Write for us

If you’re an author who is writing a book in the biography, self-improvement or how-to categories, we would be interested to hear from you. It’s best to contact us with a book proposal, together with the first two chapters to begin with. Then, if we like what you’ve sent us, we’ll work with you to develop the book. Please read our full submission guidelines, which we hope you’ll find useful. If you would like to print out a copy of the guidelines, you can open a PDF version here.

Submission guidelines

Firstly, and most importantly, please make sure that your book proposal fits into the book categories we publish. These are:

• Biographies and autobiographies
• How-to books
• Self-help

It’s worth spending some time looking at the titles here on our website to get a feel for the kind of books we publish. We don’t publish books for children, poetry or illustrated titles.

If you’re happy that your proposal would be suitable for our list, please send us the following:

• A synopsis/outline of your proposed book
• The first two chapters
• A brief biography – tell us a little about yourself. Why you have written the book, who you think the audience will be, and (in the case of self-help or how-to books) why do you think you are qualified to write about your chosen subject? Tell us how your book will differ from existing books that have been published on the same subject.
• Information about any other books, articles or stories you have had published. If you are a member of a professional organisation or club or you have won an award, please tell us about it (but only if it’s relevant to your book).
• How you could help us market the book. Do you have a blog or a Facebook page? Would you be willing to give interviews to the media? Do you know of any societies or associations that would be interested in your book? Is it likely that your local bookshop, radio station, newspaper or other specialist publications be interested in featuring the book? If so, please give us contact details.

We’ll use this information to help us make a decision about your book.

Please email your proposal to info@dormousepress.co.uk or post a paper copy to:

Dormouse Press
Guidemark Publishing Limited
Room E7a
The College Business Centre
Uttoxeter New Road
Derby
DE22 3WZ

If you are working with a literary agent, please provide us with the agent’s name and contact details.

We will acknowledge receipt of your submission by email, so please make sure you send us your email address if you’re sending your submission by post.

Once we’ve received your proposal it will be reviewed by our Editorial Board who will assess it in terms of content, writing style and sales potential. Once a decision has been made, we will contact you and provide feedback, but this may take up to three months so please be patient and don’t expect an immediate response.

If your proposal is accepted for publication, we’ll contact you to get the publishing process underway.

Good luck!