Pitchfest is right around the corner and I want to make sure that you--and this community--are set up for success. So let's talk about what this will look like and exactly what I am looking for right now for Left Unread's next acquisition!

First... what is Pitchfest and how does it work?

Pitchfest is a three day period every few months where Bindery opens up submissions to unagented authors. It is important to note that Pitchfest is not a contest. There is no guarantee that Left Unread--or any of the Bindery imprints--will acquire a manuscript from Pitchfest. The goal here is to make sure that unagented authors have access and can submit their work to be considered alongside the agented manuscripts we've been receiving all year.

I understand many of you have a lot of feelings about that, and I also would like submissions to be open across the board all year long. Unfortunately, Bindery does not yet have the manpower to successfully manage that level of incoming manuscripts on a regular basis. Pitchfest allows us to create as much access as possible while we are building the necessary staff and procedures to handle an open inbox year-round.

As for Left Unread, y'all know me! I am constantly on the prowl, looking for good manuscripts. I reach out to authors regularly to ask about their projects and often allow unagented authors to tell me about their books. So if I already have your book, please don't feel the need to submit it again during Pitchfest. But if you have a manuscript you think really fits what I'm looking for, PLEASE don't hesitate to send it. I go into Pitchfest eager to read your books and find something I am passionate about championing!

Which brings me to the second part of this blog...

What kind of books am I looking for?

The official answer:

Community-driven dystopians or horrors written by Black and/or brown authors that highlight systemic and/or cultural realities.

Now, for what that means:

I am really interested in stories that say something really big. What that big statement is is up for discussion. But I love books that start a conversation. I am particularly interested in stories that get people talking about systemic injustice, marginalized identity, systems of power, and/or community. I love stories that move me and others to reflect deeply about the world.

As far as Genre is concerned, I am open to most genre-fiction but here are some types of stories I am very eager to publish right now:

• Dystopian stories that critically expose the systems that currently exist in our society and/or point to solutions to today's problems and injustices. (e.g., Parable of the Sower, Broken Earth, Hunger Games, Marrow Thieves, Tender is the Flesh, etc).

• Horror stories that use cultural legends, lores, systemic issues and/or monsters to say something about history, culture or community. I am especially interested in Black horror that highlights strong Black community or family. (E.g., The Reformatory, Jackal, The Getaway, Bad Cree, etc).

• Romance and/or romantasy that really highlights community, culture and identity. (e.g., The Name-Bearer, Queen's Redguard Series, This is Why They Hate Us, etc).

This is not an exhaustive list of what I am open to, but it is a clear picture of what I am passionately looking for right now. If you are a Black or brown author with a book that doesn't quite fit, feel free to submit it. But I just wanted you to be aware of what I'm searching for.

What now?

If you are an author and you have a book that you think will fit what I'm looking for, make sure you are ready to submit your manuscript when Pitchfest opens up!

If you are a reader and you are excited to hear about these manuscripts as I am reading through them, make sure you are subscribed to at least the $5 tier. In order to protect authors, all publishing related content is for our paid community only.

And as always, if you believe in this vision, please consider subscribing. You can do so free, or you can commit $5, $12 or $25 toward our mission to fight for Black and brown authors! Change is going to take all of us!

Good luck this Pitchfest! :)