University press
The University of Tennessee Press
Children's, Academic, History
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About University of Tennessee Press
University of Tennessee Press is open to proposals from authors without an agent. Send a letter of inquiry, a proposal document, at least two sample chapters and your CV through its online Proposal Submission Form or by email to the right editor. Full manuscripts go in only on request.
The University of Tennessee Press is based in Knoxville and operates as a division of UT Libraries at the University of Tennessee. It publishes works of scholarly merit or significant regional interest, often for specialist or regional readers. Its list covers American history, Tennessee studies, Appalachian studies, southern history, literature, folklore, music, memoir, true crime and children’s books. Peer review sits at the center of its process.
Submissions are open today. You can fill out the online Proposal Submission Form or email your proposal to the editor who acquires in your field, as listed on the staff page. Send a letter of inquiry, a proposal document, at least two sample chapters and a current CV. The press asks for full manuscripts only on request. A reply could take a few months, and no fees are mentioned.
What University of Tennessee Press is looking for
- Works of scholarly merit or significant regional interest, often for specialist or regional readers
- American history, Tennessee studies, literature, historical archaeology, anthropology, folklore and vernacular architecture (Thomas Wells)
- Appalachian studies, southern history and literary criticism (Aidan Watson-Morris)
- America's Baptists and music (Scot Danforth)
- Children's books, memoir and true crime (Katie Hannah)
- Projects ready for peer review, which is central to the press's process
Publishes
- Academic
- Children's
- History
- Memoir
- Nonfiction
Specialties
- University press list
How to submit to University of Tennessee Press
From its own guidelines- Find the acquiring editor for your field on the staff page.
- Write a proposal document with your title, hook (150 words max), word count, bio (75 words max), annotated table of contents and suggested peer reviewers.
- Add a letter of inquiry, at least two sample chapters and your current CV.
- Send everything through the online Proposal Submission Form or by email to that editor.
- Wait, since a reply could take a few months.
Is University of Tennessee Press right for your book?
A good fit if
This press suits scholars and regional writers working on Tennessee, Appalachian or southern subjects, along with authors of memoir, true crime or children's books who can match an acquiring editor's list.
Look elsewhere if
Look elsewhere if you want to send a full manuscript without being asked, because the press reviews full manuscripts only on request. Work without scholarly merit or regional interest is also a weaker match.
Questions about University of Tennessee Press
Does University of Tennessee Press accept unsolicited manuscripts?
No, it does not take unsolicited full manuscripts, but it does welcome proposals from authors without an agent. Start with a letter of inquiry, a proposal document, at least two sample chapters and your CV. The press asks for the full manuscript only if your proposal interests the acquiring editor. No fees are mentioned for this standard route.
How do I submit to University of Tennessee Press?
Fill out the online Proposal Submission Form or email your proposal to the right editor on the staff page. Include a letter of inquiry, at least two sample chapters, your CV and a proposal document. That document should state the word count, a hook of 150 words or fewer, a bio of 75 words or fewer and an annotated table of contents.
How long does University of Tennessee Press take to reply?
It could be a few months before you hear back. The press does not give a fixed reply time, so plan for a long wait after you send your proposal. Peer review is central to its process, which adds time once a project moves forward. Note your simultaneous submission status in the proposal document, as the press asks for it.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
- Checked on the publisher's own site
