If you are an author who would like to submit directly to Quirk, please submit your query letter and proposal or manuscript to:
submissions@quirkbooks.com
We don't have requirements on the amount of material you submit, but you must include a query letter. This inbox is monitored by our editorial assistant, Jessica Yang. If you think your project is a good match for a specific editor, feel free to note that in your query.
Please note: we only review digital queries and sample material. No physical submissions, please.
Thank you for thinking of us!
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Are you interested in becoming the author of a Quirk-generated idea?
We have a creative tradition of coming up with offbeat, high-concept ideas and finding the right authors to execute them, which has led to some of the most successful books in our company's history and long-term partnerships with our authors. If you're interested in becoming the author of a Quirk-generated idea, you can send samples following the guidelines below. If an editor likes your sample, they'll reach out to you with details on how to audition for their specific book idea.
Idea #1: Quirk Books is seeking writers to audition for an adult mystery/thriller novel centered around multi-level marketing schemes. Writers with keen observation, biting humor, and a grittier sensibility are desired. We are especially enthusiastic to see pitches from women of color.
Please email:
with the subject line "MLM novel audition". In the body, include a brief cover letter telling us a little bit about yourself, previous writing experience or publications (if applicable), and your interest in the project. Attach approximately 25 pages of previously written sample material in the genre.
Idea #2: Quirk Books is seeking writers to audition for a YA mystery/thriller set in the world of social media influencer culture. Writers who tend towards dark humor and social commentary, and who are fascinated by social media and the influencer industry, are encouraged to apply. We are especially enthusiastic to see submissions from women of color.
Please email:
with the subject line "YA influencer novel audition". In the body, include a brief cover letter telling us a little bit about yourself, previous writing experience or publications (if applicable), and your interest in the project. Attach approximately 25 pages of sample material in the genre.
Idea #3: Quirk Books is seeking writers to audition for a YA science fiction/mystery novel that takes place on a royal space station. Writers with an affinity for character-driven writing, vivid worldbuilding, complex plotting, and compelling queer romance are encouraged to apply. We are especially enthusiastic to see submissions from queer writers of color. (Note: We do not expect or require writers to disclose their identities.)
Please email:
with the subject line "YA science fiction novel audition". In the body, include a brief cover letter telling us a little bit about yourself, previous writing experience or publications (if applicable), and your interest in the project. Attach approximately 25 pages of sample material in the genre.
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Jhanteigh Kupihea (SVP, Publisher) acquires a select number of titles for the list each year. She is interested in exceptionally written, high-concept adult fiction. She loves horror and speculative fiction that asks a big "what if?" question with high emotional stakes. She's especially attracted to social justice themes in these genres. She also loves fun, voice-y novels for women, especially ones that focus on female friendships or subvert romantic comedy tropes. Regardless of the genre, she gravitates toward distinctive voices and anything that plays with unusual structures.
In gifty non-fiction, she's looking for books about the highly visible aspects of popular culture, including TV, movies, celebrities, and self-care trends. In narrative nonfiction, she's looking for books about the less visible people and forces that have shaped our culture in unusual and/or meaningful ways.
Alex Arnold (Senior Editor) is looking for high-concept stories for the young and young at heart. In YA, she'd especially like to see genre-bending, high-stakes fiction that grapples with social justice in surprising ways; psychological thrillers; queer rom-coms; and nonfiction at the intersection of pop culture and social issues. In middle grade, she's drawn to dark and strange magic a la Coraline, clever twists, and nonfiction that uses fun, humor, and inspiration to bring readers to new topics. In picture books and board books, she's looking for concept-driven, funny, and joyful read-alouds.
In all categories, she is on the lookout for diverse, underrepresented voices, stories that play with structure and format, characters that could step off the page, and atmospheric settings that make her feel transported.
Jess Zimmerman (Editor) is looking for adult narrative nonfiction, humor, and gift books, particularly from underrepresented authors. (Though if you have a great nonlinear or formally peculiar piece of fiction, send it over.) She's especially interested in the internet, science and science fiction, fresh or funny takes on the literary canon, the occult, myths and legends, and anything offbeat, dark, mysterious, or weird. Her ideal book has an oddball candy coating and a chewy social justice center.
Rebecca Gyllenhaal (Assistant Editor) is on the lookout for high-concept commercial nonfiction and fiction for adults and welcomes diverse authors and pitches.
In adult nonfiction, her bread and butter is pop history, but she is also interested in pop culture-driven projects and gift books with an off-the-wall sensibility. She is open to humor and is seeking any project that can capture that particular darkly absurd millennial sensibility. Any project driven by cultural obsession and/or affection is likely to catch her eye. Some of her personal obsessions include cults, conspiracy theories, bizarre subcultures, weird history, folklore, hauntings, and all things strange, macabre, and obscure.
In adult fiction, she is looking for concept-driven novels, especially in the realms of mystery, psychological or domestic thriller, and horror. (Bonus points if it features an unusual setting and/or loads of atmosphere.) Her greatest love is Gothic fiction, especially when it deliberately plays with the tropes. She is also open to genre-adjacent fiction with a literary bent. Loose retellings interest her: if you have a haunted house story with a twist or a modern update on Northanger Abbey or The Picture of Dorian Gray, send it! She also loves novels that meditate on new technologies, the gig economy, and late capitalism. All fiction must have a beating heart, a strong voice, a tight plot, and a fresh, grabby hook.
Rebecca also writes and edits the licensed Pop Classics series, which adapts cult classics films and TV shows into picture books.
Jessica Yang (Editorial Assistant) supports Alex Arnold and develops select projects for the YA and kid's list at Quirk. She's drawn to middle grade with a pinch of magic and plenty of heart, YA romance that plays with beloved tropes, and science fiction and fantasy that steps away from or critically engages with Western canon. She has a soft spot for lighthearted queer romance and anything that reminds her of a Studio Ghibli movie.
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Are you an illustrator or represent illustrators? Please send all illustration samples to:
This account is monitored directly by our design team. Thanks!
For more information about what we publish, please visit our website.
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