Submitting your manuscript can feel a bit like sending your heart out into the world wrapped in paper (or a PDF). And if you’re sending it to a boutique publisher, the process can feel even more personal, because it is. Boutique publishers tend to be small, selective, and hands-on, which means your story is going to get real human attention.
Here’s a breakdown of how to approach it — and what happens after you click “send.”
1. Do Your Homework
Before anything else, make sure the publisher is a good fit for your book.
- Check their genres — if they don’t publish fantasy, they’re not going to make an exception.
- Look at their past titles to see what kind of tone, themes, and style they gravitate toward.
- Read their submission guidelines carefully (every publisher’s are different).
Think of it like matchmaking: the right fit matters.
2. Prepare Your Manuscript & Materials
Boutique publishers usually want:
- A query letter (introduce yourself, your book, and why you’re submitting to them)
- A synopsis (yes, the dreaded one — 1–2 pages explaining the plot start to finish)
- A sample (usually the first 3 chapters or first 10,000 words)
Make sure your manuscript is clean: proper formatting, no typos, clear chapter breaks. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should be polished enough to show you care.
3. Expect a More Personal Process
One of the joys of working with a boutique publisher is that you’re not just a number in a spreadsheet. If they’re interested, they may:
- Send personalised feedback
- Ask you questions about your characters or plot
- Offer to hop on a call before making an offer
This is also where you get to see if you like them. Publishing is a partnership — the vibe matters.
4. The Waiting Game
Even with a smaller team, reading submissions takes time. Boutique publishers usually receive more manuscripts than they can respond to right away.
- Expect weeks to months for a decision
- Some will update you along the way, others won’t until they have an answer
- While you wait, keep writing something new (trust me, it helps)
5. If They Say Yes…
Here’s where the magic starts. With a boutique press, you can usually expect:
- Close collaboration with your editor
- A say in the cover design
- Involvement in marketing decisions
It’s a more intimate process, but also one that requires flexibility. Smaller teams mean you’ll be working closely together — your publisher might know your book almost as well as you do by the end.
6. If They Say No…
A rejection doesn’t mean your book isn’t good. Sometimes it’s just not the right fit for their list. The upside with a boutique press? Sometimes they’ll tell you exactly why and encourage you to submit again with a future project.
Final Thoughts
Submitting to a boutique publisher is like knocking on the door of a small, passionate creative house. If they open the door, you’re stepping into a place where your story won’t just be “content” — it’ll be a project they champion from start to finish.
If you’re ready to take the leap, polish your pages, write that query letter, and send your story out into the world. Who knows? The next book they fall in love with could be yours.