Shiraki Press seeks genre fiction manuscripts between 10,000-50,000 words, targeted at adult audiences.
All submissions will be considered carefully, but we particularly delight in fiction that explores the indomitable human ability to stand against the dark and light the way to worlds that could be. We look for stories that remind us to stretch and grow beyond who we were before, to create and build worlds where connection emerges from chaos and community out-competes greed.
Above all, we believe that love is more durable than fear and small acts of kindness can lay the groundwork for real change.
Submission Guidelines
Email to: submissions@shirakipress.com
The subject line must include “New Submission: title, genre”, like this:
New Submission: Peas and Cues, cozy gardening mystery romance
The body of your email should include your preferred pen name, pronouns, a brief author bio with any previous publishing experience, a synopsis (no longer than 2,000 words), whether you have already completed any professional editing, and final word count. For example:
Hi, I’m Madelyn Donuts (she/her) and I am currently writing garden variety mystery romance novellas under the pseudonym Maddie Buttons. Madelyn struggles to wear a clean shirt and pants at the same time. Meanwhile, Maddie is a prolific genius who has penned three romance novels to great acclaim from her mother and some light disdain and gentle mockery from her older brothers. Maddie currently resides in the upstairs nook between the linen closet and the hall bathroom and fervently would like to avoid any and all household chores. You can find out more about her at MaddieButtons. com.
Peas and Cues is a lighthearted romp following our heroine, Caroline, through one growing season wherein she also plays pool at her local pub in the town where she’s lived her entire life. Caroline finds herself in a series of madcap dilemmas: planting seeds, playing pool solo, sprouting new growth, eradicating aphids, hustling pool games, avoiding meeting the only new eligible bachelor in town, commiserating with the barkeep (that she grew up with and absolutely does not confide in), winning the local pool tournament, discovering just who keeps stealing her rutabagas, and harvesting far too many zucchini to eat, before ultimately running the table to pocket the love of her life.
Peas and Cues is a first draft, ready for further development. OR Peas and Cues has gone through 2 rounds of developmental editing with Edna Mullergan. Peas and Cues is approximately 26,500 words.
In addition, please also attach a direct manuscript excerpt (up to 3,000 words) as a PDF entitled “Author Last Name – Title.pdf”:
Buttons - Peas and Cues.pdf
We recommend formatting your submission using the Shunn Modern Manuscript Format for ease of readability.
- Shiraki Press does not charge authors a submission fee.
- Please do not submit work that has previously been published elsewhere. We may consider reprints in the future, but right now we are focusing on new, original work.
- Simultaneous submissions are acceptable, but if your piece is accepted elsewhere, please contact us to withdraw it from consideration at Shiraki Press.
- No gratuitous violence, graphic non-consensual sex, or body horror will be considered.
- We will not consider submissions which have been created in whole or in part using generative AI tools.
- Only digital queries will be reviewed. Physical manuscripts will be recycled unread upon receipt.
- Please limit your submissions to Shiraki Press to one manuscript per month.