You could consider Canelo. I recently read a Hist Fic they had published https://www.canelo.co/submissions/
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[Publisher] Bookouture
- Thread starter Donna Pudick
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They have never been closed. There were two major events since they went into business: the first was when they became an imprint of Hachette, and the second was when Oliver Rhodes left. But they never closed down.
I write historical fiction and that is what they want from me. It's touch and go with my histfic covers and titles. I loved this one, for instance, and for once both title and cover were perfect:
But then they spoiled it with that cheesy tag "heartbreaking". They ALWAYS do this, and always the same ones: heartbreaking, heartrending for anything with a love story, chilling, terrifying, "a twist you never saw coming" for crime!
They say it's just marketing, that it's for clicks and means nothing. Still, in my view it cheapens the book.
Good luck all, and in spite of my criticism, I do recommend them. They know what they are doing, and do sell loads of books.
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This looks a lot like an attempt at keyword stuffing. There have been some people who believe Amazon includes titles for keyword metadata, but it's my understanding the evidence doesn't support this.
Ugh. I'm neither beautiful nor heartbreaking. Going to have to think about this.
Been following this thread and thought I'd add my own experience to the mix. Subbed a domestic suspense, received a very prompt and kind R three days after submitting. Very pleased with their professionalism and turnaround time--I'm definitely planning on subbing again once I have something that fits what they're looking for--
What you do think they were looking for, as opposed to what you gave them?
Hi Mevrouw! Based on what I saw when I looked at some of their books on Amazon, they're seeking more of a tightly-structured plot and (possibly?) characters to root for. My submission (which falls more into a vibe-y category, if that makes sense!) has a ton of unlikeable characters and a more "loosey-goosey" plot (as in the plot isn't really the main thing--it's more a story about all the characters imploding, LOL).
That's my guess anyway--they put out a lot of very compelling chapter-turning reads, and in the domestic suspense category pacing is huge (and I'm not sure mine hit all the marks).
That's my guess anyway--they put out a lot of very compelling chapter-turning reads, and in the domestic suspense category pacing is huge (and I'm not sure mine hit all the marks).
Well, I submitted yesterday. Seemed silly to assume anything. And I have the plot and the characters. Just whether it "fits".
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Silly question: if Bookouture is an imprint of Hachette, does that mean the books they publish are technically published by a Big Five press? I don't fully understand the ins-and-outs of what happens when an indie press becomes an imprint of a larger company.
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Any new updates on Bookouture?
I recently came across their website, and I believe it has changed so much since 2013 (when this thread was first created)
I recently came across their website, and I believe it has changed so much since 2013 (when this thread was first created)
Just dropping in to say that I submitted a contemporary Christmas romance to Bookouture on 27th March and had a rejection just under two weeks later. (They liked the premise but said they weren't confident that they could find success for it in this competitive area of the market).
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Thanks for sharing your experience.
Just a couple of questions, Did you receive a detailed feedback? And how long was your pitch? (I ask the latter since I checked their website and it seems like they want the manuscripts to be "pitched" to them rather than being queried.
Hi!
No, they didn't provide any detailed feedback. It was more or less just: 'Thanks for taking the time to pitch your book to us, we understand the work involved.' And then the part about liking the premise but not being certain they could make it stand out in a crowded market.
As for the submission itself, the form has one section to 'pitch your book' and another to 'tell us about yourself' so I essentially split my original query letter for the novel into two sections, each of around 300 words. In the pitch box, I had a one-line elevator pitch and then a longer pitch (more like a blurb/back cover copy) and in the 'about me' I just briefly touched on who I am/my inspiration for the book and my writing credits.
Hope that helps!
Just submitted a YA to them a week and a few days ago and received a rejection. They're apparently looking for YA books with strong crossover appeal for the adult market.
I received an interesting email from Bookouture out of the blue. It said they hope I'm enjoying my summer and they're reaching out to me because they haven't heard from me in a while and they'd love to read something new from me if or when I've got a new manuscript ready to submit and including a link/submit button to do so. The email is marked by my service as because I'm subscribed to a marketing list and this disclaimer is also at the bottom of the email:
It's very much a form email but the salutation does include my name, which is a nice touch (and easy to add even when automated, I know).
I was surprised to receive an email from a (non-scam) publisher asking me to submit and surprised it's like a marketing email from an online store where you haven't completed your purchase/haven't shopped with them in a while. I don't have a problem with it per se; in fact it was kind of nice to receive in some ways, but another part of me also side-eyes it as feeling a bit gimmicky/too much like marketing.
Anyway, curious what others here think? Also wondering if anyone else got this email recently from them?
I haven't submitted to them in over a year (I think) so maybe they're sending these automated emails to people who submitted a certain amount of time ago (6 months, over 12, etc.). And, of course, while I do think it's most likely they're sending it to everyone who previously submitted manuscripts to them, I would like to think they've got a special list/tier of people whose work they previously enjoyed (even though they rejected it) and I'm on it lol!
As to whether I'll submit to them again? I might. I have a reworked manuscript they previously rejected that's ready to go and two novels in progress. They've always rejected my previous work so I'm also not sure if I'll bother, especially as my work isn't completely in line with what they're looking for (well, it is and it isn't) - but we'll see. Likely to try and stick with the seeking-agent path for the new work.
It's very much a form email but the salutation does include my name, which is a nice touch (and easy to add even when automated, I know).
I was surprised to receive an email from a (non-scam) publisher asking me to submit and surprised it's like a marketing email from an online store where you haven't completed your purchase/haven't shopped with them in a while. I don't have a problem with it per se; in fact it was kind of nice to receive in some ways, but another part of me also side-eyes it as feeling a bit gimmicky/too much like marketing.
Anyway, curious what others here think? Also wondering if anyone else got this email recently from them?
I haven't submitted to them in over a year (I think) so maybe they're sending these automated emails to people who submitted a certain amount of time ago (6 months, over 12, etc.). And, of course, while I do think it's most likely they're sending it to everyone who previously submitted manuscripts to them, I would like to think they've got a special list/tier of people whose work they previously enjoyed (even though they rejected it) and I'm on it lol!
As to whether I'll submit to them again? I might. I have a reworked manuscript they previously rejected that's ready to go and two novels in progress. They've always rejected my previous work so I'm also not sure if I'll bother, especially as my work isn't completely in line with what they're looking for (well, it is and it isn't) - but we'll see. Likely to try and stick with the seeking-agent path for the new work.
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I received the same email. I think all writers who have submitted to them in the past got it.
They are also looking for volunteers to give feedback on a new learning platform, sounds like:
"Here at Bookouture, we have also been busy working on a new development ā a digital academy for authors looking for guidance in their publishing journey. We want to ensure that this platform provides an excellent learning experience and is a genuinely high-quality resource for authors to help both their writing and provide guidance to the publishing industry..."
I signed up, being the nosy sod I am.
They are also looking for volunteers to give feedback on a new learning platform, sounds like:
"Here at Bookouture, we have also been busy working on a new development ā a digital academy for authors looking for guidance in their publishing journey. We want to ensure that this platform provides an excellent learning experience and is a genuinely high-quality resource for authors to help both their writing and provide guidance to the publishing industry..."
I signed up, being the nosy sod I am.
I didn't receive the e-mail, so @writera is probably correct that they're reaching out to authors who previously submitted work they enjoyed! It definitely sounds like a great opportunity if you have (or will have!) something to submit!
That might be the case. Or you might still get one if they're sending them out in batches. Or they're only contacting people who submitted in the last 12 months or so. Curious to see if more people chime in (that have submitted to them before) to say whether they've received an email or not. Maybe we can solve this mystery! Lol.
Bookouture's Digital Academy project.
Bolding mine.
I expect this means the authors will be the ones paying.
Dunno...this is making my radar go off. Basically, it sounds like they're seeking out rejected authors to pitch them a writing program. I think it's a conflict of interest.
Bolding mine.
I expect this means the authors will be the ones paying.
Dunno...this is making my radar go off. Basically, it sounds like they're seeking out rejected authors to pitch them a writing program. I think it's a conflict of interest.
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I did submit to them twice last year between June and September last year and got that marketing email from them too. It led me straight to their submission page. Well, I knew it was automated but I did take my chance to pitch an idea to them that I am currently working on. I'm not expecting much, though. Thankfully, I do have a publisher but there is no harm in testing the waters.
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SameI signed up, being the nosy sod I am.
Hahaha. Let's just hope so, but it was clear that those first few words were just to catch our attention--including the part of '30 mins one to one call with one of our experienced editors.'