Manuscript Submission Guidelines
Acorn Press focuses on publishing books by Australian authors which are thoughtful, well-informed and written from a Christian perspective. We aim to produce books that challenge readers to think about the issues we face in twenty-first century life and to enable us to effectively engage the world we live in.
In addition to commissioning manuscripts, currently Acorn Press is accepting unsolicited non-fiction manuscripts from new and established authors that meet the above criteria.
Manuscripts must be of a high standard of writing before being considered for publication. Acorn Press will be responsible for a final edit and proofing of the manuscript if it is accepted for publication.
What kinds of books does Acorn publish?
Acorn’s current focus is on publishing non-fiction manuscripts in the following genres:
- Bible studies
- Biographies
- Evangelism resources
- Islam and other faiths
- Mission histories
- Pastoral care resources
Please note that we will publish books in genres not on this list, if we feel that they will be a valuable resource for Australian Christians.
Acorn is an interdenominational Christian publisher and welcomes manuscripts written by emerging Australian authors, as well as established writers.
Acorn’s manuscript submission process
If you would like us to consider your manuscript for publication, please follow these steps.
Step 1
Please send us a brief summary of your book, a maximum of 200 words in length. Imagine this summary as the back cover blurb for your book: what do you think readers will need to know about your book and why would they benefit from reading it?
Once you have written the summary (your book’s ‘pitch’), please send it by email to Kristin Argall, at kargall@acornpress.net.au.
Step 2
If we are interested in your manuscript after reading your book’s summary, we will then ask you to fill out our Manuscript Proposal Form, which you can download here. This form, along with the accompanying documents requested by Acorn Press, can be returned by email (preferable) or post to the following addresses:
By email:
kargall@acornpress.net.au
By post:
Kristin Argall
Deputy Editor, Bible Society Australia
c/- 60 Armstrong Road
Heathmont VIC 3135
Once we receive your submission, it will be reviewed by our staff at Acorn Press and the Bible Society of Australia. You will be notified via email whether your proposal has been listed for discussion by our editorial committee. The time taken for this process varies depending on the time of the year and the number of manuscripts received, but typically the process takes between four to eight weeks.
Step 3
If the committee is interested in your proposal, we will ask you to submit your entire manuscript for assessment. Entire manuscripts must be submitted electronically in the form of a Microsoft Word file and follow the guidelines set out in the Acorn Press Style Guide, which you can download here.
As part of this assessment process, we may decide to send your manuscript out for external assessment.
PLEASE NOTE
Acorn Press is not able to return submitted manuscripts, sample books, USB drives or CDs that are sent to us, or provide feedback on your manuscript should we decide not to publish it. All information provided to us remains confidential.
If you have any questions please contact Kristin Argall via email (kargall@acornpress.net.au) or by phone (03 9729 3693). Please note that the phone number is a home office number, so initial contact via email is preferable.