Please see our Submission Guidelines. In short, we require a cover letter, two-page single-spaced synopsis and the first fifty pages of the manuscript.

What should I put in the cover letter?

• A one-paragraph synopsis of the book clearly labeled Fiction or Non-Fiction. Please indicate if the manuscript is a finished work. If not, indicate an anticipated date of completion.
• Pertinent credentials (i.e. previously published works, awards etc.)
• Full contact information.

What is your response policy?

Due to the enormous volume of materials received, The Literary Group International will only respond to those authors whose work we intend to pursue. The Literary Group International only considers material submitted on an exclusive basis.

Do you require the first fifty pages? Or shall I send my best chapters?

Please submit the first fifty pages only. As this is what editors will eventually be judging you manuscript on, it is in your best interest to submit to us an identical sample.

Chapter three ends on page fifty-two. May I send the extra two pages?

Yes.

Do I have to complete the synopsis in just two pages?

Yes. You may also include a longer synopsis if absolutely relevant; however, we will not consider manuscripts unaccompanied by a two-page synopsis.

Do you accept submission in disk format?

No. We require a double-spaced hard copy of all manuscripts.

May I email my manuscript to you?

No. The Literary Group International accepts e-mail query letters only from new authors. E-mail queries should be no longer than two pages and not sent as an attachment. They should include a one or two paragraph summary of the novel, any pertinent credentials and the author’s e-mail address. Either the title of the work or “query about submission” should appear in the subject line of the email. Do not put just the word “query” or “question”. E-mails should be addressed to John Schuster, Acquisitions Director, at js@theliterarygroup.com.

Is there a reading fee for submitting my manuscript?

No. We do not require a reading fee.

Does my work need to be copywrited before I submit it?

No. Copyright law protects an author’s material whether or not it is officially registered with The Library of Congress.

Who will be reading my manuscript?

All submissions are reviewed by an experienced reader in order to ascertain whether they meet The Literary Group International’s basic requirements for consideration. If the manuscript successfully meets with our requirements, it will then be considered by one of our agents who will decide whether or not the manuscript is a good fit for our agency.

Can I expect to receive an evaluation of my manuscript once you have reviewed it?

Unfortunately, due to the large volume of manuscripts and proposals we receive every day, it is impossible for us to provide manuscript critiques.

Does The Literary Group International provide editing services, including translation?

No. The Literary Group International does not provide editorial services of any nature.

What happens should my manuscript be accepted by your agency?

We will contact you regarding our agency agreement as well as request several additional copies of the manuscript in full. The manuscript will then be accompanied by our experienced letter of support to those editors and publishing houses where we feel it will be received most successfully based on our experience and our long list of established relationships.

Should I arrange a trip to meet with you before you will choose to represent me?

Communication by regular mail, email or telephone is sufficient.