Submission Guidelines
At Augusta Publishing we believe books about prison, prison life and prison-related fiction are important additions to the publishing world. We are interested in acquiring manuscripts that tell terrific stories or provide valuable knowledge about prison-related topics.
We believe our readers have high expectations and are in a position where additional knowledge is critical. Nonfiction works should meet the highest standards of truth, dignity, and goodness. Mindfulness concerning incarcerated individuals and their loved ones on the outside is a must.
Our fiction readers also have high expectations for exciting, fresh plots. These readers will relish the hours they spend with characters, story complexities, intrigue, triumph, and struggles.
To meet the demands of our readers and audience, we publish prison-related stories—from inside and outside the walls. We also publish nonfiction works devoted to the sharing of prison-related experiences and knowledge. These works aim to support and uplift the prison community at large.
Memoir, essay, autobiography and biography featuring the lives and experiences of incarcerated individuals or the prison community on the outside are highly sought.
Answers to frequently asked questions and information about our editorial philosophy can be found here. The remainder of this page addresses the steps involved in correctly submitting a manuscript for review.
Submission Process
Augusta Publishing Company’s submission process requests specific information in order to complete a thorough analysis of the manuscript. We promptly acknowledge receipt of manuscript and will let you know within 90 days if we are interested in pursuing rights to the manuscript.
Successful review of a manuscript requires the following steps from the author:
- The submission package should be mailed to Kathy@augustapublishingco.com.
- E-mail, with the title of your manuscript followed by the author’s name as the subject line. The body of the email can be blank.
- Cover Letter, in a single Word-compatible document, as an attachment. Your cover letter should include:
- Short bio, your legal name, any pen names you use, complete publishing history
- Your complete contact information, including e-mail, address and a telephone number where it is acceptable to leave a message concerning your submission.
- Why you feel your manuscript will appeal to the prison audience.
- Synopsis, in a single Word-compatible document. Follow Augusta Publishing Company’s Author Formatting guidelines in the PDF listed here. Please include:
- Plot summary and story ending. Keep synopsis to 750 words or less
- Character and setting description of no more than 250 words
- Nonfiction works: Description of topic and why topic is relevant to the current prison book market
- Word count of completed manuscript
- Complete manuscript in a Word-compatible document, as an attachment. Again, follow the Augusta Publishing Company’s Author Formatting guidelines available in the PDF here.
Any further correspondence regarding your submission should be sent via a Submission Request Form here. Please do not inquire as to the status of your manuscript or submission.
Other Considerations
Your submission package should represent your very best work. Everyone makes mistakes, but we expect every manuscript to have a competent level of style as represented in the Chicago Manual of Style.
We consider the submission of a manuscript to be an offer from the author to enter into negotiations for a contract. This means the manuscript is not under consideration with another publishing company. We are a small publishing company and cannot accept simultaneous submissions. If there is any issue with the rights to your manuscript, please include this information in your cover letter.
The submission process outlined above is the only way a manuscript will be considered from author and agents alike.
If, after reading this page, you still have questions concerning the submission process, please fill out the Submission Request Form here.
