Publisher Pan Macmillan Accepting Unsolicited Manuscripts - No Agent Needed

Updated 11/17/24

Pan Macmillan Australia is accepting electronic manuscript submissions directly from writers - no agent needed.

Pan Macmillan is a major Australian publisher with a wide range of titles under group imprints, including Macmillan, Pan, Picador, Plum, Momentum, Macquarie Dictionary Publishers, Pancake, St Martin's Press, Tor, Forge, Griffin and Sidgwick & Jackson.

Pan Macmillan publishes commercial and literary fiction, children's and YA fiction, picture books, Australiana, history, biographies, cooking, health and self-help, sports and travel. It also handles sales for Guinness World Records.

Allen & Unwin also accepts submissions directly from writers - no agent needed.

___________________


From the website:

We do not generally publish poetry, plays or textbooks but are happy to receive any genre of manuscript. We are particularly interested in the following:

Fiction: Contemporary drama, sagas, psychological suspense, crime and thrillers, historical, literary

Non-fiction: Narrative non-fiction, contemporary issues, memoir, history, true crime, lifestyle and health, mind body spirit

Children’s books & young adult fiction: Junior and middle grade fiction, young adult/crossover fiction

Please review our catalogue to find out what kind of books we publish. This is also a great opportunity to discover authors and titles similar to yours.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

1. Prepare the first  50 pages of your novel or non-fiction proposal.

2. Fill out the form here: https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/submissions/

Your manuscript will be read within three months of the date we receive it.

2 Literary Agents Seeking Nonfiction

Updated 5/29/19

Here are two agents eager to build their client lists. Trena White (Transatlantic Agency, Canada) is looking for nonfiction in these areas: current affairs, business, culture, politics, technology, religion, and the environment. Leila Campoli (Stonesong Literary) is seeking nonfiction projects in business, finance, investing, science, pop culture, and current events.

ALWAYS check the agency website before submitting. Agents may switch agencies or close their lists and submission requirements may change.

If these agents do not suit your needs, you can find a comprehensive list of new and established agents seeking clients here: Agents Seeking Clients.

______________________

Leila Campoli of Calligraph

About Leila: Leila Campoli started her career in 2011 as an editor at Palgrave Macmillan. After four years of championing authors from the publishing side of the business, she took the plunge into agenting. Spurred by a desire to say “yes” more often and a love of early-stage book development, she started building a list of authors poised to change the world with shared vulnerability and groundbreaking ideas.

What she is seeking: She works with writers of science, business, economics, lifestyle, current events, pop culture, and literary and upmarket fiction. In nonfiction, she’s particularly interested in books that offer a window into remarkable lives and ways of living. In fiction, she looks for speculative, genre-bending literary, and upmarket fiction, weird fiction leaning into horror or satire and stories set in extreme environments.

How to submit: Please send a query letter to submissions@calligraphlit.com with a brief synopsis of your work and a short bio, along with 25 pages of sample material in the body of the email (no attachments will be opened). Include the name of the agent you are querying in the subject line of the email, along with the title of your project and its genre. 

________________________

Trena White of The Transatlantic Agency

NO LONGER LISTED ON AGENCY WEBSITE

About Trena: Last fall, Trena White joined fellow Page Two principal Jesse Finkelstein in forming an alliance with The Transatlantic Agency. At Page Two, the two publishing experts consult for authors and businesses on both traditional and non-traditional publishing strategy. White and Finkelstein also secure book deals for authors of adult non-fiction whose books have strong trade potential and can benefit from the backing of an established, respected literary agency. Follow Trena on Twitter: @trenawhite

What she is seeking: I specialize in upmarket, accessible nonfiction that challenges current conceptions, whether through a “big ideas” book or narrative. I am drawn to entrepreneurs and people who are innovators in their fields and writing about current affairs, business, culture, politics, technology, religion, and the environment. I am most interested in authors who have an existing platform. No memoirs please.

How to submit: Query Trena at trena [at] transatlanticagency.com with a cover letter in the body of your email and an attachment of your work (maximum 20-page writing sample/excerpt in Microsoft Word document form) along with a publishing history and synopsis. Please note if other agents are also considering the project.

22 Writers' Conferences in May

May is a busy month for writers. This month there are conferences from one coast to the other (plus Alaska and Hawaii). They range from intimate retreats, where you can get writing time in addition to workshops, to large events featuring book fairs, talks, pitch sessions, and the rare chance to chat with agents and editors.

A few of these conferences offer scholarships and financial aid. While conferences lasting several days can be expensive, one-day workshops are usually affordable. (The one-day workshop held in Ohio on May 2 is free.)


__________________________

14th annual Muse and the Marketplace Conference. May 1 - 3, 2015: Boston, Massachusetts. "The Muse and the Marketplace is a three-day literary conference designed to give aspiring writers a better understanding about the craft of writing fiction and non-fiction, to prepare them for the changing world of publishing and promotion, and to create opportunities for meaningful networking. On all three days, prominent and nationally-recognized established and emerging authors lead sessions on the craft of writing - the "muse" side of things - while editors, literary agents, publicists and other industry professionals lead sessions on the business side - the "marketplace."

The Massachusetts Poetry Festival. May 1 - 3, 2015: Salem, Massachusetts. Workshops, panels, readings, music, visual arts presentations, and a book fair featuring small presses and literary magazines. Featured poets: Rita Dove, Richard Blanco, Stephen Burt, Denise Duhamel, Nick Flynn, Regie Gibson, Jorie Graham, Richard Hoffman, Adrian Matejka, Marge Piercy, Rachel Wiley.

Kauai Writers Conference. May 1 - 3, 2015: Courtyard Marriott Hotel, Kapaa, Hawaii. craft talks, publishing presentations, agent consultations, and readings for fiction writers and nonfiction writers. Participating writers include Lynne Cox, Vanessa Diffenbaugh, Kristin Hannah, Jill Landis, Laura Moriarty, and Colson Whitehead; participating publishing professionals include Julie Barer (Barer Literary), Silissa Kenney (St. Martin's Press), and Elizabeth Kracht (Kimberly Cameron and Associates). Registration is limited to 150 participants.

Gold Rush Writers Conference. May 1 - 3, 2015: Mokelumne Hill, CA. "Writing professionals will guide you to a publishing bonanza through a series of panels, specialty talks, workshops and celebrity lectures. Go one-on-one with successful poets, novelists, biographers, memoirists and short story writers." Writing workshops in Autobiography/Memoir, Children's, Fiction, Marketing, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing, Romance, Travel, Young Adult. Faculty: Alex Espinoza, Mary Volmer, Kevin Arnold, Gillian Bagwell, Helen Bonner, Kathy Boyd-Fellure, Lou Gonzalez, Luisa Giulianetti, Kathie Isaac-Luke, Indigo Moor, Monika Rose, Pam Mundale, Lucy Sanna, Amy Smith, Dawn Spinella, Sandy Towle, Jennifer Tristano.

Write Now! May 2, 2015: Raleigh, North Carolina. One-day writing conference sponsored by Triangle Area Freelancers featuring tracks devoted to fiction, nonfiction and technical writing. Open to writers of all skill levels.

Columbus State Community College Writers Conference. May 2, 2015: Columbus, Ohio. Workshops in Autobiography/Memoir, Business/Technical, Fiction, Journalism, Marketing, Non-fiction, Playwriting, Poetry, Publishing, Screenwriting. This one-day conference is free of charge. 

Mokulē‘ia Writers Retreat. May 3 - 8 in Waialua, Hawaii at Camp Mokulē‘ia, Oahu. Offers workshops in fiction and nonfiction, readings, one-on-one consultations, publishing panels, yoga sessions. The theme of the retreat is "nā wahi ho‘oulu," or “Places That Inspire Us.”Faculty includes fiction writer Kathryn Ma and nonfiction writers Zoe FitzGerald Carter and Don Wallace. 

11th annual PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature. May 4 - 10 at various locations in New York City. readings, performances, and panel discussions for poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. This year’s festival will focus on literature and cultures of the African continent. Participating writers include poets Yahya Hassan, Tracy K. Smith, and Yusef Komunyakaa; fiction writers Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Edwidge Danticat, Boubacar Boris Diop, Richard Flanagan, Aminatta Forna, Rachel Kushner, Sigrid Nunez, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, Colm Tóibín, and Binyavanga Wainaina; and nonfiction writers Mona Eltahawy and Wayne Koestenbaum. Many events are free.

Lakefly Writers Conference. May 8 - 9: Premier Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Workshops, talks, and a bookfair for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. Participating writers include fiction writer Barry Wightman and nonfiction writers Kelli Dunham and Michael Perry. Admittance to the Author Showcase on May 9 is free and open to the public.

Seaside Writers Conference. May 11 - 17: Seaside Assembly Hall in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. "The Seaside Writers Conference is an annual gathering of creative writers from all over the nation, and features award-winning writers in poetry and fiction and screenwriting who will offer a full week of intensive writing workshops, one day seminars, school outreach programs, and social events." Faculty includes poet Seth Brady Tucker and fiction writer Matt Bondurant. Participating publishing professionals include Melissa Flashman (Trident Media Group) and Roger D. Hodge (Oxford American). Some financial aid available to published writers.

Idaho Writer & Readers Rendezvous. May 14 - 16, 2015: Boise, Idaho. Workshops in Autobiography/Memoir, Business/Technical, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Journalism, Marketing, Mystery, Nature, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Screenwriting, Travel, Young Adult.  Faculty Authors, agents, editors and publishing gurus including Katherine Neville, Dean Wesley Smith, Kristine Rusch, Robin O’Bryant, Jen Mann, and Danny Manus.

.

The 2015 Milwaukee Writing Workshop, May 15, 2015 - a full-day of “How to Get Published” workshops. "This event is designed to squeeze as much into one day of learning as possible. You can ask any questions you like during the classes, and get your specific concerns addressed. We will literary agents onsite to give feedback and take pitches writers, as well. This year’s faculty so far includes literary agent Jennie Goloboy (Red Sofa Literary), literary agent Laura Crockett (Triada US Literary), literary agent Abby Saul (Browne & Miller Literary), literary agent Elizabeth Evans (Jean V. Naggar Literary), literary agent Jodell Sadler (Sadler Children’s Literary), and literary agent Dawn Frederick (Red Sofa Literary)."

The Writer's Pen Weekend Workshop. May 15 - 16, 2015: Bel Air, Maryland. Book Fair with over 20 authors. Keynote presentation with author Kevin Cowherd; 36 workshops with 19 instructors in Fiction, Marketing, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing.

Chicago Writing Workshop, May 16, 2015, Chicago, IL. Attending agents: Marcy Posner (Folio Literary); Jen Karsbaek (Fuse Literary); Jennifer Mattson (Andrea Brown Literary); Tina Schwartz (The Purcell Agency); Dan Balow (Steve Laube Literary); Jodell Sadler (The Sadler Agency).

Pennwriters Conference, May 15-17, 2015, Pittsburgh, PA. Friday keynote Ridley Pearson is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 48 novels, divided almost equally between adult suspense and young adult adventure. Attending agents: Danielle Chiotti (Upstart Crow Literary); Uwe Stender (TriadaUS Literary); and June Clark (FinePrint Literary).

Novel-In-Progress Bookcamp. May 15-23, 2015: West Bend WI. 6-day, residential workshop-retreat for writers in all genres working on a novel or creative nonfiction book. Workshops in Autobiography/Memoir, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Publishing, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult. Registration is limited to 30 people.

Creative Nonfiction Writers' Conference. May 22 - 24: Wyndham University Center in Pittsburgh. Master classes, craft discussions, publishing talks, pitch sessions, and readings for creative nonfiction writers. Participating writers include Jason Bittle, Maggie Jones, Jill Kandel, Marissa Landrigan, Dinty W. Moore, Leslie Rubinkowski, and Anjali Sachdeva. Participating publishing professionals include Stephanie Bane (Smith Brothers Agency), Torie Bosch (Future Tense Books), Rachel Ekstrom (Irene Goodman Literary Agency), Lee Gutkind and Hattie Fletcher (Creative Nonfiction), Saeed Jones (BuzzFeed), Adam Kushner (Washington Post), Emily Loose, and Alan Olifson (Moth StorySLAM).

Algonkian Retreat for Aspiring Commercial Novel Authors, Short Fiction Writers and Memoirists, May 27 - 31, 2015. Algonkian Park, Virginia. "You can show us your manuscript, improve your skills, clear your head, have your work read by our writer mentors, whatever works for you, whatever helps you grow and discover your vision as a writer. You discuss with us ahead of time via the Algonkian Writer Retreat Application the goals you wish to accomplish, and we'll work with you to make it happen. Do you desire a review of your short stories or flash fiction? A line edit? Do you wish to discuss the reality of the current fiction market, your novel project, plot and characters, or perhaps get feedback on the opening hook or a few sample chapters? Or would you simply like a relaxed and productive dialogue about your goals as a writer?"

Bear River Writers’ Conference. May 28 - June 1: Camp Michigania on Walloon Lake, near Petoskey, Michigan. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as readings, discussions, nature walks, and time to write. The faculty includes poets Stephen Dunn, Laura Kasischke, Jamaal May, and Richard Tillinghast; fiction writers Nami Mun, Antonya Nelson, and Thisbe Nissen; and creative nonfiction writers Jerry Dennis, Thomas Lynch, and Sue William Silverman.

River Teeth Nonfiction Conference. May 29 - 31: Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio. Individual manuscript consultations, seminars, readings, open mics, and book signings. Participating creative nonfiction writers include Jill Christman, Steven Church, Valerie Due, Steven Harvey, Kate Hopper, Sonya Huber, Joe Mackall, Ana Maria Spagna, Cheryl Strayed, Ginny Taylor, Jerald Walker, and Sarah M. Wells.

Hedgebrook VORTEXT Salon. May 29 - 31: Whidbey Institute on Whidbey Island, about 35 miles northwest of Seattle. Workshops, panel discussions, lectures, open mics, and time to write in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for women writers. The faculty includes poet Victoria Redel; fiction writers Carole DeSanti, Ruth Ozeki, Dani Shapiro, and Hannah Tinti; and nonfiction writer Rahna Reiko Rizzuto.

Indiana University Writers’ Conference. May 30 - June 3 on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington. Workshops in poetry and fiction, craft classes and readings. The faculty includes poets Gabrielle Calvocoressi and Adrian Matejka; fiction writer and artist Lynda Barry; fiction writers Lou Berney, Dan Chaon, and Alissa Nutting; and performance artist John-Paul Zaccarini. 

First Bookstore Dedicated to Self-Published Authors Opens in Florida

This is an idea whose time has come: A brick-and-mortar bookstore for self-published authors.

Essentially, it's a coop. Each writer pitches in enough per month to pay for rent and overhead. How cool is that? I'd like to see this model in other parts of the country where tourists gather. (Or where people are still accustomed to reading print.)

Take a look at the Gulf Coast Bookstore's website. It's inspiring.

(And you know what else a few dedicated self-published authors could do? Form a cooperative publishing company. We really need to stop going it alone.)

________________________

First Bookstore Dedicated to Self-Published Authors Opens in Florida

By Judith Rosen, Publishers Weekly

Frustrated by a lack of opportunity to display and sell their work, self-published children’s author and illustrator Patti Brassard Jefferson and history author Timothy Jacobs decided to create a bookstore of their own, Gulf Coast Bookstore, and to only sell books by indie authors.

“It’s just hard to compete with Stephen King or Dan Brown in a mega-bookstore that has tens of thousands of books for sale,” says Jacobs.

Although Jacobs came up with the idea for a bookstore that would showcase indie authors a few years ago, he and Jefferson didn’t act on it until recently. When a space became available in downtown Fort Myers, Fla., last month, the store came together quickly. On April 1, the pair held a soft opening for Gulf Coast; the grand opening followed on April 10.

Gulf Coast operates very differently from a traditional bookstore chain or independent. Self-published authors rent shelf space for three months for $60, plus a $15 set-up fee, close to what they might spend to exhibit a single title at a day-long book fair. They also handle stocking and restocking. In return, the authors receive 100% of every sale rather than 40% from a bookstore that sells their books on consignment.

The reason Jefferson and Jacobs can afford to give authors such a high percentage of sales is that they are operating what Jacobs describes as “pretty much a self-sufficiently run bookstore.” Butterfly Estates handles sales and credit-card processing and runs a weekly sales report. “If we had to do this as a standalone on our own,” adds Jefferson, “we’d have to have staff and pay for utilities.”

Jefferson and Jacobs rearrange inventory every two weeks to keep the space fresh. There is no curation of authors. According to Jefferson, the only criteria is “they have to be local.” She and Jacobs also cap the number of titles in any particular genre the store carries at six. Children’s books filled up first for the initial inventory. Other areas represented include education, fantasy, local history, and memoir.

Each writer—currently there are 37 with another 16 authors to be added on May 1—can display 10 copies of a single title or up to 10 titles with one copy each. Authors can also place bookmarks, business cards, or brochures about their work on shelves.

Read more HERE.

20 Writing Contests in May - No Entry Fees

You have much to gain from entering writing contests. If you win, your chances of getting published increase exponentially. And if the contest is free, what have you got to lose?

_____________________

Crucible: Poetry and Fiction Competition is sponsored by the Barton College Department of English. Genres: Fiction (limited to 8,000 words or less) and poetry (limited to five poems). Restrictions: All work must be original and unpublished. Prizes: $150.00 First Prize. $100.00 Second Prize. Publication in the Crucible. Deadline: May 1, 2015. Read guidelines HERE.

The Society for Humanistic Anthropology Fiction Competition. Genre: Stories that relate to the four fields of anthropology. Restrictions: Stories should not exceed 20 pages typed double-spaced. There is a limit of one story submission per applicant. Prize: The first place story will be published in the Society’s journal, Anthropology and Humanism. The first place winner(s) will receive a certificate and award of $100. Deadline: May 1, 2015. Read guidelines HERE. (Scroll down the page.)

Grant MacEwan Creative Writing Scholarship is sponsored by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Genres: Poetry, Short Fiction & Creative Nonfiction, Drama, or Graphic Novel. Restrictions: Authors must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate creative writing program of study or mentorship. (Max age 25) Alberta residents only. Prize: $5000 (CAN). Deadline: May 1, 2015. Read guidelines HERE.

Polari First Book Prize. Genres: The prize is for a first book which explores the LGBT experience and is open to any work of poetry, prose, fiction or non-fiction published in English. Self-published works in both print and digital formats are eligible for submission. Restrictions: Writer must be born in UK or resident in the UK between Feb 2, 2014 and Feb 1, 2015. Prize: £1,000.00. Deadline: May 1, 2015. Read guidelines HERE.

St. Francis College Literary Prize is sponsored by St. Francis College, Brooklyn, NY. Genre: 3rd to 5th work of fiction published between June 2013 and May 2015. Self-published books and English translations are considered. Prize: $50,000. Deadline: May 1, 2015. Read guidelines HERE.

West Virginia Fiction Competition is sponsored by the Shepherd University Department of English in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Genre: Any original, unpublished work of fiction, between 500 and 2,500 words, one submission only. The submission must not have received any other award, recognition, or special honor. Restrictions: Contest open to any resident of West Virginia or student attending school in West Virginia. Prize: $500.00 First Prize Award and possible publication, $100 each Second and Third Prize Awards. Deadline: May 1, 2015. Read guidelines HERE.

We Need Diverse Books Short Story Contest. WNDB is a grassroots organization created to address the lack of diverse, non-majority narratives in children’s literature. Genre: Children's short story. (Ages 8-12) Restrictions: Writer must be "diverse." Prize: $1000 and inclusion in WNDB Anthology to be released by Crown Books for Young Readers/Random House Children’s Books in January 2017. Two runner-up winners will receive honorable mentions and awards of $250 each. Deadline: May 8, 2015. Read guidelines HERE.

The James Laughlin Award is sponsored by the Academy of American Poets. Genre: A second book of poetry forthcoming in the next calendar year. Must be under contract with US publisher. Restrictions: Open to US citizens and residents only. Prize: $5,000, an all-expenses-paid week long residency in Florida, and the Academy will purchase approximately 1,000 copies of the book for distribution to its members. Deadline: May 15, 2015. Read guidelines HERE.

Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Non-Fiction. Genre: Literary non-fiction. Restrictions: Titles must be published in Canada and written by Canadians. Prize: $60,000 will be awarded to a literary nonfiction book published between September 18, 2014 and September 17, 2015. Deadline: May 27, 2015. Read guidelines HERE.

Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. Genre: Fiction. Restrictions: Titles must be published in Canada and written by Canadians. No self-published works. Prize: $25,000 will be awarded to a novel or short-story collection published between October 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015. Prizes of $2,500 will be awarded to each of the finalists. Deadline: May 27, 2015. Read guidelines HERE.

bpNichol Poetry Chapbook Award. Genre: Published poetry chapbook. Restrictions: Canadian publishers only. Prize: The author receives $4,000 and the publisher receives $500. Deadline: May 29, 2015. Read guidelines HERE.

ESME. Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Essay. Submissions will be judged anonymously. The nine award winners will be announced on June 15, 2015. Restrictions: Open to any current or former Solo Mom. Prizes: $500, $350 & $150 prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place in each category. Deadline: May 30, 2015. Read guidelines HERE. Note: The deadline appears to have been extended until Sept 25, 2015.

Lilith Magazine Fiction Competition. Genre: Stories with soul & chutzpah that speak to feminist Jewish readers. Preferred length is 2500 words or under. Prize: Winner will receive $250 and publication in Lilith. Deadline: May 31, 2015. Read guidelines HERE.

The Wolfe Pack Black Orchid Award. Genre: Mystery novellas in the style of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe novellas. Manuscript length: 15K-20K words. Prize: $1,000, plus recognition and publication in a forthcoming issue of AAMM. Deadline: May 31, 2015. Read guidelines HERE.

Unicorn Press First Book Contest. Genre: Unpublished book-length poetry. Individual poems do not have to be unpublished. Prize: The winner will receive $250 and the winning manuscript will be published by Unicorn Press. Deadline: May 31, 2015. Read guidelines HERE.

The Victoria Book Prize. Genres: Published fiction, literary non-fiction, or poetry. (Not open to self-published works.) Book submitted must have been published between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2015 and must be a new work, not a re-issue or a revision of a previous work. Restrictions: Author must be a resident of the Capital Region and a Canadian citizen or resident. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: May 31, 2015. Read guidelines HERE.

Cromwell Article Prize. Genre: Articles published in 2014 in the field of American legal history. Restrictions: Open to early career scholars. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: May 31, 2015. Read guidelines HERE.

Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation Writing Competition. Genre: Play. Only full-length works (dramas, comedies, musicals, screenplays) will be considered. One entry per author. Scripts must be original. Must be in English. All must concern LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender) life and be based on, or directly inspired by, a historical person, culture, work of art, or event. Prize: First Prize, $3,000. Second Prize, $1,500. Honorable Mentions, $500. Deadline: May 31, 2015. Read guidelines HERE.

Jerry Jazz Musician Fiction Contest. Genre: Unpublished fiction approximately 1,000 - 5,000 words. Story should pertain to music, social history, literature, politics, art, film and theater, particularly that of the counter-culture of mid-twentieth century America. Prize: $100 and publication in Jerry Jazz Musician. Deadline: May 31, 2015. Read guidelines HERE.

Save the Earth Poetry Prize. Genre: Poem (1). Poems submitted should, in any way possible, evoke humankind’s awareness of the natural world and nature as such. Restrictions: Open to High school students, grades 11 & 12. Prize: $200 awarded to seven winners. Deadline: May 31, 2015. Read guidelines HERE.

Hugo Awards "Broken"

Alexis de Toqueville is famously quoted as saying, "In a democracy, people get the government they deserve." De Toqueville may not have actually said those words, but the sentiment remarkably apt, for it implies a world of manipulation, coercion and downright shenaniganing.

The principle of "one person one vote" underlies all forms of democracy. It is predicated on the faith that power brokers will not game the system. From the first day the system was devised, they have, and they will continue to do so in ever more ingenious ways.

In the case of the sadly "broken" Hugo awards, the system was gamed by some old right-wing dogs, the Sad Puppies and the Rabid Puppies, both of which attempted to stuff the box with nominations of authors they perceived to be conservative. Two of those authors have now pulled their names from the nominations and Connie Willis, who was asked to present the Campbell Award, has also withdrawn.

George R. R. Martin says the Hugos are "broken." He may well be correct, for as long as literature continues to be the domain of intelligent discourse, there will be people on the other side who insist on bringing it down to their level.

________________________________________________________

Hugo award nominees withdraw amid 'Puppygate' storm

By Alison Flood: The Guardian, April 17, 2015

Two authors have withdrawn their work from contention for the prestigious Hugo science fiction awards in the wake of what George RR Martin has called “Puppygate”, the controversy that has “plunged all fandom into war”.

Marko Kloos, whose novel Lines of Departure had been picked along with four other authors for the best novel Hugo – an award that counts Dune and Neuromancer among its former winners – announced on Wednesday that he had withdrawn his acceptance of the nomination. Annie Bellet, whose Goodnight Stars was a contender for best short story, also withdrew from the race.

Both writers had been included on a slate of titles pulled together by a group of right-leaning science fiction writers dubbing themselves the Sad Puppies, who had mobilised fans to pay for membership of Worldcon, enabling them to vote and thus flood the categories with their choices. Brad Torgersen, the author behind Sad Puppies, wanted to reverse what he called the Hugos’ favouring of works that were “niche, academic, overtly to the left in ideology and flavour, and ultimately lacking what might best be called visceral, gut-level, swashbuckling fun”.

But they were also on the slate for the so-called Rabid Puppies campaigners, led by the writer Theodore Beale, known online as Vox Day, an inflammatory far-right blogger who was expelled from the Science Fiction Writers of America following racist comments about the award-winning author NK Jemisin.

Read more HERE.

Publisher Allen & Unwin Accepting Unsolicited Submissions

Updated 11/10/24

Allen & Unwin is an independent Australian publishing company established in 1976 as a subsidiary of the British firm George Allen & Unwin Ltd., one of the leading publishers of the twentieth century.

After the HarperCollins buyout of George Allen & Unwin Ltd. in 1990, Allen & Unwin became an independent publisher. It currently publishes up to 250 new titles a year, including literary and commercial fiction, a broad range of general non fiction, academic and professional titles and books for children and young adults.

Although Allen & Unwin primarily distributes its titles in Australia and New Zealand, it has international distribution channels in the UK, the US, Asia, and South Africa. Please only apply to the Friday Pitch if you are currently living in Australia or New Zealand or have a connection to Australia or New Zealand.

Authors report good experiences with Allen & Unwin. They are responsive to their authors, and have a hands-on, personalized approach.

Despite its name, the Friday Pitch is open all week.

___________________

From the website:

THE FRIDAY PITCH

Allen & Unwin know how difficult it can be for writers to get their work in front of publishers, which is why we’ve been running our innovative and pioneering Friday Pitch service for the last 6 years. Through Friday Pitch we have given new and emerging writers a chance to have their work read by our publishers within a reasonable time.

ALL adult submissions – both fiction, non-fiction, and illustrated – to Allen & Unwin (including Murdoch Books) should now come via Friday Pitch. To do this, email us a short synopsis or outline of your chapters and contents, and the first chapter of your work and related illustrations if relevant. If we like what we read, and want to read more, we will get back to you within a fortnight.

Friday Pitch has discovered several bestselling authors, including Fleur McDonald, the author of Red Dust and Blue Skies; Helen Brown, whose book Cleo has sold throughout the world and is currently being made into a film; and Mary Groves, author of An Outback Life.

PLEASE NOTE: The Friday Pitch service is now open to writers for children and young adults.

Knowing it’s important to authors to have their manuscripts read as quickly as possible, ALL unsolicited adult fiction, non-fiction, illustrated, children's and YA submissions to Allen and Unwin must be sent electronically to The Friday Pitch.

So what should you send? It’s simple: copy and paste the relevant title information sheet  into the body of your email, and fill in the gaps. Then attach the FIRST chapter or section of your manuscript and a short synopsis (of no more than 300 words) or an outline of your chapters and contents as separate Word documents (please, no PDF documents unless your submission is for an illustrated book).

Our title information sheet is designed to ensure your manuscript is assessed quickly by the appropriate department in-house. You can assist us with this by using the subject line of your email to tell us whether your book is literary fiction, commercial fiction or non-fiction or illustrated, and what genre or subject it deals with in that category.

See guidelines HERE.