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Submissions

Our Interests

As a general trade press, Ooligan seeks to publish the finest works of literary, cultural, and social value. We publish a wide variety of books, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and books for young adults (we aim to publish one young adult book and one work of poetry each year). We gladly accept submissions from writers living in the Pacific Northwest, writers whose work has a strong Pacific Northwest connection, and writers within the Portland State University community.

We are particularly interested in local nonfiction and regional fiction, as well as the following:

  • New or rediscovered works with a Pacific Northwest connection
  • Works that give a voice to the region’s underrepresented
  • Works on the craft and teaching of writing, editing, publishing, and book arts

To save postage and time, please note that we do not publish:

  • Children’s picture books
  • Science-fiction or fantasy
  • Self-help books
  • How-to manuals
  • Mass-market books in the following genres: romance, erotica, science fiction, westerns, and fantasy
  • Poetry chapbooks (works fewer than sixty-four pages)

Poetry

A note about poetry submissions:

  • We are interested specifically in works by Pacific Northwest authors or works that have specific value to that community.
  • We are open to all forms of style and verse; however, we give special preference to prose poetry and traditional verse.
  • Although spoken word, slam, and rap poetry are of interest to the press, we will not consider such work if it does not translate well to the written page.
  • Ooligan does not publish chapbooks.

Young Adult Books

A note about YA submissions:

  • Our primary interest is in manuscripts that have a social, literary, or educational value, as well as new or rediscovered works with a Pacific Northwest connection.
  • While our current focus is on historical fiction, we are open to general fiction.
  • We do not publish picture books.
  • We cannot accommodate science-fiction or fantasy at this time.
  • If your manuscript meets these criteria, please follow the submission guidelines below.

Our Acquisitions Process

All manuscripts and proposals are read and reviewed by a committee of students enrolled in the Publishing Program at PSU. Each manuscript is read by multiple readers to ensure a strong, informed decision regarding the possible acquisition of the work. On rare occasions, a manuscript will be read and reviewed by students in the Book Editing, Advanced Book Editing, or Children’s Book Publishing classes. This will be done only when the acquisitions committee requires further response to a work in order to reach a decision. A manuscript or proposal will never be read outside the acquisitions committee without author permission for any purpose other than review.

Submission of a proposal or manuscript implies consent to the above practices. Once a decision by the committee has been reached, the author will be informed of the decision in a timely manner. We respond to query letters within four weeks and to proposal and manuscript submissions within 2-3 months. As we are a teaching press, we have an extended review process, so please be patient.

Prospective authors are invited to look at examples of previously published Ooligan books at: Ooligan Books

Our Submission Guidelines

QUERIES THROUGH MAIL OR EMAIL

When submitting a query letter for consideration, please follow these guidelines:

  • Include a brief summary of your manuscript, a description of the intended audience and potential market, and a short paragraph about yourself and your publishing history.
  • Include your contact information, but only include your email address if this is an acceptable way to contact you.
  • Electronic queries can be emailed to: acquisitions@ooliganpress.pdx.edu

PROPOSALS AND MANUSCRIPTS THROUGH MAIL ONLY

When submitting a proposal or manuscript for consideration, please follow these guidelines:

  • Include a cover letter with a summary of your work, projected page count, your intended audience, marketing ideas for your work, and a list of published works that compare to your writing.
  • Include a table of contents, if appropriate.
  • Include at least four of your best consecutive chapters if your work is a full-length fiction text. (If interested, we will request the full manuscript for consideration.)
  • Include a self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage for the return of your manuscript.
  • Mail all of the above to:Acquisitions Committee
    c/o Ooligan Press
    Portland State University
    P.O. Box 751
    Portland, OR
    97207-0751

While we prefer mailed queries, we will look at electronic query letters if they appear as the text of the email message. In the interest of saving everyone time and effort, please do not send any materials to the press as an email attachment, as we will not open any unsolicited attachments. This rule is in place for security reasons, but also due to the fact that we cannot devote the time or resources to printing out works for consideration. Do not send proposals or manuscripts by email, as they will not be reviewed.

Additional Information

When preparing a query letter or book proposal for Ooligan Press, we encourage prospective authors to review the following reference materials: