Quintessential Books publishes books which communicate truth, which are applicable to people’s real lives and relationships, and which exhibit exceptional literary merit. We invest our time and resources in books that will challenge people to think deeply and live passionately in accordance with timeless principles. We are looking for works that are crisp and cutting-edge, but generous at the same time. We want to build long-term relationships with quality authors who are serious about their craft.

We publish five to ten titles per year from the hundreds of submissions we receive annually. Manuscripts of 60,000-70,000 words are preferred. We also publish reprints of books that are currently out of print (from non-subsidy publishers only). Royalties and average first printings vary. We consider simultaneous submissions and generally respond in three to five months. If accepted, publication can be expected within 18 months from a signed agreement.

The first step in corresponding with Quintessential Books is to mail a standard size (#10) self-addressed, stamped envelope and a query letter marked “Attn. Laura Joyce, Editorial Director” that briefly describes your manuscript, its importance, its intended audience, and your prior publishing history. Please note that you will not receive a response if you do not include the envelope and that queries will not be accepted via phone, fax, or email. In addition, please note that unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned. If in response to your query our editorial staff requests a proposal, please submit the following items:

• Cover Letter—This should include your intended audience, why your approach is unique, and a short background explaining your qualifications for writing this particular book.
• Synopsis—A one to two page summary.
• Outline/Table of Contents—An overview of the manuscript.
• Annotated Outline—An expansion of the outline including a one paragraph summary of each chapter.
• Sample Chapters—A copy of the first three chapters.
• Market Analysis—A list of books published within the past five years which cover the same subject and a description of how your manuscript is different and better than these similar or competitive works.

Nonfiction: Nonfiction books must address significant topics in a fresh way, must speak boldly on controversial issues, and must be clear and accurate. We will not consider books on the occult or eschatology. Manuscripts on medicine, mental health, and nutrition will only be accepted from credentialed health professionals. Fiction: Fiction books must exhibit an understanding of human hearts and relationships, must create a complete and credible world for the reader, and must have multi-faceted characters and aesthetic depth. We will not consider romance or children’s books.