Thank you for considering submitting your work to Samhain. Please find listed below details about our lines and their requirements.
Samhain Horror
Samhain is now accepting submissions for our line of horror novels. We are actively seeking talented writers who can tell an exciting, dramatic and frightening story, and who are eager to promote their work and build their community of readers.
We are looking for novels—either supernatural or non-supernatural, contemporary or historical—that are original and compelling. Authors can be previously unpublished or established, agented or un-agented. Content can range from subtle and unsettling to gory and shocking. The writing is what counts.
Our criteria:
- Between 12,000 and 100,000 words, for print eligibility minimum 50,000.
- A fresh premise that can be conveyed in a marketing hook of 2 – 3 sentences
- Believable, three-dimensional characters
- A gripping, suspenseful style
- Credible world-building that can make even the strangest creatures believable
- Within the horror genre, not fantasy or science-fiction, though borders often blur
To submit:
- Email the complete manuscript and a full synopsis that takes the plot from beginning to end as two separate Word attachments.
- In the body of your email include a brief description of the novel, estimated word count, and your publishing history (if any) such as previous books, awards, and quotes from other authors or reviews.
- Include contact info, and if the manuscript is agented, please provide agent info as well.
- Include the title of the novel in the email’s subject line.
Submissions should be sent to: horror@samhainpublishing.com
Samhain Romance
Samhain is now open to general submissions of all genres of romance and erotica, as well as fantasy, urban fantasy and science fiction with strong romantic elements. Authors can be previously unpublished or established, agented or un-agented. We will consider previously published manuscripts on a case by case basis.
We are looking for romances of all types and styles, and all levels of heat. Let your imagination run free.
For science fiction, fantasy, and urban fantasy submissions, we would like strong romantic themes throughout, and while a traditional happy ending is not required, we would like some progression in the romantic arc as well as a satisfying ending for fans of romance.
Our Criteria:
- Between 12,000 and 120,000 words. For print eligibility, minimum 50,000 words.
- Simultaneous submissions accepted, but keep us posted on the current status.
- No pedophilia, bestiality, necrophilia, rape as titillation, etc.
Please visit the Samhain FAQ page for answers to most of your submissions questions.
Please visit the Special Calls page to see any special calls from our editors.
When you are ready to submit, please send a short query letter, synopsis and your submission to: romance@samhainpublishing.com.
How to Submit
All submissions must be sent by email. We will not respond to any submissions sent via hard copy, nor will we return submissions sent this way. Please send all queries via email to the email address listed below.
Please send a short query letter in the body of an email. This letter should include some information about you, a short blurb, and the genre and word count of your manuscript.
In separate documents attached to the same email, attach the full manuscript and a synopsis. To give your book the best chance of being accepted, please ensure that the synopsis details the whole plot and the end of the book, even if it is a surprise ending.
Please send the synopsis and manuscript as two separate attachments, named with the title of your book.
Please format your work (manuscript and synopsis) as follows:
*When sending your manuscript/synopsis please name them: Title_Author initials_full and Title_Author initials_Synopsis. This helps our editors keep submissions organized.
- The files should be RTF (Rich Text File) or .doc (Word Document)
- Author name and book title should appear on the first page of your manuscript and synopsis
The cover page of your synopsis must have your contact information:
- Real Name/Pen Name
- Address
- Contact Phone
- Email address
- Working Title (include series name if applicable)
- Word Count
- Genre/s
- Blurb (less than 200 words)
Please allow up to 12-16 weeks for a personal reply.
Please visit the Samhain FAQ page for answers to most of your submissions questions.
