Publish with Fables

 

Fables accepts publishing submissions directly by email.

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Before submitting, please read the requirements below carefully. Publishing applications are reviewed based on the information provided, the submitted work, the author's existing catalog and public author presence where applicable, and the current needs of the Fables publishing catalog.

All publishing submissions must be emailed to:

publishing@the-fables-co.com

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We no longer accept publishing applications through an online submission form.

1. Choose Your Publishing Pathway

 

Before submitting, decide which publishing pathway you are applying for.

Please do not select multiple pathways simply because you are unsure which one applies. If we believe another Fables pathway may be more appropriate for your work, we may recommend it after reviewing your submission.

OFFICIAL FABLES AUTHOR

 

For authors seeking an ongoing publishing relationship with Fables.

Official Fables Authors are not considered solely on the basis of one manuscript. We consider the author, their eligible catalog, future publishing plans, professional presence, community participation, branding, marketing potential, and whether we believe Fables is the right long-term publishing home for their work.

If applying as an Official Fables Author, your Submission Pack must clearly explain which existing and future works you are willing for Fables to consider.

Official Author positions are limited and highly selective.

2026: Closed

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SINGLE BOOK

 

For an author who wants Fables to consider one specific book without entering into a wider publishing relationship.

Your other works and pen names may remain completely independent of Fables.

2026: 5 Selections Open

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SINGLE SERIES

 

For an author who wants Fables to consider one complete series.

This may include a new series or, where appropriate, an existing series for which the author controls the necessary publishing rights.

Your unrelated books, other series, and other pen names may remain independent.

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2026: 3 Selections Open

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PAID FABLES AUTHOR

 

For authors who want ongoing professional publishing support while developing their catalog.

Depending on the agreement, this may include editing, formatting, design, marketing, release planning, publishing support, sales support, special-edition development, and ongoing project management.

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Our standard Paid Fables Author membership is $200 USD per month, with other payment arrangements sometimes available depending on the offer made.

2. Check That Your Work Fits Fables

 

Fables primarily publishes fiction, including genres such as:

• Fantasy

• Paranormal romance

• Romantasy

• Romance

• Dark romance

• Horror

• Mystery

• Thriller

• Speculative and related fiction

 

At this time, Fables does not publish or distribute poetry or nonfiction.

We are also not currently prioritizing novella-length works for our primary publishing program.

Submitting a genre we publish does not guarantee that a project will be accepted. Our catalog needs, available publishing positions, audience fit, manuscript quality, commercial positioning, and existing publishing commitments are all considered.

3. Your Email Subject Line

 

All submissions must use the following subject format:

PUBLISHING SUBMISSION | [PATHWAY] | [AUTHOR NAME] | [BOOK OR SERIES TITLE]

For example:

PUBLISHING SUBMISSION | SINGLE SERIES | Jane Smith | The Hollow Crown Series

or:

PUBLISHING SUBMISSION | OFFICIAL AUTHOR | Jane Smith | The Hollow Crown

or:

PUBLISHING SUBMISSION | PAID AUTHOR | Jane Smith | The Hollow Crown Series

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Please do not use subject lines such as:

"Book Submission"

"Publishing"

"My Manuscript"

"Please Read"

"Fables Application"

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Correct subject lines allow submissions to be sorted and assigned for review correctly.

4. What to Include in Your Email

 

The email itself does not need to contain your entire application.

Please include:

Author Name:
Legal/Contact Name:
Publishing Pathway:
Submitted Title or Series:
Genre:
Current Status: Unpublished / Previously Published / Work in Progress
Attachments: Submission Pack + Manuscript/Sample

 

You may then include a short introduction of approximately 1–3 paragraphs.

Please do not paste your entire manuscript, synopsis, or application into the body of the email.

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5. Required Attachment One: Your Submission Pack

 

Every application must contain a Submission Pack in PDF format.

This document gives our publishing team the information required to assess both your work and the type of publishing relationship you are requesting.

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Your Submission Pack does not need elaborate graphic design.

Clear, professional formatting is preferred.

FILE NAME

 

Please name your file:

AuthorName_Title_SubmissionPack.pdf

Example:

JaneSmith_TheHollowCrown_SubmissionPack.pdf

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WHAT YOUR SUBMISSION PACK MUST INCLUDE

A. COVER PAGE

 

Include:

Author Name

Legal/Contact Name, if different

Email Address

Website, if applicable

Primary Social Media Links/Usernames

Goodreads Author Profile, if applicable

Book or Series Title

Publishing Pathway Requested

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B. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Tell us briefly about yourself as an author.

Include:

• How long you have been writing

• Your publishing experience

• Number of completed books

• Number of published books

• Genres you write

• Intended reader age groups

• Whether you use additional pen names

• What you hope to accomplish as an author

We do not need your entire life story. We do want enough information to understand who you are, what you write, and where you are in your publishing journey.

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C. YOUR PUBLISHING GOALS

 

Tell us:

• Your long-term publishing goals

• How many books you realistically expect to complete over the next three years

• Whether you intend to publish independently alongside Fables

• Whether you have other pen names or publishing projects that will remain separate

• What you are looking for from a publisher or publishing team

For Official Fables Author applications, please also explain what you want a long-term relationship with Fables to look like.

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D. BOOK INFORMATION

 

For the primary work being submitted, include:

Title

Series Name, if applicable

Book Number, if applicable

Genre/Subgenre

Intended Reader Age

Approximate Word Count

Current Manuscript Status

 

Choose the closest description:

• Outline

• Currently Writing

• First Draft Complete

• Currently Revising

• Ready for Editing

• Publication Ready

• Previously Published

 

Please also include your anticipated completion date if the manuscript is unfinished.

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E. BLURB

 

Include the current reader-facing blurb for the book.

This does not need to be final. We understand that blurbs frequently change during publishing.

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F. FULL SYNOPSIS

 

A synopsis is not the same as a blurb.

Your synopsis should explain the actual story, including major characters, central conflict, important developments, significant twists, romantic development where applicable, the climax, and the ending.

Spoilers are expected.

Please do not hide the ending from us.

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For a series submission, include a synopsis for the first book and an overview of the planned direction of the wider series.

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G. CHARACTER AGES & ROMANTIC CONTENT

 

If your book contains romance, please clearly state:

Age of each central romantic character:
Romance heat level:
Open Door / Closed Door / No Sexual Content:
Any significant age gap:
Whether any central romantic characters are minors:

For Young Adult works, character ages must be clearly disclosed.

If this information is missing and we cannot confidently determine the age or nature of a romantic relationship, we may be unable to consider the manuscript.

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H. CONTENT & TRIGGER INFORMATION

 

Include all significant content considerations that would be relevant to publishing, editing, marketing, or reader positioning.

This may include, where applicable:

• Explicit sexual content

• Sexual assault

• Abuse

• Self-harm

• Suicide

• Eating disorders

• Substance abuse

• Graphic violence

• Gore

• Pregnancy or pregnancy loss

• Child loss

• Mental health themes

• Discrimination

• Death

• Other significant or potentially sensitive material

This information does not automatically prevent Fables from considering a manuscript.

It allows us to assess and position the work appropriately.

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I. SERIES INFORMATION

 

If the submitted book belongs to a series, include:

Series Title

Number of Planned Books

Titles, if known

Approximate Word Counts

Current Status of Each Book

Whether each book is interconnected, standalone, episodic, a duet, trilogy, etc.

Expected completion schedule

Include a short paragraph explaining the overarching series direction.

If applying through the Single Series pathway, clearly identify every book you intend the publishing agreement to cover.

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6. Previously Published Works

 

If any work you want Fables to consider has already been published, disclose this clearly.

For each previously published book, include:

• Title

• Series

• Publication date

• Current retailer/platform availability

• Current formats

• Current publisher, if applicable

• Current KDP/KU/KDP Select status

• Any exclusivity arrangements

• Any previous publishing agreements

• Confirmation that you control the publishing rights required to submit the work

• Current cover

• Purchase link

• Approximate lifetime or recent sales, if available

Do not describe a previously published manuscript as unpublished because you intend to release a new edition.

Tell us what existed previously and what you intend to change.

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Previous publication does not automatically make a project ineligible.

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7. Existing Catalog

OFFICIAL FABLES AUTHOR APPLICANTS

 

If you are applying to become an Official Fables Author, we need to understand the catalog we are being asked to consider.

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Include a list of your existing works with:

Title | Series | Genre | Word Count | Published/Unpublished | Rights Controlled by You?

 

You should then clearly state:

Works I am willing for Fables to consider:

and

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Works/Pen Names that will remain independent of Fables:

Please do not apply for an Official Author position and then leave us guessing whether you want us to consider one book, one series, or your wider catalog.

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If you only want us to publish one book or one series, apply through the Single Book or Single Series pathway instead.

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8. Rights & Publishing History

 

Your Submission Pack must disclose any agreement that could affect our ability to publish the work.

This includes:

• Previous publishers

• Current publishers

• Rights licenses

• Anthology agreements

• Distribution agreements

• Audiobook agreements

• KDP Select or other exclusivity

• Subscription or serialized fiction exclusivity

• Co-authorship

• Shared worlds

• Licensed characters or intellectual property

• Previously reverted rights

If another person has ownership or contractual rights connected to the work, tell us.

If you are uncertain whether an existing agreement affects your rights, disclose it anyway.

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9. Generative AI Disclosure

 

Fables maintains strict standards regarding generative AI.

You must disclose any use of generative AI connected to the submitted work or its existing publication history, including:

• Manuscript generation

• Rewriting or creative generation

• Cover artwork

• Interior illustrations

• Character artwork

• Audiobook production

• Marketing assets

If previously published editions contain AI-generated creative assets, disclose this even if you intend to replace them.

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Fables may require AI-generated materials to be replaced before accepting or republishing a project.

Failure to disclose relevant generative AI use may result in the submission being declined or an existing offer being withdrawn.

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10. Your Author Brand & Public Presence

 

Publishing is not assessed solely from the manuscript.

Where relevant to the publishing pathway, particularly for Official Fables Authors, we may review the public-facing author brand associated with the submission.

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This may include:

• Website

• Social media

• Existing book covers

• Amazon/retailer pages

• Goodreads

• Ream or other reader platforms

• Public author communities

• Branding consistency

• Professional conduct and community participation

 

We understand that authors evolve.

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An imperfect website, an older cover, or a small following does not automatically prevent acceptance.

We are looking at whether there is a strong foundation we can work with and whether the author is ready to actively participate in building their publishing career.

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Official Fables Authors are expected to be proactive participants in their publishing and marketing journey.

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11. Why Fables?

 

Include a short section answering:

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Why do you want Fables to publish or work with this project?

We are not looking for flattery.

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We want to know what you believe Fables can contribute to your publishing journey and why you believe the partnership would be a good fit.

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12. Anything Else We Should Know?

 

Use this section for information that does not fit elsewhere but may affect our assessment.

For example:

• Upcoming anthology commitments

• Existing release dates

• Planned Kickstarter/crowdfunding campaigns

• Collaboration commitments

• Major deadlines

• Accessibility requirements relating to working with our team

• Planned pen-name changes

• Rights currently reverting

• Major revisions already planned

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13. Required Declaration

 

Your Submission Pack must finish with the following declarations:

By submitting this application, I confirm that:

• I am the creator of the submitted work or have the legal authority to submit it.

• The information provided in my submission is accurate to the best of my knowledge.

• I have disclosed relevant existing publishing, distribution, licensing, collaboration, and exclusivity agreements.

• I understand Fables may request evidence of rights ownership or rights reversion.

• I have disclosed relevant generative AI use associated with the submitted work.

• I understand that submitting work does not guarantee acceptance or publication.

• I understand that Fables may recommend editing, branding, cover, title, pricing, positioning, or publishing changes before accepting or releasing a project.

• I give Fables permission to review the submitted manuscript and supporting materials for publishing consideration.

• I understand that final rights, royalties, services, costs, deadlines, responsibilities, and publishing arrangements are determined by a separate written agreement.

• I have read and agree to the current Publish with Fables Submission Terms and Privacy Policy.

Finish with:

Author Name:
Date:

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14. Required Attachment Two: Your Manuscript

 

Your manuscript must be attached separately from your Submission Pack.

Accepted formats:

.DOCX

or

.PDF

We do not accept:

• Apple Pages files

• Canva documents

• Google Docs links in place of an attachment

• Scrivener files

• ZIP/RAR archives

• Image files containing manuscript pages

If we cannot open your manuscript, we cannot assess it.

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FILE NAME

Use:

AuthorName_Title_Manuscript.docx

or:

AuthorName_Title_Manuscript.pdf

Example:

JaneSmith_TheHollowCrown_Manuscript.docx

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15. How Much of the Manuscript Should You Send?

COMPLETED MANUSCRIPT

Send the full manuscript.

CURRENTLY REVISING

Send the current full manuscript and disclose that revisions are underway.

WORK IN PROGRESS

Send at least the first three chapters or approximately 10,000 words, whichever provides the most complete natural stopping point.

Also include your anticipated manuscript completion date in your Submission Pack.

SERIES SUBMISSIONS

Unless requested otherwise, you do not need to attach every manuscript in a completed series.

Attach the first book being submitted and provide complete information about the remaining books in your Submission Pack.

Fables may request additional manuscripts during the review process.

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16. Optional Supporting Attachments

 

You may also attach relevant supporting material such as:

• Series bible

• World guide

• Map

• Existing cover

• Media kit

• Brand kit

 

These are optional.

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Please do not replace required information in the Submission Pack with supporting documents.

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17. Do Not Send

 

Please do not send:

• Multiple separate emails for the same application

• Password-protected files

• Cloud links requiring us to request access

• Incomplete manuscripts without explaining their status

• Unrequested merchandise

• Physical books

• Dozens of separate image files

• Entire backlists without explaining which works you actually want considered

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Keep your application organized.

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18. Incomplete Submissions

 

Applications that do not follow the submission requirements may be declined without full manuscript assessment.

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This includes, but is not limited to:

• Missing Submission Pack

• Missing manuscript/sample

• Unsupported file types

• No synopsis

• Unclear publishing pathway

• Missing character ages where relevant

• Missing rights information

• Undisclosed prior publication

• Missing AI disclosure

• Insufficient information about a series being submitted

 

Fables is not responsible for chasing applicants for information that is required under the submission guidelines.

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You are welcome to correct the application and submit again unless advised otherwise.

19. What Happens After You Submit?

 

Once your submission is received, Fables may:

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Decline the submission

Request additional information

Request additional manuscript material

Recommend that you submit through a different publishing pathway

Offer a Single Book agreement

Offer a Single Series agreement

Offer a Paid Fables Author position

Offer an Official Fables Author position when positions are available

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Submitting for one pathway does not guarantee that an offer, if made, will be for that same pathway.

Sometimes we love the author or the work but believe a different publishing relationship would be more appropriate. Please allow up to four weeks for a response to your submission.

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READY TO SUBMIT?

 

Email:

publishing@the-fables-co.com

Subject:

PUBLISHING SUBMISSION | [PATHWAY] | [AUTHOR NAME] | [TITLE/SERIES]

Attach:

1. Your Submission Pack — PDF only

2. Your Manuscript or Sample — DOCX or PDF

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Please review your files before sending.

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We want to spend our time considering your story, not trying to work out what you intended to submit.