Sam's Dot Publishing's Novel Submission Guidelines:

 

Sam's Dot Publishing publishes in trade paperback format a minimum of one to three novels a year.  We are open to novel submissions in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and horror--in that order of preference.  We are primarily interested in novels that stand alone, rather than a series of novels. 

 

Below are our guidelines.  They will be strictly enforced, and any submission that does not conform to them will be deleted unread and unacknowledged.  

 

I.  What we want:

 

The successful SDP novel has distinctive and well-defined major characters and three-dimensional minor characters.  The plotline is layered with conflicts and subplots, and with twists and turns that encourage the reader [and the editor] to turn pages.  The narrative style is interesting to read, and is consistent with atmosphere and mood.  It draws the reader directly into the narrative.

 

While we don't want to cramp your writing style, we insist that you observe the rules of spelling, grammar, and punctuation.  The only exception to this applies to those writers whose English follows the rules that apply in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Pitcairn Island, and so forth.  In either case, be consistent.

 

We want to see writing that is tight, lucid, intelligent, and electric.  Words are not paint--do not slap them on here and there just because they look good.  Remember [to complete the paint metaphor], your first draft is your primer coat, your second draft is the initial color coat.  What we want to see is the final coat, carefully and thoroughly applied, so that it is a pleasure to behold.

 

Also, we strongly recommend that you read and follow the counsel of The Elements Of Style, by Strunk & White . . . and such other writing books as you think will help you craft your story. 

 

Be sure to read our special formatting notes at the bottom of these guidelines.

 

 

II.  How to submit:

 

We want to see two documents from you: 

 

one:  a synopsis of your novel, no more than four pages in length, single spaced text, size 12 font, preferably Times New Roman or Courier New.

 

two:  the first 50 pages of your novel, double spaced, size 12 font, preferably Times New Roman or Courier New

 

Submit both these documents in RTF format, as attachments, to sdpnovels@yahoo.com .

 

Special Note:  The total word count of your novel should be between 70,000 and 100,000 words.  Please indicate the approximate word count of your novel on the first page of your synopsis.

 

Special Note:  Submit one novel at a time.  Do not submit a second novel until you have heard back from us regarding the first.

 

 

III.  Here's what will happen to your submission, assuming it conforms to our guidelines:

 

First:  Receipt of your submission will be acknowledged within 7 days.

 

Second:  Your submission will be read by Aciei Editor Mark Anthony Brennan.  Within 2 months you will receive a reply:  either your novel submission will be declined [with or without comment], or it will be recommended to our Editorial Staff.

 

Third:  If your submission is recommended to our Editorial Staff, at least two other editors will read it.  This process should take 4 to 6 weeks.  If there is a majority decision to request the remainder of your novel, you will then be notified.  At this point, you will submit the entire novel and a chapter by chapter outline, said outline not to exceed 10 pages single spaced size 12 font.

 

Fourth:  Your novel will be read by a minimum of three editors.  Within 4 months, you will receive a response from us.  There are three possible responses:

 

a.  Your novel will be declined.

 

b.  We will recommend that you make "adjustments" to your novel and resubmit it [your submission will go directly to the fourth step above, of course . . . that's only fair].

 

c.  We will accept your novel for publication.

 

Fifth:  Your novel will be published.  We will choose an ideal marketing venue for its release, but we will try to have your novel released within 3 months of final acceptance.

 

 

Special Formatting Notes

 

Please heed these.  They are here to help us, which helps you.

 

a.  Your submission must be sent as an attachment.  RTF and Word documents are preferred.

 

b.  If you need to use italics, use italics.  Do not underline, do not indicate with underscores, asterisks, actothorps, or ampersands.  Use italics.  Capisce?

 

b additional.  Use italics to indicate words or sentences in foreign languages.  If you use foreign words or sentences in your novel, use them correctly. 

 

c.  If you need to use boldface type, use boldface type.

 

d.  Indent each paragraph five actual spacebar spaces.  Do not use tabs. 

 

e.  If you use ellipsis, use it properly.  Here's an example:  If you use ellipsis . . . use it properly.  Thus, it is space dot space dot space dot space.

 

f.  The best way [for our formatting] to indicate a dash is shown in the following example:  If you use a dash--use it properly.  That's right:  two consecutive hyphens.  No spaces before or after or between the two hyphens.  If you use dashes to end a sentence [as in the following example:  Algernon tripped and fell---], use three consecutive hyphens, as shown.

 

g.  Left justify only.

 

Remember:  the longer it takes for you to reformat your novel to our specifications, the longer it will take us to publish it.