FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here are the answers to some of our most commonly asked questions.
We accept English language submissions from writers outside the UK and Ireland.
We only accept unpublished work.
Yes. You can send us new material, but not the work that has been self-published.
If you’ve had a book published by a traditional publisher, we’re afraid that makes you ineligible to submit to Akan Books. You may still submit if you have had a short story or article published in an anthology or essay collection.
We cannot offer personalised feedback beyond successful submissions.
You automatically have copyright protection for any work you create. Writers retain the copyright of their submitted material under UK copyright law.
Akan Books is not obliged to publish any manuscripts submitted by writers, nor are writers obliged to accept offers made by HarperCollins UK.
We will consider a different work.
In fiction: crime and thriller, psychological suspense, romance, historical, contemporary/book club and family drama. In non-fiction: self-help, smart thinking, memoir and parenting.
Please note we do not accept cookery books, children’s books, graphic novels, poetry, fantasy, young adult fiction, and science fiction.
Please see our Submission Guidelines for the documents you will be asked for. A synopsis is not a teaser or blurb, but should set out what happens in the book for the editors from Akan Books’ Editorial Team to understand the plot of the book. We recommend the Writers & Artists advice on how to write a synopsis which can be found here, alongside other useful tips and information.
Not at all. Every author must come from one of the underrepresented groups we are focusing on, but diversity and/or inclusion does not need to be the subject of the novel or your non-fiction work.
For each writer we agree to publish, we will work together to identify potential film and TV agents.
While we read every submission, we cannot guarantee that we will publish your book as each book is judged on its commercial potential.
Every title will be published in the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States of America as well as sold via all retailers in the rest of the world who sell books published in English.
Every book will be published in print, audio and eBook. Some books will be published in both hardback and paperback, others only in paperback. This will be fully explained at the offer to publish stage.
We never charge a fee to submit work to us or publish a book.
If we see commercial potential in your work and want to publish your book, we will make you a formal offer, which will include, among other things, a financial advance. We will explain all of this in more detail if we reach this stage with your submission.
We do not accept physical submissions.
You will work with an editor, marketer, and publicist on your book every step of the way. They will be on hand to answer all your questions during the process. Also, once a deal has been agreed, we will send you an Author Welcome Pack, which will detail every part of the publishing process.
As part of the contract, the writer will undertake editorial work on their project and participate in publicity and promotional activities.
Ready to submit? Make sure you’ve read our Submission Guidelines here.
