Manuscript Submissions

Rhemalda Publishing does not accept children's picture book submissions.

Rhemalda is actively seeking submissions for the following genres:

• Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult Contemporary and Contemporary Romance
• Women's Fiction / Chick-lit
• Love and Romance (Adult and Young Adult, may have paranormal elements)
• Historical Romance
• Historical Fiction
• Jane Austen Adaptations and Fan-Fiction
• Sports Memoirs
• Crime/Detective/Procedural

Rhemalda Publishing will consider all manuscripts submitted. The genres listed above are the genres we would like to further expand within our catalog of titles. Yes, we will continue to contract and publish Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction and other genre novels.

Submitting to Rhemalda Publishing

At Rhemalda Publishing, we are always looking for well-written, exciting, commercial fiction. Please study our bookstore/website to see what kinds of novels we publish. Our submission guidelines are online at http://shop.rhemalda.com/ms_sub.html.

We ask that every submission include a synopsis, a brief biography, and a writing sample. The writing sample should be the first 15 to 20% of your manuscript. A short synopsis proves that you understand the heart of your story; please limit your synopsis to less than five pages. We accept electronic submissions only. You can use the submission form on our website or email us at manuscript_submission@rhemalda.com. Attach the requested documents to your email. Your subject line should include your name and the name of your novel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you request a synopsis?
The synopsis tells us if your entire story is in the same tone and genre as your writing sample, so be sure to reveal the ending in the synopsis. The best advice for writing your synopsis is to have your trusted beta readers or critique group comment on it before you create your final version.

Do I need an agent to submit to Rhemalda Publishing?
No, we are not a closed house. Your submission will get just as much attention whether you have an agent or not.

To whom should I address my manuscript?
Address your email to the acquisitions editor, Diane Dalton. You can find out more about who’s who at Rhemalda Publishing on our website.

Do you recommend using a professional editor?
This is a personal decision that will likely depend on the skill and experience of your beta readers. If you do not trade manuscripts with experienced, published authors, you may want to hire a professional fiction editor. Research is key. Follow authors online who have debuted in today’s market and read their success stories. Some of your favorite authors may offer editing services themselves. Before hiring an editor, check their track record. Rhemalda does not recommend any particular editing service, nor do we think that a professional editor will guarantee you publication. But the fiction market is extremely competitive, and your manuscript needs to stand out from the crowd to be published. The advice of people experienced in your genre is priceless.

What if I’m not sure what my genre is?
If you call your tween novel a middle grade or young adult novel in your submission, we won’t hold it against you. However, we expect our authors be familiar with what is being published today. A high school novel with vampires is obviously no longer genre bending. You should know how your novel compares to today’s fiction marketplace.

How do I format my electronic submission?
Please submit your manuscript using the Standard Manuscript Format identified below.

If I’ve been rejected by Rhemalda, should I submit my revised novel?
We are open to resubmissions, especially if we have suggested revision ideas. With the volume of submissions we receive, we can’t give as many individual comments as we would like. If you have received a personalized rejection from us, we saw promise in your manuscript. Since then, if you have figured out how to improve your novel and rewritten it substantially, feel free to resubmit.

What kinds of manuscripts are you looking for?
We publish series as well as standalone novels. As you look at our website, you will notice that we often publish several novels by the same author. We are not chasing trends—we are delivering high-quality books in a variety of genres written by hard-working authors who can process criticism and revise and revise again. If we find an excellent writer, we want to keep working with him or her!

Thank you for your interest in Rhemalda Publishing. Our success is due to the talent of our authors, and we look forward to discovering more fantastic stories this year.

Rhemalda Publishing’s mission is to provide high-quality books through careful treatment of manuscripts by working hand-in-hand with authors so as not to take away, but enhance, the original vision for the written word.

Standard Manuscript Submission Format

1. Type your document, don’t write and scan it.

2. Use a single, clear font, 12 point size.

3. Use black text on a white background.

4. Include your name and contact information at the top left of the first page with copyright year underneath it

5. Put an accurate word count at the top right.

6. Put the title half-way down the page, centered, with “by Your Name” underneath. Start the story beneath that.

7. If you write under a pseudonym, put that beneath the title but your real name in the top left of the first page.

8. Put your name, story title (in italics) and the page number as a right-justified header on every subsequent page, in the format Name/Title/Page Number.

9. Left-justify your paragraphs. Right margins should be ragged.

10. Ensure there is at least a 1-inch (2-centimeter) margin all the way around your text.

11. Use double-spacing for all your text.

12. Don’t insert extra lines between your paragraphs.

13. Indent the first line of each paragraph by about 1/2 an inch (1 centimeter).

14. If you want to indicate a blank line, place a blank line, then a line with the # character in the middle of it, then another blank line.

15. Don’t use unusual formatting. To emphasize a piece of text you should underline or italicize it. You may use Bold for your part and chapter titles, and subtitles.

16. Put the word “End” at the end of story text, centered on its own line.

17. Enclose a brief (that is to say - brief) cover letter.

18. Enclose an author biography.