Dark Harbor Press

Submission Guidelines for Literary Agents

Dark Harbor Press welcomes submissions from literary agents acting on behalf of their clients. This portal is reserved exclusively for agented submissions.

We acquire novel-length works and novellas in commercial horror, suspense, thriller, general contemporary, upmarket fiction, and narrative or subject-driven nonfiction. English-language submissions only. As a mission-driven publisher, we acquire work that aligns with our mission, vision, and publishing goals.

• Novellas: ~20,000–50,000 words
• Book-length works: ~50,000–120,000 words
  We consider original, unpublished manuscripts. Previously published works (including self-published) are not considered for our main list. We do not consider translations, AI-generated, derivative, or unauthorized works.

Through this portal, please provide:

• A cover letter including a brief logline/pitch of the work, project details (title, genre, word count, and 2–3 comparative titles), and a short bio of the represented author.
• A full manuscript in standard format (.docx).
• A synopsis (1–2 pages) that reveals the full arc, including the ending.
• For nonfiction projects: a proposal (overview, audience, market positioning, annotated chapter outline), 1–2 sample chapters, and relevant author credentials/platform.

• Double-spaced
• Legible 12-point serif font
• 1" margins
• File format: .docx only

• Simultaneous submissions are permitted. Please notify us promptly if the project is accepted elsewhere.
• One active project per author at a time.
• Response time: we aim to reply within 55 days for queries; full-manuscript reviews may take longer.

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Submission Guidelines

What We Consider

We acquire novel-length works and novellas in commercial horror, suspense, thriller, general contemporary, upmarket fiction, and narrative or subject-driven nonfiction. English-language submissions only. As a mission-driven publisher, we acquire work that aligns with our mission, vision, and publishing goals.

Guidance (not rigid): novellas ~20,000-50,000 words; book-length works ~60,000-120,000 words. We consider original, unpublished book-length manuscripts. Previously published books (including self-published) are not considered for our main list. We do not consider translations, AI-generated, derivative, or unauthorized works.

All queries and requested materials must be submitted via Duotrope. We do not accept submissions by postal mail.

• Unagented authors: Submit your query letter, a 1-2 page synopsis (revealing the full arc, including the ending), the first 10,000 words or first three chapters (whichever is longer), a brief author bio, and 2-3 recent comp titles.
• Nonfiction: Submit a proposal (overview, audience, market positioning, annotated chapter outline), 1-2 sample chapters, and a summary of relevant credentials or platform.

Standard manuscript format: double-spaced, legible 12-point serif font, 1" margins. We only accept Word .docx files.

Simultaneous submissions are permitted; please notify us by email if accepted elsewhere. One active project per author at a time. We aim to respond to queries within 8-12 weeks; full-manuscript reads may require additional time.

Accepted authors receive comprehensive editorial support (developmental, line, and/or copyediting as appropriate) at no charge. We do not charge authors for publication, editing, cover design, ISBNs, or any part of the publication process.

Offers are made under a standard royalty-bearing publishing agreement. Licensed rights (e.g., print and ebook; audio, translation, and other subsidiary rights), territories, and reversion provisions are specified in the contract. Titles are distributed to major retailers and wholesalers; marketing plans are tailored to the project and its market.

We actively edit and curate submissions. We do not take rights upon submission and never publish work without the author's permission. Materials submitted via email are used solely for evaluation and handled in accordance with our privacy practices.

For submission-specific correspondence, email [email protected] or contact us through the tracking link provide. We are unable to provide individualized editorial feedback on declines.

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