Submission
Requirements for Fiction ...
Your novel must be completed before you send a query. If we request the
full manuscript, please be ready to send it to us.
Include the following with your submission:
- A cover (or query) letter that includes an overview of your book, and
the following:
- The genre of your novel (e.g. romantic suspense, women's mainstream, inspirational)
- An estimated length or word count
- A one-paragraph bio and any previous publishing or writing credits
- Contact information, including: address, phone/fax numbers, and email address
- A 1-2 page synopsis of your book including how your story ends.
- The first 5-10 pages of your manuscript.
Mention similar books or writers in your genre so that we can begin to
think about how we might market your work. The brief description and bio
should be similar to those found on jacket copy of published books. Mention
how you have learned to write fiction such as University studies; working
with a private editor; working with a critique group; how many years you
have been writing; conferences attended; writers' groups like RWA or MWA
you have joined, and so on.
Additional submission instructions and information:
- We accept queries only from residents of the U.S. or Canada.
- Use 12-point type (Times New Roman is preferred).
- Always double-space - and use 1 inch margins.
- Print the text on only one side of standard, 8½" x 11" white paper.
- Don't send any original materials by mail that are irreplaceable like photos or letters of endorsement.
- Do not include an SASE unless you desire submittal materials to be returned. Include envelope with sufficient postage to return your materials.
- Allow up to 3 weeks for a response. If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks, we are declining to represent your work.
Sending In Your Fiction Proposal ...
Submit queries via regular mail or email. We do not accept submissions by phone.
Submitting via Regular Mail
Send the query letter, synopsis, and sample pages by regular mail to:
Natasha Kern Literary Agency
P. O. Box 1069
White Salmon, WA 98672
You should receive a response from the agency within two to four weeks IF we are interested in talking with you further about your project. No response within that time is an indication that your project is not one that we are seeking to represent at this time.
Do not include an SASE (self-addressed,
stamped envelope) unless you need materials returned to you. We prefer
to contact writers to request more material if we are interested in their
project. However, if you do include an SASE with sufficient postage we
will return your submitted material (other than the actual query letter)
along with a form rejection letter.
Submitting via Email
Send the query letter, synopsis, and sample pages within the body
of the email. We do not accept or read unsolicited
attachments. Include
the word QUERY, and also the title of your project in the email subject
line. We will respond via email or phone within two weeks IF we are interested
in your project and need additional material. Otherwise, you will not receive
a response other than an auto-reply email acknowledging your initial email
submission.
Send email queries to: queries@natashakern.com
Agency Client Fees
The agency does not charge a reading fee and does not use outside readers. Submission
of material does not guarantee the agency will represent the author or render
the work more salable to publishers. The agency receives a 15% commission on
domestic sales, splits a 15% commission on film sales with our Hollywood subagents,
and splits a 20% commission with subagents for foreign rights sales.