“Novellas are having a moment” – half a dozen publishers looking for novellas, novels, nonfiction, short stories and poetry

On September 27, we had the pleasure of hosting Gaby Sheiner, a new literary agent with Creative Artists Agency, one of the world’s largest entertainment agencies. (The book world is just a little corner of what they do. More on Gaby and CAA here.) During the workshop, Gaby mentioned that “Novellas are having a moment.” 

After decades of neglect, suddenly the big five publishers are acquiring novellas. Hachette has even launched a new imprint in its Union Square division devoted exclusively to novellas called Singularity.

They describe Singularity as “A bold new novella program dedicated to high-impact, one-sitting fiction.” It launched this month (Sept 2026) with novellas from Harlan Ellison (I have no mouth and I Must Scream) and Adam Cesare (Zero Lives Remaining). Read more about Singularity here.

Hachette imprints accept agented submissions only. But if you have a novella, this might be a good time to start querying agents. (And if you’re interested in getting or just meeting a literary agent, yes, I will be having another “How to Get Published” workshop soon.

But if you’re looking to submit to an independent Canadian publisher you don’t need an agent for, and you might try:

Stelliform Press “is a small independent literary press which publishes novellas, novels, short story collections, and works of creative nonfiction which address our world’s most pressing problems: climate change, ecological destruction, and the effect of these issues on how we relate to each other and to the other beings that live with us in the world. … Our stories challenge us to confront the roots of injustice which prevent us from achieving a better world for all.”

Currently, they are open to submissions only for novellas (17,500–39,999 words) by anyone and for novels (40,000–60,000 words) by BIPOC writers.

They are seeking science fiction, fantasy, quiet horror and literary works with speculative elements. Narratives should be interrelational, demonstrating some ways in which the environment changes us (and others) just as we change it.

Full submission guidelines here.

ECW Press has published at least one novella recently: Countess by Suzan Palumbo, in 2024 – which blends queer liberation themes with a sci-fi setting. For more on ECW Press and all the many kinds of books they publish, see here. 

Goose Lane Editions published How to Be Alone by Heather Nolan in 2023 – a pair of novellas that “depict the euphoric highs of a Queer awakening and the crushing lows of feeling Othered.” For more on Goose Lane, see here.

Book*hug Press published the novella, The Animals by Cary Fagan in 2022 – a realist novella with the air of a fairytale; a surprising, funny, and thought-provoking book that explores the nature of relationships. (Also, Book*Hug is particularly welcoming to older debut authors). More about Book*Hug here.

Caitlin Press published This Unlikely Soil by Andrea Routley in 2023 – a collection of five linked novellas exploring the failures of kindness and connection among a rural west-coast community of queer women.

Caitlin Press mainly publishes works of regional (BC) nonfiction, but also some fiction and poetry. Canadian authors only, with a majority being BC-based. They are interested in topics concerning BC or by writers from the BC Interior, stories about and by Canadian women, and LGBTQ+ voices. 

Dagger Editions is their imprint for the voices of queer womxn (anyone who includes this in their personal history) – visit Dagger Editions’ submission page for details about how to submit. 

Like everyone else, they encourage writers from marginalized backgrounds, including BIPOC-identifying folks, to submit their work.

In a normal year, Caitlin Press will publish twelve to fourteen books, most of which are regional nonfiction (e.g. BC history or exploration, industry, politics, contemporary creative nonfiction). The remaining titles are literary selections such as works of fiction, short fiction, poetry, or prose.

For the time being they are not publishing children’s fiction, but if you have an interesting children’s story that reflects life in Central BC, please feel free to send it.

Full submission guidelines here.

The Malahat Review awards a Novella Prize every other year (next deadline, Feb 2028), with a $2,000 prize and publication in the magazine. 

Malahat also has several other prestigious awards:

Open Season Awards – submit either poetry, short fiction, or creative nonfiction. Each is awarded a $2,000 prize. Submission fee: $20 until Sept 30, then $30. 

Deadline Nov 1, 2026. Full submission guideline here.

Long Poem Prize (deadline Feb 1, 2027),

Far Horizons Award for Poetry (deadline May 1, 2027)

Constance Rook Creative Nonfiction Prize (deadline Aug 1, 2027)

Far Horizons Award for Short Fiction (deadline May 1, 2028)

Details of all Malahat contests here.

Malahat also welcomes regular submissions of poetry short fiction, and creative nonfiction from January 11 to June 30 each year (and Feb 14 to Feb 28 for international writers. Full submission guidelines here.

For information about other publishers looking for manuscripts, see here (and scroll down).

See more writing contests and markets for your short pieces here (and scroll down).

See all of Brian Henry’s upcoming weekly writing classes, afternoon workshops, and wonderful retreats here.