Here’s a list of the Big 5 US Publishing Houses, their submission requirements and links to submission details. I’ve also included at the end of the list two smaller US Publishers that I have submitted to in the past (received real feedback!) I thought they would serve as good examples of what’s out there if you decide to try the smaller publishers.
The Big 5 US publishers are represented in Australia, which means aussies need to submit to the Australian Houses if you live in the land down under. I have noticed while researching the Big 5 in the US that the options for submitting unsolicited manuscripts are incredibly limited. The Australian Big 5 on the other hand, appear to have a far friendlier approach to unsolicited manuscripts by inviting submissions on certain days of the week with events such as The Wednesday Post, Manuscript Mondays and The Friday Pitch… see here.
While it’s looking good being an Australian, no matter where you live, romance writing appears to be the way to go!
Hachette Book Group
Imprint that accepts unsolicited manuscripts:
Forever Yours (romance)
Submit via email
Attach query letter, detailed 3-5 page synopsis (eek!), a completed MS in RTF format
Response time: 6-8 weeks
You should receive a response, even if rejected
HarperCollins Publishers
Imprints that accept unsolicited manuscripts:
Avon Impulse (romance)
Submit online here
Input query letter, brief synopsis, best scene or first 1,000 words
Upload manuscript (unsure if must be completed MS)
Response time: 3 months
You should receive a response, even if negative
Witness Impulse (mystery, suspense, thriller)
Submit online here
Input query letter, brief synopsis, best scene or first 1,000 words
Upload manuscript (unsure if must be completed MS, there is an option to say incomplete)
Response time: guessing 3 months (same as Avon Impulse)
HarperLegend (visionary & transformational)
Submit online here
Input query letter, brief synopsis, best scene or first 1,000 words
Will accept completed manuscripts only
Response time: 3 months
No response if rejected
Macmillan Publishers
Imprint that accepts unsolicited manuscripts:
Submit via mail
Rules: Include a cover letter describing submission & first 50 pages of MS
If you wish to hear back include a self-addressed stamped envelope in submission
Response time: 3 – 5 months of receipt of submission
Penguin Random House
Imprints that accept unsolicited manuscripts:
DAW (science fiction & fantasy)
Submit via mail
Rules: Mail hard copy of entire MS with cover letter to DAW, (see link for more rules & details, there are a few!)
Response time: 3+ months
No response = rejection (my best guess)
Accepts picture books, middle grade, young adult, non-traditional non-fiction & graphic novels
Submit via mail
Simon & Schuster
Does not accept unsolicited manuscripts
Provides a self- publishing service as a condolence prize for those who can’t get an agent: Archway Publishing
Links to agents provided: AUS or US
DiversionBooks
Publishing details and Submission details
Accepts unsolicited manuscripts
Accepts only certain genres (see publishing details)
Submit via email
In the body of email include a query letter and a few chapters of your MS. Do not send attachments
Response time: 2 weeks
No response = rejection
P.s Big thank you to Amanda at Mind the Dog Writing Blog for giving me the idea to write a US themed post for all my lovely US followers.
I just reblogged your post ” Submitting Your Manuscript to the Big 5 US Publishers” to Abitsa. It was great and very useful too. Thanks, MS.
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Reblogged this on Abitsa and commented:
A fantastic piece…well worth the read. Educational too! Bravo Milly.
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Thanks for the follow – one thing about WordPress I love is making contact with others of like mind from half way ’round the world – when you’re in Australia like I am, that’s most people. Follow the dream…
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This was very informative. Thank you very much, Miss Schmidt. 🙂
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No Problem 🙂
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Thank you so much for these! I had no idea what I was doing when I tried researching this myself…
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You are very welcome 🙂 I love researching and creating lists like this one 🙂
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Do you know who I should send an unsolicited poetry manuscript to? (US)
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Do you know who I should send an unsolicited poetry manuscript to? ( US)
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Mmmm sorry I’m clean outa info on the poetry side – might be a good idea for a blog post!
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Thanks for the information! 🙂
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No problem, hope it was helpful!
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Reblogged this on Ask Ms Mandi and commented:
Some great information!
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Thanks for the reblog!
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Thanks for sharing and thank you for stopping by!
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No problem, thanks so much for returning the favour!
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You have made some good points there. I checked on the web for more information about
the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this website.
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Reblogged this on my personal thing.
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Thanks 🙂
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Thank you so much for this, I’ve always had trouble remembering which were the big 5. And many thanks for visiting my blog and thus enabling me to find you 🙂
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Same here, I suppose being Australian I didn’t know what the ‘Big 5’ were in the US, so I learned a lot researching for this post 🙂
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Have just reblogged this brilliant piece – for which many thanks. I visited here because you Liked my blog for ACE writers and readers, for which also thanks!
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That’s wonderful thanks!! I’m glad I visited your website! Great to connect with someone from the UK ☺️
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Reblogged this on Elizabeth Mapstone: It's never too late… and commented:
Visited your entertaining blog after you Liked mine – fo which thanks. Really appreciate your research, so am reblogging for the benefit of my own followers. Thank you!
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Thanks so much for your informative post. After being accepted for a position with writers.ph, I will still pursue these. I appreciate so much your willingness to share. I hope I can be of help to people as well:)
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(Haha!) A condolence prize (hahaha!) — as if someone had died? (Haha!) How peculiar. (Hahaha!) I could understand a consolation prize (haha!) — as if you hadn’t won the big prize on The Price is Right, (hahahahaha!) but a condolence prize? (Hahahahahaha!) That’s hilarious! (Hahahahahahaha!) Oh, help! I. Can’t. Breathe! Hahahahahahahaha!
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Oh this is just golden!!! You noticed!! I thought no one had hahaha consolation just didn’t quite seem to fit the severity of my disappointment in Simon & Schuster offering a self-publishing service straight after declaring they don’t take unsolicited manuscripts
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You did an admirable job of subtle placement — making it that much funnier! So what they’re saying is that they don’t want to invest any effort or money in something they haven’t asked to see, but they’re happy to offer you a way to pay them something if you do all the work. smh
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I have mixed feelings about the self-publishing. In one way it seems to say your work is not good enough. In another it provides opportunities for some books that are truly creditable, but just don’t make it through the publishing world hoops. With computers and the Internet it seems more people are writing and publishing these days. There is so much to read, but if you try to stay up on the reading, how do you find the time to write? Your post will be helpful to those beginning the process?
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Hey I nominated you for an award, If you do not accept awards please stop by and check out the blogs I chose to share and and join my informal meet and greet! https://justaladywithablog.wordpress.com/2016/06/06/versatile-blogger-award/
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Reblogged this on Puzzles of the Soul – Soul Quotes and commented:
Millie has done a great deal of work compiling this list of US Publishers and their requirements. Hope you find it helpful.
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Thanks Millie for this re-sharing you have put a lot of work into this.
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This is actually a common tactic in the US a lot of authors who have difficulty getting published here will try to publish overseas then if they are lucky the US imprints will pick up and sell the book here in the US thank you so much for the comprehensive list I’m actually very interested to hear about a picture book publisher who will take unsolicited manuscripts thank you very much!
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Thank you for liking one of my posts. It was the reason I clicked on this, exactly what I was after. Can’t wait to get home and read it now…. So much appreciated. 🙏🙏🙏
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I’m so glad you clicked through!! I was just looking at your poems, they’re wonderful, a few struck a cord with me. I usually don’t click the ‘poetry’ tag, as I can’t really write poetry that well, very impressed with those who can!
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🙏 thank you. That means a lot and is encouraging for someone who struggles to think much of themselves
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Don’t worry, I never think it’s a great idea for a writer to think they are amazing and the best writer in the world. But you should definitely believe in yourself 🙂
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Nice list and run down! 👍
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Really useful, I will have to spend time looking up the UK ones.
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Very comprehensive list! Thanks for the effort and for sharing the results! 🙂
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Thank you for sharing this!
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Reblogged this on Mind the Dog Writing Blog and commented:
Hey, writers! Fellow blogger, Millie Schmidt, at millieschmidt.wordpress.com, put together this comprehensive and extremely informative piece about submitting your work for publication. Check it out!
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This was so helpful and informative! Thanks for the shout-out, too–you didn’t have to do that (but I’m glad you did!). Especially encouraging is that you got real feedback from the smaller publishers. Also, it’s very helpful that you included whether or not writers receive responses if their work is not accepted. Thank you again! Phenomenal.
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Thanks again for the idea!! It was very interesting researching the US publishers. The smaller ones are amazing. My first ever feedback was from one of them, ramram publishing, they’re great!! The feeling of getting a ‘real’ reply was so exciting, I’m so thankful to them. And yes I think it’s important to know if you’re going to get a response (accepted or not) I’d just go insane otherwise if I didn’t know 🙂
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This is quite comprehensive. Thank you and give yourself a treat for all the hard work!
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Wonderful I’m so happy to hear that!! I really enjoyed researching for this one. thanks 🙂
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You’ve been busy. Thanks for sharing, Millie.
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