Submission Guidelines

JCP will consider almost any well-written work by an author who understands promotion.

 

If you would like to submit your work for consideration for publication by Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc., there are several things we require:

 

• A one-page synopsis of your book and, if applicable, a sample of your artwork.
• A brief bio including your previous writing experiences, especially with regard to any works you may have had published.
• An overview of your marketing plan for your book should it be published, including both in-person and social media out reach.
• The most updated and polished version of your manuscript. While we do light editing and proofing, you should send a manuscript that you have edited to the absolute best of your ability (I.E. Made any cuts and rewrites, re-read several times, corrected basic spelling, and grammatical errors.)

• Please include the word count of your manuscript, the genre of your story, and the age range you believe your story is best suited for.
• Please adhere to the Chicago Manual of Style.
  
  Formatting Guidelines
• Microsoft Word document
• Include a title page with book title and author name.
• Standard margin (1" is default usually)
• Include page headers.
• Double spacing is not required between paragraphs.
• A basic serif font such as Times New Roman or Goudy Old Style
• Size 12 font
• Only one space between sentences
• Indent each paragraph by a tab, not by using several spaces.
• If you choose to add a line between paragraphs to indicate a scene change or passage of time, please use  * * *  or another dingbat (Instead of just a line space).
• Thoughts should be italicized.
• Chapter breaks should be marked by page breaks and chapter numbers.
• Please indicate where photo or illustrations should go if desired (Photo #1 goes here).
• Use (—) for emdash (not a hyphen)
• Use (–) for endash (not a hyphen) Example: 1950–1960)
• Proofread and use spellcheck!

 

All queries must be sent to submissions@jancarolpublishing.com

 

Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions.

 

 

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Submit your frightful short stories to These Haunted Hills Book 8

Jan-Carol Publishing has produced seven editions of their most beloved anthology series since the debut of These Haunted Hills Book 1 in 2017. Each new short story collection is packed with frightful tales that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The next installment, These Haunted Hills Book 8, is scheduled for publication in autumn 2026.

Stories submitted to These Haunted Hills Book 8 should follow the theme of spooky or supernatural stories set in the Appalachian region. Stories must be fiction and should be between 1500 and 3500 words. Please include a short author bio that is written in third person and no more than 50 words.

Authors may submit up to two stories for a fee of $25 per story. You may call the office at 423.926.9983 with a credit card number or mail a check to JCP at P.O. Box 701, Johnson City, TN, 37605.

Authors accepted to the anthology will receive two free books upon publication and can order additional copies at wholesale pricing.

The deadline for submissions to These Haunted Hills Book 8 is May 31, 2026. Send your submissions to submissions@jancarolpublishing.com.

 

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Celebrate the Holidays by joining JCP’s Christmas anthology series

 

JCP is now accepting submissions for our second holiday-themed short story collection, Tinsel & Tales: A Holiday Anthology.

This collection comes after the widespread success of Christmas All Year Long: An Anthology of Holly Jolly Tales, the company’s first holiday anthology, which released in 2025.

Stories submitted to Tinsel & Tales should be themed for the holiday season and must be fiction. Stories should have between 1500 and 3500 words. Please include a short author bio that is written in third person and no more than 50 words.

Authors may submit up to two stories for a fee of $25 per story. You may call the office at 423.926.9983 with a credit card number or mail a check to JCP at P.O. Box 701, Johnson City, TN, 37605.

Accepted authors will receive two free copies of Tinsel & Tales: A Holiday Anthology and can order additional copies at wholesale pricing.

The deadline for submissions is May 31, 2026. Send your submissions to submissions@jancarolpublishing.com.

 

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Submit your true-life stories to JCP’s first non-fiction anthology

 

Submissions are now open for Jan-Carol Publishing’s first non-fiction anthology, What Happened Next: Stories of Life-Altering Encounters. The collection highlights true stories featuring life-changing events.

This collection highlights true stories featuring life-changing events. We want to hear about your near-death experiences, your medical miracles, your true-life supernatural encounters, and more! For this anthology, we are seeking personal experiences rather than commentary or opinion pieces.

Stories submitted to What Happened Next must be non-fiction and should have between 1500 and 3500 words. Please include a short author bio that is written in third person and no more than 50 words.

Authors may submit up to two stories for a fee of $25 per story. You may call the office at 423.926.9983 with a credit card number or mail a check to JCP at P.O. Box 701, Johnson City, TN, 37605.

Accepted authors will receive two free copies of What Happened Next: Stories of Life-Altering Encounters and can order additional copies at wholesale pricing.

The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2026. Send your submissions to submissions@jancarolpublishing.com.