Submit Your Manuscript Excerpt
Ready to see if your book is a fit for Dilettante Press? Start here.
Before you submit, make sure it's polished. We’re selective because every book we publish carries the Dilettante Press name. Our commitment is to quality, professionalism, and giving authors a book they can be proud of. If you’re unsure your manuscript is ready, consider an editorial assessment or professional edit first.
Can I submit a rough draft?
No. Please polish your excerpt as much as you can. You don't have to have it edited yet — but the better the submission, the better the chance of it getting accepted.
What happens after I submit my manuscript excerpt?
We will review the excerpt and assess if the work meets our standards and if it is a good fit for our catalog. Given that our catalog is quite thin, the chances are pretty good it will fit.
This process can take from 2-4 weeks depending on the number of submissions we need to go through. All submissions are taken on a first-come first-served basis.
Do I have to have my manuscript edited before I submit it?
No, but it helps. We accept unedited excerpts for submission, but if your manuscript is selected, it must be copy edited before production. Final proofreading is included in the Core Publishing Agreement, but authors are responsible for the cost of copy editing (and developmental editing, if needed).
How long does the whole process take?
Start to finish, publishing can take weeks or even months. If you’re starting with a finished manuscript, editing on the author’s side can take a month or two depending on length. Once editing is complete, we begin interior book layout and typesetting.
Some steps are quick — ISBN assignment, metadata entry, submissions to the U.S. Copyright Office and Library of Congress are usually done within a day. Others, like PCIP, can take days or even weeks to process. There is also back-and-forth between author and publisher to make sure the final product is approved before publication.
If you’re budgeting for time, expect anywhere from two to six months after finishing your manuscript. This is only a rough estimate, since many factors affect how long the process takes.
Can I use my own editor?
Yes. In fact, you must. We do not have in-house editors and we want the highest quality and best experience for our authors. We will guide you through the process and help you find the perfect editor at no additional cost to you.
What if I’ve already had editing done?
That’s great — it saves time. We’ll ask for proof (invoice, editor’s name, or notes) so we can verify the work. If the edit meets professional standards, your manuscript can move straight into production.
Can Dilettante Press arrange editing for me?
Yes. If you prefer, we can connect you with vetted freelance editors. We charge a flat $175 coordination fee for managing the process, plus the editor’s fee at industry rates. This covers sourcing, scheduling, and quality checks so you don’t have to manage the back-and-forth yourself.
Why doesn't Dilettante Press bundle editing and cover design?
We don’t necessarily hold anything against publishing services that provide “full service” packages including editing, cover design, or marketing. But we chose not to include editing or cover design in our Core Service because it creates a conflict of interest. Without in-house staff, we’d have to subcontract and mark up those costs — which doesn’t serve authors fairly.
Finding and hiring an editor or designer is often easier than many authors expect, and we’re happy to walk authors through that process as part of the Core Agreement. This way, the author controls both the budget and the choice of professionals they trust.
Do you accept all genres?
We will publish most genres with a few exceptions. We do not publish erotica, conspiracy theories, or content that has the purpose of demeaning or belittling others.
Do I need to submit my entire manuscript?
No. We only need to see a few pages — 10-20 — or about 1,000 words. That's enough to give us a sense of your voice, style, and the story you're trying to tell.
Do I need to have a completed manuscript for non-fiction?
For non-fiction, we usually need a completed manuscript. In rare cases, if an author has a strong platform and a well-developed proposal with sample chapters, we may review that. Traditional publishers often sign non-fiction from a proposal because they have large in-house teams to help shape the book. As a hybrid press, we expect authors to bring us work that’s largely developed before we take it forward.
What happens if my submission is accepted?
If we think your book will be a good fit for Dilettante Press — or that we are a good fit for your book — we will ask you to upload your full manuscript.
What happens if you pass on my submission?
You always retain full rights to your work. If we pass, we’ll tell you straight, and when possible, we’ll include a note about why. A pass from us isn’t a judgment that your writing is “bad” — it often just means the project doesn’t fit what we’re building right now. Every author collects rejections, even from the best houses. The important thing is to keep writing, keep refining, and keep putting your work in front of people. A “no” today doesn’t close the door forever.
