Welcome to the
Tiny Reparations Books Open Submissions Program!
Tiny Reparations Books Open Submissions Program!
We will begin accepting submissions on August 5, 2026 at 9am ET, and the portal will be open until 1,000 submissions are received.
Submissions will only be accepted during the announced submission window.
Tiny Reparations Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, is launching an open submission call for unpublished works of fiction. The imprint was founded by Phoebe Robinson in 2020 with the goal of amplifying diverse voices, and in the spirit of that mission, we are inviting unpublished writers to share their work directly with our team.
For this opportunity, we’re seeking adult fiction in commercial genres—specifically, works that celebrate identities, cultures, and settings not seen often enough in published novels, within immersive stories designed to entertain. We will be considering submissions in the following categories: thriller/mystery/suspense, romance, speculative fiction, grounded fantasy, horror, and historical fiction.
Program Guidelines
Submissions will only be accepted during the announced submission window. We will begin accepting submissions on August 5, 2026 at 9am ET, and the portal will be open until 1,000 submissions are received.
Authors must be unagented. If an offer for publication is made, authors may seek an agent to represent them before negotiations.
Authors may only submit one project each.
Projects must be under 150,000 words.
Projects must be written in English.
Projects must be works of adult fiction. We will not accept works meant for children, middle grade or young adult readers.
Authors may only make submissions for works they have completed.
Authors may not submit work that has been previously published or self-published.
Authors may not make submissions that have used AI in their creation, whether in the outlining or writing of the manuscript.
Submissions must include a 1-page synopsis, 1-paragraph author bio, and the first 20 pages of the manuscript.
We will do our best to respond to all submissions as soon as we can. Due to volume, we cannot respond to follow up queries.
Submission Form
Open Submissions FAQ
When can I submit?
Anytime during the Open Submission window of August 5, 2026 at 9am ET until 1,000 entries are received. If you have trouble accessing Query Manager during that time, please be patient and try again later.
Does my manuscript have to be finished before I submit the first 20 pages?
Yes, we do require the manuscript be completed before submitting.
Does my manuscript need to be formatted in a certain way?
We accept manuscripts in .doc, .docx, and PDF. There is no certain font or spacing required.
Do I need to have an agent?
No, you do not need to have a literary agent to use this Open Submission process. If you do already have an agent, they should submit to Tiny Reparations Books through the usual channels.
Who is reading my manuscript?
Each manuscript received will be evaluated by a member of the Tiny Reparations Books team.
When will I hear back?
We cannot guarantee you will hear back from us within a particular period of time, but we are committed to responding to each project we receive.
Can I submit a YA, middle grade, or children’s project?
No, Tiny Reparations Books does not publish YA, middle grade, or children’s titles.
Can I submit nonfiction of any kind, such as memoirs, narrative histories, wellness, how-to books, etc.?
No, Tiny Reparations Books is not able to review unagented nonfiction projects at this time.
Can I submit thriller, mystery, romance, speculative fiction, grounded fantasy, horror, or historical fiction?
Yes! During our Open Submission window, please submit via the form.
Is this program open to international writers?
Yes.
May I submit a previously self-published work?
We are not currently accepting submissions that are self-published, have been published in another country, or will be self-published.
Do you require that my submission be exclusive to Tiny Reparations Books? Or may I submit the same project elsewhere?
No, Tiny Reparations Books does not require exclusive submissions. You are free to submit the same project elsewhere.
May I submit a project if I have used AI in the creation of that project, whether in the outlining or writing of my manuscript?
No, authors may not make submissions that have used AI in their creation.
I provided the information you requested, but I am not being allowed to submit. Why?
If your submission does not match the guidelines, you will not be able to submit it. Please review the guidelines for more details.
Can I submit more than one project?
Please only submit one project at a time.
I tried submitting and the form is not working.
Please note you may only submit your work during an announced Open Submission window. If you’re having technical difficulties with the submission form, please contact QueryManager directly.
How will I be notified if Tiny Reparations Books is interested in my submission?
Once the Open Submission window closes and the team reviews the submissions, you will be contacted via email if we are interested in reading and considering your full manuscript. If we are not interested in pursuing your work, we will also inform you of that by email.
If Tiny Reparations Books is interested in acquiring my work for publication, may I seek literary or other representation?
Yes, if we decide to pursue publishing your manuscript, you will have the time to seek out an agent or other representation prior to negotiation if you choose.
Can I contact someone about my submission?
The best way for your submission to be seen is to submit via the form above. We are committed to responding to every project we receive, but due to the volume of submissions, we cannot respond to individual follow up questions.
Keys to the Queendom is governed by the Penguin Random House privacy policy (available at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/privacy/). By submitting, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to this privacy policy. As set forth in the privacy policy, Penguin Random House is not responsible for the privacy, information, or other practices of any third parties used in connection with your submission.
Tiny Reparations Books reserves the right to update, modify, or replace any part of Keys to the Queendom or its rules at any time, or to cancel the program at its sole discretion, by posting updates to our website. By making a submission, you expressly acknowledge that neither Tiny Reparations Books nor Penguin Random House is entering into any agreement with you to publish or compensate you for your work or to maintain the confidentiality of the materials submitted.
Keys to the Queendom is part of its ongoing effort to contribute to Penguin Random House’s overall Diversity, Equity & Inclusion commitments. For more information about the company’s DEI initiatives and commitments, visit https://social-impact.penguinrandomhouse.com/our-commitments/diversity-equity-inclusion.
