IMAJINN BOOKS
ROMANCE, URBAN FANTASY AND EROTICA
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
IMAJINN BOOKS

ROMANCE/URBAN FANTASY

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

NOTE: We are NOT an electronic publisher. We publish Trade-size paperback books

Romance Guidelines: ImaJinn (pronounced Imagine) Books publishes supernatural, paranormal, fantasy, and futuristic romances. We are looking for fast-paced, action-packed romances involving ghosts, psychics or psychic phenomena, witches, vampires, werewolves, shape shifters, and futuristic in space or on other planet. All novels should be atmospheric according to the chosen subject. Make sure the supernatural, paranormal, fantasy or futuristic element is strong enough to carry the story. If the element can be lifted out of the story and a publishable story still exists, the element is not strong enough. Also, in the case of vampires, werewolves, witches, or shape shifters, the hero or heroine must be the vampire, werewolf, etc., and these storylines should have a dark, eerie overtone.

The developing romantic relationship between the hero and the heroine is the focus of the story. The stories may be told from both points of view, and the hero may be the lead character of the story. Although books written in the third person are preferred, first person will be considered. Sensuality may range from sweet to highly sensual.

The heroine must be a strong woman, capable of confronting and conquering any threats of physical and/or psychological danger she faces in the story. She is always a match for the hero who should be bold and brash—an Alpha male—and he may or may not represent danger. The ending must be a happy one, with everlasting romance the reward for triumphing over the darkness or evil faced in the story. Although we prefer Alpha male heroes, we will consider Beta heroes, but they must still be bold and a match for the heroine. However, we do not want Beta vampires, werewolves, etc. We feel these types of heroes must have a dark, dangerous edge for survival purposes, and although they may have some Beta traits, their main personality should be Alpha.

Urban Fantasy Guidelines: We are also considering Urban Fantasy storylines along the order of Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake series. We do expect a romance or a blossoming romance in the story, although the romance does not have to be the main focus of the story. We expect these storylines to be set up for a continuing series with the same characters, although we will consider single book storylines. The main protagonist must be a "kick ass" heroine with the same traits as our romance heroines, as listed above.

LENGTH: 70,000 to 90,000 words

SUBMISSION: You do not need an agent to submit, but you must query us first. All query letters should include a synopsis no longer than six double-spaced pages and may be submitted by regular mail or e-mail, although we prefer e-mail queries and submissions. If you mail your query, please include an SASE if you want the material returned. If there is no enclosed SASE, we will dispose of the material. It is recommended that you either check our web site (http://www.imajinnbooks.com) or write or call us to see what storylines we’re currently looking for. We do not accept simultaneous submissions. We only consider queries with story lines that meet our current needs. Query letters or inquiries should be sent to:

Romance Editorial Department
ImaJinn Books
PO Box 545
Canon City, CO 81215-0545

E-mail: editors@imajinnbooks.com

We will not consider previously e-published books because of print-on-demand rights conflicts. If your book has been published by an e-publisher, please do not query us.

ImaJinn Books

Silk and Magic

Erotica Guidelines

In keeping with the nature of all books ImaJinn publishes, a story or novel appropriate for our erotica line will be, first and foremost, a romance. The main plot of the story should be the sensual development of an intimate relationship between one man and one woman, who are both heroic in stature (i.e., possessing high moral standards) and who ultimately make a commitment to each other. In general, we are not looking for multiple partner relationships, although multiple partnerships are acceptable in some storylines, such as societies where there are more men than women or vice versa, but again, these multiple partners must ultimately make a commitment to each other.

We will accept any type of erotica storyline, from contemporary to historical to paranormal, futuristic and fantasy. A successful story will be highly erotic but not pornographic. The difference is usually one of focus; erotica, like romance, seeks to involve the reader’s emotions, while pornography focuses almost entirely on the physical. We expect there to be sex involved—lots of it—but it must be part of the plot, not gratuitous. Authors are encouraged to begin with a premise that, by its nature, will put the hero and heroine in sexually charged circumstances from the beginning of the story. We don’t expect the couple to make love in the first chapter, although it is acceptable to have it in chapter one, but we do expect some lovemaking or sexually charged foreplay by chapter two. We expect that sexual scenes will be at least half or more of the story.

In general, we’re looking for stories that turn us on, not off. We want to be excited—not disgusted or bored. We don’t want stories about heavy BDSM, torture, bestiality (dogs, horses, snakes, and other real-world critters), non-sexual bodily functions ("golden showers"), pedophilia, necrophilia, cannibalism, weapons or other deadly implements being shoved into orifices, rape or anything else so kinky that it will offend our core readership. On the other hand, we understand that writing erotic stories about werewolves and aliens could lead to some interesting situations. Indeed, the paranormal element you choose could provide exactly the sort of sexual tension and eroticism these stories will require.

Regarding language, authors should think carefully about the words they use. A story doesn’t automatically become erotic when "manhood" gets changed to "cock" or "feminine core" is replaced by "pussy." They’re all still euphemisms, and the way they’re used is what matters; indeed, it can mean the difference between erotica and pornography. So authors may use whatever words they wish to name body parts and to describe actions, but keep in mind that the goal is turn the readers on—not jar them out of the story or make them laugh at inappropriate moments. (By the way, it’s perfectly acceptable to use real, official words for body parts and sex acts, too.)

LENGTH: We’d like the word count for these stories to be at least 30,000 words, and we have no limitation on word counts above 30,000, but lengthy stories must remain highly erotic from beginning to end. We will consider novellas between 15,000 to 30,000 words. However, we emphasize that even in the shorter format, it’s essential that the story primarily be a romance.

Our erotica line will be available in e-book and CD format and as print-on-demand books. E-books and CDs will be sold exclusively by ImaJinn Books. Royalties will be paid at 50% of the net receipts for e-books and CD format, and royalties will be paid monthly on these sales. We will routinely combine novellas and books under 40,000-45,000 words into anthologies and offer them in print-on-demand books. Royalties on print-on-demand books will be split among authors, based on the number of stories in a book, and single title royalties will range from 6-10%. Royalties on books will be paid on a semi-annual basis.

These guidelines are subject to change as we refine this new line.

SUBMISSION: You do not need an agent to submit, but you must query us first. All query letters should include a synopsis no longer than six double-spaced pages and may be submitted by regular mail or e-mail, although we prefer e-mail queries. If you mail your query, please include an SASE if you want the material returned. We do not accept simultaneous submissions. Query letters or inquiries should be sent to:

Editorial Department
ImaJinn Books
PO Box 545
Canon City, CO 81215-0545

E-mail: editors@imajinnbooks.com

Copyright 2004 by ImaJinn Books