UK SF Publishers

[Lennart Svensson]

Does the UK have any designated publishers of science fiction?

If so, can you name them?

(Don't bother naming Gollancz because they don't seem to accept unsolicited submissions, the thing I'm into.)

 

[KatG]

The larger SFF imprints and houses don't take unsolicted/unagented submissions but there are smaller presses and imprints that do. A few I know are Tickety Boo Press, Jo Fletcher Books, Hot Key Books for YA, Skylight Press and Tartarus Press. Gollancz also sometimes does open submission periods where they will accept unsolicited submissions for a short time period.

 

[Lennart Svensson]

Thank you for the answer, most useful.

 

[Hobbit]

I'll add Angry Robot to Kat's list - who have an open submission period most years recently.

 

[Susan Boulton]

Scratch Tickety Boo Press. Don't think they are still publishing.

 

[Trollheart]

Ah. Not so tickety boo, then.
Sorry, sorry...

 

[Hobbit]

Ba-boom!! (Thank you, Trollheart....)

 

[SteveW]

I'll add Angry Robot to Kat's list - who have an open submission period most years recently.

I think it is open right now and closing soon. Its only a 2 week window I think.

 

[Hobbit]

Thanks, Steve. Thought it was normally about now, but wasn't sure what was happening this year with the Covid situation.

 

[KatG]

Scratch Tickety Boo Press. Don't think they are still publishing.

Oh boo. Did you get the rights back to HOG?

 

[hscope]

Elsewhen Press is highly recommended, but I'm biased as they bought two of my novels.

But I have read a number of works by my fellow authors there and they really are very high quality.

 

[Lennart Svensson]

Thanks a lot for all the useful replies.

 

[Susan Boulton]

Oh boo. Did you get the rights back to HOG?

It was Oracle that was with Tickety Boo, and yes got the rights back. HOG is with Penmore Press, which is still going well. Got I think another 3 years before I get the rights back to that. I need to check.

 

[Trollheart]

This is very interesting. So you can send a manuscript to these people and if they like it they may publish it? Without your needing to have an agent or be previously published?

 

[Hobbit]

That's how it usually works, I understand.

 

[Trollheart]

Is it just novels they take or can you generally submit short stories too? I only ask because I almost got snared in a vanity publishing trap and want to avoid the same, but if there's a chance - even a tiny one - to get something published I would certainly look into doing that.

 

[KatG]

They all have submission guidelines that tell you what they want and how they want it. Some of them may look at short story collections or they may do novellas (short novels), but otherwise only novels. They may put out anthologies run by editors and you can possibly submit individual short stories to those anthology projects, which again should be announced on their websites possibly. Bear in mind they may not be taking on much as all are trying to figure out how to proceed and operate during the pandemic years.

If you're looking to submit short stories, then you want to check about SFF magazines open to submissions and anthology projects that may be announcing they are looking for submissions.

 

[Susan Boulton]

For short stories; take a look here.

Ralan.com - Home Page

BUT always double check the guidelines and the publisher/ezine/mag.
To be honest, you need to do the leg work with regards to publishers/agents. There are no short cuts, though often a bit of luck helps.