E [email protected]
W www.beautiful-books.co.uk
Contact Publisher, Simon Petherick
Established 2005
Imprint(s) Bloody Books, Burning House
Insider Info Published 15 titles per year. Receives 500 queries and 300 manuscripts per year. 30 per cent of books published are from first-time authors and 30 per cent of books published are from unagented authors. Payment via royalty (on wholesale price) with 0.15 (per £) minimum and 0.20 (per £) maximum, or outright purchase. Advance offered is from £1–1,000. Average lead time is eight months, with simultaneous submissions accepted. Submissions accompanied by SAE will be returned. Aims to respond to queries within seven days, proposals within 18 days and manuscripts within two months. Catalogue is free on request, and available online, or by email. Manuscript guidelines are available online.
Publishes Confession, Erotica, Gay/Lesbian, Horror, Humour, Literary, Mainstream/Contemporary and Translation titles. “Horror fiction is published under the Bloody Books imprint, while contemporary fiction is published under the Burning House imprint.
Submission Guidelines Accepts query with SAE or via email. Submission details to: [email protected]
Recent Title(s) Will, Christopher Rush (Literary Fiction); Redress, Adele Hartley (Psychological Thriller)
Tips When submitting to Beautiful Books be clear and patient, and give as much information about yourself as you can.
Birlinn Ltd
West Newington House, 10 Newington Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1QS
T 0131 668 4371
F 0131 668 4466
E [email protected]
W www.birlinn.co.uk
Contact Managing Editor, Hugh Andrew
Established 1992
Imprint(s) Birlinn, Birlinn Limited Editions, John Donald, Mercat Press, Polygon
Insider Info Publishes 90 titles per year. Receives approximately 50 queries and 24 manuscripts per year. Average lead time is 12 months, with simultaneous submissions accepted. Catalogue is available online.
Publishes Adventure, Crime/Detective, Historical, Humour, Military/War, Scottish and Gaelic Fiction titles.
Submission Guidelines Accepts unsolicited submissions. Submission details to: [email protected]
Recent Title(s) Capital Caricatures, Sheila Szatkowski (History/Scottish); Shadow of the Serpent, David Ashton (Fiction/Crime)
Tips Birlinn publishes a range of books of Scottish interest, including books on history, archaeology, customs and traditions, travel and folklore, and modern and classic Scottish poetry and fiction. Ideas or synopses for fiction are welcomed, providing they relate to Scottish interest.
Biscuit Publishing
PO Box 123, Washington, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE37 2YW
E [email protected]
W www.biscuitpublishing.com
Contact Managing Director, Brian Lister
Established 2000
Insider Info Catalogue is available online.
Publishes Adventure, Historical and Literary titles and Short Story Collections.
Recent Title(s) Sky Light, Peter Bromley; Knife on the Edge, Asit Maitra
Tips All publications are by Biscuit prize winners, or by selected authors approached and commissioned by Biscuit. Therefore, it is best to enter one of Biscuit’s many writing competitions, rather than sending unsolicited submissions.
Bitter Lemon Press
37 Arundel Gardens, London, W11 2LW
T 020 7727 7927
F 020 7460 2164
E [email protected]
W www.bitterlemonpress.com
Contact Managing Editors, Laurence Colchester and François von Hurte
Established 2003
Insider Info Publishes six to eight titles per year. Catalogue and manuscript guidelines are available online.
Publishes Crime, Thriller and Noir/Roman Noir titles. *Must be foreign writers/fiction from abroad.
Submission Guidelines Accepts agented submissions only. Submission details to: [email protected]
Recent Title(s) A Walk in the Dark, Gianrico Carofiglio
Tips Bitter Lemon Press aims to bring readers high-quality thrillers and other contemporary fiction from abroad. The publisher is dedicated to the crime genre and publishes dark, sexy and often humorous novels that expose the seamier side of society. Bitter Lemon Press is pleased to receive submissions in the literary crime and thriller area, though submissions should be through a literary agent. Please include a synopsis and a sample chapter in the first submission.
Black & White Publishing
29 Ocean Drive, Edinburgh, EH6 6JL
T 0131 625 4500
E [email protected]
W www.blackandwhitepublishing.com
Contact Managing Director, Campbell Brown
Established 1990
Imprint(s) Itchy Coo
Insider Info Submissions accompanied with SAE will be returned, but submissions by email are preferred. Aims to respond to queries and manuscript queries within three months. Catalogue and manuscript guidelines are available online.
Publishes General Fiction, Historical, Children’s, Crime, Children’s Scottish Language and Scottish Interest titles.
Submission Guidelines Accepts query with SAE/proposal package (including outline, sample chapter(s), 30 pages maximum, contact details and SAE). Submission by email preferred.
Recent Title(s) Villains, Paul Ferris and Reg McKay (Fiction).
Tips Titles are aimed at anyone, especially children and Scottish language speakers. Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted, but please do not send complete manuscripts.
Black Ace Books
PO Box 7547, Perth, Scotland, PH2 1AU
T 01821 64282
F 01821 642101
W www.blackacebooks.com
Contact Publisher, Hunter Steele
Insider Info Catalogue and manuscript guidelines are available online.
Publishes Mainstream/Contemporary and Scottish Interest titles.
Recent Title(s) The Broken Lyre, Lorn Macintyre
Tips Black Ace Books are not currently accepting submissions from new authors. They also offer some self-publishing services, although they do not recommend this route for fiction titles.
Black Amber
15–16 Nassau Street, London, W1W 7AB
T 020 7436 9898
E [email protected]
W www.arcadiabooks.co.uk
Parent Company Arcadia Books
Contact Commissioning Editor, Rosemary Hudson
Insider Info Catalogue is available online.
Publishes Literary and Translation titles.
Submission Guidelines Accepts agented submissions only.
Recent Title(s) Brixton Rock, Alex Wheatle
Tips Black Amber places strong emphasis on multicultural literary fiction.
Black Spring Press
Curtain House, 134–146 Curtain Road,
London, EC2A 3AR
T 020 7613 3066
F 020 7613 0028
E [email protected]
W www.blackspringpress.co.uk
Parent Company Dexter Haven Associates
Contact Publisher, Robert Hastings
Established 1985
Insider Info Publishes five titles per year. Receives approximately 100 queries and 80 manuscripts per year. 20 per cent of published books are from first-time authors and ten per cent of published books are from unagented authors. Payment is via royalty (on wholesale price). Average lead time is eight months, with simultaneous submissions accepted. Submission accompanied by SAE will be returned. Aims to respond to queries within two weeks, proposals and manuscripts within three months, and all other enquiries within five weeks. Catalogue is available online.
Publishes Mainstream/Contemporary and Classic Fiction titles.
Tips Specializes in contemporary, cutting-edge literature as well as reviving classic wo
rks.
Blackstaff Press
4c Heron Wharf, Sydenham Business Park, Belfast, BT3 9LE
T 028 9045 5006
F 028 9046 6237
E [email protected]
W www.blackstaffpress.com
Contact Managing Editor, Patsy Horton
Established 1971
Imprint(s) Beeline
Insider Info Publishes roughly 20 titles per year. Receives over 1,000 queries per year. Aims to respond to submissions within six months. Submissions accompanied by SAE will be returned. Catalogue is available online.
Publishes Erotica, Romance and Irish Fiction titles.
Submission Guidelines Accepts proposals package (including outline, synopsis and three sample chapters) by post with SAE.
Recent Title(s) Where No Storms Come, John F Deane
Tips The publisher is always on the lookout for good new writing, but will consider submissions of Northern Ireland/Irish interest only.
Black Swan
61–63 Uxbridge Road, London, W5 5SA
T 020 8579 2652
F 020 8579 5479
E [email protected]
W www.booksattransworld.co.uk
Parent Company Transworld Publishers
Insider Info Catalogue is available online. Manuscript guidelines are not available.
Publishes Historical, Humour, Mainstream/Contemporary, Mystery, Romance, and Suspense titles.
Submission Guidelines Accepts agented submissions only.
Recent Title(s) The White King, Gyorgy Dragoman (Modern Fiction)
Tips Do not send any unsolicited manuscripts.
Bloody Books
36–38 Glasshouse Street, London, W1B 5DL
T 020 7734 4448
F 020 3070 0764
E [email protected]
W www.beautiful-books.co.uk
Parent Company Beautiful Books
Contact Publisher, Simon Petherick
Established 2006
Insider Info Publishes four titles per year. Catalogue is available online.
Publishes Horror Fiction titles.
Submission Guidelines Check website for latest submission guidelines.
Recent Title(s) Dracula, Luis Scafati: Meat, Joseph D’Lacey
Tips A proposal package should generally consist of a synopsis and the first three chapters.
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
36 Soho Square, London, W1D 3QY
T 020 7494 2111
F 020 7434 0151
E [email protected]
W www.bloomsbury.com
Contact Chairman/Chief Executive, Nigel Newton; Publishing Director (Book Division), Liz Calder (Fiction); Editorial Director, Sarah Odedina (Children’s Books); Editor in Chief, Alexandra Pringle
Established 1986
Insider Info Payment is via royalties. Aims to respond to proposals within three months. Catalogue and manuscript guidelines are available online.
Publishes Children’s, Literary, Mainstream/Contemporary, Translation, Young Adult and Classics titles.
Submission Guidelines No unsolicited submissions.
Recent Title(s) Soloman’s Oak, Jo-Ann Mapson; Angelica Lost and Found, Russell Hoban
Tips Bloomsbury, and its various divisions, publishes a wide range of adult and children’s books. Bloomsbury is not currently accepting unsolicited submissions. Aside from its UK imprints, Bloomsbury also has a division in America and owns the American publisher Walker & Company and the German company Berlin Verlag GmbH.
Blue Door
77–85 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 8JB
T 020 8741 7070
F 020 8307 4440
E [email protected]
W www.harpercollins.co.uk
Parent Company HarperCollins Publishers Ltd – Press Books Division
Contact Publisher, Patrick Janson-Smith
Established 2008
Insider Info Publishes between 12 and 20 titles per year. Catalogue available online.
Publishes Commercial and Literary Fiction titles.
Submission Guidelines Accepts agented submissions only.
Recent Title(s) The Hungry Ghosts, Anne Berry (Family Saga); Dead Spy Running, Jon Stock (Thriller)
Tips Blue Door is a recently established imprint headed up by former Transworld publisher Patrick Janson-Smith, focusing primarily on fiction.
Book Guild Publishing Ltd
Pavilion View, 19 New Road, Brighton,
East Sussex, BN1 1UF
T 01273 720900
F 01273 723122
E [email protected]
W www.bookguild.co.uk
Contact Managing Director, Carol Biss; Managing Editor, Joanna Bentley
Insider Info Offers a variety of publishing options for authors, businesses and charities, including conventional publishing, ‘Partnership Publishing’ and production options. Publishes approximately 100 titles per year.
Publishes Mainstream and Contemporary Fiction titles.
Submission Guidelines Ideas and manuscripts welcome. Initially send a synopsis, covering letter and CV. Submission details are available on the website.
Tips Book Guild offers a range of different publishing options, including subsidy publishing. Research all fees carefully before you commit to anything.
Brandon/Mount Eagle Publications
PO Box 32, Cooleen, Dingle, Co. Kerry, Republic of Ireland
T 00353 66 915 1463
F 00353 66 915 1234
W www.brandonbooks.com
Contact Publisher, Steve MacDonogh
Established 1982
Insider Info Publishes around 15 titles per year. Receives approximately 200 queries and 200 manuscripts per year. Submissions accompanied by SAE will be returned. Catalogue and manuscript guidelines are available online.
Publishes Crime/Thriller, Regional and Irish Fiction titles.
Submission Guidelines Accepts query with SAE with proposal package (including outline, synopsis and 40 sample pages, review quotes, author biography). No submissions by fax or email.
Recent Title(s) Bloodstorm, Sam Millar (Crime); The Dramatist, Ken Bruen (Thriller)
Tips Titles are aimed at a wide readership, generally with an Irish focus.
Brewin Books Ltd
Doric House, 56 Alcester Road, Studley, Warwickshire, B80 7LG
T 01527 854228
F 01527 852746
E [email protected]
W www.brewinbooks.com
Contact Managing Director, Alan Brewin (Non-Fiction); Editor, Alistair Brewin (Regional History Magazines)
Established 1976
Imprint(s) History Into Print, Brewin Junior
Insider Info Publishes 30 titles per year. Receives approximately 50 queries and 95 manuscripts per year. Payment is via royalty (on retail price). Average lead time is six months, with simultaneous submissions not accepted. Submissions accompanied by SAE will be returned. Catalogue is available online or by email. Manuscript guidelines are available free on request.
Publishes Regional (Midlands) titles.
Submission Guidelines Accepts proposal package (including outline, sample chapters, your publishing history, author biography and SAE).
Recent Title(s) Adrift in Paradise, Shirley Thompson
Tips Brewin Books publishes books with mass-market appeal for a general readership.
Brown, Son & Ferguson Ltd
4–10 Darnley Street, Glasgow, G41 2SD
T 0141 429 1234
F 0141 420 1694
E [email protected]
W www.skipper.co.uk
Contact Managing Director, L Ingram-Brown
Established 1832
Insider Info Catalogue available online.
Publishes Regional Interest titles.
Recent Title(s) Back From the Brink, Jamie Webster and Russel Walker
Tips Brown, Son & Ferguson been nautical publishers, printers and ships’ stationers sinc
e 1832. Their list ranges from nautical textbooks, both technical and non-technical, books about the sea, historical books, information on old sailing ships, and how to build model ships. Brown, Son & Ferguson publishes anything related to sailing or other nautical themes, plus Scottish interest plays and non-fiction.
Brown Skin Books
PO Box 57421, London, E5 0ZD
T 020 8986 1115
E [email protected]
Contact Managing Director, Vastiana Belfon Established 2002
Insider Info Publishes roughly seven titles per year. 75 per cent of books published are from first-time authors and 80 per cent are from unagented authors. Payment is via royalty (on retail price), with £1,500 advance (for novels). Average lead time is ten months, with simultaneous submissions accepted. Submissions accompanied by SAE will be returned. Aims to respond to proposals and manuscripts within two months. Catalogue available online. Manuscript guidelines available online, by post or via email.
Publishes Erotica novels.
Submission Guidelines Accepts query with proposal package (including outline, one sample chapter and SAE). Novels should be between 75,000 and 90,000 words.
Recent Title(s) Sorcerer, Tamzin Hall (Erotic Novel)
Tips Titles are primarily aimed at women of colour aged 18–50, living in the US, Canada, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. There is a dedicated ‘hints and tips’ section published on the website that writers should read before submitting. Also, make sure there is a strong story with believable characters, as this is just as important as the sex in Brown Skin Books’ publications.
Bryntirion Press
Bryntirion, Bridgend, CF31 4DX
T 01656 655886
F 01656 665919
E [email protected]
W www.emw.org.uk
Contact Press Manager, Huw Kinsey
Established 1955
Publishes Religious titles.
Recent Title(s) On the Wings of the Dove, Noel Gibbard (Religion/History)
The Novelwriter's Toolkit Page 14