DFP Submissions Guidelines

HOW TO SUBMIT:
When submissions re-open, fill out the Submission Query Form. If the Submissions Editor requests to read more, have a full synopsis (outline in paragraph form) and a partial (chapters 1-3) ready to send in the appropriate formatting (see below). All emails must be sent in plain text (non-HTML). Never send attachments without prior approval. Unsolicited files are deleted unread and SPAM is reported to the webhost.

CONTENT AND RATINGS:
Please note that we do not publish graphic material. That means no Erotica, no Horror, and no Military Fiction. We consider all types of true science fiction and fantasy, as long as the content does not include graphic situations that mandate an adult R-rating (18 or older). Teen/YA books should keep as close to a G-rating as possible. Most Genre Fiction works should fall under a standard PG-13 rating, which means it is suitable for for young teens and up to read.

CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS:
We do not contract outside the USA and do not work through agents. All authors and artists must be USA citizens of 18-years or older with valid US social security numbers for IRS tax purposes and royalty payment options. [See below for CONTRACT BASICS]

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION:
Authors retain full copyright to all contracted works and are required to provide proof of copyright with a copy of the initial application and then a copy of the registered copyright certificate. For copyright forms and information, see the U.S. Library of Congress at www.loc.gov and/or U.S. Copyright Office at: www.copyright.gov. | Read our COPYRIGHT article...

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED WORKS:
Previously published titles are accepted on a case-by-case basis. All rights must be free to contract. Prior publication information must be submitted, including all former publishers, ISBNs, formats, reviews, and awards. Copies of all contractual releases and rights reversions must be included before new contracts can be issued.

NO SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS:
We DO NOT read simultaneous submissions, i.e. works submitted to multiple publishers at the same time. Because we have a small staff working to fill a limited number of publication slots per year, we simply cannot afford to spend time and money on books under consideration elsewhere. Thanks!

UNDERSTANDING POD:
Please do not submit manuscripts for contract consideration, unless you fully understand the basics of POD (from general sales approach to author marketing) and how it is different from print-run distribution. Read our article: WHAT IS POD?

CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOKS:
We seek a limited number of unpublished children's picture book stories for the Kittycat Books label. All picture books are illustrated in full color by a professional artist contracted by the publisher. Storyboards are limited to 24 pages with 2 pages reserved for the title page and credits page.

Click here for artist information on how to create illustrations for Kittycat Books. Contact the Children's Book Editor to learn more about writing and illustrating children's books for us.

At this time, we only accept new children's book authors through our DFP Awards Children's Picture Book Contest. See the contest page for details.

GENRE FICTION:
We seek a limited number of single-author novels for the DFP Books label. All manuscripts must be finished and not require extensive editing. We look for great stories with a strong writing style and good point-of-view (POV) structure. Contact us separately to query regarding anthologies (single author only). R-ratings are discouraged. | Read the following online articles: What Genre Is it? and Dialog Basics |

Fiction novels should be written in simple PAST TENSE tense using either THIRD PERSON LIMITED (i.e. one POV character per scene) or FIRST PERSON. [We do not consider novels written with either floating viewpoint (i.e. head-hopping) or unformatted mainstream (i.e. alternating tense or person).]

Novels should be 40,000 to 95,000 words in the following genres:
* Science Fiction and/or Fantasy [true SF/F only; no Horror or Military Fiction]
* Science Fiction Romance [SFR: Futuristic (SF), Paranormal, Fantasy, Time Travel]
* Teen/Young Adult SF/F [intended for ages 13-18; must be G-rated or mild PG]

NON-FICTION BOOKS:
We seek a limited number of non-fiction books for the DFP Books label. All works must finished and should not require extensive editing. Because non-fiction books often contain photographs and illustrations, as well as requiring special formatting, it is difficult to judge page length by word count. Finished books must be 108-400 pages in final format, so non-fiction documents with text between 35,000 to 75,000 words generally fall inside the required page lengths. All non-fiction proposals must include a working outline along with all text and materials, including scan-ready photographs and illustrations, plus copies of all required legal permissions.

EDITING:

Manuscript editing is performed digitally through RTF (Rich Text Format) manuscript files. The author must provide a clean digital file for editing purposes, and must be able to send and receive limited email file attachments during the editing process. Digital files are to be created according to the below formatting guidelines, using a word processor that handles resident RTF files in Times New Roman font size #12 (i.e. TNR-12).

FILE FORMATTING GUIDELINES:

BRAND NAMES: No brand names that require a registration mark (�) or a trademark (�) can used in a manuscript. Instead, either use generic terms or invent your own brand names.
CHAPTER BREAKS: Hard page return between chapters
CHAPTER HEADERS: Center starting at line-3
DASHES: Use two short dashes--with no spaces; will be converted to em-dashes later
DIALOG: Dialog tags and dialog punctuation must be properly formatted. | See Dialog Article
ELLIPSES: No spaces set inside sentences...four periods at end�.
FILE DELIVERY: Email attachment (RTF) [3-MB maximum]
FILE TYPE: RTF (Rich Text Format) DO NOT CONVERT
FONT FORMATS: Use plain text with Italics for emphasis, as needed; no bold or underlines
FONT TEXT: Standard Times New Roman font size #12 (i.e. TNR-12)
HYPHENS: Use hyphens only in standard phrases, such as mother-in-law
LINE SPACING: Single spacing; Do not double-space between paragraphs
PAGE FOOTER: None; but make sure the font is set to TNR-12
PAGE HEADER: Put TITLE / Author on left and Page # on right (TNR-12)
PAGE MARGINS: 1.0" all around on 8.5" x 11" standard sheet
PAGE RIGHT: Justified (except for scene break spacers--see below)
SCENE BREAKS: Center three asterisks one space apart (* * *) below the last sentence in the scene. Skip one line. Then start the next scene flush-left with the first word in ALL CAPS.
POV (point-of-view): Use either third person restricted (i.e. one POV character per scene) or first person. Novels must be written in one POV style. Mixed POV styles are not allowd.
If third person, then one POV character per scene is preferred
TABS: Set one Manual Tab at 0.50"; Do not use Auto-Tabs!
VERB TENSE: Fiction novels should be written in simple past tense (i.e. ran, walked, saw, et al). Mixed verb tense is not allowed. [See above for cautions against unformatted Mainstream.]
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Our contract specifies worldwide publication rights for print editions, digital editions, and related synergy products. The author must verify legal ownership of the work in question. The copyright belongs to the author, who is required to provide a copy of the Library of Congress copyright registration. The contract term (length) is specified by beginning and end dates. The average contract term is ten (10) years. All production costs are paid by the publisher, which means authors pay no fees whatsoever. The author agrees to promote the work locally and on all author websites throughout the term of the contract. Authors are allowed to buy book stock at discount pricing. Royalties are paid quarterly by check with a detailed invoice. Please note that we do not offer advances on royalties nor do we work through agents. Breach of contract clauses are included for both parties. Contracts can be broken if both parties agree through written mutual consent. Because we produce POD print editions and eBooks in various formats, we do not offer returns policies of any kind nor do we participate in print-run warehouse distribution. Thanks!