Preserving worlds through words.
AWATUM
Introduction & Submission Guidelines
While it is customary to accept submissions from agents, for this call, we are opening up to agented writers and non-represented writers. If the story fits our values, we believe you will be a good fit. Stories that fall into these categories, please submit:
Experimental and/or Genre Breaking
Philosophical fiction, literary sci-fi, hopeful Southern Gothic Novels, any framework that breaks the mold to thoroughly examine a theme or narrative is ideal. Literary fiction will have a strong advantage, although trade fiction is still welcome.
Inclusive
Works that include distinct, unconventional characters will be prioritized. A deep, complex, and fleshed-out narrative will be advantageous. It is the best way to allow other persons to experience the lives of others—which is what we believe inclusive literature should do.
Transformative
Stories that challenge the reader to think differently about their lives and others will be prioritized. We want stories that stay with you, change you, long after you have left the page.
Wacky
Unconventional and rigorous. The world doesn’t change by staying the same, and neither does the literary world. Let loose. For the weirdoes. For the inner child. We publish what feels like trouble, but doesn’t look like it. Think the Half-God of Rainfall or Dr. No, from Percival. Everett.
The Word:
an Open Call
We're seeking complete, unpublished poetry volumes, literary fiction, tradeback fiction, and collections of short stories exploring deep narrative. Personal, historical, or imaginative, narratives with strong plots, distinct characters, and unforgettable places, All are welcomed. The stories need to be preserved—and deserve to be.
The Epic of Gilgamesh was almost lost to history without its transcription in the Akkadian language. Completely kept alive through oral traditions, one of the most famous, perspective-changing epics was almost lost. Until it wasn’t. The story was preserved through written word—and that is what we wish to do with your story.
a call
for the brave
$2000 & publication
(publication includes cinematic video marketing and/or 3d visuals; 4 copies of advanced reader’s copies; award submission, and 50% of any monetary award the book receives).
PRIZES
Novel length: 80,000-200,000 words.
Novella Length: 50,000-80,000.
Poetry Manuscripts: 80-page minimum.
Non-Fiction and Essays Collections: 50,000 minimum
Recipe and cookbooks: Must be coupled with narrative (at least 60% of the book)
For all novels, novellas, poetry manuscripts, please send the first 10 pages, contact information, and cover letter, typed, 12-point Times Roman, double-spaced, and standard margins to awatum@ofeverything.co by September 1st. For non-fiction, essay collections, and recipe/cookbooks a book proposal is requested. Pdf and Docx format must be included with bio of no more than 500 words.
Manuscript will be released in the summer of 2026, printed and distributed through Awatum Press. The press retains ownership of copyright.
