Publish with Us

For Unagented Authors

We believe powerful stories shouldn’t stay stuck in drawers or dusty hard drives. Inked Elephant Publishing House welcomes bold, brilliant, and heart-forward authors who have something to say—and the courage to say it.

We accept unsolicited submissions directly from authors in January, March and August of each year as well as at select pitch events around the country. 

Whether you’re a first-time writer with a message burning inside you or a seasoned storyteller ready for your next chapter, we’re honored you’re considering us as your publishing partner.

What We’re Looking For

We publish primarily in nonfiction genres such as:

  • Self-development 
  • Social and cultural commentary
  • Thought leadership 
  • Memoir
  • Poetry with a Memoir Arch* New Focus Area

We occasionally consider fiction with a strong emotional or societal thread, particularly stories rooted in resilience, transformation, or connection.

Submission Guidelines

To submit your work for consideration, please submit a full book proposal to editor@inkedelephant.org

Here are some helpful tips for writing your book proposal

  • Title & Overview: A catchy title and a 1-2 page pitch explaining the book’s value, the problem it solves, and why it’s needed now.
  • Target Audience: A detailed description of who will buy the book.
  • About the Author (Platform): Your qualifications, expertise, and how you will help market the book (social media, media, connections).
  • Comparable Titles (“Comp Titles”): A list of 5-10 recent, successful books similar to yours, showing how your book fits into the current market.
  • Chapter Outline/Annotated Table of Contents: A chapter-by-chapter summary, often 1-2 paragraphs per chapter, describing what the reader will learn.
  • Sample Chapters: One or two of your strongest, polished chapters, usually the introduction or first chapters.
  • Logistics: Estimated word count and timeline for completion.

Winning Tips

  • Focus on Marketability: Emphasize why this book matters and who will buy it.
  • Keep it Concise: Use a professional tone and format, generally in the third person.
  • Follow Guidelines: Adhere strictly to the submission guidelines provided here.
  • “Hook, Book, and Cook”: Ensure your proposal has a strong hook (value), detailed book overview, and proves you (the cook) can deliver.

We aim to respond within 2–4 weeks. If your submission resonates with our team, we’ll reach out for more material or a conversation. If it’s not the right fit, please know that we appreciate the vulnerability and effort it takes to share your work and we wish you every success on your publishing journey.

At Inked Elephant, we’re not just looking for books, we’re looking for changemakers. We believe that words can shift mindsets, heal hearts, and move mountains. If that’s your vibe too, let’s talk.