2025 has been a standout year in terms of the amazing projects we've been able to publish at Apex Book Company. We've had the pleasure of giving homes to titles such as ChloroPhilia, The Map of Lost Places, and We Who Hunt Alexanders, and we're hungry for more. That's why Apex Book Company will be holding an open reading period for novella and novel submissions!
When?: November 3rd through November 14th.
What are we looking for?: Works of fantasy, science fiction, horror, and other genre-blending works. We're seeking unique voices with stories that stick with a reader long after they've closed the covers. We want to see characters who feel real in unreal situations, and prose that grabs you by the throat and heart and doesn't let go. Accepting both agented and unrepresented submissions.
Response time: We're prepared for a lot of submissions of varying length, so we plead for patience! If you've gotten no response after 12 weeks, please feel free to reach out to Darian Bianco (darian@apexbookcompany.com) to check in.
What we're not looking for: Prose where the only goal is to shock or disgust. If you plan to submit high fantasy or sword and sorcery, please make sure it has a dark, unique edge that makes it Apex. No YA or MG.
Word count: For novellas, 30,000-45,000 words. For novels, 45,0001-100,000 words.
Format: Cover letter should be written in the body of the email. The manuscript should be attached as a DOC, RTF, or ODT. All submissions should also be in Shunn Manuscript Format.
Payment: Advance and royalties.
Work written with AI in any form or at any stage is NOT acceptable at Apex. Human-made art only!
Wishlist:
- Surreal, abstract, dreamlike stories
- Horror that feels unknowable and unexplainable (but doesn't become confusing!)
- POVs that push the boundaries of "human" characters
- Lush prose that hypnotizes an unsuspecting reader
- Monsters, new and classic, given a fresh twist
- Characters that make you cry, laugh, scream, and remember
- Subversive plots and/or writing style
Instructions on how to submit will be released on the first day of the open reading period. Stay tuned!
Questions can be sent to darian@apexbookcompany.com.
Apex Book Company titles are distributed by Independent Publishers Group.