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Submissions

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Introduction to Submissions
Welcome to Chartley Books’ Submissions. We’re delighted by your interest in publishing with us. Chartley Books seeks to publish thoughtful, engaging works that resonate with readers. We primarily accept submissions for novels, though we are also open to poetry collections, short story compilations, and other unique literary works that fit our vision. Please review our guidelines carefully before submitting, as we aim to ensure each manuscript aligns with our publishing ethos and values. We regret that submissions not following our specified guidelines cannot be accepted.

What We’re Looking For
We’re interested in manuscripts that bring fresh perspectives and distinctive voices to life. Our focus is on:
  • Novels: Engaging, character-driven stories across genres, though we are especially keen on historical, literary fiction, and contemplative and speculative fiction. Novels are the perfect way to travel across time and space - and we're looking for new manuscripts that achieve this.
  • Poetry Collections: Poems that demonstrate depth, originality, and a cohesive theme, especially those that are thought-provoking or challenge readers to consider a different view.
  • Short Story Collections: Stories that offer unique angles and strong storytelling, either standalone or connected by a unifying theme.
We are open to submissions across these categories, provided they reflect the quality and thoughtfulness we strive to champion.

Submission Guidelines
To ensure a smooth review process, please adhere to the following formatting guidelines:
  • File Format: Submit your manuscript as a PDF or Word document.
  • Font & Spacing: Use a standard, readable font (e.g., Times New Roman or Arial) at 12-point size, double-spaced for prose, and single-spaced for poetry.
  • Title Page: Include the manuscript title, your name, word count, and contact details.
  • Page Numbers: Number all pages consecutively.
  • Length Requirements:
    • Novels: Typically 60,000–100,000 words, though we are open to longer or shorter works if the story justifies it.
    • Poetry Collections: A minimum of 50 poems. For single poems, please do not submit - you are very welcome to enter these in our poetry competitions.
    • Short Story Collections: Typically between 40,000–80,000 words. For single short stories, please do not submit - you are very welcome to enter these in our short story competitions.
  • Format Requirements: File format (e.g., PDF or Word), preferred font and spacing, word count limits or preferences for each category.

4. How to Submit
To submit your manuscript, please follow these steps:
  • Prepare Your Submission: Ensure your manuscript follows our formatting guidelines, ensure it is already edited and proofread.
  • Include a Cover Letter: Briefly introduce yourself, your writing background, and why you believe your work aligns with Chartley Books.
  • Author Bio: Include a short biography of no more than 150 words.
  • Synopsis: For novels, include a one-page synopsis of the work plus the first three chapters. For short story anthologies, include a brief description of each story you're including, plus three stories. For poetry, include a description of the overall anthology and an annotated list of your poems, plus five poems.
Submission Method:
  • Send your complete submission as a single email attachment to submissions@chartley.co.uk with the subject line: Submission – [Your Name] – [Manuscript Title].
Incomplete submissions or those not adhering to the stated guidelines will not be accepted.

Response Times
We understand that waiting to hear back about a manuscript can be challenging, and we are committed to providing a respectful, timely response to all submissions.
  • Initial Review: For all submissions, we aim to complete an initial review within three weeks. At this stage, we’ll notify you if your manuscript will be moving forward in our process.

  • Full Review: If your manuscript passes the initial review, it will proceed to a full editorial review. This can take up to two additional months. We’ll keep you informed at key stages to ensure you’re always aware of where your manuscript stands.
While we strive to offer a quick turnaround, please avoid following up on your submission until three months have passed. This allows us to give each manuscript the attention it deserves. If you haven’t heard from us within that timeframe, you’re welcome to contact us for an update. When do so, please include the title and author name of the subject heading of your email and send it to [email protected].


Simultaneous Submissions Policy
We understand that authors may wish to submit their work to multiple publishers to explore the best opportunities for their manuscript. Chartley Books does accept simultaneous submissions; however, in fairness to other authors and our editors, we kindly ask that you notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere. This allows us to keep our process efficient and fair to focus on manuscripts that remain available. We appreciate your cooperation and openness in this process.


Unsolicited Submissions Policy
We welcome unsolicited submissions from authors and are always interested in discovering new voices and perspectives, so no referral or prior invitation is necessary. If your work aligns with our publishing vision, we encourage you to submit following our guidelines, and we look forward to reviewing your manuscript. During busy times, we may be closed to unsolicited submissions in order to maintain the efficiency of our process for the authors we currently work with. Please see the top of this page to find out if we are currently open for submissions.

Copyright and PermissionsAuthors submitting to Chartley Books should only submit original work for which they hold full copyright. By submitting, you confirm that the work is your own and that any use of AI tools has been disclosed to us. We recognise that AI is becoming a part of the creative process for some authors; however, transparency is ssential. If AI tools were used in drafting or editing, please note this in your submission.

Failure to disclose AI usage may lead to contract termination, as we are committed to a publishing process based on honesty, integrity, and respect for all authors and their work. This approach ensures that each manuscript is considered fairly, with an understanding of the creative methods behind it.


Equal Opportunities
Chartley Books is dedicated to inclusivity and equal opportunities in publishing. We assess all submissions based solely on the quality of the work, without regard to the writer’s background, identity, or personal characteristics. We believe that diverse voices and perspectives are vital to a rich literary landscape, and we welcome submissions from authors of all backgrounds. Our goal is to provide a fair, respectful platform where talent and originality are the focus, ensuring every manuscript is evaluated on its merit alone.

Frequently Asked QuestionsQ: Can I submit more than one manuscript at a time?
A: We ask that you limit submissions to one manuscript at a time. This helps us provide each submission with the attention it deserves.

Q: Do you accept simultaneous submissions?
A: Yes, we do accept simultaneous submissions. However, by submitting manuscripts to us, you agree to notify us immediately if your manuscript is accepted elsewhere.

Q: Will I receive feedback on my submission?
A: While we would love to provide detailed feedback to every author, the volume of submissions we receive makes this challenging. We are only able to provide personalised feedback for manuscripts that advance to later stages in our review process.

Q: How will I know the status of my submission?
A: We strive to keep authors informed at each key stage. If your manuscript progresses beyond the initial review, we’ll reach out to provide an update. We also kindly ask that authors wait at least three months before following up on a submission.

Q: Do you accept work that has been edited with AI tools?
A: Yes, we accept work that has had AI input, as long as its use is disclosed. We understand that AI can be an important tool in research and making writing more accessible for some authors. Transparency in the creative process is essential to us, and disclosing AI use allows us to fully appreciate the methods behind each manuscript and publish what's right fro our readership.

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  • Home
  • Bookshop
    • Books
    • Professional Teeline
  • Trade
    • Professional Teeline Series >
      • Professional Teeline Coursebook
      • Professional Teeline Dictionary
    • Chartley’s Almanac & Diary 2026
    • Who Moved the Stone?
    • Ladies of Ink and Shadow
  • Contact
    • About us
  • Join us
  • Submissions - Closed
  • Blog
  • Terms and conditions
  • Channel237