Subscribe to RSS 2.0Call for submissions.
2010. It seems so futuristic. Will we all finally get our jet packs? I for one will be saving scraps of tin foil from now on, with which to fashion a suitable cardigan or such like garment. And don’t forget the colander hat to set it all off, with a coat hanger aerial jauntily poking out the top.
But it’s not so far away, you know. In the dynamic world of Snowbooks (where we plan more than a year ahead. Hmm. A brand new definition of dynamic), 2010 is really quite close, and we are starting to think about our list.
So this is a call out to writers to submit your work for our 2010 slate – one which we hope will be better than ever.
Here is what we’re interested in:
• Fantasy. Alternate realities, strange universes. Think The Affinity Bridge, Book of Shadows
• Horror. Zombies, werewolves, vampires, witches, apocalypse, supernatural frighteners. Think Maneater, Paris Immortal, The Fall
• Sci fi – from space opera to near future dystopias.
• Historical fiction. Think Needle in the Blood.
• We’re also looking to scale up our non-fiction publishing programme. We are interested in all topics – even quite specialist or technical subjects if they are interesting enough and written well - we’d like to publish books that are the best in their field, from super-clear introductory texts to, for example, popular science, current affairs, technology, cookery or gardening. Or, I don’t know, bee-keeping. The important thing is the quality of the writing, not the subject. All our non-fiction will be published in full colour with lots of illustrations and photos.
(I wish ‘non-fiction’ had a less negative name. ‘Informative books’, let’s call them. Oh, no, that’s no good either.)
What we’re not interested in: Children’s, poetry, biography, experimental, edgy literary fiction, derivative fantasy featuring lots of orcs and elves.
What we might also be interested in: Other genre writing including chick lit & crime.
Please follow the instructions at www.snowbooks.com/submissions.html. You'll need to send full, not partial or proposed, fiction manuscripts. (Non-fiction proposals are OK, but a full non-fiction manuscript is ideal.) Remember to follow the file naming conventions and the guidelines for the email subject line, otherwise it'll be deleted. And please do consider getting in touch, even if you’re not sure your work is right for Snowbooks. We are actively and keenly looking for books to publish so you have nothing to lose and a lovely shiny Snowbooks contract to gain.
Comments: 16
"Science Fiction - near future dystopias."
Can't we have a near future utopia please? If there's the illegitimate child of Isaac Asimov and PollyAnna out there - we're all going to need cheering up by then!
Posted by: John A-W on December 15, 2008 04:27 PM
Funnily enough, I was just thinking that, John. You going to write one, then?
Posted by: Em on December 15, 2008 05:54 PM
Ah, you mention supernatural. I'm pidddling with a paranormal type horror story right now. =)
(As well as PI4, of course.)
Posted by: S.Roit on December 15, 2008 11:59 PM
What about supernatural-horror-humour?
Posted by: leila on December 16, 2008 10:13 AM
Now I wish my 'work in progress' was nearer completion. Ah well ... maybe 2011.
Posted by: Craig Thompson on December 16, 2008 12:46 PM
Fantasy short-story collection? I think you've said in the past no short stories, flat out.
Posted by: KatharineC on December 16, 2008 01:27 PM
Erg, not really for short stories, Kat. They're just so hard to sell. Sorry...
Posted by: Em on December 16, 2008 02:14 PM
Someone over at Absolute Write has just asked if anyone knows anything about Snowbooks, and I've given them a glowing report about you. Perhaps I should have kept quiet--now you'll be flooded with submissions.
I've not been able to find an indication here about how long you usually take to respond to submissions. I know it's going to vary, but could you add some sort of indication to your submissions page? Or is it there already, and I've just made a big banana of myself?
Posted by: Jane Smith on December 16, 2008 02:37 PM
Aww, thanks, Jane!
The reason there's no indication of time is that it varies massively. Some people get a reply in five minutes, others five months. It depends on our workoad, time of year, whether we all read it all the way through or make up our minds after the first page. And the length of time taken is no clue as to how likely it is that we'll take it on. So it's best not to promise anything. One thing's for sure - we get back to people as soon as we're able.
Authors should note that we receive relatively few submissions from agents and do not prioritise them. First come, first read.
Posted by: Em on December 16, 2008 03:13 PM
Thanks for that, Emma. It's good to know. I have a friend who I think should submit to you, but she's reluctant because she's dyslexic, and worries that her work won't stand up to close scrutiny: but it's some of the most interesting new writing that I've seen in a long time, so I am hoping she'll get in touch with you soon.
Posted by: Jane Smith on December 16, 2008 04:44 PM
Do you accept submissions of novels that have already been self-published?
Posted by: Neil Coombs on December 17, 2008 10:24 AM
Yes, Neil.
Posted by: Em on December 17, 2008 11:37 AM
When you say you don't want children's, does this mean Young Adult?
Posted by: Tim Ellis on December 19, 2008 11:00 AM
When you say you will accept submissions of works that have already been published, does that include books that are currently available on Amazon, or are you referring specifically to self-published books that do not have a distribution deal?
Posted by: Neil Barker on December 19, 2008 12:11 PM
Is there a deadline for submissions?
Posted by: Tim Ellis on December 19, 2008 02:47 PM
How can anyone be sure his/her manuscript actually arrived? Could Snowbooks create some sort of auto-responder to send back an acknowledgement message that the manuscript was indeed received, thus eliminating any doubt right from the start?
Posted by: Ian O'Connor on December 20, 2008 01:14 PM