Atmospheric, immersive settings
Psychological tension and dread
Elements of mystery, suspense, or horror
Literary sensibility with commercial appeal
Manuscript Specifications
Word Count: 60,000–120,000 words (query for exceptions)
Format: Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)
Font: Times New Roman, 12pt
Spacing: Double-spaced
Margins: 1 inch on all sides
Header: Author last name / TITLE / Page number
Email: submissions@sageandsorrows.com
Subject Line Format:
SUBMISSION: [GENRE] – [TITLE] by [Author Name]
Example:
SUBMISSION: Gothic Thriller – The Hollow House by Jane Doe
We’re Drawn To
Voice-driven prose with atmospheric depth
Characters who make difficult choices and live with the consequences
Relationships built on tension, chemistry, and emotional complexity
Worlds that feel lived-in and immersive
Stories that honor genre conventions while bringing something fresh
Automatic Passes
Manuscripts that romanticize abuse without acknowledging it as such
Underdeveloped or passive protagonists
Purple prose without substance
Queries that don’t follow submission guidelines
Please submit the following as separate attachments in a single email:
1. Query Letter (in the body of the email)
Hook/pitch (1–2 paragraphs)
Brief synopsis (1 paragraph)
Comparable titles (2–3 recent books in your genre)
Word count, genre, and any content warnings
Author bio (relevant experience, previously published works)
2. Synopsis (2–5 pages, single-spaced)
Complete plot summary including the ending
Major character arcs and motivations
Key plot twists revealed
3. First Three Chapters (or approximately 10,000 words)
Must begin at Chapter One
Include a title page with: title, author name, contact information, word count, and genre
4. Content Warning Sheet
List all potentially sensitive content (violence, explicit scenes, trauma, etc.)
We require this for cataloging and reader safety, not as judgment
Upon acceptance:
Royalty-based contracts (no fees charged to authors—ever)
Rights requested: Print, ebook, and audiobook rights with option for foreign rights
Author copies: Complimentary copies upon publication
Marketing support: Collaborative marketing with author involvement expected
Rights reversion: Clear reversion clause included in all contracts
Full contract terms provided upon offer of publication.
Do you accept unagented submissions?
Yes. We welcome submissions directly from authors during our open submission windows.
Can I submit if I’ve self-published other books?
Yes, as long as the manuscript you’re submitting has not been previously published.
What if my book doesn’t fit neatly into one genre?
We love genre-bending work. Choose the primary genre that best describes your book and mention the crossover elements in your query.
Do you accept novellas?
Query first. We occasionally consider novellas (20,000–40,000 words) for anthology projects or series companions.
Can I query during a closed period?
No. Queries received outside open windows will not be reviewed. Please wait for the appropriate window for your genre.
What if I miss a window?
Windows recur annually. If you miss the spring window, you can submit to the next applicable window or wait until the following year.