Submissions to Shoreline Press

Have a manuscript you'd like to submit?

First, read the descriptions of our books and see if you think your manuscript would fit in the Shoreline milieu. If so, always query us (by mail, fax or e-mail to ) before you ship a manuscript.

We publish from three to five books a year and are very selective in choosing those we think would appeal to Canadian readers. In your query, please briefly describe your story, and tell us anything else that might interest us. We are looking for information, not a hard sell, so do not say it will make us rich and famous!

We are also interested in knowing, in your query, how you could help market the book, if published. Could you do signings, readings, contact local radio and TV stations for interviews and local papers for reviews? Shoreline works with each author as a team, each contributing our best talents to publicize our books.

This also holds true for the production process of each new book. We work very closely with each new author in the editing stage. We confer (e-mail makes it easy) on problem areas, so the author can expect the team approach to begin here - to make each book the best possible.

What do we look for in a new submission?

Besides a good story, we look for good editing. If you have already gone over your text three times, do it once again. Ask someone else to read it for content and/or editing. We expect to receive the very best manuscript you can possibly produce - after all, you are trying to make a good impression!

If your manuscript sounds intriguing, interesting and/or original, we will invite you to send it to us. We use the standard guidelines -- typed, double-spaced on 8.5" x 11" paper - for this copy of your manuscript. Do not send us a disk, CD or electronic copy at this time. We like to see the entire manuscript; you need not summarize or outline. We would also ask that the print is not faded and that all pages are numbered and kept loose (not bound). If you have original photographs, you may want to send photocopies at this time. Please state if it is a multiple submission.

Include a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) with Canadian stamps or postal coupon for our reply to you, unless you prefer e-mail. If you want the manuscript returned, indicate and supply postage.

One of our editors will read your manuscript. If she pronounces it a "possible," it will be given to another editor for a second opinion. You will receive your reply in good time. We do wish you all the best in your endeavours. Happy writing!