University press
Mercer University Press
Academic, Art and Photography, Fiction
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About Mercer University Press
Mercer University Press is open to unagented authors with no fees. You send a proposal with at least 2 sample chapters, or the entire manuscript, to Director Marc Jolley by email or post. Expect a few weeks for a proposal and up to six months for a full manuscript.
Mercer University Press was founded in 1979 at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. It has published more than 1,700 books and brings out 35 to 40 titles a year. Its focus is Southern studies, Southern literary fiction, essays, poetry and memoir, natural history, religious and philosophical studies and literary criticism. It runs series such as Food and the American South, the Flannery O’Connor Series and Voices of the African Diaspora.
Submissions are open today and cost nothing. You send a proposal to Marc Jolley, Director, at jolley_ma@mercer.edu, or by post to 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, GA 31207. Include a chapter outline and at least two sample chapters or the entire manuscript. A proposal review takes a few weeks, and a complete manuscript takes 3 to 6 months. After a contract, publication takes about a year.
What Mercer University Press is looking for
- Southern studies: culture, history, literary work and biography
- Creative writing: Southern literary fiction, essays, poetry and memoir
- Natural history, in creative writing or history
- Religious and philosophical studies
- Literary criticism
- Work that meets the highest standards of scholarly research and literary style
Publishes
- Academic
- Art and Photography
- Fiction
- History
- Literary fiction
- Memoir
- Nonfiction
- Poetry
- Religion and Spirituality
Specialties
- Literary fiction
- University press list
How to submit to Mercer University Press
From its own guidelines- Prepare a proposal with title, genre, contact details and a bio listing previous publications.
- Add a chapter outline plus at least two sample chapters or the entire manuscript.
- Explain why the book should be published, who will read it and its completion status.
- Email it to Marc Jolley at jolley_ma@mercer.edu, or post it with return postage if you want hard copies back.
- Allow a few weeks for a proposal or 3 to 6 months for a full manuscript.
Is Mercer University Press right for your book?
A good fit if
This press suits scholars and creative writers working on the American South, religion, philosophy or natural history who hold their work to high standards.
Look elsewhere if
If your book has nothing to do with the South, religion, philosophy, natural history or literary criticism, look for a press with a closer fit.
Mercer University Press imprints
Which take submissions| Imprint | Direct submissions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Book series (e.g., Food and the American South, Flannery O'Connor Series, Mercer Commentary on the Bible, Mercer Kierkegaard Studies, Mercer Tillich Studies, Voices of the African Diaspora, Baptists in Early North America, Carson McCullers Series) | Not stated | Listed as series on About page, not imprints |
Questions about Mercer University Press
Does Mercer University Press accept unsolicited manuscripts?
Yes. Mercer University Press accepts proposals and complete manuscripts from unagented authors, and it charges no fees. It focuses on Southern studies, Southern literary fiction, essays, poetry and memoir, natural history, religious and philosophical studies and literary criticism. It publishes 35 to 40 titles a year and asks for the highest standards of research and style.
How do I submit to Mercer University Press?
Send a proposal to Marc Jolley, Director, at jolley_ma@mercer.edu, or by post to 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, GA 31207. Include your title, genre, bio, a chapter outline, at least two sample chapters or the entire manuscript, an audience statement and the manuscript status. The press recycles hard copies unless you include enough return postage.
How long does Mercer University Press take to reply?
Mercer University Press takes a few weeks to review a proposal and 3 to 6 months to review a complete manuscript. Sending a proposal first can get you an answer sooner. If the press offers a contract, publication takes about a year after that. Plan for this timeline when you choose between sending sample chapters or the full book.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
- Checked on the publisher's own site
