MANUSCRIPT GUIDELINES - GENERAL

Thank you for your interest in publishing with Third World Press Foundation, Inc. (TWPF)

We are an African-centered publishing house dedicated to the creation and dissemination of written work of the highest quality.

A publisher of progressive material for more than fifty-plus years, our goal is to be the best provider of material which is life-giving and life-saving to the community, as well as other communities of the Diaspora. We look for the maximum effect of creative expression and cultural enlightenment in all of the written genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, young adult, and children’s books which may not have an outlet otherwise.

Third World Press Foundation welcomes the opportunity to review unsolicited manuscripts that explore the genres listed above. In submitting manuscripts for consideration, please keep the following requirements in mind:

MANUSCRIPTS MUST BE:

  • Typed and double spaced
  • Proofread for typographical errors and grammatical errors
  • Complete, including accurate bibliographical references, if applicable

WHEN SENDING MANUSCRIPTS:

Send copies of:

  • original work
  • artwork
  • photographs
  • layout boards
  • or other manuscript-related materials

Keep all originals.

INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:

  • A one page synopsis outlining the subject of the manuscript
  • A letter stating your qualifications as a writer and highlighting the importance of the work you are submitting
  • A preliminary outline of the intended target market for your work, i.e. how your work differs from that already existing in that market, and how you plan to promote your book

Along with your manuscript, please enclose one (1) copy of these guidelines. Submissions will NOT be returned.

Mail your submission to:

Acquisitions
c/o Third World Press Foundation
P.O. Box 19730
Chicago, IL 60619

Once your manuscript has been mailed, please allow anywhere from four to six months for a written response. Our staff will NOT accept telephone calls regarding the status, or review of a manuscript.

Good luck and good writing!

Fiction & Non-Fiction

Thank you for your interest in publishing with Third World Press Foundation. We welcome submissions of quality and commercial fiction by published and first-time authors. In submitting a fiction manuscript for consideration, your proposal should include:

  • A one page query letter
  • Single spaced
    • Include
    • Contact information
    • Genre (mainstream, paranormal, historical, thriller, young adult, children’s…)
    • Working title and length of manuscript (100,000 actual word count maximum)
    • Status (complete or incomplete)
    • 1-2 paragraph blurb about plot of book
    • 1-2 paragraphs about the author and marketing the book
  •  A synopsis (8 pages max)
    • Double spaced
    • Written in present tense
    • Detail the manuscript’s main plot from beginning to end.
  • A copy of the first 2 chapters (30 pages max)
    • Double spaced
    • Courier New or Times New Roman 12pts
    • SAMPLE CHAPTERS WILL NOT BE RETURNED.
      • Requested full manuscripts will NOT be returned.
  • A copy of these guidelines

Send proposal to:

Acquisitions
Third World Press Foundation
P.O. Box 19730
Chicago, IL 60619

WE ACCEPT ALL SUBMISSIONS OF FICTION, NONFICTION, POETRY, DRAMA, YOUNG ADULT, AND CHILDREN BOOKS DURING THE MONTH OF JULY ONLY. ANY MANUSCRIPT ARRIVING ANY OTHER MONTH WILL BE REFUSED FROM THE CARRIER MAKING THE DELIVERY.

**FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES WILL RESULT IN THE IMMEDIATE ELIMINATION OF YOUR MANUSCRIPT.

Once your manuscript has been mailed, allow anywhere from six to eight months for a written response.

OUR STAFF WILL NOT ACCEPT TELEPHONE CALLS REGARDING THE STATUS OR REVIEW OF A MANUSCRIPT.

Good luck and good writing!