The manuscript review process can take up to 8 weeks. We want to make sure we give your manuscript and every manuscript we receive its due consideration.

​Once we review your manuscript, we will respond to you (guaranteed!) and inform you of our decision, which will be an invitation to one of the following paths:

a traditional contract offer

Traditional contract offers typically go to authors who have:
  • been published before
  • other experience with the publishing process (ex. have worked as an editor)
  • manuscripts that promote diversity, environmentalism, and/or other important progressive ideals
  • strong online platforms and/or a strong social media marketing plan

an invitation to the Emerging Authors Program

We invite authors to the Emerging Authors Program who have:
  • a strong manuscript but little to no publishing experience
  • a strong manuscript but a limited marketing plan
  • publishing experience and/or a strong marketing plan but a manuscript that needs significant development
  • a desire to learn more about publishing

an invitation to self-publish with us

Authors who are better suited for self-publishing tend to have:
  • a manuscript of a memoir or another intensely personal story that has a limited audience
  • a desire to retain complete creative control over their project
  • an illustrator they're committed to whose work is not up to industry standards
  • a manuscript that is not unique or does not contribute to the larger conversation

rejection

We outright reject manuscripts on the following bases:
  • the manuscript contains sexist, racist, or any other prejudiced content
  • the manuscript raises red flags for any other reason
  • the author raises red flags for any reason
  • the manuscript is submitted in a way that does not meet our submission guidelines