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.

Allen & Unwin: Accepting Submissions

Updated May 17th,  2023, they are no longer open to submissions from not Australians or/New Zealanders for First Fridays. Allen & Unwin is a large independent Australian Press that is open to submissions on a wide range of topics. They have won a number of Australian publisher awards. They accept based on pitches, and have…
All Genres Issue Two Hundred Eighty Manuscript Publishers

Twelve Famous Authors Who Didn’t Get Published Until Their Fifties (Or Older)

Often people tell me they are too old to become a writer. Sometimes these people are in their thirties or forties, sometimes they are in their fifties and sixties. But the fact remains the same, no matter how old you are, you are not to0 old to become a writer. Many authors started writing later…
Issue Four Hundred Thirteen Issue Two Hundred Eighty One Special Feature

The Ten Most Common Manuscript Submission Mistakes

When I talk to agents, writers, and editors I always hear them complain of the same mistakes over and over again. The other day I was reading a back issue of Poets & Writers and based on the question “What kind of submissions do you not take seriously?” (I am paraphrasing here), I was able…
Special Issue

Belle Lutte Press: Accepting Submissions

UPDATED January 2020, no longer publishing books. Consider defunct. Belle Lutte Press is a small press with the motto “Let’s bring exceptionalism back to the masses”. They published their first two books in 2016 and they have published one book since then, with one more scheduled to be released soon. They focus on publishing literary…
Issue Two Hundred Seventy Nine Literary Fiction Manuscript Publishers

Versify: Now Accepting Manuscript Submissions

Update: They have been closed to general submissions for a year now but plan to re-open to general submissions in the future. Versify, a new imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers, is accepting submissions via email. Versify was started by the Newberry Award winning author Kwame Alexander, who you can learn more…
Children's Books Issue Two Hundred Seventy Eight Issues Manuscript Publishers Young Adult

Nightscape Press: Accepting Submissions

Update January 17th, 2022: They haven’t published a book since 2020, even though they updated their site multiple times. They are no longer open to submissions and I would consider them defunct. Nightscape Press publishes horror, weird fiction, science fiction, and fantasy novels of at least 60,000 words and YA novels within the same genres…
Horror Issue Two Hundred Seventy Seven Manuscript Publishers

The Top 35 Publishers for New Authors

The writing market can be overwhelming, particularly for new authors who do not have a history of past publication. It is important to note that no legitimate established presses specifically look for unpublished authors. The presses on this list were chosen because they have published a number of debut books before. Also, the publishers on…
Special Issue

Thirteen Famous Authors Who Were Rejected

One of the ways I comfort myself when I face yet another rejection letter is to think about the number of rejection letters J.K. Rowling received while she was attempting to publish Harry Potter. I also think of the five years Agatha Christie spent trying to get her first novel published. I have not spent…
Issue Two Hundred Eighty Special Feature

Acre Books: Accepting Queries

Updated September 19th, 2025 Acre Books is an imprint of The Cincinnati Review. They focus on publishing fiction, nonfiction, hybrid forms and poetry. They are particularly interested in working with debut writers. They are not accepting submissions of full manuscripts. They ask that authors query first. Their website focuses on selling books, not on recruiting…
Issue Two Hundred Seventy Six Literary Fiction Manuscript Publishers Poetry

Woodbine House: Now Accepting Submissions

Update MARCH 2020 – Consider Defunct. No longer publishing work. Woodbine House specializes in books about developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome and autism. The books they publish are written for and about children with certain disabilities. Their titles cover AD/HD, autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, early intervention, inclusion, special education, communication skills, and more….
Children's Books Issue Two Hundred Seventy Five Manuscript Publishers Non Fiction

How to Promote Your Poetry Without Paying A Penny

Many writers ask me this question all the time: “How do you promote your poetry without paying anyone?” There is more then one answer to this question, but it mostly comes back to hard work. In my experience, outside of paying to enter contests, it is very easy to promote one’s work for free. Here…
Issue Two Hundred Seventy Five Special Feature

40 Writers’ “Rules for Writing”

Most writers have their own special “rules for writing,” even if they don’t talk about them. I find other writers’ rules fascinating, even when I don’t agree with them. A lot can be learned by reading about other authors’ approaches to writing. The New York Times and The Guardian have published famous author’s answers to…
Special Issue

Tradewind Books: Now Accepting Manuscript Submissions

Tradewind Books is a small publisher of  books for children and young adults located in British Columbia, Canada. They publish beautifully illustrated books, chapter books, books for middle grade readers, and for young adults. They publish primarily fiction but also some poetry. They are not interested in nonfiction. It is important to note that they…
Children's Books Issue Two Hundred Seventy Four Manuscript Publishers Young Adult

13 Literary Journals Open to Other Art Forms

Most literary journals publish poetry and fiction. Many also publish creative nonfiction, essays, reviews, and visual art (largely paintings, drawings, and photography). Most do not publish anything else. However, all of the journals linked to here are interested in a variety of mediums. Some want you to submit your songs, others your short videos. These…
Special Issue

Twelfth Planet Press: Now Seeking Novella Submissions

Twelfth Planet Press is a small electronic press focusing primarily on publishing novellas by women and other marginalized writers in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, horror and more recently, crime. They particularly hope to publish Australian writers but they have had no geographic limits on their recent submission calls. They really want to publish…
Fantasy Issue Two Hundred Seventy Three Manuscript Publishers Mystery Science Fiction Speculative Fiction

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