DFP Submissions Guidelines

SUBMISSIONS & INQUIRIES:
Fill out the Submission Query Form first. 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 and SPAM is reported to the webhost.

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

GENRE FICTION:
We seek a limited number of single-author novels and anthologies for the DFP Books label. All manuscripts must be finished and should not require extensive editing. We look for great stories with a strong writing style and good POV (point-of-view) technique. One POV character per scene is preferred. R-ratings are discouraged. [See below for "Content & Rating"]

We seek 45,000 to 95,000 word novels and single-author anthologies in the following genres:
* Science Fiction and Fantasy [SF/F: Any mixture of true SF/Fantasy]
* Science Fiction Romance [SFR: Futuristic (SF), Paranormal, and Fantasy]
* Teen/Young Adult SF/F [intended for ages 13-18; must be G-rated or mild PG]

CONTENT & RATING:
Please note that we do not publish graphic material. That means no Erotica and no Horror. 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 really should keep as close to a "G-rating" as possible. Most Genre Fiction works fall under a standard PG-13 rating.

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 should include a working outline along with all text and materials, including scan-ready photographs and illustrations, plus copies of all legal permissions required for any text or illustrations.

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. ARTISTS: Click here for 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.

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).

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.

SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS:
We do not read simultaneous submissions, i.e. works submitted to multiple publishers at the same time. Because we have a limited number of staff and a limited number of publication slots per year, we simply cannot afford to waste time on books that might be under consideration elsewhere.

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: [See our COPYRIGHT article page...]
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. Choose Copyright Office and then go to Forms. The TXT Short Form is the normal copyright form filed for a single author new manuscript, or the longer standard TXT Form can be chosen. Both forms download in PDF and include instructions. You can now register copyrights online at a lower price! For more information, see the U.S. Copyright Office at: http://www.copyright.gov/.

FILE FORMATTING GUIDELINES:
BRAND NAMES: None; use generics, as needed
CHAPTER BREAKS: Hard page return between chapters
CHAPTER HEADERS: TNR-12 flush left beginning on Line-3
FILE DELIVERY: Email attachment (RTF) [Should be 3-MB or less]
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, Size-12 (i.e. TNR-12)
LINE SPACING: Single spacing; do not double-space between paragraphs
PAGE FOOTER: None
PAGE HEADER: Put "TITLE / Author" on left and "Page # of ##" 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.
SCENE POV: If third person, then one POV character per scene is preferred
STYLE DASHES: Two short dashes--with no spaces; will be converted to em-dashes later
STYLE ELLIPSES: No spaces set inside sentences...four periods at end�.
STYLE HYPHENS: Use hyphens only in standard phrases, such as "mother-in-law"
STYLE TABS: Set one Manual Tab at 0.5"; do not use auto tabs

CONTRACT BASICS:
The contract specifies worldwide publication rights for print editions, digital editions, and related synergy products. The author verifies 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 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. 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. Breach of contract clauses are included for both parties. Contracts can be broken if both parties agree through written mutual consent. [Please note that only the term (length) of the contract is negotiable, and that we do not deal through agents. ~ Thanks!]