Sword and Silk is open for submissions.
Starting September 1st, 2021 we have changed our submissions process. If your submission was sent before this date, there is no need to resubmit. We have received your query and are evaluating it as quickly as possible.
Please Note: Sword and Silk values diverse books. If you are an author who falls into that category, we will not ask you to identify your marginalization (as we know this can be harmful and unsafe to some), but we will ask that you put MARGINALIZED if you feel comfortable doing so.
Please take a moment to learn more about us here before submitting.
At the current time, we are not the best publisher for children's books, middle grade novels,
non-fiction, or poetry.
When you are ready, please submit your query using the following link:
https://QueryManager.com/SwordandSilk
If you have received a "like" from a pitch contest, please note the contest in the box on the form that says "If this query is a referral, who referred you?" and either provide a link to the liked Tweet or copy and paste the tweet in your query letter.
Once you submit you should hear from us within eight weeks.
If we then request more material, it may take longer for a final decision.
Agents are still invited to send their submissions directly to EditorialDirector@SwordandSilkBooks. Please include the query letter, three chapter sample, and synopsis.
Sword and Silk Wishlist
UPDATED September 27th, 2021
We are actively looking for gripping mystery/thriller, ghostly paranormal, and horror novels with just the right amount of creepiness. These can range in audience from young adult through to, and including, adult. In particular, we’d love to see books with the following or that include the following themes:
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A protagonist with a ghost sidekick or love interest
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Dark academia with a mystery element that can compare at least a little to Nancy Drew or Riverdale
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A story featuring mermaids or sirens as main characters
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Contemporary thrillers that take place in small towns
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Brooding, seemingly ageless love interests like Geralt in The Witcher
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Anything #ownvoices
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LGBTQIA+ stories, in particular ones that explore asexuality
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Books that are set outside of the USA. We’d love to see something set in a snowy climate!
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New adult / college stories that explore tough topics surrounding growing up and / or moving away
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Dual POV
For more information on how to craft a query letter that sells,
check out these articles:
The 10 Dos and Don'ts of Writing a Query Letter
by Brian A. Klems for Writer's Digest
How to Write a Query Letter in 7 Steps
via Reedsy