Seeking Young Adult Fiction Featuring LGBT Main Character: Harmony Ink Press

Harmony Ink Press is accepting manuscripts for young adult fiction featuring at least one strong LGBT main character who shows significant personal growth through the course of the story. Identifying as LGBT can be part of the growth process depicted in the book. We are looking for stories in all subgenres, featuring primary characters between the ages of 14 and 18 that explore all the facets of young adult life. Sexual content should be appropriate for the characters and the story. Manuscripts may contain any level of sexual content; however, excessive, crude or extremely explicit descriptions will be rejected. Sex between a minor and an adult (whether consensual or abuse) will only be accepted if it is implied, off page, has realistic consequences, and overcoming the occurrence contributes to the growth of the character in a positive way.

SUBMISSION HIGHLIGHTS

• LGBT primary character between the ages of 14 and 18 who shows significant personal growth through the course of the story.
• Authentic voice, unforgettable characters, and powerful world building (even for contemporary stories).
• Novella or novel length (15,000-90,000 words). All manuscripts over 45,000 words will release in print as well as ebook.
• Any subgenre is acceptable with a fresh premise.

Harmony Ink Press is an imprint of Dreamspinner Press. Submissions inquiries of gay-themed Young Adult fiction can be sent to our Submissions e-mail. Please indicate Young Adult in the subject line so the submission is given to the appropriate editor for review.

PLEASE SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:

In the body of the e-mail:

• Your legal name, pseudonym if applicable, and contact e-mail address.
• Working title, series name if applicable.
• Genre and manuscript length.
• General story description in two paragraphs.
• Previous publications. (previous publishing experience is not necessary)

Attach to the e-mail the following:

• A short but complete story summary and/or synopsis.
• The complete manuscript, for all lengths of works.

We do not accept partial manuscripts for review. Partial manuscripts will be declined immediately.

FORMATTING YOUR SUBMISSION

Please follow these simple formatting guidelines. Our editors will thank you.

• Submissions will be accepted in .docx, .doc, and .rtf formats.
• Standard 12 pt Times New Roman, 1 inch margins, .5 indent for the first line of each paragraph. 1.5 line spaces between lines. No tabs or spacing to indent, please! Please put the title of the work and the authors name in the header.
• Send your submission to: publisher @ harmonyinkpress.com. The word YA Submission must be in the subject line.
• All submissions must be spellchecked and edited for American English grammar and spelling. Regional words and slang are acceptable when appropriate.

Harmony Ink Press edits works using The Chicago Manual of Style as its primary reference. Editing your work to these standards prior to publication will greatly facilitate the publication process.

LENGTH STANDARDS:

• Novel: 45,000 words and up
• Novella: 15-44,999 words
• We are currently not accepting manuscripts of fewer than 15,000 words.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US:

• Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted at any time.
• We will acknowledge all submissions by e-mail in five to seven days.
• Submissions will be read by an editor and you will have a response in six to eight weeks.
• All accepted works must be provided to us as an electronic file.
• Electronic contracts are exchanged via e-mail.

ADVANCES AND CONTRACT TERMS:

• All novels are contracted in print and digital formats, which are released simultaneously. A $500-$1,000 advance is paid in a single payment upon receipt of the signed contract. Once the advance is satisfied, novels earn 40% royalties for digital sales and 30% royalties for paperback sales.
• Novellas do not receive an advance and earn 40% royalties for digital sales.
• Copyright remains with the author.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries/ submissions: publisher@harmonyinkpress.com

Website: http://harmonyinkpress.com/

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