SUBMISSIONS

We are always interested in original story telling and diverse experiences.

Interested in writing mystery for Tule Publishing? Great! Read more below about our submission guidelines and what we’re looking for.

At Tule Publishing, we value our commitment to the author. We are a publishing company founded by an author, for authors. We are interested in working with authors who know their brand and vision, and are passionate about what they write. If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you. We accept both agented and un-agented submissions that have not been previously published.

MYSTERY TIMING: Please note that our mystery editorial calendar is completely full for 2024. We are still accepting for 2025 and beyond.

SOME GUIDELINES: We ask that for all imprints your stories fall within the categorized lengths below:

• Short Novel: 50k – 69k words
• Long Novel: 70k – 90k words

ALL OUR AUTHORS: As we are a digital first publisher, we would like to work with authors who have a strong online presence and who are committed to promoting and marketing their work, and we love stories with series potential. We accept both agented and un-agented submissions that have not been previously published.

 COZY:

A strong personality-driven series where readers like the character’s comments, observations, hobbies, even if those don’t change throughout the books. Crimes fit the cozy parameters: not descriptive, plot does not produce an uncomfortable fear for readers. Emphasis is on whodunnit puzzle-solving, and the overall experience is joyful, engaging, comfort reading.

50k-70k

2025 wish list:

Looking for series of three to four books potential with these themes: 

• madcap adventure action
• groups of friends solving mysteries
• travel themes
• unusual occupations being drawn into solving the crime (for instance, a journalist would be expected to dive into someone’s background—a lifeguard would not).

Diverse characters always welcome.

TULE MYSTERY:

You might be a good fit for Tule Mystery if you write:

a strong blend of sleuthing with character growth elements (think women’s fiction style), where the character’s life and goals are as interesting and compelling as their crime-solving.  Within the story, these characters should grow in their decisions, values, careers, and relationships, which could hold the story with the B-line if no mystery occurred.

The crime directly puts a strain on their goals/lifestyle/relationships more than merely threatening their lives. Crime is described in detail, although it doesn’t have to be a gory description. Reader may feel a sense of personal fear from events in the book. Language may be strong at times.

 70k-90k

2025 wish list: 

Looking for series of three to four books potential with these themes:

• police procedurals
• serial killer crimes
• locked rooms
• military-based mysteries
• inspirational/Christian mystery
• paranormal mysteries involving psychics or vampires or shifters.

At this time, we are not looking for political themes, international spy or crime stories where the reader knows who the villain is and the story focuses on how bad he can be and what it takes to catch him. We also are not looking for romantic suspense.

Diverse characters always welcome.

THRILLERS:

Action-packed survival where we can’t figure out how the character will survive, but the solution is a practical one born from ingenuity and guts and decision-making, not a sudden helicopter swooping in or a hidden sniper fires the saving bullet out of the blue.

Psych twists that delve into a deep emotional level for the characters and engage readers’ sympathies. Realistic explanations for events within the story parameters (no sudden turn into astro projection or space alien to resolve when there wasn’t a hint of paranormal activity in the book).

Unreliable narrators where you don’t want the protagonist to be the bad guy because they’ve hidden it that well and bonded with the reader on some emotional level.

70k-90k

2025 wish list: 

• domestic settings/situations
• medical themes
• psychics/paranormal
• mixed media themes
• a way to tie together one-off thrillers by location, by theme, etc.

Diverse characters always welcome. 

What do we look for in our authors? We accept both established and debut authors, so don’t stress if you’re new to the scene. What we look for, above all else, are writers who are energetic and motivated individuals willing to put in the extra effort to engage readers and build your brand!

How do I submit to Tule’s Mystery Imprint?

• Familiarize yourself with our imprints and select the imprint you are targeting.
• Send us your bio (with links to any websites or social media you have).
• Send us a synopsis of your book and the full manuscript as two separate attachments in WORD.
• For stories that are part of a series, please send us a short paragraph explaining how the stories will be connected.
• We do not require that you have an agent, but if you do, send us the contact information and we can forward a copy of our author contract.
• If you have a question about anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.

When you are ready, send your submissions to: submissions@thetulegroup.com

Good luck!

– Tule’s Cozy Cafe Team!