Small press
Bluemoose Books
Fiction, Independent, Literary fiction
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About Bluemoose Books
Bluemoose Books is open to literary fiction from writers anywhere, with or without an agent. Email a covering letter, the first three chapters and a synopsis in one file. It replies within 24 weeks only if it wants more.
Bluemoose Books is an independent press in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, founded in 2006 by Kevin and Hetha Duffy. It publishes adult literary fiction, including novels and short story collections, where form, language and story all matter.
Bluemoose welcomes writers from anywhere in the world, agented or not. The quality of the writing is what counts, so read its list before you send. It does not give feedback on individual manuscripts.
What Bluemoose Books is looking for
- Adult literary fiction
- Novels and short story collections
- Carefully written work, from realist to surreal, crime or speculative
Publishes
- Fiction
- Independent
- Literary fiction
Specialties
- Literary fiction
How to submit to Bluemoose Books
From its own guidelines- Read some Bluemoose books first.
- Put a covering letter, the first three chapters and a synopsis into one Word or PDF file.
- Email it to the address on the Bluemoose submissions page with your contact details.
- If it wants the full manuscript, it contacts you within 24 weeks.
Is Bluemoose Books right for your book?
A good fit if
You have a literary novel or story collection where the writing itself stands out.
Look elsewhere if
You want feedback on your manuscript, or your book is not adult literary fiction.
Books published by Bluemoose Books
Well-known titles- The Gallows PoleBenjamin Myers
- Pig IronBenjamin Myers
- Leonard and Hungry PaulRónán Hession
- King CrowMichael Stewart
- NodAdrian Barnes
Questions about Bluemoose Books
Does Bluemoose Books accept unagented submissions?
Yes. Bluemoose Books welcomes literary fiction from writers anywhere in the world, with or without an agent. Email one Word or PDF file with a covering letter, the first three chapters and a synopsis, and include your contact details. Read its list first.
How long does Bluemoose Books take to reply?
Bluemoose Books contacts you within 24 weeks if it wants to read the full manuscript. If you hear nothing in that time, it is not taking the book further. It does not give feedback on individual manuscripts. Keep sending to other presses meanwhile.
What kind of books does Bluemoose publish?
Bluemoose publishes adult literary fiction, including novels and short story collections. It looks for carefully written work where form, language and story all matter, whether realist, surreal, crime or speculative. Reading a few of its books is the best guide to fit.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
