Robert Lee Brewer - 2012 Mystery Writers Market: Where and how to submit your novels and short stories for publication

Many stories include elements of mystery. The curiosity created by mystery is an important driver for fiction in general. However, the publishing opportunities presented here want stories that focus primarily on mysteries.

This e-book is broken into listings for book publishers and for magazines. Book publishers are listed first and are immediately followed by the magazines section. Both sections are in alphabetical order by publisher or magazine name.

These book publisher listings are for writers of mystery novels. As you will notice, not all book publishers have the same tastes and sensibilitieseven with the genre of mystery. Potential authors will do themselves and the editors at these publishing houses a service by reading through the listings to compile a list of possible matches for your mystery novel.

After compiling a list of potential destinations for your manuscript, do even more research online. Check out the publishers website, read their guidelines (if available), look at other titles theyve published, and Google their name to see if theres any positive (or negative) feedback online. By doing this extra research, you will not only help your own odds at securing publication, but youll also be increasing your chances of satisfaction with your publishing experience.

236 W. Portal Avenue #525, San Francisco CA 94127. (866)216-7333. E-mail: . Contact: Susan R. Skolnick, publisher and editor-in-chief. Estab. 2000. Publisher of short fiction of interest to the worldwide womens community. We specialize in lesbian-related titles but are interested in all women-centered titles. We are open to working with new authors. Publishes electronic editions of original, previously published material. Titles distributed and promoted online to target market.

Needs Artemis Press is currently looking to purchase novellas, flash fiction, short fiction works of interest to women of all backgrounds, sexual orientations and ethnicities. We are especially interested in purchasing lesbian romance and erotica, lesbian and female detective fiction, as well as lesbian erotica. We will consider short fiction featuring strong, dynamic women characters in other genres. We are also looking for authors who are interested in writing short fiction to spec. Our short fiction needs are as follows: Flash Fiction: 1,000-1,500 words; Short Short Fiction: 1,501-3,000 words; Short Fiction: 3,001-15,000 words; Novellas: 15,001-40,000 words. Send us a query e-mail for more information. Please note: we no longer accept unsolicited manuscripts! Please query first via e-mail. Wants: Mystery/detective, suspense, romance, erotica, paranormal/ghost stories, and science fiction. Published The Ladies Next Door, by Jacqui Singleton (humor/satire); Selects Her Own, by Claire Garden (humor/satire); Clicking Stones, by Nancy Tyler Glenn (New Age/mystic); Moon Madness and Other Stories, by Liann Snow (short story collection); Faith in Love, by Liann Snow (humor/satire); Luna Ascending: Stories of Love and Magic, by Renee Brown (short story collection); Windrow Garden, by Janet McClellan (romance); Never Letting Go, by Suzanne Hollo (humor/satire); Minding Therapy, by Ros Johnson (humor/satire).

How to Contact Does not accept unsolicited mss. Agented fiction 5%. Responds in 3 months to queries. Does not accept simultaneous submissions.

Terms Buys all rights. Publishes ms 6 months after acceptance. Ms guidelines online.

Tips We like to see clean manuscripts and an indication that the author has proofed and self-edited before submitting. Query via e-mail only to .

Baker Book House Company, P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids MI 49516-6287. (616)676-9185. Fax: (616)676-2315. Website: www.bakerbooks.com. Contact: Jeanette Thomason, special projects editor (mystery, literary, womens fiction); Lonnie Hull DuPont, editoral director (all genres); Vicki Crumpton, aquisitions editor (all genres). Estab. 1939. Midsize publisher of work that interests Christians. Publishes hardcover and trade paperback originals and trade paperback reprints. Books: web offset print. Plans 5 first novels this year. Averages 200 total titles/year. Distributes titles through Ingram and Spring Arbor into both CBA and ABA markets worldwide.

Needs Literary, mainstream/contemporary, mystery, picture books, religious. We are mainly seeking fiction of two genres: contemporary womens fiction and mystery. Published Praise Jerusalem! and Resting in the Bosom of the Lamb, by Augusta Trobaugh (contemporary womens fiction); Touches the Sky, by James Schaap (western, literary); and Face to Face, by Linda Dorrell (mystery); Flabbergasted, by Ray Blackston; The Fisherman, by Larry Huntsberger.

How to Contact Does not accept unsolicited mss. We will consider unsolicited work only through one of the following avenues. Materials sent to our editorial staff through a professional literary agent will be considered. In addition, our staff attends various writers conferences at which prospective authors can develop relationships with those in the publishing industry. You may also submit your work to one or more of the following manuscript submission services, which serve as a liaison between publishers and prospective authors: Authonomy.com, The Writers Edge, and Christian Manuscript Submissions, an online service of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

Terms Pays 14% royalty on net receipts. Offers advance. Publishes ms within 1 year after acceptance. Ms guidelines for #10 SASE.

Tips We are not interested in historical fiction, romances, science fiction, biblical narratives or spiritual warfare novels. Do not call to pass by your idea.

1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019. (212)782-9000. Website: www.randomhouse.com/BB. Estab. 1952. Ballantines list encompasses a large, diverse offering in a variety of formats. Publishes hardcover, trade paperback, mass market paperback originals

Needs Confession, ethnic, fantasy, feminist, gay/lesbian, historical, humor, literary, mainstream/contemporary (womens), military/war, multicultural, mystery, romance, short story collections, spiritual, suspense, general fiction.

How to ContactAgented submissions only.

Terms Pays 8-15% royalty. Average advance: variable. Ms guidelines online.

P.O. Box 65360, Baltimore MD 21209-9945. (410)358-0658. Fax: (410)764-1967. E-mail: . Contact: Bruce Bortz, editor/publisher (health, investments, politics, history, humor, literary novels, mystery/thrillers, chick lit, young adult). Small independent press publishing literary and commercial fiction. Publishes hardcover and trade paperback originals. Also packages books for other publishers (no fee to authors). Published 5 debut authors within the last two years. Averages 4-6 fiction titles/year. Published The Re-Appearance of Sam Webber , by Scott Fugua (literary); Humes Fork , by Ron Cooper (literary); The Case Against My Brother , by Libby Sternberg (historical/young adult), Finn by Matthew Olshan (young adult); and