LionHearted Author and
Manuscript Submission Guidelines
As of March 16th, LionHearted has put manuscript submissions on hold.
Please do not submit any queries, synopses, samples, or manuscripts
whether by email or snail mail until further notice.
We have had to make some hard choices in how we allocate our resources. Reviewing submissions takes a lot of time, and since we take 1 or 2 out of a hundred submissions, we have decided to re-allocate that time right now to getting our current authors published sooner.
You may check back monthly to see when we change this status.
Author Guidelines
LionHearted is a multiple award winning publishing house of romantic fiction.
We have a different editorial vision.
Our editors strongly recommend writers read LionHearted's novels
in the sub-genere of romance in which they wish to submit.
Steven King said it best,
"If you don't have time to read, you don't have the tools to write."
Manuscript Submission Guidelines | Questions & Answers
Writing Tips For Authors
- LionHearted currently publishes paperbacks and ebooks.
- All submisssions are automatically considered for both formats. We seek only previously unpublished novels.
- Our editors prefer expanded plots and more character depth.
- The hero's and heroine's goals and/or ruling passions should be revealed early and preferably be in conflict with each other.
- The hero and heroine should meet early and not be separated for long periods of time.
- They can be any age, and physical attributes are not as important as fully developed and clearly defined personalities.
- Motivation and personality should be revealed through dialogue, actions and narrative.
- Create a likeable heroine, and a hero readers will fall in love with by the end of the book. Humor is always desirable.
The primary reasons LH editors reject a manuscript are:
- Lack of conflict
- Underdeveloped characters
- Too many points of view
Make sure your story is a romance! Romance novels always have a happy ending. Limit point of view to the heroine and hero. Our editors like the main story focus to be the relationship conflict. Sexual tension should not be confused with conflict, but both are vital. If there are no love scenes there should still be sexual tension. Love scenes can be light to heavy sensual. If there are love scenes, they should advance the story or characters and tastefully establish emotional intimacy rather than focus on the mechanics.
Master the techniques and skills of good writing. Present a professional image. Self-edit to the best of your ability. Check spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and use proper manuscript format.
Submission Guidelines
Author Guidelines | Questions & AnswersWriting Tips For Authors
As of March 16th, LionHearted has put manuscript submissions on hold.
Please do not submit any query's, synopsis, samples, or manuscripts
whether by email or snail mail until further notice.
On May 1, 2002, we implemented a new policy
We no longer accept, review, or consider any unsolicited materials without a release on file.
Please complete our new online HTML Submission Form.
Your submitted form will be accepted as your signature.
- ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST FIRST BE EMAILED to Editor@LionHearted.com
or FAXED to 888-546-6478. Include:
1. A query letter with a 1 paragraph brief story synopsis
2. A 1-2 page full story synopsis.
3. An optional first chapter in the body of the email, or as an attachment, as a sample of your writing style.
- An editor will respond by email, phone or mail. Please allow 2-4 weeks.
- Any materials submitted without a Submission Form will be held without review for 30 days pending arrival of the Submission Form, then discarded, or returned if postage is provided.
- We realize not everyone has email, but libraries and office supply stores are everywhere offering email, fax, and other electronic services.
- Open PDF files with Adobe Acrobat Reader available for free from Adobe's web site.
- If you are not able to view or print the Submission Form, a PDF verson can be emailed or faxed to you.
Note: All submissions must be addressed to Editor@LionHearted.com
The Subject Line should contain the authors last name and title of the book
Attchment files should contain the authors last name and one prominent word in the title
Example: Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Subject line: Mitchell/Gone With The Wind
Attachment: Mitchell/Wind/Ch1.doc
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. What exactly is "unsolicited material?"
A. Unsolicited material is defined as the unrequested tendering of materials or ideas to LionHearted for consideration.
Q. What are some examples of unsolicited submissions?
A. A query letter.
A synopsis, treatment or outline
A partial manuscript or screenplay (one or more chapters, or sample pages)
A full manuscript or screenplay
Q. How and when do I submit my full manuscript?
A. If an editor is interested in seeing your work, they will ask you to send the material via postal mail. "Requested Material" should be written clearly on the outside of the mailing envelope/package. Include a return envelope with prepaid postage if you want your material returned, or it will be recycled.
Query Letter
- Email or Fax submissions to: Editor@LionHearted.com, 775-588-1386. PLEASE include:
- The manuscript sub-genere (ie: contemporary, historical, time-travel, paranormal, etc.)
- Word count.
- A one paragraph synopsis (thumbnail sketch) of the story line MUST be included.
- A pseudonym if applicable.
- Your phone, fax, mail and email addresses.
- Synopsis
- Synopsis must be included with every submission. It should be a 1-2 page, clear, concise rendering of the complete story line.
- Format
- Typewritten, double-spaced, minimum one inch (1") margins. Title page must include the author's real name, address, phone/fax numbers, email address, title and word count. Indicate if a pseudonym will be used. In the upper left hand corner include the author's last name and the first major word in the title, e.g., Mitchell/Gone; Woodiwiss/Flame. Include page numbering. Start chapters a third to halfway down the page to allow room for editor comments.
- Agents
- Unsolicited and non-agent manuscripts are welcome to follow the Submission Policy above. All manuscripts are evaluated equally at LionHearted. The contract is standard.
- Postage
- For manuscript return, include sufficient stamps (avoid dated postage), International Reply Coupons (IRC=$.80 USD/ea), or a check with a manuscript size self-addressed envelope.
- Requested Manuscripts
- Manuscripts must have a cover letter and a synopsis. Turnaround is aprox 4-12 weeks. Simultaneous submissions are discouraged.
- Payment
- LionHearted is not a vanity or subsidy press. Royalties are paid on paperbacks and ebooks. A market competitive advance is paid to contracted authors. LionHearted employs many avenues of distribution on a national level. No author funds are withheld for reserve against returns. All authors should promote their books.
- Copyright
- Copyright is in the author's name.
-
- We Recommend:
- Use two or three rubber bands in both directions to secure your pages.
- Include a #10 SASE for editor's comments even if you include a large return envelope.
- Send a self-addressed/stamped post card with requested manuscript. for confirmation of receipt.
- For ease in handling we prefer return envelopes to be Priority Mail envelopes - free from any US post office. Self-address and attach return postage (if metered it must be without a date).
- Send requested materials to P.O Box 618, Zephyr Cove, NV 89448.
(Mail is not delivered to the street address at Lake Tahoe) - Send FedEx or UPS deliveries to 100 Daggett Way, Stateline, NV 89449
- We Recommend:
-
Thank you in advance for your cooperation. We look forward to reviewing your submission.
Author Guidelines | Manuscript Submission Guidelines
Writing Tips For AuthorsQ & A
LionHearted Editors Answer Your Questions - Q. What do editors want?
- A. Editors always desire well written stories. Beyond that obvious simplification the best way to gain an advantage over other submissions is to read as many books as you can that are produced by that editor or line to see if your work is similar in tone and feels in harmony with their other books.
- Q. What are the reasons editors reject most manuscripts?
- A. Here are the TOP 10 reasons at LionHearted:
- No conflict! Some submissions have no internal or external conflict, but are just a nice love story unfolding. Category romance is normally internal conflict driven, our editors prefer both internal and external conflict which is what our longer word count is meant to encourage.
- No hook! Reveal early on the conflict that must be resolved by the end of the book.
- Too many points of view! LionHearted prefers two points of view, the hero's and the heroine's. We have accepted two books with only the heroine's POV, and we will consider adding the villain's POV.
- Too much telling! Excessive use of passive voice, pages and pages of narrative without dialogue.
- Mechanical errors! Spelling and grammar errors, and poorly constructed sentences. Learn the basics of writing and self-edit before submitting.
- Not tightly written! Redundant information, overwritten lengthy sentences.
- Inappropriate dialogue! Modern language from a historical character; hick language from an educated character.
- Cookie cutter characters! Not distinct in their personalities from other stereo-typed characters.
- Historical inaccuracy! Nothing stops an editor like an author who has not done her research.
- Not a compelling storyline! Overdone plot, too predictable.
A professional reader once told a writer the main reason her work was rejected
was because the heroine wasn't nice. The writer was Margaret Mitchell.- Q. The debate continues - should I build my plot or my characters first?
- A. It is OK to start with the germ of an idea for a story. But, make your life easier by building your characters first and letting their distinct personalities develop the plot with all the twists and turns for your story. If you have built your two main characters profile first on a separate sheet of paper you will know what makes them tick, what their ruling passions are, their fears, their goals, etc. This will make it easier for you to think up plot twists that actually play off their unique personalities and will help drive the storyline forward.
"Character is plot, plot is character." - F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Q. I know the mechanics of writing and have practiced the craft for several manuscripts but I'm still not published, is there something else I should be doing?
- A. First, submit to the houses that take similar type books.
- Second, try trimming or throwing out your first three chapters. Start your story where the action starts, where the decision must be made, when the conflict is introduced. Many authors make the common mistake of using the first three chapters as 'get acquainted' time with their characters. This habit can cause a new author to be rejected because the average editor reads less than the first eight pages of a manuscript before making a decision to keep reading or reject the work.
- Third, try creating pole-to-pole opposite main characters with goals that are at odds. A hero and heroine with similar backgrounds, similar tastes, dislikes, motivations, etc. can get very boring. Also, perfect heroes and heroines bore readers. If your characters have different traits and talents they will have room to grow and can act in surprising ways which adds spark and excitement to your story.
For more great tips and techniques visit our Writing Tips For Authors page.
LionHearted Publishing, Inc.
admin@LionHearted.com
P.O. Box 618, Zephyr Cove, NV 89448-0618
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