sleeper / noun 2. a timber, concrete or steel beam forming part of a railway track, serving as a foundation or support for the rails. 7. Colloquial a. someone or something that unexpectedly achieves success or fame. b. a book... which has slow but constant sales. 8. A spy who is allowed to carry on a normal life sometimes for years before being requested to undertake any espionage.
Macquarie dictionary, 3rd edition
Publishing – Submissions to Sleepers and the Sleepers Almanac
Sleepers Almanac No. 5 Submissions Now Closed.
Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou to all the fine writers who submitted to the next Almanac. Reading is now complete and we're busy working on producing the book. So make way for February 2009, when the Sleepers Almanac No. 5 will be lauched. And if you're wondering when submissions re-open, it will be some time early next year. So keep your eyes on this site.
What we like reading
If you are uncertain about whether we will like your work, give us a call or email us. In addition to those who have appeared at the Salons, our favourite writers include (this is not a definitive list).
Some of our recent favourite books include (this is also not a definitive list):
Manuscript submissions
We are interested in searching for the very, very best writing that is around. Please only submit writing that is brilliant – your best work, on a good day, with no lazy sentences and difficult metaphors. We're looking for a creative way of looking at the world. Your readers should be filled with delight, made to laugh and cry.
Before sending a full manuscript submission, read Sleepers books to see what we like. Then send us a synopsis and the first few pages (approx. 30) via email to sleepers here. We will respond within three months – sometimes much sooner. For any publishing or Almanac enquiries, call (+61) 03 9417 0686 or email sleepers here.
We are accepting works by local, national and international writers.
Feedback
Due to time constraints, Sleepers are no longer conducting manuscript appraisals. For appraisals, see your local writers' centre. Manuscripts submitted to Sleepers will not receive critical feedback.
NB: Sleepers reserves the right to, at any point in proceedings, change our mind on the way in which we receive submissions, and the nature of the submissions that we receive.
Submission Guidelines
Sleepers reserves the right to only accept submissions that comply with all of these guidelines, as outlined below. So please read them carefully.
- Please do not submit work that has been published elsewhere.
- The cover page should include your name, phone number, email address, title of the work/s and word count(s).
- Submit your work accompanied by an up-to-date biography (between 50 and 200 words).
- Please make sure your name appears only on the cover page and not on each individual page.
- Number your pages, and include the title of your piece in the header of each page.
- When submitting longer works, please include a synopsis.
- As part of your synopsis, please define who you believe your audience is.
- Please let us know how you heard about Sleepers.