Author Guidelines
At this time, Dark
River Press is only looking for fiction in novel form (55,000-65,000
words) and short stories of about 3,000 words. Do not send
poetry for our "Freebie Corner" unless you are responding
to one of our specific ads or we have solicited personally
from you.
FOR BOOK LENGTH
SUBMISSIONS:
Submit a book proposal first. Send a SASE and synopsis of
no more than 2 single-spaced typewritten pages along with
the first 3 double-spaced typewritten chapters, or approximately
the first 30 pages of your COMPLETED work. The first three
chapters should introduce the major characters and give the
setting and a good inkling of the kind of struggle the hero
or heroine must surmount. Total book length should be between
55,000-65,000 words. If we like what we see, we'll send you
a "send it all" letter. If it doesn't meet our needs,
you'll hear from us as soon as possible. If you include an
e-mail address, you can avoid the SASE and speed up this process.
If we ask to see a whole manuscript, please send it in Microsoft
Word or Rich Text Format. Remember, we are looking for books
that are 20 chapters, approximately a 10--15 minute read per
chapter that could be accomplished during a coffee break for
the average working month of twenty days. We prefer numbered
rather than titled chapters.
SHORT STORIES should
be 3,000 words with satisfactory endings, about realistic
people in interesting situations. They may be in the same
genres as novels. Pay will be a flat fee of $5.00 after 25
"reads."
We will look at:
contemporary, historical, mainstream, western, romance, science
fiction and adventure. Characters must be well motivated and
interesting. Plots, no matter what genre, must be believable
but slide the reader into the pleasure of surprising fictional
situations. Dialog should be plentiful, carefully tagged,
and realistic for the time and setting. Please send us a clean,
carefully edited, double-spaced manuscript in at least
12 pt type, using a simple font such as Bookman, Times Roman,
etc. No foul language will be accepted, though an occasional
curse word might be used where it fits. Consider that because
this will be an Internet publication, underage children may
find their way to the site.
Above all, write
fine fiction you enjoy reading. If it tickles and absorbs
you with its plot turns and striking characters, chances are
we'll like it, too. Submission times are continuously open
and will continue until we ask for them to cease at the website.
Submit seasonal material 6 months in advance.
Every author we
know has a novel or story that is good enough to go into print,
but that somehow hasn't made it. While your "great American
novel" circulates in New York, Dark River Press may offer
you an "Internet publishing" contract for that book
you have despairingly stuffed in the closet. Initial payment
will be $50.00 for your novel, plus $00.50 each time your
novel is "purchased" for a read. You will receive
a check each month for the total number of times your book
is "read." For short stories, we'll pay a flat fee
of $5.00. Submit no more than two stories at a time or one
novel at a time. We are buying only the right to "publish"
your work on-line, and once it is on, it can be removed at
a later date if you decide other plans for it.
We will run the
standard copyright notice at the beginning of your book or
story. If you wish to pay the Library of Congress the fee
to register your copyright ($20), you may do so at
your own expense. You will retain all future rights to your
book or story. Although there is some risk that your work
might be "stolen" from the Internet, we feel relatively
sure that the audience who loves to read won't spend the paper
necessary to reproduce your entire novel. If people are "reading"
at their desks at work, they won't want to have to pay their
office for approximately 200 pieces of paper.
If you have the
great fortune to have an agent or another editor see your
novel or story and want to buy it, you may be released from
your contract with us. At Dark River Press we want writers
to feel like the ancient storytellers: honored, revered, and
respected for their magical word-weaving.
Send Manuscripts
to:
Kit Redeker
Dark River Press, Inc.
6240 SW Cross Creek Dr.
Beaverton, OR 97007
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