General Guidelines
In your query letter (in the body of the email), introduce yourself. Please tell us everything you think we ought to know about the work in question (story premise and story blurb). Consider mentioning why you think you are best placed to write this work. Two files should be submitted.
File 1: A one-page synopsis of the work you are submitting, in Microsoft Word. Please include all major plot points in your synopsis, including spoilers.
File 2: A sample of the work in question. This should be the first 3 chapters, or the first 50 pages, or the first 10,000 words, whichever is longer.
Your submission should be traditionally formatted. Send your manuscript sample in double-spaced, indented paragraphs, left-justified only, Times New Roman text on A4. Please adhere strictly to these specifications, as your submission might be considered invalid if you do not.
Ouida Books is not accepting poetry, or play submissions at this time.
You can only submit one manuscript at a time.
*** Please see below the imprints and their submission emails.
Ouida (Literary Fiction)
Home to A Spell of Good Things, The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa, Daughter in Exile, and more. Please send an email with the subject heading “Submission: [title of your work]” to submissions@ouidabooks.com. We are not accepting short story collections at this time.
Cognix (NonFiction)
Home to The Boko Haram Doctrine, The Villagers and more. Please send an email with the subject heading “Submission: [title of your work]” to cognix@ouidabooks.com
Phoenix (Africanjujuism and Africanfuturism)
Home to The Beautiful Side of the Moon and Who Fears Death. To submit your Africanjujuism (fantasy) and Africanfuturism (science fiction) manuscript, send an email with the subject heading “Submission: [title of your work]” to phoenix@ouidabooks.com We accept Novels, Novellas, and Short Story Collections.
Lufu (Commercial Fiction)
Home to Damilare Kuku’s Only Big Bum Bum Matters Tomorrow. To submit, please send an email with the subject heading “Submission: [title of your work]” to Lufu@ouidabooks.com
Tanja (Children’s books)
Home to Do As You Are Told Baji, Jamila’s Clever Plan, Ugo and Sim Sim and more. To submit, please send an email with the subject heading “Submission: [title of your work]” to tanja@ouidalagos.com
INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS SUBMISSIONS/PERMISSIONS
For international rights submissions, all agents should kindly submit the manuscripts to rights@ouidabooks.com. You can also view our rights catalog here
We look forward to receiving your submission!