QUERY US FIRST

We are a small traditional publisher specializing in history, historical fiction, and alternative history, including dystopian fiction. We are especially interested in:

• Family sagas and historical fiction series, including historical romance and mystery
• Historical fiction/alternative history that targets readers age 12-upward and new adult
• Non-fiction niches, such as fashion history and costuming, military uniforms, and historical cooking
• Visual novels that can be adapted as games
• Works that will make appealing audio books and/or could tie in to podcasts

QUERY FIRST:  

Email: submissions@maidenpress.com.

Your subject line: “Query” followed by your last name and the title of your project.

Your letter:

• Introduce yourself:  in a brief one paragraph bio, mentioning any publishing history.
• Provide your MS specs: fiction /non-fiction, genre, target readership, approx. word count., if illustrations (how many?), historical setting / era. Specify if yours is a simultaneous submission.
• Synopsis and Style:  Outline your MS in no more than 300 words.  Add some general comments on style, and any special appeal of your MS in a final paragraph.

Example 1: “My completed work is a military/naval history focused on the War of 1812, which is learned in tone, but laced with dry humor and entertaining anecdotes of special appeal to readers with a strong interest in naval warfare…”

Example 2: “My novel is a Regency romance with a touch of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s wit. My setting is very well-researched and detailed, and my characters are period-appropriate in their language and viewpoints. Readers of “proper” romance would enjoy my story.

• Fiction Sample:  attach your first three chapters AND the scene you feel best showcases your author voice and the appeal of your story.
• Non-fiction Sample: attach your first three chapters and list of contents

TURNAROUND TIME:  We cannot respond to all queries. We aim to respond within six weeks to queries that interest us. If we respond with a rejection, and some comments in critique, it means we are open to reconsidering your submission if it is revised. So feel free to query us again.

GENERAL TIP:

We know how much work it is to write history, and we have the utmost respect for authors who choose this realm. We encourage you to write the work you have a passion for, as opposed to the one you think is expected.

A NOTE ON DIVERSITY:

The lives led by people of different races, classes and beliefs at various times in history provide rich material that fascinates readers. When handled authentically, this content can enrich your MS. For example, the Regency-set family saga Alverstone explores the lives of servants in a thoroughly-researched “below stairs” subplot told from the POV of the housekeeper.

We sometimes see submissions in which characters seem to have been randomly swapped for those of different races. This neglects the reality of different life experiences, and can feel inauthentic to readers. Take a little extra time to flesh out your characters through research.