We are not open for submissions - our novel window closed on the 31st of July and we are still reading for our shortlist. Please subscribe to our SUBSTACK HERE for future reading windows for novels, short stories, poetry and anthologies.

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Please do not email asking about these dates as these have not yet been decided. Usually, however, we open every May - July for novels, and have shorter windows for poetry and short stories over Winter months. We ask that you have bought a book from our website in the year you are considering submitting your manuscript, to get a feel for our portfolio.

 

Our poetry anthology 'Woman, Mapped' with the Rebecca Swift Foundation is now open for submissions.

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If you would like feedback on your work outside of our submission windows, details can be found here.

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 What are we looking for?

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• Manuscripts with strong narrative voices and bold, distinctive styles that make a statement

• Works that incorporate political engagement through:

  • Social commentary or observations about the world we live in

  • Political themes or storylines

  • Unique perspectives from lived experiences

• Accessible yet thought-provoking writing - think 'upmarket book club fiction' and value-led creative writing

• Familiarity with Fly on the Wall Press' publishing ethos is valued

 

Why Fly on the Wall Press for my book?

 

At Fly on the Wall Press, Managing Director Isabelle Kenyon oversees every stage of the publishing process, working closely with each author to ensure their vision is honoured, and their work shines even brighter.

 

We go beyond the book: partnering with experts to pitch translation, audio, and film rights, and offering developmental editing support through The Literary Consultancy for writers on benefits.

 

Marketing is our priority. We champion every title with award submissions, social media campaigns, journalist outreach, book fair appearances, interviews, and advertising—far more than most small presses. (That said, great marketing is always a team effort.)

 

As proud members of Inpress LTD, the Indie Press Network, and the Northern Fiction Alliance, we bring strong regional partnerships and dedicated sales support to every book.

 

We believe in quality over quantity, and we invest in our authors every step of the way.

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FAQS

 

1. Do you accept previously published works (self-published or otherwise)?
   No, we only consider original, unpublished manuscripts.

2. Will you accept work that falls outside the stated word count guidelines?
   We may consider submissions within 5,000 words either side of the specified range.

3. Do you accept cross-genre works, novellas in verse, or novellas in flash fiction form?
   No, we're currently not accepting these formats.

4. Do you publish Young Adult (YA) fiction?
   No, we are not accepting YA submissions at this time.

5. Are you currently accepting poetry chapbooks?
   When poetry submissions are open (see below), we will only be considering full poetry collections.

6. What if international postage makes it difficult to purchase a book?
   EBooks are available in our shop. Alternatively, if you'd prefer not to order a book, you can make a donation instead – we kindly ask for a minimum of £9. All funds directly support the creation of new books. [Donation link]

7. Should I submit my sample pages in A5 or A4? Ideally an A5 word document, but if you can't figure out how to do this, you're welcome to submit in A4.

8. What is a 2025 book receipt?
   This refers to proof of a 2025 book purchase from our website – either your email confirmation or order number.

9. Why is purchasing a book part of the submission process?
   As an independent, unfunded press, all our profits are reinvested into publishing new titles. We don't charge for our time reading, but ask that prospective authors support our work by purchasing a book to demonstrate their interest in our list and to ensure their work aligns with our publishing ethos.

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Fast-Track Feedback Service

Get professional feedback and publication advice on your manuscript sample within 3 weeks s

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What you'll receive:

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• Holistic manuscript assessment covering collection arc, sentence structure, and character development

• Shortlisting decision for our Press during submission windows (or alternative publisher recommendations if FOTW windows are closed)

• Professional editorial guidance to strengthen your work

Important: This is not a line-by-line editing service. For comprehensive editing, please see our Author Services

 

Pricing

Short Story or Poetry Collections & Novels: £120 (Inclusive of VAT)

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Please submit the first 20 pages of your manuscript with a synopsis for the whole book.

We will return a detailed editorial report plus line-by-line notes.

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How To Submit:​

• Pay via our Donation button below (please also find the link here.)

• Include payment confirmation in your submission email

• Submit anytime - feedback available even when regular submissions are closed

• Ready to get started? Use our Donation button or contact us if you experience any payment issues.

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