How to Submit
To further our commitment to sustainable publishing, Ooligan Press exclusively accepts digital submissions. We use Submittable.com, a highly prevalent digital submission platform among publishers, to receive query letters and proposal packages. If you do not already have a Submittable account, registration is free. We will not evaluate printed manuscripts.
We invite you to submit the following:
- Literary fiction
- Nonfiction
- Memoir
- Young adult fiction
- Books about the craft and teaching of writing, publishing, and book production
- Books on sustainable practices
Please note that we will not consider the following:
- Poetry
- Children’s picture and middle grade books
- Religious books
- Self-help books
Our Interests
We seek to publish regionally significant works of literary, historical, and social value to the Pacific Northwest.
We recognize the importance of comprehensive representation and diversity, particularly within the publishing industry, and are committed to building a literary community that includes traditionally underserved voices; therefore, we encourage works originating from, or focusing on, the experiences that come from these people and communities within the Pacific Northwest.
Additionally, our press is concerned with sustainability and the future of the publishing industry’s impact on the planet. Our OpenBook series represents our pledge to transparency in sustainable book production. By focusing on responsible and efficient printing methods, the titles in our OpenBook series are published with minimal environmental impact. We welcome work that examines and engages these issues.
Query Letters
We accept query letters and proposal packages through Submittable. Please note we will not review any material sent by email.
When submitting a query letter, please include the following:
- A brief summary of your manuscript
- A description of the intended audience(s) and potential market(s)
- A short paragraph about yourself and your publishing history
- A short summary of how your work aligns with Ooligan’s mission to publish PNW-focused literature
- Your contact information
If, upon review of your query letter, we are interested in reading more of your work, we will contact you and request a proposal package.
Proposal Package
We only accept proposal packages through Submittable. Please note that we will not review any emailed proposals. When submitting a proposal, please include the following:
- A cover letter with a summary of your work, projected page count, intended audience(s), marketing ideas, and a list of published works that compare to your writing
- A table of contents (if appropriate)
- Your complete manuscript
A Note on the Acquisitions Process
All queries are read by the acquisitions managers. If a query fits our submission guidelines, a proposal will be requested. All proposals are read by a committee of students enrolled in the book publishing program. To ensure a strong and informed decision each proposal is read by multiple readers. A manuscript will never be read outside the acquisitions committee without permission from the author. Submission of a proposal package implies consent to the above practices. Once the committee has reached a decision, the author will be informed in a timely manner.
We respond to query letters within four weeks and to proposal package submissions within three to six months. As a teaching press, we have an extended review process, and your patience is appreciated. Please note that we do not accept physical submissions and will not evaluate them.