Random House Canada is excited to open its submission policy exclusively to LGBTQIA2S+ and BIPOC writers, as well as those from other traditionally underrepresented communities. Effective immediately, unsolicited and unagented work can be sent directly to their editors within the RHC division at randomhousecanadasubmissions@penguinrandomhouse.com. Their hope is that this will go a small way toward removing some of the barriers that have existed for writers developing their craft outside of traditional avenues of literary exposure.
What We’re Looking For
In particular, their editors are looking for high quality commercial fiction in the following genres: literary, romance, speculative fiction, historical fiction, and mystery. Please note that they do not currently accept screenplays, stage plays, young adult fiction, children’s fiction, or picture book queries. All non-fiction submissions must be submitted via a literary agent.
Submission Guidelines
A great submission typically includes:
- A strong query letter. This will tell them about your project and includes recent comparison (“comp”) titles, an author bio, and any content warnings for sensitive material in your submission.
- Sample pages. They encourage you to submit the first three chapters of your manuscript either as a .docx attachment or as a PDF.
- A brief synopsis. They ask that you submit a summary of your plot (which includes the ending) that is 500 words or less either as a .docx attachment or as a PDF.
What Happens Once You Submit
- Their editorial team will discuss your submission and get back to you within six months if interested in the project.
- Due to the high volume of submissions they receive, they won’t be able to respond to every submission, but please know that each submission will be read and considered with care.
Frequently Asked Questions: From Random House Canada’s Call
Q: How do I write a query letter to best suit the editors at Random House Canada?
A: A great query letter should include details about you and your project, recent comparison (“comp”) titles, and any content warnings for sensitive material in your submission. For more information on how to write a query letter, we recommend checking out free, online resources like Writer’s Digest.
Q: How long should a submission be? Is there a maximum or minimum word count?
A: For a full manuscript, there are no strict restrictions on length. As a guideline, fiction manuscripts often fall between 70,000 and 100,000 words (or up to 120,000 words for speculative fiction).
Q: Is there a deadline to submit my work? Does the submission process close for any length of time throughout the year?
A: No, the submissions inbox is open year-round. Work can be submitted to randomhousescanadasubmissions@penguinrandomhouse.com at any time.
Q: Can I submit more than one project to this address?
A: Due to the high volume of submissions we receive, we recommend submitting one manuscript at a time.
Q: Can I submit if I do not have Canadian citizenship?
A: At the moment, we don’t see a need for any restrictions based on citizenship or residence. The submissions inbox is open to writers from anywhere.
Q: Are there any types of work that you do not accept?
A: At Random House Canada, we do not accept screenplays, stage plays, young adult fiction, children’s fiction, or picture book queries. All non-fiction submissions must be submitted via a literary agent. In particular, our editors are looking for high quality commercial fiction in the following genres: literary, romance, speculative fiction, historical fiction, and mystery.
Q: Do you allow simultaneous submissions?
A: Yes, simultaneous submissions (sending your manuscript to multiple agents and/or publishers) are permitted. If you receive an offer of representation or publication for your work during our six-month consideration period, we just ask that you let us know via randomhousecanadasubmissions@penguinrandomhouse.com.
One Response
Are you accepting memoir submissions?
My story begins the day I came out to my family, it was a Saturday morning in 1977 and I was 14.
Three days after coming out I was committed to a mental health facility in Toronto and disowned, a situation that never healed.
By the time I was 15 I was a runaway living in New York, surviving by my wits.
I think it’s a compelling story but of course I’m expected to think that, I’m the author!
I really don’t know where to take my story, I know it’s worth pursuing but I’m at a loss when it comes to direction, if you don’t accept memoirs maybe you know of a publisher who might?