We read everything that comes in, and every submission gets a personal reply within four weeks. Fiction and non-fiction, debut and established writers, agented and unagented — the same process for everyone.
To give your manuscript the best possible reading, please include the following in a single email.
One to two pages, present tense, covering the whole story — including the ending. No cliffhangers.
The first three chapters (or the first 10,000 words) as a Word document or PDF.
A short biography, any previous publication credits, and your platform or audience if any.
Two or three recently published books that sit alongside yours, and why readers of those books would buy yours.
Where the book would sit on a shelf, and who you imagine reading it. Be specific — "everyone" is never true.
First publication? Previously self-published? Currently submitted elsewhere? Let us know.
Contemporary, historical, literary, crime, thriller, romance, science fiction and fantasy. Full-length novels from 60,000 words.
Narrative history, memoir, life writing and biography with a strong sense of story and thorough research.
Business, leadership, marketing, finance and self-development with a clear reader and a working method.
Popular science, nature writing, and general non-fiction that explains complex ideas clearly.
Health, psychology, mindfulness and practical wellbeing titles with an evidence-based approach.
Cookery, travel, art, photography, sport, gardening and reference works — with accompanying artwork or photography.
Within 3 working days. Every submission gets an acknowledgement — check your spam folder if you don't hear from us.
Within 2 weeks. An editor reads the sample and synopsis and either requests the full manuscript or passes.
Within 4 weeks if the full is requested. Detailed response either way, with notes if we're not taking it forward.
If we want to publish, we send a formal offer with royalty rates, advance (if any) and production plan.