SUBMISSIONS
GENERAL GUIDANCE - SUBMISSIONS OPEN
Your submission will be considered invalid if you do not adhere to the following guidelines.
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1. Background:
We publish any and all writers and actively encourage writers from marginalised backgrounds to share their work with us.
We do not accept reprints of writing which has already been published.
We aim to respond to submissions as soon as possible; we are only a small team so do bear with us. Please do not send another submission as we will begin reading through them after the submissions window has closed.
2. Content:
We do not accept any work with offensive or gratuitous language or any work that condones or glamorises problematic behaviours/experiences.
Work must fit within the overarching genre of the press, which is fantasy. We accept sub-genres of fantasy including historical fantasy, magical realism, urban fantasy, and more. There must be some fantasy element to fit within the genre that we publish.
3.1 Format (Novels):
Within your submission email, please include the first three chapters, a detailed synopsis, and a cover letter through .doc documents, rather than a PDF.
Work should be written in size 12 font, with 1.5 line spacing and text should be justified.
In your cover letter please include:
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A brief synopsis,
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The genre and any main themes,
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Your inspiration - whether that be other books, authors, TV/film, etc.
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Any previous publications.
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3.2 Format (Anthologies):
Please send your submission as a .doc document, rather than a PDF, as this will be beneficial when editing. Work should be written in size 12 font, with 1.5 line spacing and text should be justified.
Please include the subject of 'Book 2 Submission' alongside the items listed below. If you have a title for your work, include this in the subject line or as the title of your document. If you are undecided, please let us know.
Word count:
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Short stories - 3,000 words,
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Flash Fiction - 1,000 words,
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Poetry - no min. or max.
4. Language:
We publish work in English, British English is desirable but American English will be considered.
5. Disclaimers:
If accepted, your work will be edited by us. We will send your work back to you with any suggested changes before publication. Once the first three chapters have been approved we will swiftly contact you to request a full manuscript. Details on royalties will be discussed upon acceptance.
For anthologies, we will aim to respond within 6 weeks to let you know that your work has been accepted. Please note that all proceeds from our anthologies will be donated to a charity so we cannot pay for accepted works.
6. Copyright:
We hold non-exclusive rights to publish your submissions, but you, as the writer, will retain the copyright and be fully credited for your work.
​Any work sent to us outside of the timeframe set for submissions will not be considered.
HOW TO SUBMIT
Please email your manuscript to acquisitions@bitterleafbooks.com
​Include alongside the .doc document:
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your name
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your pronouns
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best email contact
Please include in the subject line a possible working title for your work, if N/A, please state undecided.