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2012 Special Calls Calendar February 15, 2012 is Singles Awareness Day, and we’re looking for stories of strong, confident women who take charge, aren’t desperately seeking a mate, and hold powerful positions. She can be the leader of a werewolf pack, the CEO of a multi-million dollar corporation, or the captain of a space ship. These books can be any genre and do not necessarily have to be a romance. The overall theme should be that being single isn’t a death sentence. Submit your stories on or before December 15th. Novellas only. No longer than 10,000 words. Friday the 13th Horror Shorts for April 13 or July 13th We’re looking for horror novellas of no more than 10,000 words for release on Friday, April 13 or Friday, July 13th. Stories for April 13th must be submitted by February 28th, and stories for July 13th must be submitted no later than May 1st. We will publish no moe than three novellas on each date so it’s first come, first serve. July 25th is Culinarians Day which is a special day for anyone who cooks. That means just about everyone of us get to celebrate this day. You don’t have to be a chef, or a graduate of a culinary institute to celebrate this delicious day. You simply have to cook, and to enjoy the results. So we’re looking for novellas that revolve around, you guessed it, cooking. Calling all chefs, restaurant owners, line cooks! The genre must be contemporary or historical and must be no more than 10,000 words. We’d love to see some humor! Submit your story no later than May 15, 2012. November 13th is Sadie Hawkins Day Here is a holiday that originated from a cartoon. It all began in Al Capp’s “Lil Abner Cartoon in the 1930′s. In the cartoon series, the mayor of Dogpatch was desperate to marry off his ugly daughter. So he created Sadie Hawkin’s Day. On this day, a race is held and all the single men were given a short head start. If a woman catches her man, he had to marry her. So you can guess what kind of stories we’re looking for. Yes, adventurous romances! The stories do not have to take place in the 1930s as you can give us a unique perspective on a modern-day Sadie Hawkins story. The genre is open, but the storyline must revolve around the idea of Sadie Hawkins’ Day or even take place on that day. The novellas can be up to 20,000 words and should be submitted no later than September 1st. There is no limit to the amount of books you can submit for this storyline so if you have an idea for a quick series, all of your stories would release on this day! |
Whispers Publishing is opening its doors to general submissions of all sub-genres of romance and erotica, as well as general fiction which can include urban fantasy, paranormal, science fiction, mystery, women’s fiction, and fantasy without romantic elements. At this time, we are not seeking GLBT romances or mainstream fiction.
For a complete list of what we’re looking for, see below:
Romance
These romances can range from sweet to sensual but not erotica. In other words, no graphic language and no kink is allowed.
For all romances, the hero and the heroine should be introduced within the first three chapters of your story, preferably within the first chapter. We want stories that focus on the growing relationship between the hero and heroine with strong plots and not-too-perfect, flawed characters.
For romances outside of contemporary, please make sure your settings are clearly defined, historically accurate for the time period, and/or your worlds are fully established.
Happily ever afters are a requirement!
Chick Lit
Comedy
Contemporary
Fantasy
Historical/Western
Interracial
Paranormal
Sci-Fi
Suspense/Thriller
Romantic Erotica
Please see our taboos below.
For all romances, the hero and the heroine should be introduced within the first three chapters of your story, preferably within the first chapter. We want stories that focus on the growing relationship between the hero and heroine with strong plots and not-too-perfect, flawed characters.
For romances outside of contemporary, please make sure your settings are clearly defined, historically accurate for the time period, and/or your worlds are fully established.
We require a happily ever after or a happy for now resolution to these storylines.
BDSM
Chicklit
Contemporary
Fantasy
Historical Western
Interracial
Ménage
Paranormal
Sci-Fic
Suspense/Thriller
General Fiction
No romantic elements are required in these books, but we’re looking for exceptionally strong storylines that maintains the genre of the book. In other words, if you can remove the fantasy elements from your book and still have a story, it’s not fully structured.
We’re looking to explore new worlds, step back into the past, meet up with someone from a past life, or to shake hands with a ghost. Don’t just tell us the story; show us.
Fantasy
Historical
Horror
Mystery
Paranormal
Science Fiction
Urban Fantasy
Word counts for all submissions should be no less than 5,000 words and no more than 75,000 words.
We are not looking for young adult, children’s, or inspirational fiction at this time.
We welcome submissions of previously released material as long as the author has proof of reversion of rights.
Please note that we do not accept simultaneous submissions.
To submit:
Please submit exactly as outlined below:
A Query Letter with:
- Your name, pseudonym, contact e-mail, complete mailing address, and telephone number
- The name of the manuscript you are submitting and the name of the series it is a part of, if any.
- The total word count of your manuscript and whether or not it is completed. By completed we mean polished and ready for submission.
- The genre, whether your book is sensual or erotic, and if this manuscript has been previously published.
A short but complete Synopsis focusing on the characters’ goals and motivations, the major story events, climax, and ending.
A Partial which includes the first Three Chapters of your manuscript which should also include any prologue.
Formatting Your Submission
Please follow these simple formatting guidelines precisely.
- RTF files only. Submissions in DOC or in the body of the e-mail will not be accepted.
- Double-spaced. Times New Roman or Book Antiqua font is preferred.
- Emphasis words should be italicized not underlined.
- The partial should be attached to the e-mail and not included in the body of the e-mail.
- Place the Query Letter only in the body of the e-mail, addressed to our Editor-in-Chief, Rhonda Jackson Joseph. Attach the Synopsis and Partial to the e-mail (RTF files only).
- Include your name, pen-name, and contact e-mail in the Synopsis and Partial as well.
Send the submissions package to whisperssubmissions@gmail.com.
- You will receive confirmation of receipt within one week. If you have not received confirmation at the end of one week, please e-mail Editor-in-Chief Rhonda Jackson Joseph at eicwhisperspublishing@gmail.com
Our current submissions’ read time is four weeks. If you have not heard from an editor at the end of one month, you may inquire about the status of your submission by sending an e-mail to whisperssubmissions@gmail.com. Please include the title of your story and the words “Status Inquiry” in the subject line.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions are the ones we hear most often from prospective authors. If you have a question that isn’t answered below, please contact us prior to submitting at whisperssubmissions@gmail.com.
What’s your turnaround time on submissions?
Our current response time to a query or proposal is approximately a month, although, we are running a little quicker than that at present.
Our response time for requested full manuscripts is about four to eight weeks.
If my book is contracted, when will it be published?
At present, the time for book publication from acceptance of contract is approximately five months. Depending upon our level of submissions, that timeline may change; however your book will definitely be published within a year of the completion of all edits.
Will my book be published in print format?
No. At this time, Whispers Publishing has elected not to publish individual books in print. However, from time to time, we do publish themed anthologies which include up to four of our titles. Of course, we cannot guarantee your book will be chosen for inclusion in any of our anthologies as our selection process depends upon a number of factors including reviews, author sales history, author history with the company, and print market viability.
How often are royalties paid?
Royalties are paid monthly.
Can I use my own art for the cover?
Usually, no, but we will consider any requests on a case-by-case basis, and we reserve the right to reject any cover that is not up to Whispers Publishing’s standards. We have had great success with our covers and have a talented cover art team that will work to ensure your book’s art will appeal to our customers and attract more sales.
Whispers Publishing’s Taboos for All Romance Novels
The following is a list of situations that are not allowed in any our books, regardless of the genre. Please use this guideline to ensure your manuscript conforms with our acceptance guidelines.
No sexual activity involving any character under the age of twenty-one. There will be no exceptions.
No sexual activity involving the use of garden tools, construction tools, kitchen utensils, or any other tool not usually reserved for sexual play. We don’t want to read about how one of the characters in the book creatively utilized a wire whisk.
The complete description of a rape scene. Rape may be utilized to enhance the nastiness of the antagonist; however, the crime should be perpetrated off camera (or out or the sight of readers) and should not be explained in detail. References can be used that will elucidate what the author needs to convey to the reader, i.e., she suffered a brutal rape at his hands, and he’d never been convicted.
No hard core BDSM or role-playing. By this, we mean we don’t want scenes involving the following:
- auto-erotic asphyxiation
- horse play (yes, we’ve seen submissions with these type of scenes)
- the use of whips for beating or to encourage submission .
- Role-playing between the hero and heroine wherein either the hero or heroine represent a character under the age of twenty-one. Additionally, we do not allow daddy/daughter, mommy/son or any other type of incestuous role-playing.
- the use of gags or other methods to silence a partner unless consensual.
- rough sex that involves any type of physical abuse, especially that results in bruises or trips to the emergency room
No necrophilia. Vampires, of course, are not considered dead. They are undead. Big difference between them and a corpse.
No bestiality. In a shapeshifter romance, the hero/heroine should not have sex with the character while that character is in shapeshifter form, i.e., the heroine should not have sex with the hero while he’s in wolf form.
If you have any type of sexual situation in your manuscript you’re not sure will fit within our guidelines, please feel free to e-mail us at whisperssubmissions@gmail.com prior to submitting.
