Updated July 2025: They have reopened and have a new website here. They are actively publishing work and appear to have fully returned to a traditional contract. I still would very much approach with caution and please read all of the updates below first.
Updated October 2023: A reader brought it to my attention, that they have no mentions of fees on their website anymore, and I haven’t heard any reader updates, but it is run by the same editor as before Michael James, and they have an unusual requirement about copyrighting before submissions, and they stress bulk sales of books. I’d still steer clear.
UPDATED October 2021: They are apparently now acting as a vanity press, and taking individuals money. Do not Query.
UPDATED September 2020: They haven’t published anything yet this year and appear to be defunct.
Penmore is an Arizona-based independent publisher of fiction and nonfiction from emerging and established authors. They are open to most genres of fiction, according to their site, but based on their current releases I would say they lean solidly towards historical fiction (and nonfiction).
Their website is aimed at readers, not writers, which is always a good sign. It’s a little cluttered and a little too text- heavy. But they do include important and helpful information, including a staff page.
Their ‘About’ page leaves much to be desired, not even telling their start date (although they appear to have been around for about five years now). They publish print on demand and eBook editions of most books.
They accept simultaneous submissions (always a plus!) and they have clear and easy to follow submission guidelines.
They are unusual in that they ask for only a query letter first for fiction submissions. If they are interested they will then ask for the first three chapters. They respond to query letters and first three chapters within two to three weeks. They respond to full manuscript submissions (which they only read after the work makes it through the query letter and sample stage) within two months.
To learn more or to submit go here.
Emily Harstone is the pen name of an author whose work has been published internationally by a number of respected journals. She is a professional submissions adviser and spends much of her time researching manuscript publishers. You can follow her on Facebook here.
