Articles by Emily Harstone

Emily Harstone is the pen name of a published writer. Her work has been published in ten countries, four continents, by over fifty different journals. She is a professional submissions adviser and editor. If she owned a dog it would be named Wystan.

MANDRAKE of Oxford: Seeking Manuscript Queries

This UK-based publisher describes themselves as an “Independent publisher of essential occultural books”. They are open to submissions of work on Mysticism, Esotericism, Magick, Paganism, Erotica and Fetish, Shamanism, Culture, True Crime and Ripperology, as well as work related to Yoga Ayurveda, and Tantra, and other related topics, like ancient mysteries and UFOlogy. In terms…
Erotica Manuscript Publishers Non Fiction Paranormal Speculative Fiction

Cicada Books: Seeking Manuscript Queries

Cicada Books is a children’s book publisher based in London. Initially focused on producing books for adults around art and design, they have now pivoted to fully focusing on publishing children’s books. The books they publish are well-designed and beautifully printed, and intended for kids ages 4-11. They publish activity books, picture books, and nonfiction….
Children's Books Manuscript Publishers

The Whumpy Printing Press: Seeking Manuscript Submissions

If you are familiar with fanfiction, the title of this press alone might help you know if your work is a good fit for it or not. They only publish work in the Whump genre. Whump is a genre that emphasizes trauma, and can go fully horror or lean more towards hurt/comfort (which is to…
Fiction Manuscript Publishers Science Fiction

Primera: Seeking Manuscript Submissions

Primera is a digital-first imprint of Oliver Heber Books. Oliver Herber Books was founded by the author Tanya Anne Crosby, and you can learn more about the publisher as a whole here. They are based in Michigan. In 2023 they started Primera, which is open to agented and direct submissions from authors. It was hard…
Manuscript Publishers Mystery Romance

Search Press

Search Press’s tagline is “the world’s finest art and craft books”. They specialize in “practical, reference and inspirational art and craft books for beginners through to professional artists and crafters”. Everything they publish is highly illustrated, They only focus on publishing nonfiction work that fits into these categories. You can get a feel for what…
Manuscript Publishers Non Fiction

Brick Cave Media

They are a small Science Fiction and Fantasy focused press based out of Arizona. It was founded by Bob Nelson and J.A. Giunta. You can read their origin story here, but it essentially started out as a self-publishing operation, initially not even focused on books. In 2010 they published their first book. They have published…
Fantasy Manuscript Publishers Science Fiction Speculative Fiction

53 Magazines Seeking Genre Fiction

Most literary journals are interested in literary work, by which they mean, not genre work (although this is changing a little). The definition of genre is a category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter. However, in the context of writing, genre can refer to…
Special Issue

Ten Publishers Open to Direct Submissions in June 2026

This list focuses on ten publishers that we are excited about that are open to submissions this month. Some are only open for a short period of time, others will be open the whole month and beyond. At least four of these are presses we have not covered previously. Please note that if a publisher…
Issue Six Hundred Seventy Nine Manuscript Publishers Special Feature

Wizard’s Tower Press

Wizard’s Tower Press specializes in publishing within the science fiction and fantasy genre. They are a small press based in South Wales. They are currently also accepting submissions for an anthology called “They Are Still Here”, which you can learn more about here. It is a paying opportunity. Outside of the anthology call they are…
Fantasy Science Fiction

Harlequin Presents (M&B Modern)

Harlequin Presents (M&B Modern) is an imprint of Harlequin Romance, which is an imprint of Harper Collins. We have also reviewed a number of their other imprints previously, including Afterglow Books, Carina Press, Mills & Boon, Love Inspired & Love Inspired Suspense, Special Edition,  Harlequin Historical, Harlequin Heartwarming, Harlequin Medical Romance, Harlequin Romantic Suspense, and…
Manuscript Publishers Romance

Pen & Sword Books

Pen & Sword Books is an established and respected publisher of nonfiction. They are based in the UK. They are also the majority shareholder for Script Publisher Services, which is a major distributor. Pen & Sword Books has excellent distribution, primarily in the UK. They are best known for publishing specialist military history books, under…
Manuscript Publishers Non Fiction

Queerteen Press

Queerteen Press is an imprint of JMS Books which we’ve reviewed here. Please read our full review of JMS Books, alongside this review, as there is some helpful context there. Queerteen Press accepts and publishes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender fiction which is focused on a younger readership. The books they publish feature main characters…
Manuscript Publishers Romance Young Adult

58 Literary Journals that Pay their Authors

It is a sad fact about our culture that a poet can earn much more money writing or talking about his art than he can by practicing it. – W.H. Auden As someone who makes their living writing about writing and publishing, I can attest to how truthful Auden’s quote is. It is hard making…
Special Issue

81 Publishing Opportunities for Historically Underrepresented Writers (May 2026)

This list of publishers meet our guiding principles, but are only open to free submissions from historically underrepresented writers or focus on publishing content produced by historically underrepresented writers. Some of these publications are open to a wide range of writers including writers of color, gender non-conforming and LGBTQ+ writers, and those living with disabilities….
Issue Six Hundred Seventy Seven Special Feature Uncategorized

28 Journals with Fast Response Times

It is good to start out by submitting your work to literary journals that have fast response times. It is rewarding to hear back from journals within a month, rather than a year later, when you have forgotten all about them. Submitting to journals with fast response times helps keep you motivated. All of these…
Special Issue

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