SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Book Submissions

Overheard is seeking full-length manuscript submissions from Feb 15, 2026 to May 15, 2026. We are interested in fiction, short story & essay collections, poetry collections, creative nonfiction, and hybrid works. Please submit only completed manuscripts—we will not review samples, excerpts, or proposals. 

This submission period is the first for Overheard. We understand the hesitance to submit to a press without a backlist; as such, we would like to assure potential submitters of the following:

If selected…

1. A $1,000 advance will be paid for each selected manuscript, with standard royalties included in the subsequent author contract.

2. Selected books will publish in 2027.

3. Overheard will work with a professional designer and printer to ensure beautiful production of your work. Authors will receive proofs prior to publication. Exceptional cover design and the quality of the print publication is a priority.

4. Authors will receive at least 25 complimentary copies of their book

5. Overheard is developing a distribution network seeking to place publications in retail & specialty shops.

Submission Requests

Prose

We are interested in fiction, short story collections, novellas, creative nonfiction, essay collections, and hybrid works. We are interested in primarily literary manuscripts and are unlikely to publish genre books. 

• Please submit manuscripts between 15,000-100,000 words

• Submissions must be in English

• Please include an author biography along with your submission

Poetry 

We are interested in poetry of all forms. We welcome hybrid work with image.

• Please submit manuscripts between 48 and 100 pages 

• Begin with unnumbered front matter such as TOC and acknowledgements 

• Submissions must be in English

• Please include an author biography along with your submission

Simultaneous submissions are acceptable. Please notify Overheard as soon as possible if your manuscript is accepted elsewhere.