SUBMISSIONS

Submit to
Nouvel Édition.

Nouvel Édition welcomes submissions from emerging and established writers.

We publish selectively across literature, creative non-fiction, essays and books exploring culture, creativity, food, travel, art, design and contemporary life.

We are interested in distinctive voices, strong ideas and manuscripts with a clear reason to exist.

Previous publication is not required.
Paris — Sydney

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BEFORE YOU SUBMIT

We are looking for the work we cannot easily replace.

A successful submission does not need to follow a particular formula.

It should, however, have a point of view.

We look for writing that feels specific rather than generic; ideas that have been considered beyond their most obvious interpretation; and authors who understand what they want to say, even if the manuscript itself is still developing.

We are open to work that sits comfortably within an established genre as well as projects that are more difficult to categorise.

What matters most is the quality of the work and the strength of the thinking behind it.

WHAT WE PUBLISH

Our publishing interests

Nouvel Édition publishes a focused list rather than attempting to cover every category.

Our areas of interest include:

Literary Fiction

Novels, novellas and other works of fiction distinguished by voice, perspective, character or form.

Creative Non-Fiction

Memoir, personal writing and narrative non-fiction in which the quality of the writing is central to the work.

Essays & Ideas

Essay collections and long-form works exploring culture, creativity, identity, work, society and contemporary life.

Culture & Place

Writing concerned with food, travel, cities, art, design and the ways people experience and interpret the world around them.

Contemporary Non-Fiction

Distinctive non-fiction projects built around a strong idea, area of expertise or perspective. We are particularly interested in books that combine authority with an accessible editorial voice.

Visual & Interdisciplinary Projects

Selected books that bring writing together with photography, illustration, art, design or other visual material.

Our publishing interests may evolve from one submission period to another. Any specific areas we are actively seeking will be noted when submissions open.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

Strong writing is the beginning, not the entire decision.

We consider the manuscript as a whole: the writing, the idea, the author, the intended reader and the contribution the book might make to our wider list.

A distinctive voice

Writing should feel recognisably its own. We are less interested in work that closely reproduces an existing style, trend or successful title.

A clear point of view

The strongest projects know what they are trying to explore, question, reveal or contribute.

Editorial depth

We look for ideas that can sustain a book rather than simply a premise.

A defined reader

You do not need to write for everyone. In fact, it is usually better if you do not. We want to understand who will care deeply about the work and why.

Original perspective

The subject itself does not have to be new. The way you see it should contribute something.

Potential

A manuscript does not need to arrive perfectly finished. We are willing to develop promising work when there is something compelling at its centre.

Above all, we look for work with a clear reason to exist.

WHO CAN SUBMIT

You do not need an established publishing career.

We welcome submissions from both first-time and previously published authors.

You do not need:

a literary agent
a significant social media following
previous book publication
an existing relationship with Nouvel Édition

Platform and audience may be relevant to some non-fiction projects, but they are never a substitute for a strong book.

We are interested first in the work.

SUBMISSION PERIODS

When submissions open

Nouvel Édition accepts unsolicited manuscripts during designated submission periods throughout the year.

We use submission periods rather than accepting manuscripts continuously so that every project can receive proper editorial consideration.

Opening and closing dates will be published on this page and announced through Nouvel Édition Correspondence and our social channels.

CURRENT SUBMISSION STATUS

[OPEN / CLOSED]

[Current submission dates or “Next submission period to be announced.”]

Submissions received outside an advertised period may not be reviewed.

Join Correspondence

HOW TO SUBMIT

What to send us

Please prepare the following before submitting.

01 — Cover letter

A brief introduction to you and your project.

Tell us:

the title of the work
the category or genre
approximate word count
whether the manuscript is complete
a little about yourself
why you believe the project may suit Nouvel Édition

Please keep this concise. We would rather spend the time reading your work.

02 — Synopsis or proposal

For fiction and memoir, include a synopsis outlining the complete work.

For non-fiction, include a proposal explaining:

the central idea
intended reader
structure of the book
proposed chapters or contents
what distinguishes the project from existing work on the subject

One to three pages is generally sufficient for an initial submission unless otherwise stated.

03 — Manuscript

Follow the requirements specified for the relevant submission period.

We may request either:

A complete manuscript, or

A sample consisting of approximately the first three chapters or 30–50 pages.

If you are submitting sample chapters, please begin at the beginning of the book rather than selecting only what you consider the strongest sections.

04 — Author biography

Include a short biography outlining any experience relevant to you or the work.

Previous publishing credits are welcome but not necessary.

PRACTICAL GUIDELINES

The details worth knowing.

Formatting your manuscript — Keep it simple.

We are interested in the writing, not presentation.

Unless a particular submission period specifies otherwise, manuscripts should be:

submitted as a Word document or PDF
clearly titled
set in a readable typeface
approximately 11–12 point text
reasonably spaced
page numbered
accompanied by your name and contact details

Please do not spend time designing your manuscript to resemble a finished book.

Editorial and book design come later.

For visual projects, you may include a separate PDF containing representative imagery, photography, illustration or design references where relevant.

What not to send

Help us give the right projects proper attention.

Please do not submit:

multiple versions of the same manuscript
incomplete fragments without a clear project or proposal
manuscripts significantly outside the areas outlined above
marketing materials in place of a manuscript
heavily designed book layouts unless visual presentation is integral to the project
work for which you do not control the necessary rights

We also ask that manuscripts submitted as the author’s original work are genuinely authored by the person named in the submission.

Tools may assist a writer’s process, but we are not interested in publishing manuscripts substantially generated by artificial intelligence and presented as original authorship.

Simultaneous submissions — You may submit elsewhere.

We understand that writers may approach more than one publisher or agent.

Simultaneous submissions are welcome unless otherwise stated during a particular submission period.

If your manuscript is accepted elsewhere while it is under consideration with Nouvel Édition, please let us know so we can withdraw it from review.

Previously published work

We will consider previously published material selectively.

If any part of the manuscript has appeared elsewhere — including through another publisher, substantial online publication or self-publication — please tell us in your submission.

Previous publication does not automatically exclude a project, but we need to understand its publishing history and any existing rights.

Response times — Publishing requires careful reading.

We aim to respond to submissions within the timeframe stated for each submission period.

Because every manuscript requires genuine reading and consideration, response times may vary depending on submission volume.

Please avoid sending follow-up enquiries regarding the status of a manuscript before the stated review period has passed.

If you have not heard from us after that period, you may contact the house using the details provided in your submission confirmation.

Editorial feedback

Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual editorial feedback on every manuscript we receive.

A decision not to pursue a project does not necessarily reflect the quality of the work. Publishing decisions also take into account our current list, editorial capacity, timing and whether we believe Nouvel Édition is the right home for the particular book.

Where we see strong potential in a project, we may occasionally invite an author to revise and resubmit.

Rights & representation

By submitting your work, you are not transferring any rights to Nouvel Édition.

The author retains ownership of their work throughout the submission and review process.

If Nouvel Édition wishes to publish a project, rights, territories, formats, royalties and all other publishing terms will be set out separately in a formal agreement.

Authors represented by literary agents are also welcome to approach us through their representative.

A note to first-time authors

You do not need to make yourself sound like a publisher.

Tell us what the book is.

Tell us why you wrote it.

Tell us who you think will care about it.

Then let us read the work.

A thoughtful, straightforward submission is considerably more useful to an editor than an elaborate pitch.

We are interested in new voices and do not expect first-time writers to arrive already knowing the publishing industry.

THE REVIEW PROCESS

What happens after you submit

Submission

Your manuscript and supporting material are received during an open submission period.

Initial Review

We assess the project for editorial strength and its potential fit within the Nouvel Édition list.

Conversation

If we would like to explore the project further, we will contact you to discuss the manuscript, editorial direction and possible next steps.

A request for further material or a conversation does not constitute an offer of publication.

Publication Proposal

Where there is a mutual fit, formal publishing terms are discussed separately with the author.

SUBMISSION CHECKLIST

Before sending your work.

✓ Cover letter
✓ Synopsis or book proposal
✓ Requested manuscript or sample chapters
✓ Approximate word count
✓ Author biography
✓ Contact details
✓ Relevant information about previous publication or representation

And, most importantly:

✓ Your strongest version of the work

READY TO SUBMIT?

We would like to read what you have been working on.

If your project aligns with the Nouvel Édition list and submissions are currently open, you can send your work through the submission portal below.

Please read these guidelines in full before submitting.

Submit Your Manuscript

Submissions are considered only during advertised submission periods.

NOT READY YET?

There is no advantage in submitting before the work is ready.

Take the time you need.

Join Nouvel Édition Correspondence to receive news of future submission periods, publishing calls and updates from the house.