather than dark or gritty, and resolutions are satisfying without relying on sensual intensity. The characters may experience desire, but it is emotion, not passion, that drives the story forward.
Set in charming small towns, cozy communities, or relatable everyday settings, sweet romances often highlight values like kindness, loyalty, and hope. Themes of second chances, unexpected connections, and the healing power of love are common, offering readers a safe and comforting space to believe in the enduring power of human connection.
Ultimately, Sweet Romance is a celebration of love that is wholesome, uplifting, and timeless—proving that even the quietest stories can speak to the deepest parts of the heart.
New Adult
New Adult is a dynamic literary genre that bridges the emotional intensity of young adult fiction with the complexity and depth of adult storytelling. Centred on protagonists typically aged 18 to 25, these stories explore the tumultuous transition into adulthood—a time of first true independence, identity formation, and deeply transformative experiences.
Romance is often at the heart of New Adult fiction, but it’s rarely the only focus. These narratives delve into real-world themes like leaving home, navigating college or first jobs, discovering sexuality, managing friendships, facing mental health struggles, and confronting past traumas. The genre pulls no punches, offering raw, unfiltered depictions of growth, love, and self-discovery.
New Adult romances are often more sensual and emotionally intense than their Young Adult counterparts, yet still grounded in the vulnerability and uncertainty of youth. Whether set in a dorm room, a café, or a world on the brink of change, these stories carry the urgency of characters trying to figure out who they are—often while falling in love along the way.
At its core, New Adult captures a moment in life where everything feels possible and impossible at once, where love can be thrilling or devastating—or both. It is a genre for anyone who remembers what it felt like to stand on the edge of adulthood and leap.
Call for Submissions
Love Knot Books, an imprint of DAOwen Publications, is proud to be a traditional, royalty-paying publisher specializing in romance and love stories in all their diverse and heartfelt forms.
We are currently accepting submissions from passionate authors who are ready to bring compelling, emotionally resonant stories to life—whether contemporary, historical, LGBTQ+, sweet, paranormal, or new adult romance.
At Love Knot Books, authors do not pay to be published. We believe in investing in talent—not the other way around. As a traditional publisher, we cover all production costs, from editing to cover design to distribution.
We’re looking for writers who are not only creative and imaginative, but also dedicated to the craft—authors who are excited to collaborate with experienced editors and our publishing team to refine and polish their manuscripts into the best version possible. A willingness to grow, revise, and meet professional publishing standards is essential.
If you’re ready to become part of a supportive, professional, and passionate publishing family, we’d love to read your work.
Let your love story find its perfect home. Submit to Love Knot Books today.