Throughout the month of June unpublished and emerging writers will have a rare opportunity: the chance to submit their work directly to one of the world’s most prestigious literary imprints, Jonathan Cape.
UK-based Jonathan Cape is a imprint of Penguin Random House’s Vintage Books. It publishes the likes of Ian McEwan, Philip Roth, Audrey Niffenegger and Anne Enright.
This account of Jonathan Cape’s development was published in 1971 to mark its fiftieth anniversary.
Unsolicited submissions will be open between 1 June and 30 June. To submit their work, writers are asked to email an initial 50 pages of prose fiction as an attachment to capesubmissions@randomhouse.co.uk. These pages can be part of a novel or novella, or they can be short stories.
Together with the 50 pages writers should also include their contact details and a covering paragraph with ‘any information you think might prove helpful in considering your submission’. The submitted writing can be a work in progress.
Submissions sent after 30 June will not be read so get in quick. After this date, Jonathan Cape will once again only accept submissions via a literary agent.
Source: Cape Open Submissions
Fantastic opportunity. Thanks!
Not only is this an awesome opportunity, but we’ve all been given enough notice to polish up current projects – ace!
This is great for emerging authors who just can’t seem to find footing anywhere!
Could you please specify if the 50 pages for submission are to be single-spaced, double-spaced or other?
I was wondering the same thing, it would be very helpful to have that clarified.
The industry standard is 250 words a page.
Great opportunity! Does anyone know if it needs to be single or double spaced? Would I be right in presuming the pages are A4?
I agree with the above posts. This is truly a great opportunity for writers!
When submitting to an agent the general rule of thumb is double spaced, A4. Just as you would if it was a paper submission.
Great opportunity indeed! I hope my manuscript will be chosen for publication.
Wish me good luck pals.
Was this June 30th deadline UK date since there is a US/UK time difference?
When is one likely to hear back from Cape Submissions? Or is there a period of time after which (if one hasn’t heard) one can assume that Cape is not interested and therefore offer it elsewhere?