Avalon Books - Frequently Asked Questions


Our “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) page provides an informative overview of some of our most common requests. By putting it all in one place, we hope that you will be able to find out what you want to know about Avalon Books with one simple click.
WHAT IS THE LIBRARY MARKET? HOW DO I ORDER AN AVALON BOOK? ARE BOOKS AVAILABLE AT BARNES AND NOBLE? IS IT BETTER TO SEND A QUERY LETTER OR A PARTIAL? HOW SOON CAN I HEAR ABOUT MY PARTIAL? DO I HAVE TO SEND IN THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS? CAN I SUBMIT NONSEQUENTIAL CHAPTERS? HOW SOON CAN I HEAR ABOUT MY MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION? WHEN CAN I CALL TO CHECK ON MY SUBMISSION? IS EMAIL PREFERRED? DO I NEED AN AGENT TO SUBMIT? DO YOU ACCEPT EMAIL QUERIES? WHAT IF I CHANGE MY ADDRESS BEFORE I HEAR FROM YOU? DO YOU ACCEPT SCIENCE FICTION, ROMANTIC SUSPENSE OR HISTORICAL FICTION? WHAT TIME PERIOD CAN MY NOVEL BE SET IF IT IS A HISTORICAL ROMANCE? WHAT IS TOO SEXY FOR AVALON? HOW STRICT IS THE WORD COUNT? CAN I SUBMIT EVEN IF IS DOESN’T MEET THE REQUIREMENT? WHAT ARE THE RULES ON ROUGH LANGUAGE? WHAT ARE THE RULES ON LIQUOR? DO YOU HIRE FREELANCE READERS OR EDITORS? DO YOU HIRE FREELANCE COPYEDITORS OR PROOFREADERS? DO YOU HIRE FREELANCE ARTISTS? HOW DO I CHECK ON MY SUBMISSION?
Q.	WHAT IS THE LIBRARY MARKET?
A.	The Library market consists of books that are printed particularly for libraries. Avalon Books are geared and marketed for librarians to purchase and distribute.

Q.	HOW DO I ORDER AN AVALON BOOK?
A.	At www.barnesandnoble.com or www.amazon.com. Or you can order a book from Avalon Books through the mail. Call 1-800-223-5251 for details.

Q.	ARE BOOKS AVAILABLE AT BARNES AND NOBLE?
A.	Avalon Books are available at some Barnes and Noble bookstores, but not all. Check with your local Barnes and Noble. Or order online at www.barnesandnoble.com.

Q.	IS IT BETTER TO SEND A QUERY LETTER OR A PARTIAL?
A.	It is better to send a partial. We like to have a brief cover letter, with a 2-3 page synopsis sent with the first three chapters. Send this to us with a SASE. We do not accept e-mail partials. Please NO PHONE CALLS.

Q.	HOW SOON CAN I HEAR ABOUT MY PARTIAL?
A.	The turn around time is usually 2-4 weeks.

Q.	DO I HAVE TO SEND IN THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS? CAN I SUBMIT NONSEQUENTIAL CHAPTERS?
A.	You must send in the first three chapters. Do not send three random chapters only the first three.

Q.	HOW SOON CAN I HEAR ABOUT MY MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION?
A.	You should hear back from Avalon Books within 6-8 months. PLEASE NO PHONE CALLS BEFORE THAT.

Q.	WHEN CAN I CALL TO CHECK ON MY SUBMISSION? IS EMAIL PREFERRED?
A.	You may call after a year has passed and you have not heard back from us. Email is preferred.

Q.	DO I NEED AN AGENT TO SUBMIT?
A.	No you do not need an agent to submit. Just follow our guidelines carefully and we will get back to you.

Q.	DO YOU ACCEPT EMAIL QUERIES?
A.	We do accept queries by email but we do not accept partials or submissions via email.

Q.	WHAT IF I CHANGE MY ADDRESS BEFORE I HEAR FROM YOU?
A.	Send an email with the title of manuscript, the date of submission, your name and your new address.

Q.	DO YOU ACCEPT SCIENCE FICTION, ROMANTIC SUSPENSE OR HISTORICAL FICTION?
A.	We do not accept science fiction. We do accept romantic suspense but it has to lean toward either Mystery or Romance, it cannot equally bridge the gap. The only historical fiction we accept is set in the old West.

Q.	WHAT TIME PERIOD CAN MY NOVEL BE SET IF IT IS A HISTORICAL ROMANCE?
A.	We accept historical romances that range from the Medieval period to World War I roughly 1930.

Q.	WHAT IS TOO SEXY FOR AVALON?
A.	Sexual tension is fine but not more than a kiss or embrace is allowed.

Q.	HOW STRICT IS THE WORD COUNT? CAN I SUBMIT EVEN IF IS DOESN’T MEET THE REQUIREMENT?
A.	We accept manuscripts between 40,000 and 70,000 words. No more, no less. Our Westerns and Contemporary Romances usually range between 40,000-50,000. Our Historical Romances and Mysteries usually range from 50,000-70,000 words. In very rare cases we will accept a longer manuscript.

Q.	WHAT ARE THE RULES ON ROUGH LANGUAGE?
A.	No cursing throughout all of our books. Nothing heavier than a “hell,” “damn” in Westerns and Mysteries. We don’t like cursing at all in our romances. We do not accept racial epithets, no harsh language, and no sexy talk.

Q.	WHAT ARE THE RULES ON LIQUOR?
A.	In our Romances keep it minimal, if any. In our Westerns and Mysteries it is okay within reason.

Q.	DO YOU HIRE FREELANCE READERS OR EDITORS?
A.	No we do not. Avalon Books is fully staffed.

Q.	DO YOU HIRE FREELANCE COPYEDITORS OR PROOFREADERS?
A.	If you live in or near the New York City metropolitan area we are happy to consider you for freelance copyediting or proofreading. Send resume to: Editors, Avalon Books, 160 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016.

Q.	DO YOU HIRE FREELANCE ARTISTS?
A.	We are fully staffed at this time.

Q.	HOW DO I CHECK ON MY SUBMISSION?
A.	Email us at: editorial@avalonbooks.com. Or write to us with a SASE. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.