Submissions: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I write a query letter?

Why should I choose Adamo Press instead of self-publishing my book through Amazon KDP or elsewhere?

Do you pay author advances?

Do I need a literary agent to submit to Adamo Press?

It's been 8 weeks and I still haven't heard back regarding my query. Can I resubmit?

Why was my book rejected?

If Adamo Press offers to publish my book, will I get a contract?

After publication, will Adamo Press handle all of the marketing?

If I'm asked to submit my manuscript, how should I format it?

How do I create a nonfiction book proposal?

How do I know if you are currently looking for books in my genre?

I have written several books, can I send you a query for all of them, or do I send you a separate query for each one?

I want to submit my children's book. Do I need an illustrator?

Is it okay to use AI (Artificial Intelligence), even if only to help me edit my book?

What type of books are you looking for?

How do I send a submission to Adamo Press?

Q: How do I write a query letter?

A: There are many resources on the Internet that explain how to write a professional-looking query letter. First impressions do count, so take the time to research how to do this correctly. Even though we accept submissions directly from authors, we recommend literary agent Nathan Bradsford's website for learning more about query letters. There a number of other agents on Instagram, LinkedIn, and other platforms who regularly cover how to create query letters and will even review which ones have been successful. Remember we only accept electronic submissions.

Q: Why should I choose Adamo Press instead of self-publishing my book through Amazon KDP or elsewhere?

A:  Great question! For many writers, self-publication makes sense and is the right way to go. However, Adamo Press, or other small press, may be the right choice for you if you don't have the skillset required to create a quality finished product, or you don't want to pay a lot of money to hire a bunch of professionals (cover designers, interior designers, figuring out ISBNs with Bowker, the copyright office, Publishers in Cataloguing Data, and more). If you only want to publish a book for your family and friends, choose self-publishing. If you take your writing seriously and want a professionally published product, consider traditional publishing. Unlike vanity publishers, Adamo Press will never charge authors money for publication.

Q: Do you pay author advances?

A: Although Adamo Press does not pay royalty advances, we are a traditional small press. We will never charge authors any money for publication. Our authors retain negotiated rights and best of all, our authors get to have input during every step of the publication process. We only make money when you make money. The royalties we pay for any books sold exceed industry-standard rates.  

Q: Do I need a literary agent to submit to Adamo Press?

A: No, you do not need a agent, which, if you're like the majority of writers out there, is great news. Adamo Press accepts unagented submissions. Because we do not pay author advances, it wouldn't make much sense for an agent to represent your submission to us. 

Q: It's been 8 weeks and I still haven't heard back regarding my query. Can I resubmit?

A: Unfortunately, even though we wish we could, we don't have the time and resources to respond to every query. We may be busy helping our current authors. However, sometimes our spam blocker is overzealous. If you haven't heard back from us after eight weeks or you've made significant changes to your manuscript, you are welcome to check in or resubmit once. Make sure to write "Query Resubmission" as well as the title of your manuscript and your last name in the subject line.

Q: Why was my book rejected?

A: There are a number of reasons a manuscript may be rejected. Was it formatted correctly? Did you follow the submission guidelines? Was it engaging from the first sentence and did it hold our attention until the last sentence? Were there errors? Was it well-written? Do you have compelling characters with solid character arcs? Is the plot easy to follow but not entirely predictable? If you are writing nonfiction, do you have an established platform? Perhaps the book wasn't a good fit for us. Or maybe we are currently working with an author who wrote a similar book. This is a highly subjective business and other publishers or agents may feel differently. We publish very few books and are highly selective. Unfortunately, we cannot personally respond to every email. More often than not, you can expect a form response if you submission was rejected.

Q: If Adamo Press offers to publish my book, will I get a contract?

A: Yes! We follow all laws. We have been around since 2012 and plan to be around for decades to come. Our reputation is important.

Q: After publication, will Adamo Press handle all of the marketing?

A: We are your partner in the publication process. Regardless whether your book is published by one of the big houses, a small press like ours, a vanity press, or you self-publish, the author's marketing efforts largely determine how successful a book will be.

Q: If I'm asked to submit my manuscript, how should I format it?

A: We expect standard manuscript format: 12 point, Times New Roman, double spaced, 1" margins. 

Q: How do I create a nonfiction book proposal?

A: There are many resources on the Internet that teach you how to create a book proposal. In the future, we may add a resources section to offer our prospective writers additional help.

Q: How do I know if you are currently looking for books in my genre?

A: Review the Submissions Guidelines page. To be honest, there are so many sub-genres that we look at each submission on a case-by-case basis. Is yours an upmarket, historical, sci-fi, steampunk ,YA novel with fantasy elements and a love triangle? Probably not, but you get the idea. 

Q: I have written several books, can I send you a query for all of them, or do I send you a separate query for each one?

A: If you are sending a query for a completed multi-volume work or series, then it is appropriate to send a query for the first book in the series but do tell us in your query letter if it is part of a larger set or series. If you have multiple unrelated manuscripts, send us a query for one, your best one. You may briefly mention in your query letter if you have other completed and polished manuscripts ready to submit. If we are interested in your work, we will contact you regarding any additional works that you may have. Also be aware that if we are interested in a book series, we expect that you have two to three or more books in the series already completed (written, revised, and polished).

Q: I want to submit my children's book. Do I need an illustrator?

A: Usually we prefer that you are already working with an illustrator or, even better, that you have done the illustrations on your own. If you already have an illustrator, please say so in your query letter. If we are interested in your book, we will ask to see the illustrations as well. Our recommendation is that you pay for the illustrations rather than agreeing to split the royalties. We will need to see this agreement in writing.

Q: Is it okay to use AI (Artificial Intelligence), even if only to help me edit my book?

A: Absolutely not. If we determine you used AI at any time during the writing process, we will void any contract. We support humans who create art. The moral of the story? We want to see your original writing. 

Q: What type of books are you looking for?

A: You can find an updated list of genres we are currently seeking by reviewing our submissions guidelines page.  

Q: How do I send a submission to Adamo Press?

A: We accept query letters along with the first twenty pages of your manuscript through our query email address only. Find out more on our submissions guidelines page.  

Stay positive, work hard to hone your craft, and stick with it. There is always room in the market for a really good book.