5 Publishers Seek Experimental, Mystery, Literary, YA & Romance Manuscripts
Unagented writers seeking publication should submit their queries and/or manuscripts for consideration before the holiday season begins. Five small presses are interested in experimental, literary, mysteries, romance, young adult, and children’s books. The following publishers accept submissions from writers without literary agents:
Fugue State: Experimental Novels
If people say they can’t put your work in a box, this publisher may be the right fit for you.
“We often enjoy prose that’s broken, writing in which the flaws are obvious and grow out of emotional necessity. Writing that’s clearly different because its author is different. But no guidelines are possible; it’s up to you,” according to the publisher.
Read Fugue States submission guidelines.
Hallmark Publishing: Sweet Romances, Cozy Mysteries
We’re all familiar with the Hallmark brand—heartwarming greeting cards and family-oriented TV movies. Its publishing arm is looking for wholesome stories in the romance and mystery genres.
“We love romances and mysteries that also celebrate friendship, family, and/or community ties. All stories must have happy endings,” according to the publisher.
Read Hallmark’s submission guidelines.
Henery Press: Cozy Mysteries
“We publish mostly mysteries with a focus on the cozier side of life,” according to the Texas-based publisher. It’s accepting manuscripts in the range of 65,000 to 90,000 words. No romantic suspense, YA, or middle grade, please.
Read the submission guidelines of Henery Press.
Page Street Publishing: Young Adult, Children’s Books, Nonfiction
Page Street Publishing, based in Salem, Mass., is interested in publishing young adult and children’s books. “Our goal is to discover talented writers and illustrators who create believable and diverse characters,” said the publisher. It accepts both agented and unagented submissions.
Publishers Weekly describes the company as one of the fastest growing publishers in the United States. Page Street books are distributed by MacMillan, one of the Big Five publishing companies.
Read Page Street Publishing’s submission guidelines.
Turtle Point Press: Literary Fiction, Poetry, Translations
Turtle Point Press, based in Brooklyn, New York, was founded in 1990. It describes itself as “an independent publisher distinguished by books of superior literary content and elegant design.”
The Press publishes new fiction, poetry, memoirs, translations, and rediscovered classics. Send a query by email with a brief project description and author bio.
Read Turtle Point’s submission guidelines.
Read related stories:
Attention Genre Writers! 3 Small Presses Seek Unpublished Manuscripts
4 Small Presses Welcome Theme-Based Submissions
Four Small Presses Welcome Unagented Works
4 Small Presses Accept Unagented General Fiction, Genres, Nonfiction
4 Small Presses in UK Welcome Unagented Submissions
5 Small Publishers that Accept Unsolicited Romance Novels & Other Genre Fiction