Submissions information
What we’re interested in
We enthusiastically welcome submissions from writers, whether they are new to the publishing world or have prior experience, and with or without an agent.
We have a keen interest in fiction and nonfiction manuscripts that tackle pressing environmental issues while offering a sense of hope. Whether you present potential solutions or explore ways to adapt, we are open to stories that broaden readers’ understanding of the world and motivate them to take action.
We publish young/easy-reader (pre-K to 2nd grade), middle-grade (3rd to 6th grade), young adult, and adult fiction and nonfiction.
For young/easy-reader manuscripts, both the text and the illustrations have to be done. If your manuscript isn’t fully illustrated, please do not submit it.
Important update on submissions
12 Willows Press is temporarily pausing the acceptance of regular manuscript submissions. This decision allows us to dedicate our full attention to current projects and commitments. We value the work of writers and researchers who share our passion for addressing our changing world through stories and insights on the environment, ecology, and sustainability.
Please check back for updates on when our submission window will reopen.
Thank you for your understanding and continued interest in 12 Willows Press!
General submission info
Fiction submissions
We are interested in these subgenres:
Eco-fiction
Environmental fiction
Science fiction
Climate fiction
Anthropocene fiction
Apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic fiction
Nonfiction submissions
We are not interested in doom and gloom or pointing fingers. We want manuscripts that tackle environmental problems head-on—like nuclear waste, recycling turbine blades, carbon sequestration, deforestation, and monocropping—by detailing their history, human and environmental impacts, and, if possible, previous attempts to correct them. As for possible solutions to these problems, the sky is the limit.
Guidelines
Your cover letter must include the following:
- A brief bio and whether you are a new or previously published author
- Manuscript title and a short overview of the manuscript
- Marketing suggestions
Your manuscript:
- Name/penname on the first page, content warnings, email address, and word count
- Double spaced
- DOC, DOCx, or RTF format
Your writing must be original and should not promote racisim, intolerance, or an us-versus-them mindset
Some more things to note:
- We do reprints
- We aren’t a vanity or subsidy press
- We don’t accept plagiarized work—all manuscripts are checked for this
- If you’re still working on your manuscript and think we might be interested, please send us some samples!