We are pleased to receive query letters for fiction and nonfiction manuscripts, including those for novels, novellas, short story collections, biography, essays, literary anthologies, literary criticism, literature in translation, memoir, contemporary issues, Jewish and Middle East Studies, Women's Studies, travel writing, and works for a Young Adult readership. Queries should include a cover letter, author background and publication history, a detailed synopsis of the proposed work, and a sample chapter. Please indicate if the work is simultaneously submitted.

As we are a small, independent house, publishing about fifteen books a year, we accept only a very small percentage of the works proposed to us. Since the size of our editorial staff reflects the size of the company on the whole, we ask that you be patient while we consider your work. Our aim is to respond to proposals within two weeks, and to requested manuscripts within one month. While we appreciate the interest of all of the dedicated writers who propose and submit their work to us, we can't always adhere to these time frames, or provide as comprehensive a response to the works as we would like.

We also have a longstanding commitment to publishing extraordinary poetry. However, we take on poetry manuscripts very, very selectively. While a strong history of publication in prominent journals and periodicals is not a requirement for acceptance, it is an important consideration. To submit a poetry manuscript, include a cover letter with publication history and a manuscript of 48-96 pages.

All query letters, proposals, and manuscript submissions from writers must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for our response and the return of submitted material. They should be sent to the appropriate editor (Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry) and addressed to Persea Books, 853 Broadway, Suite 604, New York, NY 10003, (212) 260-1902 fax.

Submissions from literary agents are welcomed.