sheafhouse.com - Submissions

Editorial Policy

Unlike large, mainstream publishers, Sheaf House gives member authors the final say as to what genre and style they write in, what themes they address and how, how much time they need between projects, and how they go about marketing their work. Although individual projects must undergo an approval process to ensure quality, authors are encouraged to write the kinds of stories they feel called to write. As long as the work fits into one of the genres Sheaf House publishes, there are no restrictions on what genre an author can write in. Sheaf house also works closely with authors to ensure that the final cover of their book is not only marketable, but one they can be proud of.

Submission Guidelines

We're looking for fresh, new voices. One of them could be yours...

At this time Sheaf House is not accepting any additional proposals until June 2009, with the exception of those previously invited to submit at a specific time.

Sheaf House publishes exclusively fiction. Although Sheaf House has no formal affiliation with the Christian Booksellers Association, we publish only fiction that has a Christian worldview. Stories that are preachy and present a simplistic doctrinal viewpoint are not material for Sheaf House. Neither are stories that exist in a moral vacuum.

Stories that are right for Sheaf House will be gritty, edgy, true-to-life, and address issues readers face in their own lives with fearless honesty, but without the language and graphic violence and sex readers too often encounter in secular fiction. They will include a message of hope, assurance that there is a better way, and will point readers in the right direction, even if the author never explicitly mentions God.

Sheaf House is particularly looking for excellent projects from unpublished authors and published authors who have not had the volume of sales that mainstream publishing houses require, but who can appeal to a viable niche audience. We accept proposals in the following genres.

* Historicals
* Westerns
* Sci-fi/fantasy
* Contemporary fiction
* Young adult fiction
* Mystery/suspense/thrillers
* Literary and speculative fiction
* Multicultural fiction

Sheaf House does not accept unsolicited proposals. Proposals must be submitted through a literary agent or be requested in response to a query letter or an e-mail or through personal contact at a writers conference. All unsolicited submissions will be returned.

Query letters must be no longer than 2 pages. They should begin with an appealing hook, describe the story in one paragraph, state briefly the theme of the work, and include the author’s bio, with any specific qualifications for writing this particular project.

A full proposal must contain the following elements.

* Theme
* Spiritual theme, if appropriate
* 3-5 page synopsis
* Manuscript status
* Intended audience
* Competition assessment
* Proposed marketing and promotion
* Author’s biography
* Contact information
* First 3 chapters of project

The proposal must be both as concise and as detailed as possible. Spend time on this. Devote intense thought and effort to it. If you have never written a proposal before, learn to do it superlatively. This is what will solicit a request to submit the full manuscript.

Before you submit, be sure your proposal and your project are the best you can make them. The editorial director wishes to be thrilled and utterly compelled to publish your work. Deprive us of any reason to turn you down.

When your proposal meets all of these qualifications, please e-mail it in an attachment to jmshoup@sheafhouse.com or send it to:

Editorial Director
Sheaf House
3641 Hwy 47 N
Charlotte, TN 37036

We will attempt to respond within 6 months. We will make every effort to do so sooner.