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Author Submissions

Submissions are closed at this time. We will resume submissions once our publishing calendar clears.

Harpeth Road is looking for authors who are leaders and share our innovative and forward-thinking mindset. We want authors who are eager to learn, willing to roll up their sleeves, implement the most current approaches to marketing, and work with us as a team to build their author platforms and produce excellent writing.

Established authors, we’ll give you the latest in best practice to take your brand to the next level. New authors, we’ll prepare you for what it takes to be a bestseller and to get your books in front of readers. We offer lessons with up-to-the-minute research on topics such as your author brand, professional headshots, bio, editing, and social media to name a few. We’ll teach you everything you need to know, every step of the way. Ready? The journey starts right here.

What are we looking for?

Harpeth Road is a publisher of heartwarming romantic women’s fiction, contemporary romance, general-market romance, and inspirational romance. Our books are full of charm and all contain a love story, a strong conflict between the main characters, and an emotionally satisfying ending. We’re specifically looking for novels with light sensuality.

The main characters in our books are either strong characters or they find their strength along the way. These characters all have an arc—a learning curve—as they move through the pages, and there is a central conflict keeping our couples apart that, preferably, spans both internal and external conflicts.

Our settings are captivating, interesting locations that make the reader want to dive in and stay a while. They can be small-town and rural to lavish and upscale.

To ensure the best fit for both authors and readers, please review the following guidelines carefully before submitting.

1. Market Lane Selection (Required)

Please identify one market lane for your submission:

Option A: Contemporary General-Market Wholesome

  • Contemporary setting

  • Closed-door or fade-to-black romance

  • Minimal or implicit faith elements only

  • Optimistic, emotionally safe tone

Option B: Contemporary Inspirational Romance

  • Contemporary setting

  • Explicit Christian worldview

  • Faith meaningfully shapes character decisions

  • Prayer, scripture, and church life may be present

  • Romance aligns with inspirational reader expectations

Manuscripts that blend these lanes or shift tone mid-story may not be considered.

2. Manuscript Requirements

  • Length: 60,000–90,000 words (exceptions considered with strong justification)

  • Genre: Romance must be included in the plot

  • Ending: A satisfying romantic resolution is required

  • Content: Must align with the selected market lane

  • Original work only (not previously published in any format)

3. Series & Standalone Submissions

Please indicate:

  • Whether the book is standalone or part of a series

  • If part of a series, how many books are planned

4. Submission Materials (All Required)

Please submit the following:

A. Query Letter (1–2 pages)

Include:

  • One-paragraph hook

  • Brief synopsis (1–2 paragraphs)

  • Series vision (if applicable)

B. Full Manuscript (when requested if initial pitch is accepted)

  • 1.5 or 2.0 Spaced

  • Standard font (e.g., Times New Roman, 12-pt)

  • Submitted as a single document

C. Author Information

Please include:

  • Publishing history, including titles (if any)

  • Release cadence (how often you can realistically publish)

  • Newsletter size or reader engagement (if applicable)

  • Any relevant experience (speaking, book clubs, etc.)

5. Comparable Titles (Required)

Provide 2–4 comparable books that:

  • Match your selected lane

  • Were published within the last 3–5 years

Please explain why each title is comparable.

6. Editorial Readiness

We are a small publisher and look for manuscripts that are:

  • Professionally written

  • Structurally sound

  • Ready for light to moderate revision

Manuscripts requiring extensive developmental rewriting may be declined.

7. Author Expectations & Professional Fit

We value authors who:

  • Meet deadlines

  • Are open to editorial feedback

  • Understand genre and reader expectations

8. Content Transparency (Required)

Please disclose any content that could affect reader expectations, including:

  • Level of faith content

  • Language concerns

  • Sensitive themes (handled gently)

Transparency helps us market your book appropriately.

9. Rights & Availability

By submitting, you confirm:

  • The work is not under contract elsewhere

  • All rights are available

  • The manuscript is not AI-generated or assisted

10. Response Time

  • Typical response time: 8–12 weeks if interested

  • Due to volume, we are unable to provide individual feedback on declined submissions

11. How to Submit

  • Submissions must be sent via our official submission form below

  • Unsolicited email submissions outside of the form below will not be considered

What Helps Your Submission Stand Out

  • Clear market lane selection

  • Strong series potential (if applicable)

  • Familiar tropes executed well

  • Clean, professional presentation

  • A clear understanding of your readers

Final Note to Authors

We are committed to publishing books that readers trust and return to. Clear positioning, professionalism, and consistency help us build sustainable careers together.