WestSide Submission Guidelines
Thank you for your interest in WestSide Books. We're always interested in reading new manuscripts from experienced and debut novelists. We accept submissions directly from writers as well as from literary agents.
As you begin seeking a publisher, it's important to understand how publishing works. It's a business, and it's important to be prepared, informed, and realistic about being published. You'll find many good books on publishing in your library or by searching the Internet.
It's important to find out about which publishers accept the kind of book you've written. WestSide Books is a young-adult fiction imprint. We do not publish picture books of any kind, and we are not interested in fantasy or chick lit. We do not publish individual short stories or poetry, but we will consider novels in verse and graphic novels.
Currently we are not looking for books for readers younger than twelve or older than eighteen, and we are not looking for "middle grade" fiction. WestSide publishes novel-length works of fiction that are usually at least 40,000 words.
We also want to point out that self-publishing your manuscript does not improve your chances of being accepted by a traditional publisher and it can actually be a deterrent.
Please be patient. We receive a large number of queries and it can take a while to respond. We do not accept unsolicited hard copies of manuscripts, so it's important to first send a query letter, preferably via email, describing your novel in a few paragraphs. If we are interested, we will respond and request that you email a 1- to 2- page synopsis and some pages from the novel. We will specify how much to send when we respond. Once we review those materials, we will request the full manuscript, and it may take from four to six months for us to respond. We sometimes ask several people to read a novel we're considering, and it can take time.
- WestSide prefers emailed queries.
- Electronic submissions typically receive faster responses.
- Please see the steps we require for submitting your query and manuscript by email.
Note: we do not accept queries or manuscripts on disc or by fax.
Your electronic submission must include the following:
- Subject Line: YA Fiction Query: Title of Novel
- In the body of the email, your complete daytime contact information, a brief query letter containing a brief, 1- to 2- paragraph description of the book and your qualifications to write it if they are relevant, and a list of previously published books, if any.
- As a Microsoft Word document attachment, a synopsis of the book of not more than 2 pages.
- Do not attach or include pictures, marketing materials, resumes, or any other extra materials.
Your paper-by-mail query may include the following:
- A 1-page letter with your complete daytime contact information, especially your email address, a brief, 1- to 2- paragraph description of the book and your qualifications to write it, if relevant to the novel ís content.
- A synopsis of the book of not more than 2 pages double spaced in 12-point Times New Roman type.
- The first 25 pages of the manuscript, single-sided, double spaced, and in 12-point Times New Roman type.
- If we are interested in seeing more, we will request it.
Please do not send unsolicited manuscripts. If we request a hard copy of the full manuscript, you must include sufficient postage and self-addressed packaging, and you must tell us in your letter that you want the manuscript returned. Under no circumstances will we be responsible for lost or damaged materials. Please do not send originals.
Because of the heavy volume of submissions, we do not accept or return phone calls or other inquiries, or provide comments or feedback on unsolicited manuscripts or portions of manuscripts. If we have requested your material, we will respond once we have something to tell you. Please do not follow up or contact us. We will contact you only if we are interested in your work and wish to discuss it with you.
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