What is a slush pile, you ask? It is the term the publishing industry uses to refer to the pile of submissions that builds up on some lowly editorial intern's desk, until the intern is crushed by the weight of all the paper (or returns to school). This will be the new home for the culmination of your life's work, otherwise known as your manuscript. Well, we're not afraid of slush. In fact, we embrace it. So bring on the slush (your novel, that is), and we'll read it.

Top Five Books is currently accepting submissions from both agented and unagented authors. We're seeking well-written mysteries aimed at discerning, sensitive, intelligent readers (as opposed to, say, self-help books for mouth-breathing, nose-picking cretins). Hardboiled detective stories, cozy mysteries, police procedurals, supernatural mysteries, thrillers—any sub-genre of the mystery category will be considered, as long as your novel is fresh, compelling, features interesting characters, good writing, and has a suspenseful, well-constructed storyline. We are not currently accepting submissions in other categories of fiction or nonfiction.

First-time authors are encouraged to submit their work, as we're always looking for the next Raymond Chandler—or, failing that, the opportunity to capriciously reject a would-be novelist with a coldly impersonal form email. Either way works for us, though we prefer the former.

Submission Guidelines. Only completed manuscripts (or short-story collections) of at least 60,000 words will be considered. Please submit the first 20–30 pages, double-spaced, of your completed novel, along with a short author bio (including your relevant background and any published work) and a brief synopsis of the book. Do not call us. We will respond within 60 days, one way or the other, to your submission.

We prefer electronic submissions, but will accept queries by mail as long as either an SASE or email address is included so that we may respond without having to engage in a long, awkward phone conversation with you about your novel, your many cats, or how lonely you've been for the last several years.

Email Submissions must include the word "Submission" in the subject line. Emails that don't will automatically be deleted by our clever spam filter. Excerpts should be attached as Word files, if possible, or as plain text (.txt).

Snail-Mail Submissions. This should be self-explanatory. Words on paper, preferably typed in black on white. Send to:

Top Five Books
Submissions
521 Home Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60304