Book Submissions

First weekend in May (5/6–5/7, 2023): Poetry collections + Short Story collections, both of which engage with Food and/or Place

First weekend in September (9/2–9/3, 2023): Nonfiction Nature Writing (including Memoirs and Essay collections) 

First weekend in January (1/6–1/7, 2024): Debut novels

 

For May’s submission period, we are looking in particular for debut poetry collections and short story collections, both of which should engage with food and/or place, broadly defined. For readers, food as a sensory detail or core narrative element can be nostalgic, harrowing, romantic, complex—a tangible way to enter into rich emotions. Similarly, writing about a place—be it as small as a waiting room or as great as a continent—can immediately transport a reader somewhere new or entirely familiar. While not every poem or story needs to involve food or geography, we would love to read manuscripts that touch on either subject in some way. 

Submissions can be originally in English and in translation (please only submit translation projects which the translator has already been granted formal permission to translate). As mentioned above, we ask that you do not send us a project unless you have a completed draft of the full manuscript available upon request.

Note that writers may submit only once during each submissions period, and that a schedule for other submissions periods is available above. Eligible writers must not currently have an agent, and must not have previously published a book (chapbooks okay).

For Poetry Collections

Please upload the first 20 pages of the poetry collection in a PDF or Word document. Front matter, such as the table of contents, isn’t required with the sample and won’t be counted against the page limit. No more than one poem per page. We kindly request that you do not send any additional material beyond the first 20 pages, and we will contact you if we are interested in seeing more. You will also be asked in the submission form to provide a short bio and a one-paragraph project overview that describes your manuscript. 

For Short Story Collections

Please upload the first short story of your collection in a PDF or Word document. We kindly request that you do not send any additional material beyond the first short story, and we will contact you if we are interested in seeing more. You will also be asked to provide a short bio and a one-paragraph project overview that describes your manuscript in the submission form.

 

Q: Am I eligible to submit work in the upcoming submission period if I’ve previously published a book in a different genre? Am I eligible if I previously published with a smaller press?

A: No—we are looking to publish a writer’s true debut, so for these submission periods, you can’t have previously published a book in any genre or with another press (previously published chapbooks are okay though).

Q: Can I submit if my only published work was self-published?

A: Yes—if you have a self-published book but no other published books, then you can submit new work. Please do not submit a manuscript that has already been self-published.

Q: Can I submit if my only published work is technical/academic?

A: Yes—you can submit your work if your previous publications were technical or scholarly.

Q: Does my hybrid work fit into the genre requirements?

A: We’re broadly defining the categories for each submission period, so if you see your project fitting best in a given category, we’re excited to read it!

Q: Are Young Adult, science fiction, fantasy, horror, or romance collections eligible?

A: Tin House doesn’t explicitly publish YA or other genre-specific work; however, if you feel like your novel fits in the context of our publication list, you’re welcome to submit!

Q: Are multiple submissions allowed? 

A: No—we’re asking writers to submit only one manuscript per submission period. Thank you!

Q: Do I have to pay a submission fee?

A: It is free to submit!

Q: Does every poem/story in my collection need to be about food and/or place?

A: No, not every poem or story needs to include food or geography references. We would love to read manuscripts that consider either subject in some capacity. 

Q: When should I expect to hear back about my submission?

A: The editorial team tries to be as quick as possible, but asks that submitters wait six months before checking in about their submission status. Thank you!

Q: Are international applications eligible?

A: Yes! We’d love to consider international submissions if the project meets the other criteria.