Our Manuscript Evaluation

When an author sends their manuscript to a publisher without being asked to do so, it is considered an unsolicited manuscript or unsought-for work. Traditional publishers reject over 95% of these outright because a literary agent is expected to submit them.

A manuscript evaluation is where our reviewers read your book to ensure it meets our publishing standards and determine if we want to publish it.

All our published books are reviewed to maintain our standards and decide if we want to publish them.

It depends on your book’s length & subject matter and the number of other manuscripts our reviewers are evaluating. Generally, we complete our manuscript review in a week or less.

This is your chance to have your manuscript in front of professional reviewers. Improve your chances of becoming one of our authors by having a well-organized, thoughtful, and complete manuscript. While it does not need to be fully edited or in a final format, it should show your work in the best light. Please note that hate speech is not tolerated.

Understanding Fair Use

Fair use allows limited quotation from copyrighted works without obtaining permission, but this principle is frequently misunderstood.

The central requirement is that quoted material must be used in a transformative manner, meaning you’ve incorporated it into something new and original. Commentary, criticism, or analysis of a work can qualify as transformative use. Simply including a quote because you like it, or using it as decoration, does not meet this standard.

The common belief that any quote under a specific word count automatically qualifies as fair use is incorrect. Several factors determine whether a use is permissible:

Quantity matters contextually. A few hundred words from a lengthy book typically poses no issue, but quoting even a single line from a short poem or song lyric could constitute infringement since it represents a substantial portion of the complete work.

Quality carries significant weight. Even brief excerpts that capture the essence or most memorable elements of a work may be problematic. Courts have found infringement in cases where quoted passages, though short, revealed the most marketable or distinctive content.

The nature of your work affects the analysis. Nonfiction projects generally have more flexibility because demonstrating transformative purpose is easier. Fiction can still qualify for fair use with appropriate application.

Chapter epigraphs and decorative quotes rarely qualify as transformative unless they connect meaningfully to the surrounding content. A line from a lengthy prose work used as a chapter heading is unlikely to draw complaints, but using poetry or song lyrics this way should be avoided without explicit permission.

Unpublished materials receive the least protection under fair use. Letters, journals, and diaries require extreme caution. If you must quote from unpublished sources, keep excerpts minimal and ensure they serve a clear critical or analytical purpose.

When fair use doesn’t apply, you must secure permission from whoever controls the relevant rights.

Identifying the rights holder can be complicated. Copyright ownership and licensing authority often belong to different parties. For published books, the publisher’s permissions department is typically the best starting point, even though the author may hold the copyright.

Key considerations when seeking permissions:

Physical possession doesn’t equal copyright ownership. A library housing an author’s papers may not have authority to grant reproduction rights unless explicitly granted that power. Similarly, receiving a letter gives you ownership of the paper, not the words written on it.

Photographs present particular challenges. Professional photos from events like weddings or graduations belong to the photographer, not the subject or purchaser. Family snapshots belong to whoever took them. Cover images may require separate model releases from identifiable individuals, and photographs of certain buildings may require permission related to architectural copyrights.

Periodical articles typically remain controlled by the original author unless their contribution agreement states otherwise. Contact the publication first to determine the appropriate permission route.

International works previously in the public domain may have had copyright restored through recent treaties. Former Soviet-era works are a common example. Inability to locate a rights holder does not protect you from infringement claims.

Internet content is not automatically free to use. Many websites display copyrighted material without authorization. You must still determine copyright status and obtain appropriate permissions. Website design and layout may also be protected.

Newspaper images carry separate protection from article text. Even if words aren’t legible, the visual format and design require permission.

Maps, clip art, cartoons, advertisements, and comic characters all require permission for use.

Biblical quotations depend on which translation you’re using and how much you’re quoting. Research the specific publisher’s requirements for your chosen version.

Works published before January 1, 1923 have entered the public domain and may be used freely. However, we require that your manuscript contain at least 75% original content. We will not publish works that simply reproduce public domain material without substantial original contribution.

Your work must not contain false statements of fact about identifiable people that could harm their reputation. Defamatory content includes false claims that someone:

• Committed a crime
• Has a contagious disease or mental disorder
• Engaged in immoral conduct
• Lacks professional competence
• Is financially unreliable
• Acted disgracefully

While legal defenses may exist, you bear complete responsibility for ensuring your work contains no knowingly false and damaging statements.

We will reject manuscripts containing:

• Content promoting hatred or violence against individuals or groups based on protected characteristics
• Graphic sexual content
• Sexual content involving anyone under 18
• Depictions of bestiality
• Any material we determine could harm our reputation

Cover image restrictions apply to:

• Nudity
• Trademarked logos
• Celebrity likenesses
• Event promotional materials
• Drug imagery
• Currency reproductions

Anatomical imagery is acceptable only when:

• Medically educational
• Reproducing recognized artwork
• Non-sexualized in nature and presentation

Memoir and Autobiography

Without notarized written permission from affected parties, we may reject content containing:

• False statements damaging to identifiable living persons or organizations
• Accusations of criminal activity, unethical behavior, or professional incompetence
• Embarrassing private information about identifiable individuals
• Statements attributing thoughts or feelings to others or placing them in false contexts
• References to identifiable minors involving abuse, crime victimization, or adoption status

Biography

Works about living subjects may require notarized permission from the subject and any non-public figures mentioned. Biographies of clearly public figures may proceed without subject permission, though private individuals referenced may still require releases.

Educational, Political, and Historical Works

Proper citations are mandatory for all referenced sources.

Translations

Notarized written permission from the original copyright holder is required before publishing any translated work.

Endorsements

Written permission from the endorsing individual must accompany any third-party statements about your book.

These guidelines outline our standards for manuscript content. While we may review submissions and request modifications, authors remain solely responsible for ensuring their work complies with all applicable laws regarding copyright, defamation, privacy, and publicity. We recommend consulting a qualified attorney if you have legal questions about your content.

Using Material From Other Sources

Understanding Fair Use

Fair use allows limited quotation from copyrighted works without obtaining permission, but this principle is frequently misunderstood.

The central requirement is that quoted material must be used in a transformative manner, meaning you’ve incorporated it into something new and original. Commentary, criticism, or analysis of a work can qualify as transformative use. Simply including a quote because you like it, or using it as decoration, does not meet this standard.

The common belief that any quote under a specific word count automatically qualifies as fair use is incorrect. Several factors determine whether a use is permissible:

Quantity matters contextually. A few hundred words from a lengthy book typically poses no issue, but quoting even a single line from a short poem or song lyric could constitute infringement since it represents a substantial portion of the complete work.

Quality carries significant weight. Even brief excerpts that capture the essence or most memorable elements of a work may be problematic. Courts have found infringement in cases where quoted passages, though short, revealed the most marketable or distinctive content.

The nature of your work affects the analysis. Nonfiction projects generally have more flexibility because demonstrating transformative purpose is easier. Fiction can still qualify for fair use with appropriate application.

Chapter epigraphs and decorative quotes rarely qualify as transformative unless they connect meaningfully to the surrounding content. A line from a lengthy prose work used as a chapter heading is unlikely to draw complaints, but using poetry or song lyrics this way should be avoided without explicit permission.

Unpublished materials receive the least protection under fair use. Letters, journals, and diaries require extreme caution. If you must quote from unpublished sources, keep excerpts minimal and ensure they serve a clear critical or analytical purpose.

Obtaining Permission

When fair use doesn’t apply, you must secure permission from whoever controls the relevant rights.

Identifying the rights holder can be complicated. Copyright ownership and licensing authority often belong to different parties. For published books, the publisher’s permissions department is typically the best starting point, even though the author may hold the copyright.

Key considerations when seeking permissions:

Physical possession doesn’t equal copyright ownership. A library housing an author’s papers may not have authority to grant reproduction rights unless explicitly granted that power. Similarly, receiving a letter gives you ownership of the paper, not the words written on it.

Photographs present particular challenges. Professional photos from events like weddings or graduations belong to the photographer, not the subject or purchaser. Family snapshots belong to whoever took them. Cover images may require separate model releases from identifiable individuals, and photographs of certain buildings may require permission related to architectural copyrights.

Periodical articles typically remain controlled by the original author unless their contribution agreement states otherwise. Contact the publication first to determine the appropriate permission route.
International works previously in the public domain may have had copyright restored through recent treaties. Former Soviet-era works are a common example. Inability to locate a rights holder does not protect you from infringement claims.

Internet content is not automatically free to use. Many websites display copyrighted material without authorization. You must still determine copyright status and obtain appropriate permissions. Website design and layout may also be protected.

Newspaper images carry separate protection from article text. Even if words aren’t legible, the visual format and design require permission.

Maps, clip art, cartoons, advertisements, and comic characters all require permission for use.

Biblical quotations depend on which translation you’re using and how much you’re quoting. Research the specific publisher’s requirements for your chosen version.

Public Domain Works

Works published before January 1, 1923 have entered the public domain and may be used freely. However, we require that your manuscript contain at least 75% original content. We will not publish works that simply reproduce public domain material without substantial original contribution.

Defamation and Privacy

Your work must not contain false statements of fact about identifiable people that could harm their reputation. Defamatory content includes false claims that someone:

• Committed a crime
• Has a contagious disease or mental disorder
• Engaged in immoral conduct
• Lacks professional competence
• Is financially unreliable
• Acted disgracefully

While legal defenses may exist, you bear complete responsibility for ensuring your work contains no knowingly false and damaging statements.

Prohibited Content

We will reject manuscripts containing:

• Content promoting hatred or violence against individuals or groups based on protected characteristics
• Graphic sexual content
• Sexual content involving anyone under 18
• Depictions of bestiality
• Any material we determine could harm our reputation

Cover image restrictions apply to:

• Nudity
• Trademarked logos
• Celebrity likenesses
• Event promotional materials
• Drug imagery
• Currency reproductions

Anatomical imagery is acceptable only when:

• Medically educational
• Reproducing recognized artwork
• Non-sexualized in nature and presentation

Genre-Specific Requirements

Memoir and Autobiography

Without notarized written permission from affected parties, we may reject content containing:

• False statements damaging to identifiable living persons or organizations
• Accusations of criminal activity, unethical behavior, or professional incompetence
• Embarrassing private information about identifiable individuals
• Statements attributing thoughts or feelings to others or placing them in false contexts
• References to identifiable minors involving abuse, crime victimization, or adoption status

Biography

Works about living subjects may require notarized permission from the subject and any non-public figures mentioned. Biographies of clearly public figures may proceed without subject permission, though private individuals referenced may still require releases.

Educational, Political, and Historical Works

Proper citations are mandatory for all referenced sources.

Translations

Notarized written permission from the original copyright holder is required before publishing any translated work.

Endorsements

Written permission from the endorsing individual must accompany any third-party statements about your book.