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.
Current call for submissions
Celebrating the Second Annual Bangor Authors’ Book Fair and Literary Festival
December 9, 2023 — SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
Submissions open: June 17, 2023, to August 31, 2023
Title: Rivers of Ink: Literary Reflections on the Penobscot
Editor: Steven Long
Theme: Immerse yourself in the magnificent Penobscot River and its lush, sprawling watershed alongside 12 Willows Press and the second annual Bangor Authors’ Book Fair and Literary Festival! Join us in crafting the anthology Rivers of Ink: Literary Reflections on the Penobscot as a tribute to the captivating essence of this majestic river and watershed.
Picture a network of streams and tributaries emerging near the Canadian border and gradually converging to form the awe-inspiring Penobscot. Meandering through miles of vibrant forests, the river flows southward, gaining strength long before passing beneath the iconic Penobscot Narrows Bridge and merging with the Atlantic Ocean. This is the Penobscot River—a cherished thread intricately woven into Maine’s narrative, serving as a lifeline for travel, communication, and recreation.
We invite writers of all backgrounds and ages to explore the profound connection between their craft and the Penobscot. Whether you’re a poet, a skilled storyteller, or a keen observer of life’s wonders, we eagerly await your submissions of poems, flash fiction, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays—each inspired by the river that flows through our hearts.
How has the Penobscot and its enchanting forested surroundings ignited your imagination and influenced your personal and professional journey? Reflect on its profound impact, letting your words paint vivid portraits of the river’s role in shaping your identity and connecting you to its rich heritage.
Submission guidelines:
- Submissions must be in English
- New works are preferred, but previously published pieces will be considered
- Up to three short poems
- Flash fiction, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays should not exceed 2,000 words
- In lieu of compensation, we will include a brief bio and offer you a free copy of the anthology (your choice: print or ebook)
- All profits from Rivers of Ink will be donated to Friends Katahdin Woods & Waters’ Katahdin Woods and National Monument fundraising campaign
- DOC, DOCx, or RTF format
- Only one submission or three poems per author
Send to submissions@12willowspress.com
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. For inspiration, check out our blog The Long View.
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
Send to submissions@12willowspress.com
Some more things to note:
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We do reprints
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We aren’t a vanity or subsidy press
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We don’t accept plagiarized work—all manuscripts are checked for this
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If you’re still working on your manuscript and think we might be interested, please send us some samples!