Submissions

Chestnut Hill Press publishes quality books on global literature, art, and music.

Areas of current interest include:

• fiction newly translated into English from any language

• memoirs or bios that offer new insights into artists, writers or musicians

• works that bring worthy creators into new markets

We publish for educated readers conversant in literature and the arts. At the same time our aim is to entertain and delight, so arid academic prose needn't apply!

Submit a 25-word description of your proposal with a link for our review. We respond to every submission.

Chestnut Hill Press Fiction Guidelines

What makes great fiction?

Great fiction effectively conveys a compelling and engaging narrative in a concise and efficient manner. It grabs the reader's attention from the beginning and holds it to the end while also exploring themes and ideas in a meaningful and thought-provoking way. Some characteristics of great fiction include:

A clear plot: Great fiction has a clear plot that is easy for the reader to follow and understand. This might include a strong central conflict or problem the characters face and a satisfying resolution. The plot draws readers on into the story and holds them there.

Memorable and well-developed characters: Great fiction has well-developed and memorable characters the reader can relate to and care about. This might include characters with complex motivations, desires, and flaws, making them realistic and three-dimensional.

Descriptive and evocative language: Great fiction uses descriptive and evocative language to help the reader visualize and engage with the story. This might include richly detailed descriptions of setting, character, and action, as well as figurative language and imagery that helps to convey the mood and tone of the story.

A strong and satisfying ending: Great fiction has a strong and satisfying ending that resolves the conflicts or problems introduced and leaves the reader with a sense of resolution and closure. This might include a twist or surprise ending or simply a satisfying resolution to the central conflict of the story.

Chestnut Hill Press Blog Guidelines

Topics: Literature, music, art, theater, culture, ideas, philosophy

Length: 1000-2000 words

Structure:

• Provocative title

• Simple, direct statement(s) to set up the main theme

• Observations, quotes, examples 

• The conclusion makes the narrative clear and gives the reader a takeaway

• Photo or graphic related to the blog topic

1. Well-written and engaging prose: Write clear and engaging language that draws readers in and keeps them involved.

2. Thought-provoking and insightful: Challenge readers to think critically; offer new insights and perspectives on the world.

3. Original and creative: Bring something new and fresh to the table, whether through a creative idea or a novel approach to the subject matter.

4. Well-researched and well-documented: Base writing on well-documented research with citations and sources provided as needed.

5. Structurally sound and well-organized: A well-organized essay has a clear and logical structure that guides the reader through the material.