Submissions

Submissions are currently closed.

Since we publish just 3-4 books per year, we’re highly selective and can only take on new projects occasionally. Join our newsletter to be among the first to hear about future opportunities to publish with us. In the meantime, feel free to learn more about our submission requirements below.

What We Accept

  • We only consider manuscripts that are fully written (professional editing not required)
  • We look favorably upon manuscripts between 60,000 to 120,000 words
  • We work with authors internationally, but manuscripts must be written in English
  • We will consider a standalone or the first book in a duology/trilogy, but not a longer series
  • We do not accept submissions for books that were previously published

Genre

We exclusively publish speculative fiction. We do not consider nonfiction, or fiction in any other genres.

To meet our speculative fiction criteria, manuscripts should fit at least one of the following subgenres:

  • Dystopian: Set in bleak, oppressive worlds where survival is a constant struggle
  • Soft Sci-Fi: Set in modern or futuristic worlds where technology comes at humanity’s cost
  • Low Fantasy: Set in realistic worlds with a hint of magic, whimsy, or the unusual

Keep in mind that we’re looking for imaginary yet believable settings. Stories should feel grounded. No fairies or aliens, but a pinch of magic might be nice.

Target Audience

We market our books primarily to teens (13 to 19), but our reader community spans all ages. While we appreciate having a wide audience, it’s crucial that our books remain appropriate for the YA demographic. This means we do not publish stories with explicit sexual content. However, we do permit profanity, violence, and mature themes—handled thoughtfully and within reason, as determined by our team.

It’s worth noting that our readers are most interested in books with protagonists aged 13 to 25.

Submission Guidelines

You do not need an agent to submit your work to us. If submissions are open, please email your submission directly to submissions@lostislandpress.com. Ensure that your email body includes all details below, and that your attached documents follow our formatting guidelines.

Email Body

  • Your book’s working title, premise, word count, and speculative fiction subgenre(s)
  • Your writing background
  • Why you think you’d be a good fit for Lost Island Press
  • Your name, resident country, and phone number

Attachments

  1. Synopsis of the story, including the ending (1-2 pages)
  2. Your first 3 chapters (if we love what we see, we’ll ask for the full manuscript)

Document Formatting Guidelines

All Documents

  • Word document (.doc or .docx)
  • Standard letter size (8.5 x 11 inches)
  • 1-inch page margins
  • Times New Roman, 12 point
  • “Last name / Working Book Title / Page Number” in the top right corner

Synopsis

  • Single-spaced with a double space between paragraphs
  • Written in third-person present tense

Manuscript

  • Include a title page with the following:
    • Your legal name, email, phone number, and mailing address in the top left corner
    • Your working book title and pen name centered in the middle
  • Double-spaced
  • First line of each paragraph indented by 0.5 inches
  • Page break before each new chapter
  • Chapter titles in ALL CAPS, centered a few lines down

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should I address my submission to?
Please address your email to our team, as we will not forward your submission to an individual team member or author at our publishing house.
Who will have access to my submitted manuscripts?
Submissions are shared confidentially between the Lost Island Press team and select authors in our network. We have no right to edit, publish, or distribute your work unless you win and sign our publication agreement.
Do you accept simultaneous submissions?
No, we do not accept simultaneous submissions. If we reject yours, or you don't hear back within 2 months, you may re-submit a new manuscript.
How long do I have to wait to hear back after I submit my manuscript?
Our average time to respond to a submission is currently 14-21 days.