Special Instructions for Creative Nonfiction Submissions

 

The University of Utah Press has long published important works of creative nonfiction, including Mark Spragg’s Where Rivers Change Direction and, more recently, Teow Lim Goh’s Western Journeys. We publish artful, intellectually probing manuscripts appealing to a broad audience.

Though welcome at any time of the year, creative nonfiction submissions are evaluated by an independent committee twice-yearly, in the Spring (March/April) and the Fall (September/October). Works submitted between September and March will be evaluated in the Spring, and those works submitted between March and September will be considered in the Fall.

Successful submissions will demonstrate excellence in writing and thematic overlap with our list development plans. We especially welcome works detailing the intricacies of place and exploring the boundaries of the genre. Memoir, autobiography, lyrical essays, nature writing, and travel writing, among other types, are welcome. We may consider manuscripts with limited black-and-white images, but no color images.

Submittals must include the elements required for all book proposals (a cover letter, a C.V., and an annotated Table of Contents), but instead of a sample chapter we request the completed manuscript. All works approved by the committee may then be required to go through our regular peer review process.

Direct inquiries and submissions to Jedediah Rogers at jedediah.rogers@utah.edu

Please read the Book Proposal Format guidelines and prepare your proposal and manuscript in accordance with them.