1. Submissions will only be accepted during the submission window. Submissions sent outside of this time frame will not be considered.

2. The first Window for submissions is 2/1 - 3/31.

3. Authors may submit up to three projects per window opening, in any mix of genres.

4. Projects must be under 100k words. The sweet spot is around 20-50k.

5. Poetry chapbooks should be ~24-47 pages, and full-length poetry collections should be 48-150 pages.

6. Projects must be for adult or upper YA audiences. We won’t accept middle grade or children’s submissions.

7. Works must be completed.

8. Authors may not submit work that has already been published in any way.

9. Authors may not make submissions that have used AI in their creation, whether in the writing or outlining process.

10. Submissions must include:
    - 1-page synopsis (pdf or docx)
    - First 10 pages of the manuscript (pdf or docx)
    - Query letter including TITLE, GENRE, WORD COUNT, intriguing blurb about PLOT, and AUTHOR BIO.

11. Authors must be 18 years of age or older.

Lunar Lit Press reserves the right to update, modify, or replace any part of the submission program or its rules at any time, or to cancel the program at its sole discretion, by posting updates to our website. By making a submission, you expressly acknowledge that neither Lunar Lit Press nor Moonstruck Market is entering into any agreement with you to publish or compensate you for your work.

Send an email to lunarlitpress@gmail.com, subject line “[Author Name] Submission”

For fiction, include:

• 1-page synopsis of your manuscript (including spoilers)

• First 10 pages of your manuscript

• Query letter containing title, genre, word count, plot blurb, and author bio

For poetry, include:

• First 10-15 poems

• Query letter containing title, poem count, and author bio

If your submission does not include all requested items, we will be unable to evaluate your submission. Please ensure the versions you submit are polished to your liking, as we cannot accept corrections due to submission volume.

At Lunar Lit Publishing, we want to publish books that amplify voices that would otherwise be silenced. We publish exclusively poetry collections and short fiction of around or under 150 pages. We look for diversity in characters, plots that make us feel exactly how big the world is, settings we can fall into, and authors whose stories must be heard.

At the nitty gritty level, in fiction, we look for:

• Plots that are well-developed and character-driven

• World-building that complements the plot and characters

• Characters we can fall in love with, or love to hate. They should have depth, flaws, goals, and fears

• Prose that flows well and demonstrates the author’s command over language and grammar

• Books that feel well developed and complete overall

• Surprising and fresh premises

In poetry, we look for:

• Effective use of devices and techniques

• Meaningful, genuine, and heartfelt writing

• Unique approaches to topics

• Lyrical, musical phrasing making for a beautiful reading experience

• Any form of meter or rhyme

While we love to center underrepresented authors, if you have a story to tell, we want to read it! All authors are welcome to submit and will be considered equally.

When can I submit?

The first submission window is 2/1/2026 - 3/31/2026

Does my manuscript have to be finished before I submit?

Yes, your manuscript must be completed before submitting.

Does my file need to be formatted a certain way?

We accept manuscripts in .doc, .docx, and PDF. 12pt font, double spaced please.

Do I need an agent?

No! In the interest of giving the opportunity of publishing to someone who would not have that chance in the major publishing world, only un-agented submissions are accepted.

Who is reading my manuscript?

Members of the Lunar Lit Press team will evaluate each submission.

When will I hear back?

Unless submission volume far exceeds expectations, all authors should hear back by the end of May, 2026.

Can I submit children’s, middle grade, or non-fiction?

Lunar Lit Press is not accepting those genres at this time.

Can I submit romance, romantasy, women’s fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, mystery/thriller, science fiction, fantasy, horror, YA, or poetry?

Yes! Lunar Lit Press loves these genres!

May I submit a previously self-published work?

We are not accepting submissions that have been previously published in any form.

Do you require that my submission be exclusive to Lunar Lit Press?

No, simultaneous submissions are accepted. If you are accepted by another press or agent, please email lunarlitpress@gmail.com and let us know ASAP.

May I submit a manuscript created with the use of AI in any way?

No, we do not accept submissions that were created with AI, even in the ideation or outlining stage.

Will you have more submissions windows?

Yes! As we are just getting started, we don’t know how often we will open them, but we will have more opportunities to submit.

Can I submit more than 1 project?

Yes, you may submit up to 3 separate works during this submission window, but please send them in separate emails with their own query letters and synopses.

How will I be notified if Lunar Lit Press is interested in my submission?

Once the window closes and your submission has been reviewed, we may contact you to request your full manuscript. If the team is not interested in pursuing your work, we will notify you as well.

Can I contact someone about my submission?

The best way is to email the above address, but due to submission volume, we can’t reply to every follow up email.

If published, how will I be compensated?

You will receive 20% royalties on sales of your book.

Do I have to pay to be published?

Absolutely NOTHING will come out of your pocket during the publishing process—this is NOT a vanity press or hybrid publisher.

What does the publishing process entail?

The press will take care of editing, cover design, formatting, etc. and produce physical and digital copies of your book, working with a distributor to help it reach online and in-person marketplaces. We’ll also host a release party for you in the bookstore, and we will help with ongoing marketing and promotion, all at no cost to you as the author.