SUBMISSIONS

Pocketbook Press is seeking emotionally resonant, unpublished short fiction for our inaugural anthology, The Pocketbook Press Anthology: Volume 1. We’re looking for stories that evoke the spirit of winter, whether cozy, strange, romantic, eerie, or bittersweet.

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Pocketbook Press is an independent publishing house dedicated to reviving the charm and accessibility of classic pocket-sized books. Specializing in concise, page-turning novellas, we publish bold, fast-paced narratives that readers can carry anywhere and finish in a single sitting. Blending retro-inspired design with contemporary storytelling, Pocketbook Press champions emerging voices and inventive work across genres, offering a fresh yet nostalgic reading experience for those who love books. 

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SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

 

Story Requirements

• Word count: 500–3,500 words

• Exploring the theme of Winter / Holiday Season. This may include:

  • Christmas, New Year’s, Hanukkah, or other winter traditions

  • Winter settings (snow, isolation, travel, family gatherings)

  • Themes of connection, memory, loss, celebration, or transformation

• Genre: Open (literary, romance, horror, thriller, speculative, etc.)

• Format:

  • Standard manuscript format

  • 12 pt font (Times New Roman or similar)

  • Double-spaced

• Submitted work must be previously unpublished, which includes publication on personal blogs, social media accounts, and other websites. Previously published work will be disqualified.

 

What We Love

• Strong voice and atmosphere

• Memorable characters in a short space

• Emotional impact (quiet or intense)

• Stories that linger after the last line

• We especially welcome unexpected or subversive takes on storytelling.

 

Content & Tone

To ensure this anthology remains accessible to a wide audience, we ask that submissions follow these content guidelines:

• No explicit sexual content

• No graphic violence

• No excessive profanity

• No political advocacy or partisan messaging

 

What We’re Not Looking For

• First drafts or underdeveloped pieces

• Stories without a clear connection to winter/holiday themes

• Excessively derivative or cliché-heavy plots (unless subverted in a fresh way)

• AI-generated stories

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HOW TO SUBMIT

Submission Window

• Exclusive access to PocketBook Press Instagram followers opens May 18th, 2026

• Closes: August 4th, 2026 at 11:59pm or until we reach 100 eligible submissions 

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Submission Fee: $0

Pocketbook Press will review the first 100 completed submissions received. Authors may submit up to two (2) stories, but we will only publish one (1) story if selected. We are looking for 12 short stories for this first anthology that stays within the theme. Like and follow us on Instagram for updates. We will post on social media and on our website if submissions have reached the limit before the submission window closes.
 

What to Submit​

Copy and paste your story, in the body of an email, and send  to: pocketbooksubmissions@gmail.com
 

Subject line: [Story Title and Author Name]

Include:

• Word count

• Brief summary of the story

• Content warnings

• Story must be pasted within the body of the email. Pocketbook Press will not open attachments or links and the project will not be considered

• If your submission is accepted elsewhere, please contact us by email (pocketbooksubmissions@gmail.com) to withdraw the project for consideration

• By submitting, you confirm that the work is your own, is unpublished, and violates no copyright laws

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ACCEPTANCE AND EXPECTATIONS

Pocketbook Press will notify authors no later than September 10, 2026 of their acceptance to The Pocketbook Press Anthology: Volume 1. Authors will have until September 18, 2026 at Noon PT to confirm their acceptance or forfeit their participation. 

 

At this time, authors not invited to participate will not receive feedback on their submission. 

 

Accepted Authors are Required to Provide: 

• A headshot and short bio

• Brief story summary

• Project artwork for marketing purposes

• A minimum of three (3) social media promotional posts (at least one needs to be a reel/video) from your account(s) that announce your acceptance, supports your work during the pre-order period, and supports your work once published. All posts are required to tag @pocketbook-press

• Support your fellow authors and Pocketbook Press 

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Editing & Publication Process

Selected stories and artwork may undergo editing by Pocketbook Press editors. Pocketbook Press will always work collaboratively with authors, and no significant changes will be made without the author’s approval. 

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