SUBMISSION POLICY
We only accept email submissions. All unsolicited “snail mail†submissions will be recycled regardless of whether a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) is included.
We may delete a submission if a proposal or sample chapters are missing.
We currently don’t accept submissions for: gift books, poetry, photography, screenplays, or graphic novels.
We do accept submissions for: fiction, nonfiction, and children's books.
We only accept fiction proposals that have completed manuscripts.
We do accept simultaneous submissions, but we ask that you notify us if you are considering an offer of representation from another agent.
HOW TO SUBMIT
If you would like us to consider your work, please email your proposal (see guidelines below) and three sample chapters (or full manuscript for children's picture books) using the SUBMIT QUERY button.
Subject Line: Book Proposal.
Paste your query letter into the body of the email.
Attach your proposal and writing sample as a single Word document.
WHAT TO EXPECT
If we determine that your submission is a good fit for DCJA, you will be contacted within eight weeks.
If an agent hasn’t contacted you after eight weeks, you can assume we have determined that your submission doesn’t fit our current needs and we are unable to offer representation.
NONFICTION
Overview
Please provide a compelling, lucid summary of your book in each of the following:
One sentence.
One paragraph.
One half-page.
Target market
Identify your primary and secondary audiences, including specific demographic information (external characteristics), psychographic information (internal motivations), and affinity groups.
Chapter summaries
Write a concise one-paragraph summary of each chapter.
Author biography
Tell us about yourself. Include your motivation and qualifications for writing this particular book, and explain your current platform/sphere of influence/built-in audience.
Promotion ideas
Tell us how you will contribute to promoting your book. What is your current involvement with social media? Please include relevant data, such as Twitter followers and blog statistics whenever possible. Discuss the marketing/publicity venues you are able to personally pursue and any relevant connections to potential endorsers.
Comparable works
Research and provide other books in your genre/subject area.
List 3-5 books that will directly compete with your book.
Include the following info: title, author, publisher, year, number of pages, and retail price.
Explain how your book is distinct from each of these other books—what are you offering that is new to the discourse on this subject?
FICTION
Synopsis
Write a compelling one-page summary of your novel.
Chapter summaries
Write a concise one-paragraph summary of each chapter.
Author biography
Tell us about yourself. Include your motivation and qualifications for writing this particular book, and explain your current platform/sphere of influence/built-in audience.
CHILDREN'S
Summary
Write a compelling summary of your book. This should be no more than a few sentences long.
Word Count
Please give us the total word count of your book.
Age Range
Please tell us what age range this book is intended for.
Manuscript
Please include the entire manuscript of your book.
Artwork
Please include sample illustrations as a single PDF or JPEG attachment.
Author Biography
Tell us about yourself. Include your motivation and qualifications for writing this particular book, and explain your current platform/sphere of influence/built-in audience.
NOTE: These guidelines apply to children's picture books. For middle reader or YA books, please use either the fiction or nonfiction submission guidelines as appropriate.
