Novellas

[Margo]

I know people say the Big Houses don't like literary or novellas, but #2 treated me quite well.

And that is pretty encouraging!

As a matter of fact, Penguin is open to unagented submissions right now...or at least they were recently. I wasn't paying attention, but you might check out their website, see if they're still open, and see if their guidelines match your project.

[polymath]

Many of the Big Six have imprints that are open to unagented submissions, sometimes queries first, sometimes other submission guidelines. Baen Books, for example, is a Simon & Shuster/CBS Corporation imprint. Baen accepts unsolicited novel manuscripts preferably in the 100,000 to 130,000 word range, no query required, but they do want a synopsis and the complete manuscript, preferably submitted through their Web submission page.

[saraflower]

I know people say the Big Houses don't like literary or novellas, but #2 treated me quite well.

And that is pretty encouraging!

As a matter of fact, Penguin is open to unagented submissions right now...or at least they were recently. I wasn't paying attention, but you might check out their website, see if they're still open, and see if their guidelines match your project.

I will check it out. :)

One thing it is good for is audio books. I sold a 20,000 word novella to Vision Australia (that is, the Royal Blind Society), having approached them out of the blue on the basis that they'd provide audio books to people who couldn't see (which they do). They said to name my price - so because they're a charity, I said $50 (normally a novel would sell for at least $3000). They never got around to producing it - which when I look at it now, is a good thing. Being a charity, they were even more disorganised that the "real" publishers I've dealt with (although their audio set-up was world class).

But if you want a publishing credit, that may help you.

Neat I never really thought about audio books. It's definitely something I will keep in mind.

Many of the Big Six have imprints that are open to unagented submissions, sometimes queries first, sometimes other submission guidelines. Baen Books, for example, is a Simon & Shuster/CBS Corporation imprint. Baen accepts unsolicited novel manuscripts preferably in the 100,000 to 130,000 word range, no query required, but they do want a synopsis and the complete manuscript, preferably submitted through their Web submission page.

Thanks for the info!

[AnimaDictio]

I have an idea for a story that I'm in love with. It's not complex enough to be novel-length, but maybe too long for a short story. I've been afraid to write a novella, thinking it would be pointless. Maybe I shouldn't be.

[sierramcconnell]

As a matter of fact, Penguin is open to unagented submissions right now...or at least they were recently. I wasn't paying attention, but you might check out their website, see if they're still open, and see if their guidelines match your project.

I looked:

Manuscript Submissions

Due to the high volume of manuscripts received, most Penguin Group (USA) Inc. imprints do not normally accept unsolicited manuscripts.

Neither the corporation nor its imprints assume responsibility for any unsolicited manuscripts which we may receive. As such, it is recommended that sole original copies of any manuscript not be submitted, as the corporation is not responsible for the return of any manuscript (whether sent electronically or by mail), nor do we guarantee a response. Further, in receiving a submission, we do not assume any duty not to publish a book based on a similar idea, concept or story.

The preferred and standard method for having manuscripts considered for publication by a major publisher is to submit them through an established literary agent. We cannot recommend an agent for your work; however, we can suggest such guides as Literary Market Place for agent listings and their contact information. There are also online resources for writers interested in learning more about the process of submitting manuscripts to agents and publishers. A good place to start is the Authors Guild.

DAW Books is currently accepting manuscripts in the science fiction/fantasy genre. Refer to DAW's Submission Guidelines.

For Penguin Young Readers Group submission guidelines, click here.

Also, for Baen Books, they are SciFi\Fantasy\Political as well. So unless you're in that genre, you might be out of luck. :)

[stephmcgee]

You might consider, too, self-publishing. I have a good friend, Michelle Davidson Argyle, who self-pubbed her novella. Now she has a deal with a small press for her debut novel.

[polymath]

When going the self-publishing route, number one on a to-do list is including contact information within the publication. A blog address, Web site, a dedicated e-mail address so it can be shut down if malicious mail becomes a bother, and/or a plain mailing address.

The number one promotional tactic is generating buzz. Nothing works better at generating buzz than word of mouth advertising fans do for free. Giving fans contact information for correspondence is one of the best ways to build an audience base for getting the word out about a product's availability. It's a very low pressure sales tactic that takes time to build, but it gets there in time with noteworthy products.

That's my promotional tactic giveaway for the month.

[saraflower]

You might consider, too, self-publishing. I have a good friend, Michelle Davidson Argyle, who self-pubbed her novella. Now she has a deal with a small press for her debut novel.

Nice!! Good for her. But self publishing is not an option for me right now. Someday I might consider it though.

[Louise Curtis]

I have an idea for a story that I'm in love with. It's not complex enough to be novel-length, but maybe too long for a short story. I've been afraid to write a novella, thinking it would be pointless. Maybe I shouldn't be.

It's not pointless :) But it's also even harder to market than a full-length book. You may enter it in a few longer-length short story competitions or something, but mostly you'll be writing for love (I said different things to the post originator because that was a novella already written). Nothing wrong with love and a few dollars, though, is there?