Writer GuidelinesAlthough most of the editors at UP have a problem with authority, we take guidelines seriously. Submissions that do not adhere to these guidelines will be followed up with a deafening silence.
We welcome unagented authors, authors with agents, poets with parakeets. Whatever flavor author you are, we invite you to consider submitting (we have a less than 3% acceptance rate, so be nothing short of magnificent). If you would like feedback on your manuscript, read about how to do that HERE (there is a small fee that is given directly to the readers responsible for making the decisions). Not following these guidelines tells our editors that you do not take your work, nor our efforts, seriously. We don't want to hold your hand through the entire process. We want autonomous authors with guts. Are we open for submissions?We are open for submissions.
What We WantWe are actively seeking essay collections, poetry of all lengths, experimental, hybrids, literary novels, novellas, short story collections, memoirs, and nonfiction (literary criticism, history, cooking, health, science, and long-form journalism).
With regards to nonfiction, we aren't looking for your every day nonfiction book...we want there to be an edge to it, so don't come at us with a book proposal you came up with for Random House. What We Don't WantNo boilerplate genre fiction. Your book can be a mystery, but it shouldn't be a mystery novel. Maybe the character needs to solve a crime, but that facet is one piece of the whole book.
No previously published or self-published works. If you self-published a book and then rename it to submit to us, we will find out. Our acquisitions process is very much like vetting a potential mate. By the time we reach out to you regarding your submission, we know your zodiac sign. What the Fuck Should You Send?Were you offended by that F-Bomb? Then you should exit the window as there's no need to submit to us. We like that word. It's emphatic and not a "naughty" word. Words are what you make them. Weren't offended (maybe it elated you)? Send the following:
Poetry
Nonfiction
Fiction
Where to Send Your BabyEmail to submissions@unsolicitedpress.com** after you have read all the information. Otherwise, you are sure to get our stamp of doom.
**By sending us an email, you agree to receive a newsletter that's supposed to be monthly, but tends to be quarterly. We do not sell your information and we will keep it safe. If you would like to avoid this newsletter, please tell us in your email and we will be sure that it doesn't get added to the list. When Will You Hear Back from Us?We take at least 6 months to respond. Sometimes longer. If you haven't heard from us by month six, please email us. It is possible your submission notification found its way to the spam folder.
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Submission FeeAs of Fall 2017, we require a modest submission fee of $5. The fee is a lifetime submissions fee, which means that you never have to pay it again to submit in the future. Your submission fee covers many things including paying readers, supporting marketing campaigns for authors, and administrative fees required to keep this press alive.
If you haven't read our About page, then you should know that everybody here works as a volunteer. Every dime made by book sales goes directly back into the press to continue our publishing mission. You can pay the submission fee here. Sub. FeeHard Fast Rules of Submission
Would You Like More than a Notification of Acceptance/Rejection?Feedback DonationDonation for a feedback on manuscript. Does not include proofreading or comments made directly onto the manuscript. Provides readers' reports on manuscript.
Want More than That?Manuscript Feedback DonationWhen you submit your manuscript for consideration along with the feedback donation, you will receive an entire review of your full-length manuscript! The review not only examines the scope of your piece, it will be given a once-over by a proofreader to help you snag little errors that are easily missed! **There is zero guarantee that you will be accepted if you donate to our press** |