Are you an author of uplifting fiction?

Dudley Court Press, through its imprint Canterbury House, may be interested in publishing your manuscript.

Uplifting fiction reflects one or more of these themes:

  • Feel good

  • Protagonist overcomes challenges and thrives

  • Positive transformation

  • Good conquers evil

  • Good guys/gals win in the end

  • Inspirational

Dudley Court Press through Canterbury House is dedicated to publishing works of uplifting fiction to help make the world a better place.

Examples of Uplifting Fiction include the following books:

  • The Dalai Lama’s Cat by David Michie

  • To Shake the Sleeping Self: A Quest for Life with No Regret by Jedidiah Jenkins

  • Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg

  • A Year by the Sea by Joan Anderson

  • The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer

  • In 5 Years by Rebecca Serle

  • Days of Wonder by Keith Stuart

  • The Lido by Libby Page

  • The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

  • The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

To be considered for publication, your uplifting fiction manuscript should be between 50,000 and 100,000 words and you should have an active social media presence.

An active Social Media presence means that you have:

AT LEAST 2 active Social Media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Personal Website/Blog, YouTube channel, etc.

AT LEAST 1,000 followers on a Social Media platform

Post AT LEAST 1-5 times weekly on at least 1 of your Social Media accounts.

To participate in this Call for Authors, you’ll complete a form and submit a portion of your manuscript. There is no fee to apply. We accept submissions at any time. Our next review period will be April 15th-May 15th.

Anthea Piscarik

Author of Unearthing Christmas

“As an author, working with Dudley Court Press is like being adopted into a caring family! I’m so grateful to Gail and all the staff for their commitment to excellence, kindness and generosity! I know I will grow and develop my craft with their encouragement and guidance! I’m so excited to be a part of such a winning team!”

What happens if I’m selected as an author?

If you are selected we will offer you a traditional publishing contract to publish your manuscript and distribute it through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Kobo. We will market your book broadly, and will work with you to maximize all marketing opportunities for you and your book. We’ll pay you a standard traditional royalty of 10% of net proceeds every month.

How many people will be offered a contract?

We will select at least one manuscript and author to invite into the Dudley Court Press/Canterbury House family. We may select more than one. When we sign a contract with you, we become a team. You have the Dudley Court Press Team behind you and your book.

What are the key dates?

We are always accepting submissions.

Janet Heijens

Author of Snook Wallow and Caspersen Beach

Compliments to team Dudley Court Press! You guys are on fire!

What’s the process to submit my information?

Complete the Form linked here.

Make sure you also upload the requested portions of your manuscript: Chapters 1-3, one chapter from the middle (your choice) and the last chapter.

Our team will review your submission and will be in touch within one to two weeks.

What are the minimum criteria for a manuscript to be considered?

To be considered for publication, your uplifting fiction manuscript should be between 50,000 and 100,000 words and you should have an active social media presence.

An active Social Media presence means that you have: 

AT LEAST 2 active Social Media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Personal Website/Blog, YouTube channel, etc.

AT LEAST 1,000 followers on a Social Media platform

Post AT LEAST 1-5 times weekly on at least 1 of your Social Media accounts.

What do you consider to be Uplifting Fiction?

Uplifting fiction reflects one or more of these themes: good conquers evil, good guys/gals win in the end, inspirational, feel good, protagonist overcomes challenges and thrives, positive transformation.

Wendy Dingwall

Author of Hera’s Revenge, Celtic Curse, and Toxic Cruise

As a fiction author, I’m happy to say that since the merging of Canterbury House Publishing imprint with Dudley Court Press I’ve been impressed with Gail Woodard and her team. Their enthusiasm and willingness to give every opportunity for promotion of my books have been commendable even during trying times. Gail and her team are always available to reach out with help if needed. I especially enjoy the periodic Zoom meetings keeping us apprised of the latest developments in the industry, and the way Gail and her team cheer us on with new ways to make sales and receive reviews.

Who is Canterbury House / Dudley Court Press and why should I respond to this Call for Authors?

Canterbury House, the fiction imprint of Dudley Court Press, is looking for our next author of uplifting fiction to traditionally publish. We want more great uplifting fiction available to readers so if that’s what you’ve written, we’re on the same mission. With over 50 books already published, our team is ready to join with you to successfully create and market your book to all major channels.

Sign Me Up!

I’m an author and I’m ready to be published!