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Writer's pictureAstoria Wright

Places to Submit/Read Cozy Short Stories and Novels

Writers, don't have an agent? No worries! You can still submit your stories on these sites. Readers, you can read stories for free on some of these sites, too!


Short Stories


Black Cat Mystery Magazine: https://bcmystery.com/Guidelines/

Story Length: 1k-8k, may look at 15k word stories, but only if exceptionally written

Submissions Open? Opens March 1st, 2021

What to Send: Send full story during submission period

Where to Send: submissionsZZZ@crimefictionwriter.com (Editor: Michael Bracken)

Genres: Accepts Cozy Mysteries for their upcoming edition: Black Cat Mystery Presents Cozies!

Payment/Contract type: 3 cents per word ($250 maximum)

*See Publisher Site for more Details: https://wildsidepress.com/submissions/

Readers: See Black Cat Mystery Magazine Editions Here. And Check out their Free Ebooks for their members.


StoryLength: 2,500 - 8k words is preferred, occasionally accepts 12k-20k novellas, minute-mysteries ~250 words

Submissions Open? Continuous - response times vary

What to Send: Your name, email, cover letter, story title and story as a .doc

Genres: Anything in the mystery genre

Payment/Contract type: 5-8 cents per word


StoryLength: Anywhere from less than a 100 words (flash fiction) to 40k novels, series, and excerpts. If you're not sure your work applies, you're encouraged to send it in anyway

Submissions Open? Continuous - response times vary

What to Send: Your story as a .doc, .docx, or .rtf, there are specific formatting instructions

Where to Send: mystericalmail@gmail.com

Genres: Anything in the mystery genre

Payment/Contract type: Not a paying market


Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine: https://sherlockholmesmystery.tumblr.com

Story Length: 3k-7k

Submissions Open? Possibly

What to Send: Send full story, byline, address (mailing and email), .doc, .docx, .rtf, .wpd

Genres: Reader-solvable mysteries, crime stories, conte cruelles, old-fashioned ghost stories, and non-fiction

Payment/Contract type: 3 cents per word

*See Publisher Site for more Details: https://wildsidepress.com/submissions/



Novels


Manuscript Length: 50-70k words

Submissions Open? Not since Jan. 1st 2021, but check back to see when they open submissions again

What to Send: Manuscripts as an attachment & a formal query letter as Microsoft Word doc.

Where to Send: cozycatpress@gmail.com

Genres: Accepts Cozy Mysteries and Magical Realism

*May accept cancelled cozy series authors wish to bring back.

Payment/Contract type: Proceeds split

*Read more details on the publisher's website


Manuscript Length: Novellas, Serials, Full-Length Novels are all welcome

Submissions Open? Actively Looking

What to Send: Query via email with synopsis attached

Where to Send: Send to specific editors listed on site

Genres: Women's Fiction, Romance, Psychological Suspense, Thrillers, New Adult, Cozies

Payment/Contract type: Not specified

*Read more details on the publisher's website: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com


Manuscript Length: 40k words minimum

Submissions Open? Currently open for 2021

What to Send: Send your name and a synopsis of your work, they'll contact you with instructions on how to submit your manuscript, but they do have a submissions template you might want to check out beforehand

Genres: Accepts a wide range of genres including mysteries, also run a poetry contest

Payment/Contract type: 50% royalties

*Read more details on the publisher's website


Manuscript Length: 40-50k

Submissions Open? Currently looking for contemporary and paranormal cozy mysteries

What to Send: One-page query letter and sample chapter

Genres: Accepts Cozy Mysteries and Magical Realism

Payment/Contract type: Two contract types offered:

  • 50/50 split: Author responsible for editing and retains audio/translations rights, publisher gets ebook and print rights for 5 years

  • 35% author royalty: Publisher secures editing, is granted audio, ebook, and print rights for 5 years. Author retains translation rights.

*Read more details on the publisher's website


Have a publishing company or magazine site to add to the list? Let us know!


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