Ready to show us your horror novellas?
Tips & Tricks
Though it’s true that all you really need is a good story, if you’re the kind of person who feels more comfortable taking every possible measure, here are some tips that will ensure you give your story the best chance it can have.
- Make sure the formatting is clean. Use Modern Shunn formatting as much as possible – with one exception! Please, for your own sake, do not give us your home address. We’re nice folk who won’t ever use it in any way, but having your home address on every submission is a habit I firmly believe publishing needs to break. Especially if you’re part of a vulnerable group!
- Make sure you’ve had critique and have also edited to the best of your ability. Check out my tips on how to self-edit.
- Tell us a story that’s true to who you are. If there’s one place left in the literary world where being bold and writing from the gut is still rewarded, it’s indie horror. Take advantage of that and don’t be afraid to take some risks. The worst we can say to you is ‘not this time.’
- Consider carefully whether publishing through an independent press is right for you. It’s not a case of ‘any port’; indie publishing is a partnership where everyone involved pulls together to sell the book and forward the author’s career. If you want complete control, you may be better suited for self-publishing. If you want to just write, and let someone else handle the public relations, you may be better off seeking representation. All publishing paths are valid, and you get to decide what’s right for you.
What happens if we say no?
Much as I want every single one of you to be published through a press that loves you, Tenebrous Press is still a toddler. Owner and manager extraordinaire, Matt, is already taking superhuman leaps to publish two novellas by April.
Considering the number of submissions we’re expecting, that’s barely a drop in the ocean. We’ll have to evaluate the submissions against a lot of criteria, including the ease with which we can pitch the concept to potential readers, the cover potential, the strength of the hook, our combined ability to sell it to the right target audience, etc.
All this to say: “No” is going to be the default answer, and not because we don’t love your work. It won’t be because you’re not ready or because we don’t like you. You’re ready, and we like you, and we’re working our way up to publishing more amazing Horror every year. And if we tell you that you should submit to us again, it’s because you should.
What happens if we request the full manuscript?
Well, we’re gonna read it. Then, presumably, we’re gonna argue. I can imagine there’s gonna be crying, and pro/con lists, and a lot of bargaining. Then, hopefully? We’re gonna make someone an offer.
What's the offer gonna look like?
Though the specific details are between us and the author, not because we want to conceal anything, but because the offer we can make will depend on the specific word count, subgenre, market reach, etc; here are some basics we can tell you.
Tenebrous Press will never request any money from the artists and authors it hires. Money only ever flows towards the artists and authors.
Tenebrous Press will be in charge of providing editing, proofreading, and the cover. We are pretty fussy about our covers, as you can tell from our gorgeous Green Inferno and In Somnio.
Tenebrous Press will offer a modest advance against an above market average royalty share to the author.
