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Seeking Novels + Novellas in Suspense/Thriller, Dark Fantasy, Crime/Noir

Publishing Needs – March 2021

Our Current Publishing Needs for March 2021

CHICAGO, March 22, 2021 — Grey Matter Press has been publishing exceptional dark psychological fiction for nearly a decade. Established in 2012 with a focus on producing only the highest quality volumes, work from our Chicago-based independent press has been embraced by readers and lauded by critics worldwide. Our submission windows are limited and do not open that frequently, but we’re thrilled to announce a few of our publishing needs for the remainder of the year.
 

This submission window closes on May 1, 2021.

 

Seeking Fiction in the Suspense/Thriller, Dark Fantasy and Crime/Noir Genres

In an effort to complete our publishing schedule for the remainder of 2021, throughout 2022, and into 2023, we are currently looking for submissions of exceptional long-format fiction in the novel and novella categories that comfortably fit within the suspense/thriller, dark fantasy/grimdark (as opposed to high fantasy which we are not seeking)and crime/noir genres.

As a publisher that has established itself as a leader in the dark fiction category, we are not specifically looking for work in the horror genre, although fiction submitted may (but it’s absolutely not required) feature supernatural themes.

We are only looking for work that has not been previously published anywhere via any venue whatsoever. We are unable to accept queries for reprints of any kind. Word count for novellas should ideally be within the 20,000-40,000 range, while word count for novels should be within the 60,000-100,000 range.

We are not accepting short stories at this time.

How to Submit Your Fiction
  • Write a synopsis (500 words or less) that effectively outlines your novel/novella and provides us with a full grasp of your story’s plot from start to finish.
  • Provide us with your publishing history (if any) that includes previous publications, recognitions or awards.
  • Supply us with your complete manuscript in either .doc, .docx or .txt formats (2MB limit).
  • Inform us if the submission is currently, or is planned to be, under consideration by another publisher.
  • Use the SUBMISSIONS form on our site to send us all the above before the May 1 submission deadline.
What to Expect After Submitting Your Fiction
  • We will make every attempt to respond to your submission within 90 days.
  • If your manuscript is selected for publication, under most circumstances it will be released in both paperback and electronic formats.
  • Our author advance and royalty structures are determined on a case-by-case basis and are comparable to other professional small press publishers.
  • All of our publications are contracted and contain clauses highly beneficial to our authors and the security of their work.
  • Small press publishing is an ongoing team effort, and as a Grey Matter Press author you can rest assured that we will work with you as partners dedicated to achieving success for your work.

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ABOUT GREY MATTER PRESS

Grey Matter Press is a Chicago-based publisher whose mission it is to discover and cultivate the best voices working in the dark fiction genre. The company is committed to producing only the finest quality volumes of literary fiction containing exceptional tales of horror, fantasy, science fiction and speculative fiction. More information about Grey Matter Press is available at greymatterpress.com.

Grey Matter Press has been publishing exceptional dark psychological fiction for nearly a decade. Established in 2012 with a focus on producing only the highest quality volumes, work from our Chicago-based independent press has been embraced by readers and lauded by critics worldwide.

Numerous Grey Matter Press full-length titles—as well as short fiction contributed to our anthologies and single-author collections—have been honored for their literary excellence by distinguished international professional organizations, including some of the most influential publishing thought leaders in our industry: the Bram Stoker Award and Aurealis Award juries. Our books have been recognized by—and our authors and editors featured in—an array of global entertainment media outlets that include Rue Morgue, Fangoria, Booked, This is Horror, Ink Heist and more.

Now, almost ten years later, we remain committed to publishing extraordinary volumes of outstanding fiction that highlight the limitless imagination of authors creating their own histories in the suspense thriller, crime noir, dark fantasy, literary fiction, modern horror, and speculative genres.

 

11 Comments

  • Terry Vinson
    March 25, 2021 at 3:13 pm

    A quick submission question: Do you accept manuscripts with word counts over 100,000?

    Thank you

  • John Lim
    March 27, 2021 at 11:25 am

    Hi, I like to ask concerning “We are only looking for work that has not been previously published anywhere via any venue whatsoever. ” Does that also include self-publishing where the book has been sold to some close friends and relatives in my home country?

  • Stephen Johnson
    March 28, 2021 at 7:40 pm

    I submitted a manuscript this weekend at 128000. If it is unacceptable I could look at two volumes if that approach would work. Thanks for your help. The submission is The Fizz Prophecy. Stephen Johnson

  • Erick Mancilla
    April 27, 2021 at 9:48 pm

    Hello, I’m very interested in submitting my novella to Grey Matter and while I would do so before the deadline, I have to wonder if at this late stage, do you have all the content you require? Is it too late to submit despite the deadline being May 1st?

  • Logan Yrigollen
    July 3, 2021 at 3:13 pm

    Hello, I was just wondering when submissions would open next. If that information can’t be provided, could you tell me how often you tend to open submissions?

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