Last Cross Publishing

Submit Your Manuscript | Last Cross Publishing

Submission Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in Last Cross Publishing.

We are an independent publisher interested in stories with an original voice and something meaningful to say. Character-driven fiction, particularly stories set in the past, is at the heart of our list, but we are equally open to other compelling narratives that capture the imagination, challenge perspectives and stay with readers long after the final page.

We are looking for distinctive voices, compelling storytelling and manuscripts that stay with the reader.

Submissions open 30 October 2026

We will begin accepting manuscript submissions from 30 October 2026.

Please read these guidelines carefully before submitting. We want to make sure that the manuscripts we receive are a good fit for what we are looking to publish.

What we’re looking for

We are primarily interested in:

  • Character-driven fiction, set across a wide range of periods and places
  • Fiction where historical events, settings or communities play an important role in the story
  • Strong, memorable characters
  • Compelling and emotionally engaging storytelling
  • Distinctive voices and fresh perspectives
  • Stories that bring overlooked people, places or periods of history to life

We are particularly interested in manuscripts where thoughtful research and excellent storytelling work hand in hand.

What we accept

We welcome submissions from both literary agents and authors submitting directly.

Your manuscript should meet the following criteria:

  • Written in English
  • Between 70,000 and 120,000 words
  • A completed novel, or a novel in the final stages of completion
  • Previously unpublished
  • Suitable for an adult readership

We accept submissions from authors worldwide.

AI-generated content

We do not accept AI-generated fiction or manuscripts.

All submitted work must be the author’s own original writing. This includes the substantive creative text of the manuscript, synopsis, sample chapters and other written material submitted for consideration.

We do not consider submissions that have been generated in whole or in substantial part by artificial intelligence, including text produced using generative AI writing tools.

By submitting your work, you confirm that the material you have provided is your own original work. If we discover that a submission contains AI-generated content, we reserve the right to reject the manuscript without further consideration.

Authors who submit AI-generated material to Last Cross Publishing will not be eligible to submit future manuscripts to us.

Multiple submissions

You are welcome to submit more than one manuscript to Last Cross Publishing.

Please submit each manuscript separately and provide the requested information for each submission.

Simultaneous submissions

We are happy to consider manuscripts that have also been submitted to other publishers or agents.

If another publisher or agent makes you an offer while your manuscript is under consideration by us, please let us know as soon as possible.

What to send

Please include the following with your submission:

  • Cover letter — A brief introduction to yourself and your manuscript, including why you feel it may be a good fit for Last Cross Publishing.
  • Synopsis — A clear synopsis of your novel, including the ending. Please keep this to approximately one or two pages.
  • Sample chapters — The first three chapters, or approximately 10,000 words.
  • Author biography — A short biography outlining your writing background and any relevant experience.
  • Word count — The approximate final word count of your manuscript.
  • Historical period and setting — A brief description of when and where your story takes place.
  • Contact details — Your name, email address and country of residence.

If your manuscript is not yet complete, please also tell us your expected completion date.

Preparing your manuscript

Please make sure your manuscript is clearly presented and easy to read.

We recommend:

  • A standard, readable font
  • Double or 1.5 line spacing
  • Clearly numbered pages
  • A title page including the manuscript title and your name
  • A simple, uncluttered layout
  • Submission as a Word document or PDF

Please do not include elaborate formatting, illustrations or design elements unless they are an essential part of the manuscript.

Previously published work

At this time, we only consider previously unpublished manuscripts.

This includes manuscripts that have previously been published traditionally or independently, including self-published books.

If your manuscript has previously been made publicly available in any format, please do not submit it as an unpublished work.

How to submit

Submissions will be accepted by email from 30th October 2026.

Please send your submission to:

submissions@lastcrosspublishing.co.uk

Your email should include:

  • Your full name
  • The title of your manuscript
  • The manuscript’s approximate word count
  • The historical period and setting
  • Your country of residence

Please attach the following as separate files:

  • Your cover letter
  • Your synopsis
  • Your sample chapters or approximately 10,000 words
  • Your author biography

Please use the following format for your email subject line:

SUBMISSION: [Manuscript Title] – [Author Name]

Please ensure that all attachments are clearly named and that your manuscript is submitted as either a Word document or PDF.

You will receive an acknowledgement once your submission has been received.

What happens after you submit?

We will confirm receipt of your submission and aim to respond within four weeks.

Please do not contact us for an update during this period. We appreciate your patience while we take the time to read and consider each manuscript carefully.

Due to the volume of submissions we may receive, we may not be able to provide individual feedback on manuscripts that we decide not to pursue.

Your privacy

When you submit a manuscript, you will be providing us with personal information such as your name, email address, country of residence and author biography, as well as your manuscript and other submission materials.

We use this information to assess your submission, communicate with you about your manuscript and manage our publishing activities. For more information about how we collect, use, store and protect your personal information, please read our Privacy Policy.

A final note

We know that submitting a manuscript is a significant step for any writer, and we appreciate the trust involved in sharing your work with us.

Thank you for considering Last Cross Publishing. We look forward to reading your work.