Moody Publishers Review Policy

Moody Publishers reviews unsolicited fiction manuscripts but does not accept unsolicited nonfiction manuscripts. Moody Publishers will review only those nonfiction manuscripts submitted by professional literary agents, Moody Publishers authors, authors known to us from other publishers, other people in the publishing industry, or Moody Bible Institute ministries. We return manuscripts to their authors only if adequate postage and a return mailer are provided. This policy became necessary because we were receiving a growing flood of unsolicited manuscripts, of which we publish only a very small percentage.

What You Can Do 

For authors who do not currently meet our submission requirements, here are some ideas to help you get started. (Please note that we will not discuss unsolicited manuscript ideas over the telephone.)

• Develop a name by writing for smaller publishers or magazines. A portfolio of magazine articles can get you attention for your book proposal.
• Consider finding a professional literary agent. If an agent doesn't choose to represent you, it may be a sign that your writing isn't strong enough yet; if he does, then you have an inside track.
• Consider using a manuscript review service such as The Writer's Edge, P.O. Box 1266, Wheaton, IL 60189. (Write to them to request an application.) Another option is the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association's online service located at www.ChristianManuscriptSubmissions.com. Both the Writer's Edge and ChristianManuscriptSubmissions charge a fee for this service.
• If you know a published author, ask him or her to recommend you.
• Join a writers' group in your area. This should bring you closer to other published writers and may find you a sponsoring author.

Moody Publishers Fiction

The objective of Moody Publishers is to develop and publish stories that glorify God both in content and style. We believe that God has given certain members of his body the gift to write beautiful works of fiction, and we will seek out those artists and the stories they create. We wish to direct people toward God through beauty and truth.

Titles are selected for publication based upon their fit with our mission, their quality of writing, and their potential for market success. At this time, Moody Publishers is not considering proposals for romance novels, comic books, or children's picture books, and unsolicited submissions in these categories will be handled according to our normal review policy. We are open to any other categories of adult fiction as well as youth and young adult fiction. For fiction submissions, please send a brief plot synopsis and three sample chapters with your query.

Manuscript Preparation and Submission

Please do not call our offices with manuscript ideas. We do not evaluate proposals by telephone.

Send a query letter to Acquisitions Coordinator, Moody Publishers, 820 North LaSalle Blvd., Chicago, IL 60610. The query should summarize the contents of your book and indicate the manuscript length. Please also send a detailed outline or plot synopsis and three sample chapters with your query. In the query you should briefly introduce yourself—including an explanation of your spiritual walk and background—and list your qualifications to write on the subject. Tell us the audience for your book, how your book stands out from others on the same subject, why it is right for Moody, and how readers may be changed for the better by reading your book.

Enclose a self-addressed, stamped mailer sufficient for the return of your material, or indicate in your letter that you do not wish it returned. Be sure to keep a copy of your submission. We understand it is most valuable to you, and we cannot guarantee its safety. You will receive a response to your proposal or manuscript within four months of its arrival at Moody Publishers. Materials that arrive without return mailers are discarded approximately one month after the author is informed that we cannot use them.

Manuscripts should be neatly typed, double-spaced, on white letter-size typing paper. Grammar, style and punctuation should follow normal English usage. We use The Chicago Manual of Style (University of Chicago Press) for fine points. Our own style manual is available to authors working under contract.