The thrill of seeing your words in print, holding a tangible piece of your creative effort – it's a feeling many writers chase. But where do you even begin to find those doors open to new voices? It’s a question that echoes through writing communities, and thankfully, there are publishers actively seeking fresh manuscripts. Right now, for instance, there's a specific window opening for literary translations and new plays, running from December 1, 2025, through January 12, 2026. This is a fantastic chance for translators to showcase their work, whether it's poetry, short fiction collections, or full novels, and for playwrights to submit their finished full-length pieces – especially those with innovative storytelling. They're particularly keen on hearing from emerging talent in both these areas.
When it comes to fiction, the landscape is a bit more structured. If you've got a collection of short stories, a couple of novellas, or even a complete novel ready, you'll want to keep an eye on open submission periods for the fiction series. The key here is that the manuscript, as a whole, needs to be unpublished, though individual stories or novellas within it might have seen light in magazines or anthologies. For poetry, the requirements are also quite specific. Manuscripts need to be a substantial length – at least 48 pages, not counting the front matter. And for literary translations, the focus is on bringing previously unpublished works into English, covering both fiction and poetry.
Across the board, the submission process for new authors seems to funnel through a platform called Submittable. It’s designed to streamline things, allowing you to upload your manuscript, provide your contact details, and keep tabs on your submission's status. This is where you'll also find the details about the reading fee, which is currently set at $25.00 for each manuscript. It’s a common practice, and it helps publishers manage the sheer volume of submissions they receive – and believe me, they receive hundreds during these open periods.
Now, a word on simultaneous submissions: yes, you can send your work out to multiple places at once. It’s a practical approach for any writer. However, the etiquette is clear: if your manuscript gets accepted elsewhere, you absolutely must notify the press you submitted to and withdraw your work through Submittable. It’s about respecting their time and resources.
It’s important to manage expectations, though. Because the volume of submissions is so high, publishers are generally unable to offer critiques or engage in extensive correspondence with writers whose work isn't accepted. They read each manuscript with care, but the sheer numbers mean they can only offer detailed feedback to those they plan to publish. If you have specific questions about the guidelines, they’ve provided email contacts for poetry (Jake Grefenstette) and fiction (Sharon Dilworth), which is a helpful touch. For returning authors who have previously published with them, the process might be a bit more direct, allowing them to reach out at any time regarding new manuscripts.
