Submit Your Manuscript
Honest editorial partnership for authors and illustrators who have something genuine to say. No reading fees. No hidden costs. Transparency from the first query.
Our next submission window: September 21 – October 5, 2026
We're putting the finishing touches on a proper submission process so every manuscript gets the careful read it deserves. Submissions are closed right now and will be open from September 21 to October 5, 2026.
Join the waitlist below and you'll be the first to know the moment the window opens, with full guidelines delivered straight to your inbox before the general announcement.
In the meantime, follow along on Instagram →
Why Submit to McGuffin Press
A small press should be more transparent than a big one, not less. Here's exactly what partnering with us means — and how we answer the concerns every author rightly has.
Legitimacy
We are a traditional press. We never charge authors to read, edit, or illustrate. If anyone asks you to pay to be published, that is not us — and it is not traditional publishing.
Transparency
Advance, royalties, rights, and timelines are stated plainly before you ever sign. No surprises buried in a contract.
Editorial Quality
Founded by a published author who has been a student, mentor, and critique partner. Your manuscript is read by people who love the craft.
Marketing Support
Launch planning, retailer listings, events, and our reader newsletter work for every title we publish — not just the lead book.
Distribution Reach
Our titles are available through major online retailers and to the trade, with wholesale ordering for schools and bookshops.
True Partnership
We're small by choice. What we lack in scale we return in attention: you'll always know the human reading your work.
What We Accept
✦ We're looking for
- Picture books — timeless, original stories (we acquire a very limited number)
- Middle grade — early readers through upper middle grade, meant to entertain (max 60,000 words)
- Adult fiction — upmarket fiction, crime, gifted criminals, a fresh play on a genre (max 100,000 words)
- Stories about specialty fields to share with our curious readers
✕ Not a fit right now
- Anything created with AI — all work must be original and human-written
- Memoirs or how-to books (not at this time)
- Didactic picture books
- Political, religious, or moral-forward middle grade — for now we seek books meant to entertain
How to Query Us
All submissions must be original work created without the use of AI.
Your query should run 200–450 words. If query structure is new to you, we recommend the "Hook, Book, Cook" structure popularized by Michael Larsen and Katharine Sand — and a look through Query Shark.
- ¶1 — The Hook
- Title, genre, and word count, plus a one-sentence pitch that makes us stop and take notice. We suggest two comps — a film or TV show works too.
- ¶2–3 — The Book
- Your protagonist, the location, and the set-up; the conflict and the stakes. A clear sense of voice and tone is a bonus.
- ¶4 — The Cook (Your Bio)
- Briefly mention writing credentials, awards, or specialty knowledge — and anything else we should know, including social media if you have a presence.
- What to Send — Middle Grade & Adult
- Your query plus the first two chapters, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman.
- What to Send — Picture Books
- The entire manuscript, plus a short elevator pitch and at least two comps.
- A Note on Marketing (optional)
- If you're inclined, give us a quick idea of how you'd help market the book — not required, but we like to know you've thought about where it fits and who your readers would be.
- Rights & Royalties
- We acquire the rights needed to publish and sell your book and offer a small advance plus royalties, with terms stated transparently in every offer. We never charge authors for reads, edits, or illustrations.
- Response & Timing
- We're a small team and read everything ourselves — so responses can take time. We accept only a handful of manuscripts a year, but we read every query with care.
"We do not charge authors for reads, edits, or illustrations. We offer a small advance. We look forward to hearing from you — and to reading every word you send."
Manuscript Wishlist
"Bring us your unique story."
🌙 Picture Books
Timeless, original stories. We're acquiring a very limited number — and we're not seeking didactic books at this time.
📖 Middle Grade MAX 60K
Timeless stories from early readers to upper middle grade, meant to entertain. Not political, religious, or moral-forward — each has its place, but for now we're here for the story.
✦ Adult Fiction MAX 100K
Upmarket fiction. Crime. Gifted criminals. A genuinely shocking twist or a new play on a genre. Books that pull at the heartstrings, make us think, make us smile — bonus points if you make us laugh.
We're not accepting memoirs or how-to books at this time — but we're excited about stories rooted in specialty fields to share with our curious readers.
Querying is painful and slow — we know. Sadly, we're too small to accept more than a handful of manuscripts a year. For now!
We've read submissions from truly gifted wordsmiths whose craft sings. But if we can't see how a book is genuinely different from what's already out there — not unreadable or bizarrely different, just a unique twist or concept — or if we can't see how we'd market it, then accepting it would do the author a disservice.
Every member of our acquisitions team is an author. We hate sending a pass. We want every author to succeed.
Our next window opens September 21, 2026
Join the waitlist and we'll send full submission guidelines straight to your inbox before the window opens.