The Poisoned Pencil A project of Poisoned Pen Press (see other related projects). Permanently Closed: This project is permanently closed to submissions (January 2017). We provide the following information as an archive. About The Poisoned Pencil is a young adult mystery publisher committed to publishing original, high-quality mystery books for teens and adults. Founded in 2012, the Pencil is an imprint of Poisoned Pen Press – one of the largest publishers of mysteries in the country. We hope to be known as one of the top young adult mystery publishers. Country of Publication United States Publication Media Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationPrint Publication Print Publication Fiction Closed Audience:Young adults.Genres: Mystery/Crime Open to all/most Subgenres, including: Cross-GenreLengths: Novel: 45,000 - 80,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Mainstream.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:Semi-pro advance (US$200-1999) + Unknown royalties Semi-pro advance (US$200-1999). Unknown royalties.Note: We list broad pay categories rather than payment specifics. Check with the publisher for details.Submissions:Method: Electronic submissions. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are NOT allowed.Media: Text. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary. Go to publisher's website Report: Correction/Update Support this Publisher: Buy Book(s) The Poisoned Pencil Submission Statistics The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics. This listing is inactive and does not have any submission reports for the past 12 months. Your Submissions This section is available to subscribers only. Join today! Related ProjectsDiscover Mystery Contest BELIEVED DEFUNCT Charges fees for all submissionsPoisoned Pen Press DNQ Before SubmittingWe cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.For book publishers, it is standard to submit a cover letter, synopsis, and sample instead of the full manuscript. Do this unless otherwise instructed.Be professional, patient, and persistent. DatesLast Updated: 22 May 2026 Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only