ABOUT EAKIN PRESS

Eakin Press, an independent regional publishing house, has been in business for more than 25 years. Our top priority is to cover the history and culture of the Southwest, especially Texas and Oklahoma. We also have successfully published titles related to ethnic studies. We publish very little fiction, other than for children. If your manuscript is intended for a strictly mainstream audience or is focused on a completely different region, you should look for a publisher whose mission better matches your work.

RESPONSE TIME

We are currently receiving an extremely high volume of submissions, more than our small staff can easily handle. Our goal is to respond within three months, but it sometimes takes up to a year or longer. Please do not call to check on the status of your manuscript. If you want to verify that we received your submission, send a stamped, self-addressed postcard.

WHAT TO SEND

For children’s picture books or any other work shorter than 100 double spaced manuscript pages, you may send the whole manuscript. In all other cases, send a non-returnable sample only (one chapter, or twenty five pages maximum). Your sample should be accompanied by a query letter that contains the following elements: synopsis, brief bio, and relevant publishing credits. Also, your sample should be typed (computer printed) in black ink and double spaced, and pages should be numbered. Total word count should appear on first page of sample, and author’s name, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address should be included on at least the first page.

If you are a new author and unsure of how to write a query or proposal, here are some books to get you started:

"How to Write a Book Proposal," by Michael Larsen

"Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 That Sold and Why" by Deborah Levine Herman and Jeff Herman.

RETURN OF MATERIALS

You MUST include a self addressed, stamped, business size envelope (SASE) for our response. Sample chapters will not be returned. Please do not send us any non-requested materials. Do not send any original photos or artwork. We cannot be held responsible if they are lost.

ABOUT CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Generally, Eakin Press procures illustrations for children’s books. If your picture book is a prearranged author illustrator collaboration, please send illustration samples (two or three) and brief illustrator bio. Do not send original artwork—copies only.

Children’s book audiences and formats are as follows:

1) Picture books and chapter books ("easy readers") for preschool–grade 3.

2) Middle reader books (nonfiction or fiction based on fact preferred), twenty five to thirty five thousand words, grades 4–7.

3) Young adult fiction and nonfiction, as long as forty to fifty thousand words.

Please tell us what age group your manuscript is designed to reach. Remember, books that include elements such as a glossary, index, maps, and a teacher’s guide will have great appeal to the school market.

CHECKLIST

Before you send your proposal, we suggest that you refer to this checklist:

Did you include a business-size SASE for our response?

Did you enclose a query letter?

Does your query letter contain a synopsis, brief bio, and any publishing credits?

Is your sample of appropriate length and format?

Did you enclose a stamped postcard for verification that your proposal was received?

Is the total word count of entire manuscript on the first page of the sample?

Are your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address on at least the first page of the sample?

CONTACT INFO.

We do not accept submissions electronically. Send proposals to:

Eakin Press

Attn: Virginia Messer

Publisher

P.O. Drawer 90159

Austin, Texas 78709-0159