Sangeeta Mehta

26 Independent & University Presses Offering Contests for Fiction Writers with Book Publication as the Prize — Mehta Book Editing on Squarespace Not all publishers are open only to agented submissions. In fact, several independent and university presses welcome submissions directly from authors, whether through open reading periods or throug...

I've updated my list of "24 Independent & University Press Contests For Fiction Writers That Offer Book Publication as the Prize" for 2026, and it now includes 26 publishers. Note that two contests have Jan 31 deadlines but there's still time to apply!
www.mehtabookeditingnewyork.com/writing/inde...

Writer's Digest's annual conference? One of the Gotham writers' conferences? Those Writing Day workshops? (At least according to their website...)
www.writersdigestconference.com
www.writingclasses.com/nonfiction/w...
www.writingdayworkshops.com

Hope you enjoy my latest article for The Bottom Line, "University Presses: A Viable Path for Literary Fiction Careers," for which I interviewed two literary agents and three acquiring editors: mailchi.mp/janefriedman...

Really enjoyed this panel! Is there a pub date yet for your book?

pitch decks for novels a new trend?

Last fall? substack.com/@leighstein/...

My guess is that, technically, neither Center nor McFarlane write "book club fiction," but this doesn't mean that book clubs won't choose their books. And if calling their work "book club fiction" will draw in more readers, their publishers wouldn't mind. Hope this helps and thx for your question!

Once writers are established—like both Center and McFarlane are—they probably talk to their agent and publisher to determine how best to spin their work. Center wrote a novel called THE ROM-COMMERS, "a rom-com about writing rom-coms," so maybe she wouldn't mind being called a rom com writer!

Thanks so much, Jade, for reading and sharing the article, and for your kind words! Yes, one of the people I interviewed said that "women's fiction" is a more sophisticated label for "chick lit," and I agree.

Should you pitch your work as “women’s fiction” if you’re seeking traditional publication? I interviewed literary agents including @ecniumata.bsky.social and @jsinsheim.bsky.social to explore this question for @janefriedman.com's The Bottom Line newsletter mailchi.mp/janefriedman...

So enjoyed being a guest on on the wonderful Book Friends Forever podcast with long time colleagues (and book friends) Alvina, Grace & Julie. Have a listen!

I’ll be talking about Building Your Editing Toolkit on February 25 at the Writing Show, hosted by James Rivers Writers. Join me! Learn more and register here: jamesriverwriters.org/event/2025-f...

I've updated this list and hope it's helpful!

Independent & University Press Contests for Fiction Writers That Offer Book Publication as the Prize — Mehta Book Editing on Squarespace Not all publishers are open only to agented submissions. In fact, several independent and university presses welcome submissions directly from authors, whether through open reading periods or throug...

I've updated this lis and hope it's helpful! www.mehtabookeditingnewyork.com/writing/inde...

The Hot Sheet: Jan. 15, 2025 issue Fractured publicity: navigating book promotion in the influencer age • Cozy fantasy: it’s all about the vibes • On the List: This Girl’s a Killer by Emma C. Wells

For my latest article for @thehotsheet.bsky.social, I spoke with independent book publicists including @kathmschmidt.bsky.social about how they navigate today’s fractured media landscape and how writers can collaborate to help them achieve results mailchi.mp/hotsheetpub/...

2025–2026 Key Book Publishing Paths by Jane Friedman (traditional publishing)

2025–2026 Key Book Publishing Paths by Jane Friedman (other paths, non-traditional)

I have overhauled my cornerstone article/handout on key book publishing paths. For the last 10 years, it's been 1 page. Now it's 2 pages. It better covers the finer distinctions writers now encounter in the market. Free to use/share/distribute, no permission required. Link below.

😂

Ten Podcasts Hosted by Book Publishing Insiders and Enthusiasts — Mehta Book Editing on Squarespace Here are the podcasts that currently make up my phone’s library. Some offer exclusive content or perks through Patreon, and others are completely free. Some are updated weekly, and others, less often....

For my website, I've come up with a list of podcasts about the book industry. What podcasts should be added to this list? Happy listening and Happy Thanksgiving!

www.mehtabookeditingnewyork.com/writing/2024...

Thank you for participating—and sharing the piece :)

The Hot Sheet: July 31, 2024 issue The rise of book signings and direct sales—and the company helping drive growth • The who, what, and why of sensitivity reads • On the List: The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer

Hope you enjoy my latest article for Jane Friedman's The Hot Sheet, for which I interviewed agents and publishers including @ericsmithrocks.bsky.social and @stacylwhitman.bsky.social about "The Who, What, and Why of Sensitivity Reads." t.co/Ew5y6tT2Ep

I'm delighted to share my Q&A with author Cliff Burke. Cliff and I worked together back in 2018. Since then he landed an agent and two book deals without "any connections or real understanding of how the agenting process worked." Learn more here: www.mehtabookeditingnewyork.com/writing/2024...

Save the Date! Our IG live with Third State Books is Thursday, 1/11/24, 2 pm ET! Third State Books is the first general interest publishing house focused solely on bringing Asian American voices, stories, and issues to audiences who cherish them.

#ReadYourWorld #kidlit #mkbkids

Crafting the Query Letter: A Two Hour Fundraiser Webinar on November 2nd — ERIC SMITH

Just one more week until this query webinar, which benefits some friends and family who could use the help.

Come hangout! www.ericsmithrocks.com/blog/2023/1/...

Excited to share my latest critique for @janefriedman.bsky.social's "Ask the Editor" column. The writer asks "whether to present this as literary fiction with magical realism or magical realism with a literary bent." See my assessment below. Anything to add? janefriedman.com/first-page-c...

We Need Writers' Voices in Dark Times - The Authors Guild The Authors Guild vehemently denounces censorship and is alarmed by recent attempts to cancel events and suppress voices. During these volatile times, it is imperative that we recognize the importance...

We vehemently denounce censorship and are alarmed by recent attempts to cancel events and suppress voices.

authorsguild.org/news/we-need...

Yes! It took a while. (Was on the waiting list, then got an invite but it didn't work, etc.) But so glad to finally be here!

Orbit Presents: How to Write Your First SFF Novel Always wanted to write a SFF novel but don’t know where to start? Want to improve your SFF writing skills? Join Orbit for a one-of-a-kind FREE virtual event series this fall that will take you from�...

SFF friends, this looks seriously amazing! A free series of talks on various aspects of writing SFF, brought to you by Orbit.

www.hachettebookgroup.com/orbit-books/...

Freelance Solidarity Project | Book Review Rate Sharing Survey This is a criticism-specific rate sharing survey for freelance book critics. This survey is a part of the broader interdisciplinary rate sharing tool created by members of the Freelance Solidarity Pro...

Hi, I’m a freelance book critic and I know for sure that the more info we share with each other, the better! Help the Freelance Solidarity Project to better understand rates of pay for book criticism. If you're a freelancer who covers books, click here: bit.ly/pay-the-crit...

If you've encountered the Litchfield Institute writing contest & are tempted by the huge prizes & small entry fee, writer beware: un-named judges & faculty, no verifiable info on the Institute itself, & a web domain just 9 days old. Pretty shady IMO www.lichfieldinst.org

Hub City Press & Writers Project Hub City Writers Project is a literary nonprofit organization located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Comprised of an acclaimed literary book publisher, an independent bookshop, and a literary progra...

BIPOC writers of adult fiction: If you're unpublished, see these links:

Hub City submissions (deadline 9/30)
hubcity.submittable.com/submit

S&S First Novel Contest (10/13)
www.simonandschuster.com/p/atria-firs...

Periplus Fellowship (Fiction & NF) (10/27)
docs.google.com/document/d/1...