Fiction | Novella

Driftwood Press is excited to announce that we are accepting novella-length book submissions for our Editors’ Pick Novella Prize. Novellas will be chosen by our Managing Novella Editor. See below for guidelines, timeline, and award information. We cannot wait to read your phenomenal novellas!

 

What We're Looking For...

  • Read past issues of our magazine and anthologies for a sense of what we publish. The same editors who chose the short fiction will choose our next novella.
  • We want novellas that exude a love of language. We want well-crafted sentences and honed rhythms. And yet, we are not interested in novellas that are merely “stylistic.” We want narrative momentum, dimensional characters, and a plot that delivers the sense of arrival.
  • We stray away from young-adult, fantasy, romance, and mainstream mystery. 

 

Timeline​

  • Novella submissions are currently open. If our editors need to catch up, we will temporarily close them. 
  • Novella submissions typically take four to nine months. Our target is six.
  • Our editors love to collaborate with authors. When we accept your novel, we offer an in-depth critique, working alongside you to improve all aspects of your novella.

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Guidelines​​​

  • Fiction only.
  • Recommended length is 15,000-30,000 words. While this is our sweet spot, we will consider works slightly outside of these parameters. Distinguish, though, between the novella and the novel. 50,000 words, for instance, feels more like a novel.
  • Preferred formatting: standard, 12-point font and single-spacing. Manuscript should appear in a .doc, .docx, or PDF format.
  • Excerpts of the novella may have been published individually, but 50% of the novella may not have appeared in a single prior publication.
  • Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please update your submission to "withdrawn" within Submittable if your work is accepted elsewhere.
  • Submit works written in English only. At this time, we do not accept translations.
  • We read submissions blind, so please remove any identifying information from your manuscript.

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Awards​

  • Winners will receive a cash reward and 10 copies of their printed novella. Payment is contingent on word count (see below).
    • 15,000 - 17,500 Words: Awarded $300​
    • 17,500 - 22,500 Words: Awarded $400
    • 22,500 - 30,000 Words: Awarded $500

  • A print run of the novella will be sold on our website and through affiliate bookstores. Additionally, your work will be nationally and internationally distributed by Ingram & Asterism.
  • The winner will partake in a multi-round interview about their work; this interview will be published in the pages following the novella.
  • After the first 100 copies are sold, the writer receives 20% royalties. Copies bought by or awarded to the writer do not count toward the number of copies sold.

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In-House Publicity

For authors who are unable to afford a traditional publicist, Driftwood Press is proud to offer our authors an in-house publicity option, something that not every small press is able to do.

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You can reach our Publicist, Olivia, at publicity@driftwoodpress.net if you have any questions or if you are an outlet and would like to query us regarding features, interviews, author contact requests, or collaborations. We look forward to hearing from you!

What We Offer Authors

  • Driftwood’s newsletter reaches 20,000+ writers & readers; we’ll share cover announcements, excerpts, and blurbs a few times before release within these newsletters. 
  • We prepare Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) for Asterism’s ARC Boxes which are sent nationally to U.S. book stores. 
  • Driftwood will email Digital ARCs to our list of 200+ freelance reviewers.
  • Driftwood will email Digital ARCs to review outlets, podcasts, influencers, and radio stations; this usually amounts to well over 70 contacts for your book. This includes submission for review consideration from Publishers Weekly, Shelf Awareness, Foreword Reviews, Bookforum, ALA Booklist, Library Journal, and Book Page just to name a few! 
  • Social media posts featuring your title pre-release and post-release to our 40k+ followers across all of our social media platforms.
  • Assistance in scheduling 1-4 in-person readings, signings, open mics, or other author events.
  • Driftwood will submit your book to a variety of book awards post-publication. 
  • Provide the opportunity for you to create companion pieces to pitch to magazines, blogs, and other outlets to feature your work. 

Pine State Publicity Partnership

Driftwood Press is proud to partner with Pine State Publicity as an option for our authors who would like to seek more comprehensive publicity outside of our in-house offering! Authors who query Pine State Publicity and are accepted will receive a 10% discount on the cost of publicity representation; please note that not all authors who apply will be chosen to work with Pine State Publicity but if chosen, the 10% discount will apply to their publicity services. We recommend that you reach out to Cassie (Cassie@pinestatepublicity.com) as soon as you have signed a book contract with us if interested to see if your work is a good fit.

We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.
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