SUBMISSIONS

We are currently CLOSED for submissions.

We expect to open for submissions in 2025.

The below submissions information has been kept up for information only.

Boo!

Hello! We are a book publisher and welcome submissions from both agented authors and those without agents. Please read these guidelines for an idea of what we are looking for.

About us

Haunt Publishing is an independent publisher of Gothic, horror and dark fiction books. Dedicated to exploring both traditional and contemporary Gothic and horror literature, Haunt holds a flickering candle to global and underrepresented voices.

Genres we publish in

We are looking for books in the Gothic, horror and dark fiction genres. We particularly look for work that is engaged in some way with Gothic preoccupations, such as doubling, decay, occultism, hauntings, the blurring between reality and the supernatural, or death. We do not publish sci-fi, fantasy, crime, thrillers, or any genres outwith Gothic, horror and dark fiction. We only publish adult fiction and do not publish YA or children’s fiction.

To give an idea of our book tastes, here are some books we love (other than our own, of course):

  • Beloved by Toni Morrison

  • Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

  • The Girls by Emma Cline

  • The Vegetarian by Han Kang

  • Tender is the Flesh by Augustina Bazterrica

  • Tell Me I’m Worthless by Alison Rumfitt

  • Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi

  • Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

  • Things We Say In The Dark by Kirsty Logan

  • Dark Matter by Michelle Paver

  • Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

  • Orpheus Builds A Girl by Heather Parry

What kind of books we are looking for

We want books with the curse of unputdownability, that keep a reader up all night. Books that provoke unease, terror and dread. Basically, we want books that haunt readers long after consuming them. If this sounds like your book, send it our way!

All books should be completed, or near completion, as we don’t currently consider pitches.

We are currently looking for:

  • novels

  • novellas

We are not currently looking for:

  • short story collections

  • poetry collections

  • anthology pitches

  • nonfiction

How to submit

Email Rebecca at boo@hauntpublishing.com and attach (as word docs or PDF files):

  • A one-page covering letter that includes an author biography, a short pitch about the book (100-ish words), and the word count.

  • A 1,000-ish word synopsis that details the complete plot of your book, including twists and ending (don’t leave us hanging!).

  • Either the first three chapters or 10,000 words of your typescript (title page too, please!).

  • Please format your email subject line as: SUBMISSION: Title (Novel)

Contract Terms

  • Each signed author will receive a £200 fee in recognition of the work they have put into the book so far (we realise this is merely a token amount, but we hope to set a precedent where the authors earn more). This means authors will earn royalties on their book sales straight away.

  • Novels: exclusive right to produce, distribute, promote, publish and sell the work in the English language worldwide in volume, ebook and audio formats.

  • Story story collections/poetry collections/anthologies: non-exclusive right to produce, distribute, promote, publish and sell the work in the English language worldwide in volume, ebook and audio formats (so you can continue to publish and make money from your short stories elsewhere, from 12 months after publication).

  • 15% RRP royalty rate on print sales, 50% net on audiobook and ebook sales.

Extra Notes

  • There is no set word count but between 50-100,000 words would be ideal.

  • We particularly welcome submissions from the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities as well as from people with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds.

  • We publish around 1 to 2 books a year.

  • We will publish in paperback, ebook and sometimes audiobook when budget allows.

  • If we want to read more, we will request the full manuscript from you. This doesn’t guarantee publication, but shows we think your work might be suitable for us.

  • We aim to get back to everyone within six weeks after the submission deadline.

  • Find out more about the Haunt publishing process.

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