Gabrielle Prendergast

Looking for fantasy novellas that compare to the teen fantasy on bestseller lists and Booktok tables. Contemporary is best but feel free to include all the usual tropes of princes, knights, magic and sword fights. High-interest novels aimed at reluctant teen readers ages 12 and up with a reading level of grade 2.0–4.5, preferably closer to 3.0. Protagonists should be between 14 and 17 years old and be appealing and believable. These stories should reflect the universal struggles that young people face. They need not be limited to “gritty” urban tales. Can include adventure, mystery/suspense, performing arts, romance, sport, and sci-fi/fantasy. 14,000 to 16,000 words, 12 to 16 chapters. Please send a cover letter, a short (100–200 words) synopsis and a chapter-by-chapter outline to the attention of Gabrielle Prendergast. If you are new to hi-lo, please include a sample chapter. We only publish authors who are either Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.

I mean

I am seeking novellas of c. 8000 words or c. 16,000 words with simplified language for striving readers on sports themes. Extra points if they are also cross genre with fantasy, horror, science fiction or adventure etc. Advance paying contracts

CANADIAN AUTHORS ONLY (INCLUDING PERMANENT RESIDENTS OR TRIBAL CITIZENS) Give me two girls who accidentally miss the last bus, swap their phones, get handcuffed together or other lighthearted hijinks. Maybe they hate each other at first but as the night or day wears on, attraction grows. Make it sweet, quite innocent and funny. No need for a coming out element. They can both be confidently queer. Intersectionality welcome. Either c. 8000 words (at grade 1-2 level) or c. 16,000 words (at grade 2-5 level) and aimed at teens. Submit a pitch, chapter outline (100 words per chapter) and 1-3 sample chapters. No need for the manuscript to be done.

I’m now looking for submissions for our new series, Orca Shivers. Guidelines are below but in particular I’m looking for horror inspired by diverse storytelling traditions from writers connected to those traditions. Give me Ifrit, Golem, Banshee, Nine-Tailed Foxes, Wendigo tales or anything else from the rich and varied scary story traditions from around the world. ORCA SHIVERS High-interest contemporary horror novels aimed at readers aged 9–12 with a reading level approximately at age (grade 4-6) Relatable protagonists between 11 and 14 years old in stories with fairly intense, high-stakes horror plots. Moderate violence, mild gore and death are okay. Supernatural (vampires, ghosts etc) or natural horror (crazed animals, serial killers) are both welcome. 10,000-20,000 words, short chapters, each with cliff-hanger endings (shorter stories of 6000+ words will be considered). Please send a cover letter, a short (100–200 words) synopsis, a chapter-by-chapter outline and three sample chapters to the attention of Gabrielle Prendergast. Orca authors please contact Gabrielle with a pitch first.