Guiding Light Press Submission Guidelines

Thank you for considering Guiding Light Press for your manuscript. We are currently accepting submissions for stories that inspire hope and change.

Eligibility & Requirements

Genres: See Key Genre List

Word Count

Adult Fiction - Literary, Christian, Thriller, Memoir [70,000 to 100,000 words]

Young Adult Fiction [55,000 to 80,000 words]

Narrative Non-Fiction/Memoir [70,000 to 90,000 words]

Format

Please submit your file as a single PDF or DOCX file containing a Synopsis (1-2 pages) and the first three sample chapters.

File Sharing Instructions

Due to security protocols, we do not accept direct email attachments.

1. Upload your complete document to Google Drive or Dropbox.

2. Ensure the file sharing permission is set to "Anyone with the link can view."

3. Paste the shareable link into the designated field in the form above.

1. Literary & Contemporary Fiction

• Literary Fiction: Novels and short stories that emphasize in-depth character studies, human conflicts, identity, and the contemporary African experience.

• Contemporary Fiction: Narratives set in the present, tackling social issues, culture, family dynamics, and the everyday realities of modern life in Africa and its diaspora.

2. Genre Fiction

• African futurism / Speculative Fiction: Stories merging science fiction, fantasy, and technology with African traditions, cosmology, and mythology (e.g., Orisha mythology). This genre is ideal for showcasing optimism and envisioning future possibilities.

• Mystery & Thriller: Crime, mystery, and political thriller narratives that utilize contemporary African settings and themes to confront issues of corruption, social justice, or systemic challenges.

• Young Adult (YA) / New Adult (NA): Fiction targeted at youth empowerment, coming-of-age narratives, and addressing intricate social themes pertinent to the younger generation.

3. Non-Fiction

• Memoir & Biography: Personal accounts, particularly of African figures (both historical and contemporary), dedicated to overcoming challenges, leadership, transformation, and achievement.

• Essays & Social Commentary: Collections that delve into political history, cultural studies, social justice, change, and nation-building across the continent.

• Cultural Studies / History: Accessible non-academic texts that investigate African heritage, language, and the preservation of culture.

4. Poetry & Anthologies

• Poetry: Collections that center on heritage, activism, identity, hope, and the spiritual/emotional landscape of the African experience.

• Anthologies: Inviting diverse voices to contribute around a compelling, significant theme.

5. Religious, Inspirational, and Spiritual (RIS) Fiction and Non-Fiction

Christian Fiction: Biblical fiction, Historical Christian Fiction, or contemporary Christian Fiction where the narrative explores faith and God's role within an African setting or diaspora experience

Inspirational Non-Fiction: Memoirs, devotionals, or self-help books written from a faith perspective that addresses spiritual growth, hope, and social accountability

As a highly selective independent press, we commit to giving every submission the deep intellectual rigor and spiritual attention it deserves.

We aim to respond to all submissions within six months of receipt. If you have not heard from us within this timeframe, please consider it a respectful pass on your work. We remain deeply grateful for your contribution to the global dialogue on literature of liberation, and we encourage you to continue seeking a home for your transformative stories.

CONTACT

Address (For all official correspondence):

Guiding Light Press, 4th Floor, Silverstream House, 45 Fitzroy Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 6EB

Our Key Genres

Our Response Times