Thank you for your interest in ZLS Publishing!
Please read the following guidelines before submitting your work. If you have any questions after reading these guidelines, please email us at submissions@zlspublishing.com. You can also write us at: Submissions Department-255 Orange street, Suite 207, Albany, NY 12208.
1: We do not require that writers contacting us have a literary agent representing them.
2: We will respond as promptly as possible, letting you know whether or not we feel the project is worth pursuing further.
3: Following this procedure ensures the most expeditious treatment of all inquires. If an author we have requested additional material from is unclear as to what we're asking for, a phone call to clarity the matter is acceptable.
4: Manuscripts are carefully scrutiinized by the editor(s). If accepted, the author(s) will be asked to sign a contract with ZLS Publishing Company.
5: We require all submissions be neatly printed out on 81/2 by 11 inch paper and double-spaced with sufficient margins(1 inch on all sides).
6: Submissions with numerous misspellings, typographies and handwritten corrections reflect unfavorable on the author and my contribute heavily towards a rejection.
7: We accept no responsibility for original and only copies of material. We request that all writers send us copies of their work and to keep the originals at home.
8: If after a two-month period passes without the author being informed of a decision, a polite note of reminder from the author is not out of order. Phone calls on the status of manuscripts are strongly discouraged.
9: Authors who feel unsatisifed with our procedures or the amount of time being taken to reach a decision are free to request the manuscripts return at any time. Materials will not be returned unless they are accompanied by sufficient postage.
Fiction Guidelines: Those interested in submitting fiction can either send an outline together with sample chapters or a complete manuscript. Please keep in mind that we publish Crime Thrillers, Suspense and Drama.
Non-Fiction Guidelines: Please do not submit artwork. If you are submitting non-fiction, you can send a proposal, sample chapters of full manuscripts.
Self-Publishing Guidelines: Those interested in submitting books for Self-Publishing: (Books deemed neither fiction or non-fiction) Cookbooks, poetry, photography, children's books, etc, can send a copy of the front cover, sample pages or chapters or a complete manuscript. Once received and accepted you will be notified and payment is requested. No production will be started until payment of at least 50% has been paid and cleared.
E-book Guidelines: Those interested in e-book publishing should submit files no bigger than 3Megs. Also, we prefer converted files. Converted files mean files sent to us in a PDF. If we convert it, there is a $30 fee. Also, we only accept submissions using our submission form. Files attached to that form must be either a MSWord document or a PDF ONLY!
Please note the followings: All submissions must include a self-addressed stamped envelope, stamped with sufficient postage to return your sample chapters or manuscript. We only return materials with self-addressed stamped envelopes. Please allow a period of 4-6 weeks for us to consider your submission. Notify us if you are sending your manuscript to several publishers. We do not accept manuscripts by fax and by e-mail only if requested. We do not respond more quickly to e-mail quieries or faxes. If you are making an inital query, we strongly suggest you approach us by mail with a SASE. Please do not phone two weeks after you submit a query. We are accessing manuscripts and will respond once we have made a decision. We are extremely seletive and will only accept manuscripts regardless of genre that adhere to our motto.
What to expect after your manuscript is accepted for publication: Please note: This applies to whether your book is submitted for traditional publishing or non-traditional publishing. A representative from our company will assign a tentativproduction schedule for your manuscript. Your manuscript will be assigned to an editor who will work with you one-on-one with you to edit your manuscript for publication. Please note: Unless it is obvious that your manuscript has been professionally edited, we require all manuscripts to be edited, whether you have chosen traditional publishing or self-publishing. The editing process can take several weeks or several months to complete depending on the amount of edit required and the time you have to devote to the publishing process. We take pride in publishing quality titles and the editing process is vitally important. This is one aspect that will not be rushed. You may also work with a graphic design representative to design a cover for your book. If your book is being traditionally published this is a given. If you are choosing self-publishing, this is an option that you must pay for. You will also work with a marketing representative to discuss marketing strategies for your book. If your book is being traditionally published this is a given. If you are choosing self-publishing, this is a service you will have to pay for.
Payments regarding Self-Publishing Services: No production schedule will be assigned and started until payment is paid in full. Payment will be started once the required 50% deposit has been paid and cleared. No shipments or proofs will be sent out until payment is made in full. Please note: This does not apply to Fiction and Non-Fiction books that we traditionally publish. Please see our Prices Page and Quotes Page for more information regarding paying for your services.