Where to query this week (09.18.24)
Query help hotline, 5 indie presses & 5 literary agents
Welcome to Sub Club’s Where to query this week! This weekly report features:
5 indie presses looking for collections or novels (free)
5 featured literary agents looking for books across genres (paid)
Paid subscribers will also get access to a spreadsheet download of all opportunities with the information beautifully and easily laid out!
Each indie press featured is open for submissions at the time we share them. Info includes all details on fees, payment, and submission guidelines.
Our five featured agents will include:
Where they work and what they’re looking for
Recently represented authors
Details on how to query
Favorite books/authors where we could find them
Please Note: We do our best to ensure that our data and details are correct; however, both presses and agents can often not update their portals or update them at random. For this reason, please make sure to double and triple-check on your own end prior to making any submissions. Also, please check for eligibility requirements before submitting.
This week from our Query Hotline:
Thank you for including this segment! I have two questions:
I'm preparing to query a manuscript in October (let's call it "B"), and I'm curious about whether to include agents who passed on a separate project ("A") I queried ~1 year ago, since I'd still like to publish it. Should I start with agents who requested the full for "A" and mention that they did? Or should I avoid those agents, since they passed on my work even after reading further? What is your take on re-querying agents who've passed on your work before with new materials? I can't decide whether it's "fine" or ill-advised.
I'm finishing a major edit/rewrite to my manuscript "A"^^ and hope to have that ready to query in early 2025. Should I start with the agents who requested the full last year and tell them I've rewritten the book with the help/input of a developmental editor I hired? Is that even appropriate?
» From : Congrats on having two projects close to querying!
That is amazing.If I were you, I would build a separate list of agents to query your “B” manuscript. Then, when you are ready to query “A” I would let the agents who had requested a full before know that you have since edited it (maybe mention based on their feedback, if they gave you any) and are now resubmitting it. I believe that is a normal occurrence for any agent. So to answer your questions about re-querying, yes, you can do that. Sometimes, this is mentioned in the agency guidelines, too, for further direction.
But there is also the possibility that you won’t need to do this because “B” gets picked up by an agent who wants to represent you for your whole career!
I think focusing on two queries is a lot, so I would set my focus on one project with one killer query letter and some damn good opening pages so that you will hopefully only have to query once!
I have completed three novella/short novel works with drawings. (The format is a page of text alternating with a page of art). I am a literary fiction writer and a serious visual artist; I think of my art work as stand-alone drawings or paintings that visualize episodes from the book, but are not simple illustrations. I am somewhat hesitant to call these books "graphic novels," since text and image are not integrated in narrative panels or "splash" pages mixing words and pictures, and the writing is not confined to narrative or plot. I have queried some graphic novel publishers who seem a little bewildered by this form, and fiction publishers who do not want the visual elements. I am wondering if I have to commit to one thing (the traditional graphic novel in panels) or straight fiction writing (without art). I am in a quandary!
» Your work sounds intriguing and unique, blending literary fiction with visual art in an unconventional format. This type of cross-genre, multimedia approach can indeed be challenging to position in the traditional publishing landscape. However, there are examples of successful works that have paved the way for innovative formats:
Hybrid format:
Your alternating text and standalone art pages approach is reminiscent of works like "The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet" by Reif Larsen, which features text alongside maps, diagrams, and illustrations. While not identical to your format, it demonstrates there's a market for such hybrids.
2. Terminology:
You're right to be cautious about calling these "graphic novels." Consider terms like "illustrated novel" (similar to how Brian Selznick's "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" is described) or "literary art book" (akin to how some of Edward Gorey's works are categorized).
3. Publishing options:
a) Traditional publishing:
- Look for publishers like Fantagraphics or Drawn & Quarterly, known for experimental graphic works.
- Consider art book publishers like Taschen or Phaidon, who might be open to more textual content.
b) Self-publishing:
- This route has been successful for hybrid works which blend unconventional formatting with narrative.
4. Comparable titles:
Mention works like "Building Stories" by Chris Ware or "S." by J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst, which push the boundaries of traditional book formats.
I am querying an experimental work of literary fiction/magical realism that is tightly written at 50,000 words. That's longer than the "Great Gatsby." But Google is telling me that it's nearly impossible to publish something of that length and the few rejections I've gotten are making me wonder if I should stop querying and add 30,000 words to my "novella" (allegedly). The thing is that I think the story is sharply written as it is and I feel bloating it would take away from its style (the opposite of florid) and structure (intentional and thought out). Is word count this important? Do novels these days have to be 70,000+ words?
» From : There's definitely space for novellas in the literary landscape, particularly given people's shorter attention spans (which are even making short story collections more popular). Even 70K+ word novels get rejected and can take a long time querying, but when it does get picked up, it’s going to be an agent that's excited about the writing and the story and has an idea of where this particular book/novella can fit. So it might just be you're not querying the right person. A few rejections from querying is not a reason to give up!
Also, Industry standards: While many publishers and agents do prefer novels in the 70,000-100,000 word range, especially for debut authors, this is not a hard and fast rule. And remember, a well-written, tightly crafted novel of 50,000 words can be more appealing than a bloated 80,000-word manuscript.
» » If want to ask a question in our Query Hotline, fill out the form here with any questions you might have about querying, whether that’s around agents, indie presses, book contests, formatting, genres, or if you just need someone to tell you you’re doing just fine. (Submit your question here) « «
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5 Indie Presses That Want Your Book
University of Massachusetts Press (Deadline: Sep 30)
The Juniper Literary Prizes showcase distinctive and fresh voices and share their work with a wide array of readers. Every year, faculty-judges from the distinguished University of Massachusetts MFA program select two winners in poetry, two in fiction, and one in creative nonfiction, and the awardees each receive an honorarium of $1,000 and a publication contract with the University of Massachusetts Press.
Fee: $30 | Payment: $1000
PROSE: Manuscripts must be between 55,000 and 75,000 words, and manuscript pages should be double-spaced in 12-point, standard font, with pages numbered consecutively. Please include a title page and a table of contents. Acceptable file types are pdf, doc, docx, and rtf.
POETRY: Manuscript files must be between 60 and 95 pages in 12-point, standard font, with pages numbered consecutively. Please include a title page and a table of contents; those pages do count towards your total page count.
Clare Songbirds Publishing House (Deadline: Oct 31)
Clare Songbirds Publishing House was established to provide a print forum for the creation of limited edition, fine art from poets and writers, both established and emerging. We strive to reignite and continue a tradition of quality, accessible literary arts to the national and international community of writers, and readers. We support our literary artists with high quality services and on-going support.
Fee: $30 | Pay: Standarad Royalties
Manuscripts must be in English with a length of no more than 40 pages. Manuscript should be in New Times Roman or Arial font of 10-12 pts. We will accept simultaneous submissions, but please note that it is a simultaneous submission in the entry form.
Seren Books (Deadline: Sep 30)
Seren Books is one of Wales’ leading English language publishers and has a rich legacy for publishing works of international significance, as well as books which have redefined, enriched and deepened Wales’ cultural identity. We are seeking to amplify our tradition for both reflecting and challenging contemporary Wales by publishing writers and books who appeal to a broader readership. Read on for general advice about submitting to us as well as the details of open call-outs.
Fee: Free | Pay: Royalties
Seren Books is now open to submissions for poetry collections (between 55pp & 72pp) and poetry pamphlets (25pp maximum). Read on for details of what our Poetry Editors are looking for and how to submit.
We would initially like to see a sample of 15-20 pages of poems, along with a description of the poetry collection/pamphlet. See further details below.
We are open to poets from everywhere, but poets from Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland or England are more likely to be selected.
For poetry collections, we are interested in books that might build on our priorities, such as writing about nature and the ecological crisis; poetry from voices traditionally marginalised in publishing including disabled writers, LGBTQ+ writers or writers of the global majority; poetry of everyday wonder; or writing about Welsh life and history.
For pamphlets, we are interested in publishing new writers from Wales and the UK, and we are especially interested in publishing poets who have not necessarily had a typical route into poetry or the privilege of academic support or mentoring.
Hub City Press (Deadline: Sep 30)
Founded in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1995, Hub City Press is the South’s premier independent literary press. Focused on finding and spotlighting extraordinary new and unsung writers from the American South, our curated list champions diverse authors and books that don’t fit into the commercial publishing landscape. The press has published over ninety high-caliber literary works, including novels, short stories, poetry, memoir, and books emphasizing the region's culture and history. Hub City is interested in books with a strong sense of place and is committed to introducing a diverse roster of lesser-heard Southern voices.
Fee: Free | Pay: Standard Royalties
A one-page query letter about your novel, including: the title, genre, length, description of the work, author background and publication history, any credentials that particularly qualify you to write your book (if you have access to special markets or promotional opportunities for your book, we’d like to know about them as well), and;
Your full manuscript (.doc and .docx preferred). Please note incomplete manuscripts will be automatically rejected.
Your biographical information and a list of writers you know who might be willing to support your book.
Iron Oaks Editions (Deadline: Sep 22)
The publisher and book editors at Iron Oak Editions first came together as a team with their work on West Trade Review, and after successfully growing and building their journal audience decided that the next logical step was to continue that growth together as a press.
Our mission is to perpetuate the work of artists both well known and yet-to-be-known, simultaneously enriching our world through the written word. We strive to reflect diversity in style, content and perspective throughout poetry and prose.
Fee: Free | Pay: Royalties
Submit full-length manuscripts of minimum of 60 pages paginated consecutively with a table of contents.
Include a cover page with a clear title of the work.
Please single space poems.
Include a cover letter that describes your work that also includes a short 3rd person biography of no more than 150 words.
If your work is a simultaneous submission, please let us know immediately if it is published elsewhere.
Writers may not submit more than once per calendar year.
5 Literary Agents Open to Queries
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