Submission Guidelines
Dark Harbor Press accepts queries from unagented authors and from literary agents acting on behalf of their clients. All materials must be submitted through our portal on Duosuma. We announce any temporary closures on this page and within Duosuma.
Submissions: Open.
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.
Length & Eligibility
Guidance (not rigid): novellas ~20,000-50,000 words; book-length works ~50,000-120,000 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We consider original, unpublished book-length manuscripts.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.
How to Submit (Duosuma only)
All queries and requested materials must be submitted via Duosuma. We do not accept submissions by email or 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.
- Literary agents: Submit on behalf of your client via Duosuma using the agent pathway indicated in the portal.
- Nonfiction: Submit a proposal (overview, audience, market positioning, annotated chapter outline), 1-2 sample chapters, and a summary of relevant credentials or platform.
Formatting
Standard manuscript format: double-spaced, legible 12-point serif font, 1" margins. We only accept Word .docx files.
Submission Policies
Simultaneous submissions are permitted; withdraw promptly in Duosuma 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.
Editorial Process & Costs
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.
Rights, Distribution & Marketing
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.
Contact
For submission-specific correspondence, please, reply to your submission acknowledgement email or email us at Editorial@DarkHarborPress.com. We are unable to provide individualized editorial feedback on declines.
We are committed to finding and nurturing extraordinary talent. Please review our guidelines carefully.