Cressida DowningYou’ve done your research, you know who to aim your work at, but there’s a big 'No Entry' sign that stops you going any further.

What do you do when a publisher says it doesn't accept unsolicited submissions?

Sending your work in regardless runs the risk of an instant return or no answer at all, which is a dispiriting lack of communication. Not sending it feels like you are cutting off the perfect partnership for your writing career.

There are two ways around this – neither is perfect, but they are definitely worth a try.

In both cases, you are aiming to become a solicited submission.

One approach is to go to industry events, try to contact an editor in the relevant department, then see if your (brief) description of your work entices them to request to see it. This won’t always work, and can run the risk of antagonising the editor in question, who probably doesn’t have a lot of time for this sort of contact. However if you do come across someone who you think could help, it is worth a try.

The alternative is to get your submission taken on by a literary agent, and let the agent know why you feel that particular publisher is right for your work.

Once you are agented, you are no longer an 'unsolicited submission', and will be considered. Most agencies still consider unsolicited work, so it is easier to target them than publishers.

Best of luck!

Cressida
(editorial consultant)