All release slots are full for 2023. Any books contracted during will be released in either 2024 or 2025.
Who should submit?
We don’t require that you be represented by an agent.
Do you need to send a full manuscript with your proposal? No, but we do suggest that what you send us is the best you can do and is a reflection of the finished product.
What We’re Looking For:
No books for young children. We are not actively acquiring YA (with the exception of our speculative fiction imprint, Mountain Brook Fire).
Actively looking for:
- historical or historical romance
- contemporary romance, cozy romance, romance with a strong message
- women’s fiction
- Biblical fiction
- cozy mystery/straight mystery
- suspense/romantic suspense
- thrillers (international or US, but we prefer US based)
- Speculative for upper middle-grade, YA, and adult (Please submit to our Mountain Brook Fire line)
Not looking for:
- children’s books
- Contemporary YA
- erotica
- anything with sexual content or language.
What We Want You to Send:
A query letter in the body of the email AND attach a full proposal, including:
- The first three chapters, Times Roman, 12 pt, double-spaced, do not indent first paragraph of a new chapter or scene. Please be sure the entire proposal is in one document and sent as an attachment. A synopsis for the full book and a minimum 3-4 paragraph synopsis for any other books in the series (we do prefer series and at this time we are not considering a standalone, although we will consider two books tied together).
- Your full bio, including any writing credits, writing groups you take part in, awards for writing, and something about you. Include the word count of the book and whether it’s finished–if not, when it will be. Genre, placement in the market, and comparison to other books that are similar. Why will yours sell over theirs?
- Your marketing abilities/social media, blog, website, speaking platform, newsletter subscribers, etc. Please show us in detail what you plan to bring to the table in regards to spreading the word about your book.
- Sales numbers of any book you’ve had published, whether traditional, Indie or small press, along with release dates and links, if still available.
- Please click on the following sample proposal to see how one should be formatted/laid out, as well as what is included. We are receiving so many proposals we are only taking a serious look at ones that are done properly. If you don’t follow instructions, your proposal may get rejected without being reviewed.
Click Here for a sample proposal
If we’re interested, we’ll ask for the full MS. We try our best to get back to you within 75 days.
We NEVER charge you for anything in regards to the publishing process. We never require that you purchase any of your own books.
What We Provide:
- A custom cover designed with your input as well as the full cover flat
- Formatting for the interior
- Professional copy and line edits for your book. We will also do a content edit if we feel it’s required.
- Proofreading of the edited manuscript to catch any last errors or typos
- Help with publicity, including booking you/your book on blogs, press releases sent out to libraries/radio stations/newspapers in your area, possible podcast and/or radio interviews, Instagram posts sent out from the Mountain Brook Ink account, and the book listed on the Mountain Brook Ink website and Facebook group page.
- Your book will be submitted to Publisher’s Weekly and Library Journal for possible review if appropriate.
- Suggestions and help with special promotions and sales to bring attention to your book.
- Uploading to various venues for sale
- Advice on future books and the opportunity to contract your next series with us
- A generous royalty rate
- Rights reversion clearly spelled out in the contract
- A strong possibility of your series being produced in audio