So you think your novel is ready but are getting frustrated with finding an agent or publisher that is willing to take a chance on it? Or are you a bit imtimidated by the whole process?
Penguinbooks (A big time UK publisher) doesn't usually look at unsolicited novels but are opening a 3 month window for the next undiscovered talent.
quote:People frequently ask us how to go about getting published. Our company policy is to not accept unsolicited manuscripts or synopses and we cannot enter into correspondence about unpublished work. However, for a limited three-month period from the beginning of August until the end of October 2010, we will be inviting submissions to be sent in electronically to the following address: submissions@uk.penguingroup.com.
We ask that email submissions comprise a brief covering note and synopsis and not a full manuscripts. Please do not send attachments, please write out your cover note and synopsis in the body of the email. We remain unable to accept hard copy submissions and will not return or be responsible for the safety of any that we do receive, so please do not send any original or hard copy manuscripts to us. We will not contact you with feedback on your submission and will only enter into email correspondence with you if an editor within Penguin is keen to progress your idea....
According to Duotrope, they offer a professional $2000 advance plus royalities.
Now, this is a longshot but nevertheless a real opportunity.
I don't have any novels up my sleave but encourage you large size writers to give it a shot. At the worst you will be in the same boat you're in now. At the best? Sky is the limit.
Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :
Curious. Where did you find that. I can't find a reference to it on the linked website or on Duotrope.
Posted by EricJamesStone (Member # 1681) on :
Well, I've written four chapters of a novel, would it be a bad idea to respond to this offer when I haven't finished the novel?
Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :
Wow, Penguin is pretty big time. I wish I had something in condition to send them.
Osiris: Yeah, from what I've heard it is a bad idea to submit an unfinished novel. I heard one editor at a conference (coincidently from Penguin) say it was the most depressing thing to her to say, "Show me the rest of it," and get a response of, "There is no rest of it yet."
Posted by Meredith (Member # 8368) on :
Okay. Well the query and synopsis for BLOOD WILL TELL has been sent. Don't know what they'll think about a story primarily set in Los Angeles, but . . . Can't possibly hurt.
Thanks for the heads up, Snapper.
[This message has been edited by Meredith (edited September 05, 2010).]
Posted by Lissa (Member # 9206) on :
So, Pure Dynasty, are you saying NOT to send in info on an unfinished novel? Or is it possible that what IS written could whet their appetite?
Lis
Posted by TamesonYip (Member # 9072) on :
I have heard never send in unfinished novel. Finish it, polish it, have it to the point that you would publish it if you could and then send it it. Never send in anything before that point, don't query agents, finish the novel.
Posted by Lissa (Member # 9206) on :
Thanks! (Dang, I wish it was ready...)
Lis
Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :
Whetting their appetite and then telling them that dinner will be served in eight to ten months, maybe never, is a bad thing. Yes I'm saying in no uncertain terms do NOT send them an unfinished novel. You don't want to burn a bridge with one of the few editors who likes your writing.
When you are a bestseller with a reputation for nailing deadlines then it isn't so bad.
Posted by Osiris (Member # 9196) on :
Yeah, I was pretty sure it was a bad idea, I just thought perhaps since this was an unusual opportunity it might be worth a shot. There will always be other opportunities though.
Posted by Lissa (Member # 9206) on :
Osiris;
{{hug**
We just need to get cracking, eh?
Lis
[This message has been edited by Lissa (edited September 07, 2010).]
Posted by Osiris (Member # 9196) on :
thanks
Yes we do.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I was just thinking that I've been going back over one completed novel for about the fourth time. And I have the proloque and two or three and a third chapters done.
Maybe I should send them what they want which would give a few months to finish going over the rest of it. If they wanted to see it all. I figure it will take a couple of months, at the very least, for them to get through the backlog they will have.
Posted by XD3V0NX on :
Oh snap! Penguin is great. All I really have to do is focus on touching up my query letter and writing a synopsis. It's easier said than done, right? Urk. I better get cracking. It's worth a shot at least, right? What do I have to lose? Nothing.
Posted by History (Member # 9213) on :
Thank you, snapper, for the good news and link regarding penguinbooks open solicitation through the end of OCT 2010:
The former desires a query and the first ten pages of your novel in the Body of the email; the latter desires a query and a synopsis.
Does anyone happen to know if these are two separate publishers or are they the same--in otherwords if rejected by the Penguin US, could we apply to Penguin UK?
Respectfully, History
[This message has been edited by History (edited September 27, 2010).]
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
I would guess they are different. The worst that would happen if you sent them to both, I imagine, is some would let you know at Penguin that you submitted twice.
