WHAT WE PUBLISH

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We are interested in great writing that explores, in a wide variety of ways, our relationships with place, the natural world, and/or issues that link the western US to the past, present, and future of the ever-changing Earth. While Torrey House Press is based in the Intermountain West, we seek compelling literature from writers throughout North America who align with our mission to publish books at the intersection of literary arts and environmental advocacy. 

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BIPOC writers, LGBTQ+ writers, and disabled writers are especially encouraged to submit. And, because climate justice is inherently intersectional and generational, we also encourage Millennial and Gen Z writers of all identities and backgrounds to submit.

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We do our best to review submissions within four to six months, though our response timeline may be longer. We understand that waiting can be trying, and we appreciate your patience. Emails, phone calls, or letters of inquiry will not hasten the process.

 

Torrey House Press publishes 8-12 titles per year. We are currently accepting submissions for: 

• Fiction, including literary fiction, YA, and genre (mystery; thriller/horror; cli-fi; Indigenous futurism; afrofuturism; magical realism; fantasy; historical; romance; or nontraditional western, e.g. contemporary, urban, queer, etc.);

• Full-length short story collections

• Creative nonfiction and narrative nonfiction including literary journalism 

• A graphic novel about the Lahontan cutthroat trout

• Investigative nonfiction and character-driven fiction about the wretchedness of cattle on public lands and/or how the unsustainable water usage for alfalfa farming is probably damning us all; 

• Essay collections

• The occasional anthology, memoir, poetry collection, or full-length graphic novel

 

THP does not currently publish or accept submissions for children’s books (middle grade, early readers, or picture books).

 

​See below for our specific submission guidelines. Please note that if you do not follow submission guidelines, your submission will not be considered and will automatically be declined. Also, we do not accept AI generated work. 

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SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

 

A successful submission will reflect an understanding of the Torrey House mission and our titles. We only accept submissions through our online submissions manager. For fiction, short story collections, memoir, and essay collections, please submit full manuscripts. For narrative nonfiction/literary journalism, please submit a query first and a full proposal upon request.

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We do our best to review submissions within four to six months, though our response time may be longer. We understand what it’s like to await a response, and we appreciate your patience. Phone calls, emails, or letters of inquiry will not hasten the process.

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FICTION
MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES 

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Please submit a FULL MANUSCRIPT and a single Word document with the following:

• A one- or two-paragraph overview of your book​
• A detailed, beginning-to-end synopsis
  • What should your synopsis include? All critical information about plot mechanics, character arcs, and the reader's experience of the story
• How your submission fits with the mission and values of Torrey House Press
• Biographical material
  • Including anything relevant we should know about your background, expertise, network, public profile, etc. 

• Marketing and readership development information, such as:

  • specific target audience(s)

  • comparable titles that illustrate the reader’s experience of your manuscript

  • any special publicity/sales potential

  • book tour/event prospects where attendees will be interested in you as a speaker

 

NARRATIVE NONFICTION
QUERY GUIDELINES

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Please submit a one- to two-page detailed overview of your book idea along with information about yourself, why you are qualified to write on the subject, who your audience is, and how you propose to market your work. If we think there is a reasonable chance that we might pursue your book, we will request a full proposal.

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NONFICTION (UPON REQUEST) | FULL PROPOSAL GUIDELINES:

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At least three completed sample chapters are required for proposal consideration; full manuscript strongly preferred.

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In addition to your manuscript/sample chapters, please submit the following items in a single Word document:

• Cover letter

• Resume

• Preliminary table of contents

• A one- or two-paragraph summary of each chapter

• Marketing research, such as:

  • specific target audience(s)

  • descriptions of other books on the same or similar topic and an explanation of why your book is different

  • any special publicity/sales potential

  • book tour/event prospects where attendees will be interested in you as a speaker

• Biographical material, expanded from that in the query letter

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Thank you for your interest in Torrey House Press.