Question 1

What do I need to include in my submission?

Accepted Answer

Our submission form walks you through the information we need from you. It has specific sections for information about you and your manuscript, including:

Author bioElevator pitchBook proposal, or brief overview and marketing/promotion plans*Manuscript sample (the first three chapters)

*If you do not have a book proposal to upload, you can include a brief overview of your manuscript and any marketing and promotion plans you have in the fields provided.

Question 2

Can I submit by email?

Accepted Answer

No.

We ask that you please use our online form to send in all submissions. We have a system in place that tracks and sorts all submissions sent via the form, which will help in the review process.

If you’re having any problems with the submission form, please get in touch with us.

Submissions sent in any way other than the online form will not be considered.

Question 3

How should I format my submission?

Accepted Answer

We would prefer that submissions follow these guidelines:

Font size 12, black, in a commonly used font such as Calibri, Times New Roman, or ArialU.S. letter-sized pageDouble-spacedManuscript title in the header on each pagePages numbered

Legibility is the important thing, but the often-used standards exist for a reason. We like this article on manuscript formatting from The Write Life.

Question 4

Who can submit?

Accepted Answer

Everyone can submit a manuscript to How2Conquer. We accept submissions from anyone, located anywhere in the world. Submissions must be in English.

Question 5

How long can my manuscript be?

Accepted Answer

We prefer completed manuscripts with a target range of 40,000 – 70,000 words.

If we receive a manuscript that is uniquely strong, based on the merit of the writing and development of the idea, but it is longer or shorter than this, we will consider how the content may be tightened or expanded (respectively) and whether the subject merits a longer work.

However, we would prefer that you work to tighten your manuscript before submitting to us, keeping this range in mind.

Question 6

How much of my manuscript do I need to upload?

Accepted Answer

You only need to upload the first three chapters. We do not need your full manuscript at the time of submission.

The submission form will ask for the final word count of your manuscript. If you have not completed your manuscript yet, please estimate the final word count. You can include a table of contents and/or chapter summaries in your book proposal, if you choose to upload one.

Question 7

Can I submit by mail?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately we cannot accept postal submissions. If you’re having any problems with the submission form, please get in touch with us.

Question 8

Do you accept simultaneous submissions?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

If you accept a contract offer from another publisher, please let us know as soon as possible. Be sure to check that anywhere else you submit your manuscript also accepts simultaneous submissions.

If your piece is accepted for publication and/or shortlisted in a competition where the prize includes publication, you must withdraw your submission.

Question 9

What kind of manuscripts are you looking for?

Accepted Answer

We publish small-format, nonfiction books. We prefer completed manuscripts with a target range of 40,000 – 70,000 words.

How2Conquer is currently working to build our lists in the following categories:

BusinessLife & HomeSelf-help & Personal GrowthHumor

For more information, please see What We’re Looking For.

We do not want submissions that are:

Gratuitously violent or sexualRacist, homophobic, sexist, xenophobic, or that otherwise seeks to target a particular person or persons

Question 10

I haven't finished writing my book. Can I still submit it?

Accepted Answer

Yes! While we prefer completed manuscripts, you only need to upload the first three chapters of your book via the submission form. Our process includes four months for the author to finish writing their book if it is not completed at the time of submission.

If you choose to upload a book proposal, you can include a table of contents and/or chapter summaries to give us an idea about what the rest of the book will include.

The submission form will ask for the final word count of your manuscript. If you have not completed your manuscript yet, please estimate the final word count.

Question 11

Do I need a cover sheet?

Accepted Answer

As long as you’ve filled out the information required in the submission form, you don’t need to include a cover sheet, but you can include one if you’d like to.

Question 12

Should my pages be numbered?

Accepted Answer

Yes, please.

Question 13

How many manuscripts can I submit?

Accepted Answer

We would prefer that you only submit one manuscript at a time, beginning with the work you believe to be the strongest and most ready for publication. We aim to respond to submissions within 3-4 weeks.

However, you can submit as many manuscripts as you’d like, but please submit a separate form for each. Our submission form allows us to track submissions through our review process, and the fields ask questions which will be specific to every manuscript.

Question 14

My manuscript was previously published. Can I still submit it?

Accepted Answer

In general, no. We publish previously unpublished work.

If you’d like us to consider a submission for a new edition of a book, we will need more information from you – including information about the original publisher and how to contact them, so we can verify the book is no longer under contract if we decide to proceed.

New editions should include changes or updates from the original edition.

Question 15

Is there a submission fee?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not collect a submission fee for manuscripts we receive.