ABOUT
The 7th Annual 2025 Book Pipeline Unpublished seeks unpublished manuscripts across 10 categories of entry:
- Comic & Graphic Novel
- General Fiction
- Horror, Mystery, & Thriller
- Literary
- Middle Grade & Chapter Book
- Nonfiction & Memoir
- Picture Book
- Romance
- Sci-Fi & Fantasy
- Young Adult
AWARDS
*1 winner per category
- $25,000 in total ($2,500 per category)
- Additional development and mentoring from the Book Pipeline exec team
- Industry circulation to publishers, agents, editors, and other execs
- Consideration from film/TV producers seeking projects for adaptation (depending on book)
- Additional long-term review of other books and creative material
WINNERS ANNOUNCED
December 1st, 2026
MATERIAL CIRCULATION:
The following are some of the over 100 agents and publishers who are open to receiving Book Pipeline material, depending on genre or format.
- AMB Literary Management
- AMP Comics
- Avina Comics
- Creative Artists Agency
- Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret
- Folio Literary Management
- Jane Rotrosen Agency
- LCS Literary
- Red5
- Talcott Notch Literary
- Twisted Comics
- Verve Publishing
GUIDELINES
Please read the instructions carefully for your submission category. Email us if you have any additional questions.
Comics & Graphic Novels
- Comics: full script between 20-28 pages, broken down in comic format (no prose or books).
- Graphic Novels: the first 20-28 pages of manuscript (or a natural stopping point).
- A general synopsis of the complete story (1-3 pages). May include character arcs and supplemental details.
- Art is OPTIONAL, but allowed (up to 5 pages).
Fiction First 5,000 words (appx.) A full story synopsis (1-3 pages)
Nonfiction A full proposal, which may include:
- A general overview (the nonfiction version of a synopsis)
- The book’s potential position in the marketplace
- The author’s platform
- The author's bio
- Comparative, already-published titles
- A chapter-by-chapter outline
- Sample chapters
Memoirs First 5,000 words only (appx.) A full story synopsis (1-3 pages)
Picture Books Full manuscript (text-only or with optional illustrations) A brief conceptual overview (half-page max)
OTHER GUIDELINES
- Entries must be unpublished at the time of entry.
- Co-written works are acceptable, only one writer needs to register.
- Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
- Former winners and finalists from Book Pipeline since 2024 are ineligible.
- Authors may submit multiple entries, but each entry can only compete in one category and is a separate entry fee.
- Simultaneous submissions are allowed (i.e., you can submit the material to other contests, or query agents and publishers, etc. while in competition).