Submissions

When we founded ASP in 2010, we did so with a backlog of terrific manuscripts we longed to get into print. As we found our feet, we began soliciting manuscripts from some of our favorite authors, with great results. Word-of-mouth is, of course, a fine way to find excellent writers, but far from the only way. And so, in January 2020, for the first time, we will have an open reading period for unsolicited manuscripts (Note: updates will appear on the ASP submissions page and will be sent out to our ASP mailing list for which a form exists below).

Here is what you’ll need to know before submitting.

What we are seeking: For this submission period we will be seeking POETRY and NOVEL manuscripts. Note: we will be announcing a second open reading period for ESSAY and STORY collections sometime in the following year.

What are not seeking: Pretty much everything else, including criticism, how-to books, self-help books, textbooks, coffee table books, and so on. If you work in memoir, you may want to look into our partner press, SFWP, for their annual contest.

What we’re looking for in the work: Lively, moving writing with an engaging style and a distinctive voice. An attention to and gift for the musical qualities of language, especially important to poetry. An eye for the situations, predicaments, and characters that make our human experiences worth sharing and telling. A little humility, a sense of humor, a quirky or offbeat take on the familiar – these, too, will catch our eye.

What we’re looking for in our writers: The reality of the indie publishing world — or really, any arts endeavor in any field or genre —  is that artists must be active promoters of their work. We at ASP throw great launch parties, set up readings and interviews with our authors, and promote them via a variety of media. We also have world-wide distribution through IPG, which means that if we publish your book, it will be available internationally. But you, the author need to be willing to get out there and read from your work and help to promote it. We can give you all kinds of tools to broaden your audience and increase your sales, but you have to be not just along for but actively involved in the ride.

Please note: We do not and will most likely never accept submissions for our Legacy Series. These titles are curated in-house and considered only after solicitation.