Submission guidelines
I only accept submissions via email. I see no reason for paper, ink, postage and waiting to be part of the submission process when we have the near-zero cost email system.
In general you'll be required to send a query letter, synopsis and full manuscript to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (see extra details below before submitting).
For all submissions:
Each submission must have your contact details in the email and in the manuscript itself. In your query letter provide a short synopsis, the word-count, genre and a bit of information about yourself. Please include any previous publishing credits. Except for non-fiction, all manuscripts must be complete. Please do not send a partial manuscript unless you have a previously published title.
A suggested submission subject line: Title by Author, Genre, date. For example, The Da Vinci Cupcake by Danni Blue, Children's fiction, January 2009.
What I'm looking for:
- Picture books
Supply complete text and any illustrations created.
- Children's and young adult fiction
Synopsis, query letter and full manuscript. Consider in particular where your work fits in the market. Which age group is it for? Does it have interesting characters, story and a satisfying ending? Do the children in the story act as children or little adults? (Kids should act as kids. And remember, their world is very different from adult world.)
Is your story a standalone or part of a series? If it is part of a series please supply a detailed series synopsis. If the series is open-ended or episodic content supply story synopses and future story ideas.
- Adult fiction, thriller, literary, fantasy and science fiction, comedy, crime, horror, medical, mystery, political
This coves all genres of adult fiction except for Romance (see more below). Supply synopsis, query letter and full manuscript.
- Non-fiction, history, current affairs, psychology, biography, self-help, science, religion, autobiography, essays, travelogue, cookery, gardening, craft
Supply synopsis, query letter, at least three chapters (and more if available) and detailed outline.
- Short story collections, graphic novels, comic books and hybrid books (adult fiction with illustrations, children's fiction that is part comic book, etc)
Supply synopsis, query letter and full manuscript. For graphic novels, comic books or hybrid books, supply any illustrations created.
- Illustrators and artists
I am particularly interested in work featuring characters who can be developed into publishing and licensed properties. Email a folio of your work. Your folio should show the breadth of your skill so choose your best work. If you have developed characters which could be made into licensed properties, supply any character profile or theme information (for example: It's all about Purple).
No romance/poetry
I don't represent romance titles of the kind with a bronzed sailor on the front sweeping away a girl wearing a corset. I don't read those kind of books, have never read them and cannot see myself reading them in the future. I do read poetry but apart from very small press or self-published anthologies there simply isn't enough of a market in this area.
Do I work with unpublished creators?
Absolutely. Every published person out there in the world was once unpublished. It is very important to find new creators and get their work out into the world.
International submissions
Please send in your submissions but also be aware that I am an Australian agent. I am primarily looking to sell work to the Australian market first and the world next. If you have published work in other countries then please make me aware of any restrictions on sales of the material (as in this book also has a deal for Madagascar).
Your text must be complete
If you've written a 70,000 word children's fantasy novel then I want you to send me the full manuscript. If you've written 60,000 words of your children's fantasy novel and can't quite get the ending right but it's nearly there and maybe with some editing it will be finished ... don't send it. The ability to complete work from start to finish is very important.
The only exceptions to this are ...
- If you've published work in the past in the printed edition and I can actually find this work somewhere. In that case send at least the first three chapters and a detailed synopsis along with your query letter.
- Non-fiction
Your query letter
There are plenty of sites around telling you how to write a good query letter. The ability to write a good query letter is important but also understand that your submission isn't going to live and die on the quality of the query letter. I care about the work and not overly much about the letter introducing the work.
In brief, here are a few things to consider:
- Who is the audience for your work?
- Children 5-7? Young adults 13+? Cricket enthusiasts 40+ with a lazy $2000 sitting around to buy the deluxe gold-leaf edition of your book? Anyone who loved Harry Potter and who also enjoys robots?
- Is this book standalone or part of a series?
- If your book is part of a series, write a series synopsis of what will occur in the remaining books.
- Who are you?
- Let me know a bit about you. Have you published anything previously? Do you have any writing credits?
Response time
I will respond to queries within 14 days. If I haven't sent you a response within 14 days then send me a gentle nudge email. The submissions email address has an auto-reply on it thanking you for your submission.
The dreaded quick rejection
In paper world it's quite common to post off work and then wait weeks to months to never for a response. Although this waiting isn't pleasant, a rejection letter after six months gives the illusion that the agent/publisher took their time with your work, seriously considering it before regretfully saying no.
I'm committed to sending a response within 14 days. This may mean you receive a response on the same day as you submit your manuscript; an experience I know is disconcerting for writers.
Please remember that judgment of creative work is somewhat subjective. The work may not be suitable for me but another agent may decide to represent you.
Before sending an angry response, consider how much attention you give to published books in the bookshop as you browse. I'll be giving more attention than the 30 seconds most books get.
Representation
If I would like to represent you and your work I'll give you a call/email so we can talk about our various expectations and see if we're a good match. If we decide to go ahead then I'll send you a standard letter of representation. Then comes the WAIT. This is where you take your time to relax and think about whether I am the right agent for you. If you decide I am, then off we go.