How To Build Your Submission Package

This page is designed to help new authors understand how to properly build their submission package so that everyone has the best possible chance of securing representation. Even if you don’t use this guide to submit to Hollow Crowns, these structures are the common industry standard and can be applied to most publishing houses.

Manuscript Format

While Hollow Crowns does not require your manuscript to be in this format, this is the industry standard. Hollow Crowns only asks that you use either Letter or A5 size pages, nothing smaller than 10pt font, and readable fonts. For other presses, use;

  • Letter page only
  • 12pt font
  • Times New Roman or Sheriff fonts
  • Name, address, phone number, and email address at the top left of the first page
  • Title page with title, name or pen name and word count in the center of the page and the genre at the bottom
  • Every page must include a header in the top right corner that includes your last name, manuscript title, and page number
  • Double spaced lines
  • Indented paragraphs and dialogue
  • No double space between paragraphs
  • 1 inch margins on all sides

Comp Titles

The submission page rephrases this question as “Please list one recently published book with similar themes, plot elements, or target audience, and one book whose writing style or voice resembles your own.” The purpose of a comp title is not to find a book with a similar plot, publishers use it to determine how to market your book. For that reason, comp titles should have been published within the past 5 years.

Query Letter

A query letter should include;

  • Your book title, genre, and word count
  • The story’s hook
  • A synopsis of the main events, conflicts, goals, and stakes
  • A brief author bio including any personal information relevant to your story
  • Why you’re querying who you’re querying (ex.; your book is speculative horror featuring a diverse POC cast, which the agent you’re querying mentioned in their wishlist)

250-500 words

Elevator Pitch

A 1-3 sentence summary of your book using the most hooking information.

Synopsis

The full summary of your book including major spoilers and the ending. Yes, you’re spoiling your book.

1-3 pages