Big 5 publishing house
Jonathan Cape
Fiction, Comics, Literary fiction
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About Jonathan Cape
Jonathan Cape, part of Vintage at Penguin Random House UK, reads prose only through literary agents. Its poetry list can be approached directly by post with a typed English-language collection.
Jonathan Cape is a literary imprint within Vintage at Penguin Random House UK. Its list runs from commercial to literary fiction, graphic novels, poetry and nonfiction, including memoir, nature writing and ideas books.
For fiction and nonfiction, Jonathan Cape publishers follow the Penguin Random House rule: agents only. Poetry is the exception. Cape’s small poetry list, four or five books a year, reads typed English-language collections sent by post.
What Jonathan Cape is looking for
- Literary and commercial fiction
- Graphic novels
- Memoir, nature writing and ideas books
- Poetry collections in English
Publishes
- Comics
- Fiction
- Literary fiction
- Memoir
- Nonfiction
- Poetry
Specialties
- Literary fiction
How to submit to Jonathan Cape
From its own guidelines- Prose: finish the book and find a literary agent, who submits to Cape.
- Poetry: read the Cape poetry list and the guidance in the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook.
- Post a typed collection with a covering letter and return postage.
- Allow 4 to 12 weeks, sometimes up to 16.
Is Jonathan Cape right for your book?
A good fit if
You have an agent for prose, or you are a poet with a finished collection in English.
Look elsewhere if
You want to send a novel or nonfiction book yourself, or a poetry collection not written in English.
Jonathan Cape imprints
Which take submissions| Imprint | Direct submissions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Cape (prose) | Agent only | PRH UK does not accept unsolicited manuscripts or synopses. |
| Jonathan Cape Poetry | Yes | Can be approached directly; small list, 4-5 books a year; English-language collections only; 4-12 weeks reading, sometimes up to 16. |
Questions about Jonathan Cape
Does Jonathan Cape accept unsolicited manuscripts?
Only for poetry. Jonathan Cape follows the Penguin Random House UK rule of no unsolicited manuscripts or synopses for prose, so novels and nonfiction need a literary agent. Its poetry list reads typed English-language collections sent directly by post. Poetry is read by post only.
How do I send poetry to Jonathan Cape publishers?
Post a typed collection in English with a covering letter and enough return postage. Jonathan Cape publishers suggest reading the Cape poetry list and the guidance in the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook first. The list is small, about four or five books a year, so make sure your work fits.
How long does Jonathan Cape take to read poetry?
Jonathan Cape usually takes 4 to 12 weeks to read a poetry collection, and sometimes up to 16 weeks. Use that time to keep sending individual poems to magazines, which helps build the track record poetry editors look for. Send one collection at a time.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
