Submissions

Open for submissions

Story Perfect Books operates five publishing imprints. If you're interested in querying us, please choose the imprint that best fits your book and follow the instructions for that imprint. If your book could potentially fit in two categories (such as a queer young adult sci-fi novel that could fit under either Deep Hearts YA or Dreamsphere Books), please only query one imprint. The same team reviews submissions for all imprints, so if we like the book but feel it would fit well under another imprint, we will consider that.

Imprints and genres they publish

Querying resources

We understand querying can be a stressful process. If it helps, here is a sample query letter that you can adapt to your project.

Template:

Dear [Publishing Imprint],

I am seeking publication for my [word count] [genre] novel, titled [title]. [Add a very short one sentence pitch here.] [Optional sentence about your audience and who it might appeal to, and/or possible comparable bestselling books published in the last 3-5 years.]

[Two to four paragraph pitch for your novel. Make it engaging and easy to follow. Imagine this could be the blurb in the back of your book that convinces readers to buy it.]

[One paragraph author bio with any details relevant to the book or add credentials for why you are the right person to tell this story. If you are a first time author, it’s fine to say “This is my first novel.”]

As per submission guidelines, I have attached the synopsis and manuscript [make sure you actually attach it]. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

Sample:

Dear Deep Hearts YA,

I am seeking publication for my 68,000-word queer young adult novel, titled Gay Love and Other Fairy Tales. Shortly after coming out, Jordan has a secret kiss with his long-time best friend Benjamin, a boy who isn’t ready to come out himself. Gay Love and Other Fairy Tales will appeal to young adult readers who look for sweet romances with happy endings that involve a lot of self-growth.

Jordan Ortiz decides he can no longer hide who he truly is. He’s gay. He comes out to his family, then he comes out to everyone, and it goes well. Like, way better than he thought possible. But that’s about where it ends. There aren’t enough out gay kids at school for him to build a queer social life or even consider the possibility of dating. For now, he’s happy to be the gay bestie for his BFF, Hannah.

Benjamin Cooper is the captain of the football team and has known Jordan for almost his whole life. And he has a secret. When they won an award at the science fair in grade nine, Jordan hugged him—and that’s when Ben realized he had feelings for Jordan. As he watches Jordan come out and flower into who he is, he can’t help but feel ashamed—ashamed at what a coward he is compared to Jordan.

When a broken leg and fair-weather friends leave Ben feeling lonely on Christmas break, he spends New Year’s Eve with Jordan, just hanging out in his basement like they used to years ago. But as the countdown to midnight happens and the ball is about to drop, Ben has something else in mind. At the stroke of midnight, he kisses Jordan.

What starts with a surprise kiss leads to a year of shared secrets, hidden love, relationship troubles, and broken hearts. Through it all, one fact holds true—Jordan loves Benjamin and Benjamin loves Jordan. But is that enough to carry them through when Ben wants to stay firmly in the closet, to the very point that this might destroy what hope they have of true love?

I am a gay writer in Canada, and this is my first novel.

As per your submission guidelines, I have attached the synopsis and manuscript. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
Dylan James