Submission Guidelines
We are currently open for novella and novel submissions. Please read all of the guidelines fully before applying - yes, every website says you should, and it's boring, but it you don't and the submission comes in incorrectly it will be ignored.
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As long as you follow the guidelines, we will always reply to you, even if it is to gently let you know that we will not be taking on your manuscript. This reply could take up to four months.
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We open routinely for anthology submissions; please see the open call page/follow our instagram to stay up to date with anthologies!
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Good luck!
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Formatting
We only accept submissions for complete manuscripts, not for concepts. Novellas must be between 17,500 - 40,000 words in length. Novels should be over 60,000 words, although in some instances if the concept is strong/the sub-genre is desirable we will consider works of 40,000 and up.
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The manuscript must be edited to the best of your ability, although all accepted manuscripts will undergo in-depth edits and proof reads. You may believe that your concept is strong enough that you aren't required to punctuate properly, but we do not work with lazy authors, and if you don't respect your work then we certainly won't either. Writing is a craft of love - and as with all matters of the heart, dedication is required!
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Although we enjoy unconventional storytelling and writing styles, all manuscripts should be submitted as per William Shun guidelines:
If you use an untraditional font for specific reasoning, include the reason in your cover letter, but we recommended sticking to the classic Times New Roman.
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Content
Do not send anything that you've used AI to write. We run writing through technology that checks work for plagiarism and AI-generating writing. If you send us something it needs to come from your own mind and hard work, not a computer programme.
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Please do not send us work that is based in gore, exploitation, or erotica. There are publishers for you, we are not one of them! We will consider work with sexual themes, but we are not a publisher of pure erotica.
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To get a good idea of what we will consider, please read our 'About' page and follow your instincts.
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We only accept previously unpublished work.
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Send us something that you wrote with love and heart.
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Submitting
Submit your work via email to snakebitebooks@gmail.com
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The subject line should be as follows:
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TITLE - SUB-GENRE - WORD COUNT - SURNAME
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Include in the body of the email a friendly hello, an elevator pitch for your manuscript, a short explanation of how it fits into horror/the sub-genre you have allocated it, and a short author bio (5/6 sentences is enough). Attach your manuscript in doc. format, and attach a 1-2 page cover letter detailing the inspiration, where the story came from, the journey of writing it, what you hope for it, and anything else important about the work that we should know. Write your cover letter with emotion rather than from a business perspective please - we want to know more about the soul of the story!
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If your manuscript crosses over several sub-genres - as most do! - use your judgement for the submission line, and explain in your email and cover letter the various categories that your work suits.
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Simultaneous/Multiple Submissions
We accept simultaneous and multiple submissions, but each individual manuscript you send must be in its own separate email.
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In the happy event that your work is picked up by another publisher, please contact us to let us know as soon as possible - going through submissions properly takes a lot of time and effort.