Midwestern Books is looking to publish books that most of our neighbors would enjoy reading—from the older gentleman who lives next to me and mows his lawn twice a day, to the kitty-corner couple that has two kids and a lot of dandelions, to the family behind our house that has eight cars in the driveway, two of which work. If you live in a midwestern state, and you think your manuscript would be of interest to your neighbors, you are probably on the right track.

We publish work from both agented and un-agented writers. Agented writers may submit at any time. Un-Agented writers may submit between April15 and August15.

The following are our specific requirements for manuscripts:

• We publish books about the Midwest and about midwesterners. Stories should either take place in the Midwest or have midwestern main characters.

• We are seeking middle-grade, YA, and adult novels in the following genres: literary fiction, mystery, historical fiction, romance (no erotica), humorous narrative, and memoir.

• We seek to represent the whole Midwest including immigrants from all nations, second and subsequent generations of immigrant families, Native Americans, and members of the African diaspora.

• We look for manuscripts that deal with circumstances and struggles unique to midwestern culture—our clan-like extended family structures, the constant presence of faith and communities of faith, navigating the line between personal interest and duty to family and community, etc.

• We are not a faith-based publisher, but we publish books which include personal struggles with faith and faith communities.

• We require works that are story focused—not dogmatically political or religious.