Writing is a vocation; it’s not just a way to get published. ... You write because there’s fire in your bones. You’ve got to do this whether anybody ever reads it or not. If you’re looking for whether you’re going to be published, you’ll probably cheapen what you’re doing.
That is the belief that guides all we do. Writing is a form of worship, of service to God, and by extension, so should publishing be. Our purpose isn't profit or sales; it's being a living, breathing, working sacrifice unto God. We're looking for writers who live by
the same—who write from a place of passionate fire, unswerving dedication to the craft to which they've been called, and a belief in the divine holiness of all they do.
If that sounds like you, we invite you to partner with us through publication. We're on a mission to revive the lost art of Christian literature, to bring what is good and true and beautiful back into the literary industry, to return to the level of excellence and quality that Christian storytellers and craftsmen had in times past. We believe there is still, if not now more than ever, a place for Christian literature and Christian authors.
the process
We're a traditional press accepting unagented submissions, which means the first step in the process is sending a query letter to us at skysthelimitpress@gmail.com The subject for your query email should be "Query for [Book Title] by [Author Name] and you should address it to Grace A. Johnson. You should hear back from us within 3-5 weeks, after which we have reviewed your query and prayerfully considered it. If we're interested in learning more about your story, we will request a proposal (which will include 3 sample chapters of your book). Do not send a proposal unless requested. However, if we don't think your story is the right fit for us, we will kindly let you know and not leave you hanging. The last thing we want is for you to be stuck with the wrong publisher, or even the right publisher at the wrong time, and do yourself and your story an injustice. (Please note that as of right now, we require you to have completed your manuscript before sending a query.)
If we request a proposal, you'll email us a document that gets us intimately acquainted with your story, your writing, and yourself as the author. This information helps us look at the story not just as readers but as the production, marketing, and financial team behind it. It's our dream to be able to work hands-on with every project that comes across our desk or to take on every story that we like the sound of, but that's simply not possible. There will be instances in which we have to decline projects because our publishing schedule is full, we're moving in a different direction, or we don't have the time to dedicate to getting the story in tiptop shape. We try to adequately explain our reasonings behind rejections and offer actionable feedback to guide authors toward the right route for them.
We don't just go on if we like your proposal or not; it's a great deal more multifaceted than that. We take into consideration your writing style and ability, the premise and message of your story, and if we can provide what you and your story need before we request your manuscript. The decision to request your manuscript based off your proposal is not taken lightly, nor is it an agreement to publish your book. We prayerfully and carefully read through your entire manuscript and make our decision based on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If we believe this is the place for your story, we will send you a contract and move forward accordingly. If you have any questions about what our publishing agreement contains, please feel free to reach out to us and ask.
We do have formatting guidelines for your manuscript that make it easier for us to review your manuscript and prepare it for publication, so please ensure you follow them before sending in your story.
If you're new to publishing and need a step-by-step guide to crafting a query letter and proposal, or you would like a deeper glimpse into who we are as a press, we have prepared a submissions guide and a press guide for your reference.
As a rule, if you have a project you love and think would be a perfect fit for Sky's the Limit Press, we want to know! But do be aware that we have guidelines and specfic preferences as to what we're looking for, so it's worth considering what we intend to publish before you submit.
We're looking for Christian literature—stories that capture the human experience through the lens of eternity, stories that touch the hidden parts of our soul, stories that mean something. So what exactly does such a story look like?
content that's authentic & edifying
Content, from the characters' internal struggles to the heavy topics addressed, should be honest and realistic rather than sugarcoated, glossed-over, or contrived. We want stories that tackle the tough stuff in a healthy, helpful way. We want stories that open the line of communication rather than cut it off, by encouraging questions and consideration and fostering biblical convictions. We want readers to walk away from the books we published feeling uplifted, enlightened, and turned toward Christ rather than away from Him.
belief that's believable
Flannery O'Connor stated in her essay “The Catholic Novelist in the Protestant South” that it is the novelist's job to "make belief believable." We've been tasked with offering something real and true and life-changing to our readers: faith in God. Stories that capture the essence of the Christian walk, the beauty of Christ's love, and the divine purpose of life aren't flimsy cardboard cutouts; rather, they possess additional layers that support their themes and messages. We want to see stories that invite readers to journey along with the characters and grow in faith. Stories that aren't afraid to face the doubts and questions and pain, that explore the depths of Christianity, that make God tangible through their words.
a higher form of excellence
Instead of being the leader of the literary industry, CF has been pushed to the margins for being cheesy, preachy, cookie-cutter, legalistic, etc. We're not going to complain about the poor quality CF books out there now. We're here to make the changes we want to see in the genre. We believe that a Christian perspective and themes of faith can and should enhance your story. Christian media should reach a higher form of excellence because the Creator of the universe Himself is guiding and equipping us. Of course, excellence isn't attained overnight; it's a journey, one we want to take with you. But we do strive to publish books that reach for that higher excellence, that reflect our God-given talents, and that glorify God.
human creativity
Plain and simple, we believe in human creativity—in its power, its beauty, and its connection to the divine. We want stories that honor our God-given creativity by utilizing it in every step of the process instead of relying on generative AI and LLMs to generate ideas, participate in any part of the writing process, or edit and revise. We don't use AI in any part of what we do, and we expect the same of our authors.
“What we want is not more little books about Christianity, but more little books by Christians on other subjects – with their Christianity latent.”
C. S. Lewis
We're looking for novels that are between 60k and 250k words. You're welcome to submit short novels, novellas, short stories, epics, etc., but do keep in mind that these are not what we're actively looking for.
We currently publish in the adult, new adult, and young adult markets. We will consider middle-grade novels, but we're not equipped to publish children's books or illustrated books. As of right now, we're focused more on traditional fiction, but we will consider the following forms of nonfiction: narrative/creative nonfiction, memoirs, essay collections, poetry, history, and Christian living (à la C. S. Lewis and Elisabeth Elliot). We do not accept reference/coffee table books, instructional and self-help (outside of faith/Bible), health and wellness, psychology and relationships, culture and politics, cookbooks, sports and travel, etc.
We love a good series, but do keep in mind that when reviewing submissions, we're looking for series potential, not hundreds of thousands of words of material. You're pitching one book at a time, not five or six. So even if you have a sequel or series in mind, focus on submitting the best standalone book you can.
We are not looking for first drafts or partially written material. Your book doesn't have to be fully edited, but it does need to be fully written. We do consider previously self-published works if open to revision, but unpublished is preferred. As of right now, we can only accept English-language books, but we welcome international authors.
our manuscript wishlist
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pirates, sea monsters, adventures on the high seas—any kind of swashbuckling adventure
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fantasy with original concepts and worldbuilding, that explore underrepresented geographical locations, cultures, regions, etc.
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more slow burn romance, satirical commentary on society, and dramatic life lessons that would make Jane Austen proud
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books that explore the depths of human emotion / underrated emotions like nostalgia, sonder, introspection, enouement, hireath, acedia, etc.
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historical fiction set in overlooked time periods, cultures, and regions, or that follow underrepresented people groups, events, and concepts
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action and adventure that isn't the same survival thriller or space war (we have a soft spot for Indiana Jones-esque adventures)
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more male protagonists and everygirl main characters (no more ‟Not Like Other Girls" girls)
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Christianity that's diverse and natural instead of stiff, forced, and stereotypical
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diversity (racial and otherwise) that's real and not just for the representation
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books that explore the intricacies of faith and spirituality (think O'Connor or Lamott)
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living parents who aren't evil, family sagas, complex siblings dynamics, etc.
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symbolism of any kind, heavy or subtle; absurdism and surrealism, especially woven into other genres; and viscerality in both the prose and the concept
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less romantasy—but more romance in other genres and other genres in fantastical settings
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expertly breaking the rules in story structure and formula, prose and writing style
if you have any unanswered questions, please feel free to reach out to us via our contact form