Submission Guidelines

Welcome to

Submission Guidelines

The first step is to contact us by calling 0208 968 0777 or emailing kathryn@cornerstones.co.uk with your query and we will email you the Cornerstones or Kids'corner introductory letter.

Then you email us the first chapter and synopsis so we can guide you through the process.

We don't take on every manuscript. We're all about guiding an author on how to self-edit and revise, so if we feel you're still at creative writing stage we may turn you down, with feedback. You're welcome to contact us at a later stage with revised material or with a new story. If we do think we can help, then we'll be with you every step of the way.

Once we've discussed your options and decided on your next step:

You make the appropriate payment to Cornerstones. You can pay by card or cheque.

We will then email you the name and address of the carefully selected editor for you to send your manuscript to.

You send your manuscript directly to the editor, enclosing: a synopsis and your material, with a title page listing the manuscript title, your name, word count and address. Please ensure that your manuscript is double-spaced, paginated, unbound, at least size 12 font, and not your only copy.

Please call or email once you’ve put your material in the post.

We'll email you the editor’s report when it is ready, normally within 3-5 weeks or 6 weeks during busy periods.

Where applicable the editor will send back your manuscript separately.*

Please note that we cannot accept responsibility for loss of manuscripts in the post.

*The editor will not return the manuscript unless you specifically request it. If you would like it returned, please enclose a stamped addressed jiffy bag. Please use stamps and not the dated white sticker that the post office will try to issue, as it goes out of date immediately. If there is no stamped addressed jiffy bag enclosed with the manuscript we will assume that you do not want it returned.

Receiving the report and what happens next

We recommend that you allow at least a couple of weeks to digest the report before you decide how to proceed. All advice should be clear but if you feel it's not, please let us know - our editors are happy to answer essential questions on the back of their reports.

Once you have revised your MS – and again, we advise you take your time – you may decide to come back to us for a second report, to check your revisions. All repeat reports include a 5% discount. You can request the same editor, or ask for a new one to get a fresh perspective.

If you have any queries at any stage, please do contact us. We pride ourselves on our ongoing, personal support.