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.

20 Respected Literary Journals and Magazines that Publish Creative Writing

The literary journals and magazines on this list reject the vast majority of what is submitted to them. Sometimes authors’ works are rejected for years, decades even, before they receive an acceptance. But these literary journals are respected and trusted. Most have a large readership and good distribution in libraries and bookstores. Many of these…
Special Issue

Seven Books Every Writer Should Read

There are hundreds of books on writing that are out there. In fact as a young writer I received many of these as birthday gifts; some were extremely helpful,  others were just frustrating, and many are still sitting on a shelf in my parents’ house, unread. However, whether you are a poet, a fiction writer,…
Issue Two Hundred Twenty Seven Special Feature

10 Major Book Publishers Always Open to Submissions

Some publishers open and close their doors to submissions on a routine basis. It can be hard to determine if they are open or shut to submissions, and when you should submit. The following ten publishers, however, are always open to submissions from writers without agents or previous publishing experience. They are all respected publishers…
Special Issue

Dawn Publications: Now Accepting Book Manuscripts

UPDATED January 18th 2022: They seem to be completely absorbed by Source Books and do not seem to have their own identity outside of being part of Source Books larger children’s book catalog.  Dawn Publications is a boutique print press focused on publishing books connecting children and nature. They usually just publish six books a…
Children's Books Issue Two Hundred Twenty Six Manuscript Publishers

Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing: Accepting Submissions

UPDATED August 2024. Founded in 1911 and located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company is an independent publisher of religious books. They have a large range, including academic books and reference works in theology, biblical studies, and religious history to popular titles in spirituality, social and cultural criticism, as well as literature….
Academic Children's Books Christian Issue Two Hundred Twenty Five Manuscript Publishers

How to Start Getting Your Work Published in Literary Journals

‘The scariest moment is always just before you start. After that, things can only get better.’ Stephen King When I first started submitting my work to literary journals, each submission I made was a frustrating, time-consuming ordeal. I kept asking myself if each publication was the right fit for my poems. I kept wondering what…
Special Issue

August House: Accepting Manuscript Submissions

Updated July 23rd, 2024 August House was established in 1978, originally it focused on publishing poetry but in the 80’s their focus switched to folklore and after that to storytelling. They no longer publish poetry, instead they focus on publishing children’s books, although many of these are influenced by folklore. They currently publish children’s folktales,…
Children's Books Issue Two Hundred Twenty Four Manuscript Publishers

Why You Should Start Submitting This September

“I went for years not finishing anything. Because, of course, when you finish something you can be judged… I had poems which were re-written so many times I suspect it was just a way of avoiding sending them out.” Erica Jong Starting to submit your work to literary journals is a hard task.  Before you…
Issue One Hundred Twenty Three Issue Seventy-Five Issue Two Hundred Twenty Four Publishing Guides Special Feature

Douglas & McIntyre: Now Accepting Book Manuscript Submissions

Douglas & McIntyre is one of Canada’s pre-eminent independent publishers, with books that have won many national and international awards, including the Scotiabank Giller Prize and the Governor General’s Literary Award. They filed for bankruptcy a number of years ago. Harbour Publishing purchased Douglas & McIntyre at that point. They specialize in publishing respected nonfiction and…
Issue Two Hundred Twenty Three Issue Two Hundred Twenty Two Literary Fiction Manuscript Publishers Non Fiction

19 Science Fiction Manuscript Publishers that Accept Submissions (No Agent Required)

Last Updated April 2019 Most of these publishers are interested in Science Fiction and Fantasy. Some publish just one of these genres.  Others publish many genres and types of books, science fiction and fantasy just being one genre among many. Some are small companies, others are imprints of major publishing houses. They are not listed…
Fantasy Horror Manuscript Publishers Science Fiction Special Issue

eXtasy Books: Accepting Submissions

Updated February 2025: I had issues with getting their site to load, outside of the submission page. eXtasy is an eBook publisher that pays 40% royalties to all of their authors. They now publish Romance and Erotica. They have an easy to use, well organized website that is clearly reader orientated. I can only describe…
Erotica Issue Two Hundred Twenty Two Manuscript Publishers Romance

35 Writers’ “Rules for Writing”

Most writers have their own special “rules for writing,” even if they don’t talk about them. I always have coffee before I write. 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…
Special Issue

Inkspell Publishing: Accepting Now Accepting Submissions

Updated September 2025 Inkspell Publishing started out as an eBook and print on demand Romance publisher in 2011. They now seem to focus on publishing eBooks primarily. Their covers seem to really have gone downhill over time. A number of their books have good reviews on Amazon, although most have not sold that many copies…
Issue Two Hundred Twenty One Manuscript Publishers Romance

How to Write a Successful Query Letter

You have completed your first novel. You have edited it a number of times. Perhaps you have paid an editor to help you revise it.  You have already put a considerable amount of work into it, but it is not a book yet, it’s still a manuscript, not to be found in bookstores, but on…
Issue Two Hundred Twenty One Special Feature

Barron’s Educational Services: Now Accepting Book Manuscript Submissions

Updated January 2019 – They do not seem to be open to direct submissions any longer. They also don’t really have a website. They have a stub of one that links to Amazon. Most people who have studied for a test like the SAT or the GRE own a book published by Barron’s, if only…
Academic Children's Books Issue Two Hundred Twenty Manuscript Publishers

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