ADULT FICTION submission window opens on May 16th

HERMITAGE OPEN CALL - May 2026
Word count : 60,000 - 100,000 words
Publication date   : Summer / Autumn 2027

Do you have a novel you would love to see published and are you a cornish writer, by this we mean were you born in Cornwall or do you live or work in Cornwall, if it's a tick, tick to both of these questions then you are going to be thrilled that our submission window opens on the 16th May to coincide with the Cornish Indie Book Festival is now open until the September 16th 

We’re looking for fiction that excites and intrigues. 

We want to be hooked from the first chapter. 

We want well written and edited work, no first drafts please.

A stand out title would be good too!

The book genre can be commercial fiction, crime, thriller, psychological drama, romance, fantasy, mystery, science fiction and/or literary fiction.
No memoirs or memoir based novels, no children’s books or YA.

The final chosen book / books will be professionally edited, but must have been edited by the writer or a freelance editor before being submitted at all stages of the submission process. 

Submission process - (as separate files with your name and book title)
1st stage - initial submission (September 2026)
First 5,000 words
25-50 word log line 
500 - 750 word synopsis of the novel
Brief author bio with evidence of a professional presence: website/ social media presence / LinkedIn

2nd stage - longlist (February 2027)
First 25,000 words

3rd stage - shortlist  (March 2027)
Full novel: 60,000-100,00 words 

The final chosen book / books will be announced in May 2027 and the Hermitage team will work towards a Summer / Autumn 2026 publication and launch of the chosen book

Submission guidelines

• Deadline: 16th of September 2026 by email only to Submit to: hermitagepresscornwall@gmail.com 
• Eligibility: Writers from Cornwall - born in, live in or work in Cornwall
• Format for all documents: .doc/.docx, 12pt font Times or Times new Roman, double-spaced
• Name and book title in the header, page number in the footer.
• Previously unpublished work only
• No AI generated work
• No AI edited work

Submission conditions

There is an entry fee of £25 to cover administrative expenses, which can be waived for low income writers

Authors will retain their story rights, however, their submission should not be published elsewhere for up to four years.  Hermitage Press will retain the right to reprint the novel whenever required for up to four years and use any of the material within the novel for promotional reasons. Authors will also be required to help at promotional events, give interviews etc. 

Please do not submit a manuscript to be considered unless you can commit to the full publishing process and the marketing for your book for up to four years.

Thinking of entering?
Here's the link to PAY YOUR FEE 
Once paid don't forget submit your first 5,000 words, synopsis, log line and bio in separate PDF files to hermitagepresscornwall@gmail.com