Guidelines

[Updated: 03 May 2010]

We are leaving the guidelines posted, however:
POCKET JUNO IS CURRENTLY CLOSED TO SUBMISSIONS.

Warning!

Due to nearly three years of submissions that either overlook or ignore our most basic guideline, let's put it right up top: The novel must have a strong female protagonist. To further clarify: A protagonist is a character or characters whose intentions are the primary focus of a story -- not a supporting character, not the hero's girlfriend, not the main character of volume two in your trilogy which has a male hero in volume one. It is highly unlikely just changing the name of the protagonist from male to female will work. And, no, your novel is not an exception to this rule.

Please note, too, this is a fantasy imprint. Techo-thrillers, suspense, crime, science fiction, action-adventure, etc. without an element of the fantastic are not fantasies. Nor are we interested in Young Adult, teen, or children's books.

We do not want novelettes, novellas, collections of stories, anthologies, or poetry.

The Guidelines:

Juno is currently looking for novels from 80,000 to 100,000 words in length. We are interested in fantasy featuring a strong female protagonist set in a contemporary (or a very few years in the future) world quite like ours except for the intersection/transgression of the numinous (that which is "wholly other") with/upon the mundane. This world can be open ("magic", the "supernatural" is known to exist) or closed (where "otherness" is concealed from common knowledge).

This type of "urban fantasy" (sometimes called "paranormal/urban fantasy") is typically crossed with mystery, action/adventure, and horror featuring a woman with supernatural power (or some paranormal connection). Romance/relationship is usually an element in this mix as is humor. We want original, imaginative, well-written novels with fascinating characters interacting in a plausible (if fantastic) world. We aren't particularly interested in characters who feel that violence solves all problems, but they will, if needed, defend who and what they love.*

We are not interested in "paranormal romance" where the plot revolves primarily around a romance. We know that many folks are confused by the terms used to describe such fiction and there are no firm boundaries. But if you read this type of book, then you probably know the distinctions. (And we wonder why anyone would try to write it if they don't read it.) We hesitate to mention specific authors because we do not want books "like So-and-So writes."

And, although we once published a wide variety of diverse fantasy, we aren't looking for that now. No historical, epic, sword-and-sorcery, low, high, dark, etc. fantasy.

*If interested, here are some very rough Notes on "Urban Fantasy" & Roots of "Kickassitude". There are also some musings: here.

How to Submit:

We accept only emailed submissions in .doc or .rtf attached to email. Please submit three chapters (or equivalent sample) and a synopsis. Hint: Include a short cover "letter" in the body of your email. This is your chance to "sell" both yourself and your book. It is what will make us open that attachment right away or put it off as long as possible.

Although not required, it is best to have a finished manuscript before submitting. If we like it, we will usually want to see the entire manuscript right away before making a final decision. We are currently working on a tight schedule, so a completed manuscript is an advantage.

 

Email your submission to: submissions@juno-books.com

Questions or information: Paula Guran, editor@juno-books.com