Ylfe Submission Requirements

Last Updated: December 12, 2025

Currently Accepting -- All Categories

Flash Fiction (≈ 100–1,500 words): Extremely short works focused on a single moment or idea. Currently accepting submissions.

Short Stories (≈ 1,500–7,500 words): Self-contained stories with a clear arc but limited scope. Currently accepting submissions.

Novelette (≈ 7,500–17,500 words): Longer than a short story, allowing more development while still concise. Currently accepting submissions.

Light Novels and Novellas (≈ 17,500–60,000 words): Self-contained, compact long-form narratives with more complexity than shorter formats. Currently accepting submissions. Preferred if part of a series.

Novels (≈ 60,000–120,000 words): Standard-length long-form fiction with full plots, subplots, and character arcs. Currently accepting submissions. Preferred.

Doorstoppers (≈ 120,000+ words): Very long novels, often epic in scope. Currently accepting submissions.

At a Glance:

$75 fee ($35 for works under 17,500 words) • 5,000 words + 500-word synopsis • 7 days to submit after payment • Completed works only • English original fiction

Submit Now: Novel Fee | Short Fiction Fee | hello@ylfe.net

Welcome

Welcome to Ylfe, a curated platform for English-language, original "fairy stories." We're excited to review your work for potential publication on our platform. Before submitting, please read these requirements carefully. Submissions are open year-round on a rolling basis, as we're in pre-launch mode and building our inaugural catalog.

Our goal is to provide a high-royalty home for indie authors with hand-selected stories that challenge and excite. If your novel fits our criteria and stands out in our curation process, we'll offer editorial support, marketing support, and a revenue share based on reader engagement.

Key Rules for Submission

Please ensure your submission adheres to these guidelines. If you've submitted previously and received feedback, you may re-submit the same novel after revisions.

Originality & AI: Your entry must be your own original work and not: (i) copied from any other person or source; and/or (ii) AI-generated (that is, AI functions as the author of the prose, voice, or story, e.g., prompt-to-prose passaging). AI tools used for brainstorming, outlining, grammar/spell checking, or light workflow support are not automatically disqualifying. By submitting, you submit to screening for plagiarism and indicators of AI-generated text, including via third-party tools. We will never use your manuscript to train AI.
Eligibility: Submissions are open to writers over the age of 18, of any nationality and resident in any country. All entries must be written in English. We accept original fiction in any genre, as long as it aligns with our "fairy story" qualities. We don’t accept non-fiction, children’s serials (YA is welcome), poetry, fanfiction, or other unauthorized use of copyrighted universes. Short story anthologies are welcome.
Publication Status: We accept submissions from authors with or without literary representation, provided you control the rights needed to publish the work.
Length: We are currently accepting all lengths. All works suitable for serialization (1,000–3,000 words per chapter, with weekly releases planned post-acceptance) are welcome. Short works may be published as one-shots, short serializations, or (rarely) in short chapters. Novels are currently preferred (60,000 words+ upon completion). Highest priority will go to works that lend themselves to extended serialization. For example, novels setting up multiple sequels, light novel formats where an ongoing narrative has mini-"arcs", etc.
Completion Status: We are currently only accepting completed works. Post-launch, it is our aim to accept write-as-you-go contracts.
No Alterations: Entries may not be altered after submission. Please start a new submission if you've revised your serial. (Don't worry, a single typo you find after submitting won't automatically disqualify you.)
Submission Fee: The fee is $75 per serial (or $35 for works under 17,500 words), payable via Stripe. This one-time fee supports our pre-launch curation and feedback process. Each payment includes one round of editorial consideration and brief written feedback. You must submit your materials in full within seven (7) calendar days of payment. If you’re looking for deeper editorial support, please see our services page (currently under construction).
Refunds: While you may withdraw your submission at any time, please be aware that, once paid, submission fees are non-refundable. However, if you run into billing errors or duplicate charges, we'll make it right. Just please reach out before filing a chargeback.

Submission Format

File Type: Please submit in a Word document (.doc or .docx), markdown (.md or .mdx), PDF, or OpenDocument Format (.odf).
Submission Package: For works longer than 5,000 words, submit the first 5,000 words of your serial, followed by a 500-word synopsis in the same document. Paste the synopsis directly underneath your 5,000 words, headed "Synopsis." Include full plot spoilers in your synopsis. It won't be published or shared externally. For shorter works, submit the work in full, likewise followed by a 500-word synopsis.
Formatting: Use 12 pt. font and 1.5 line spacing for the entire document, including the synopsis. Please name your file using the following convention: FirstnameLastname-NovelTitle.ext (e.g., "GeorgeMacDonald-Phantastes.docx").
Word Count Flexibility: You may go over or under the 5,000 words by up to 500 words to end at the best possible place. The synopsis may vary by up to 50 words. We don't penalize for longer or shorter variations of staying within these guidelines.

Review and Selection Process

Ylfe operates on a small-press curation model: every story is hand-selected with no open uploads. We review every submission.

Initial Review: We'll review your submission package. If selected for further consideration, where applicable, we'll request an additional 15,000 words (including the original 5,000 to total 20,000) plus your synopsis.
Full Manuscript: If advanced further, we'll invite you to send your full manuscript and synopsis as separate documents. Failure to submit the full manuscript on request may result in disqualification.
Feedback: All entrants receive brief feedback via email after review. These emails are not permanently kept on file, so please check your email regularly.
Post-Selection: Selected novels will receive our full support. This includes editorial support and marketing most likely including publishing announcements via email, our website, blog, and X, as well as paid marketing. We may also request interviews or promotional excerpts for our blog and social media.
High Performance: At Ylfe’s discretion, high performers on our website will receive a limited run of physical publication. High limited run performers will receive ongoing publication. Again, at Ylfe’s discretion. This will be subject to a separate print agreement and re-negotiated at the time.
Agent Status: If you're offered representation after submission but before a decision, inform us via email at hello@ylfe.com. You need not withdraw unless offered publication elsewhere.
Rights: If your novel is selected, we’ll invite you to discuss a formal publishing agreement. Submitting your materials does not grant Ylfe any publishing rights. Rights are only licensed if and when you and Ylfe sign a written agreement. If accepted for publication, you should expect Ylfe to request exclusive digital publishing rights for the work.

Additional Notes

Errors and Technical Issues: If you submit the wrong document, contact us within 12 hours at hello@ylfe.com for assistance. For technical faults, send timed screenshots and an email before any deadlines. We'll help where possible. We cannot extend the seven-day submission window for technical issues reported after the deadline.
Final Decisions: We can’t offer an individualized back-and-forth experience for each submission, but you’re welcome and encouraged to revise and resubmit later.
Pardon Our Dust: Ylfe is in pre-launch. We are moving fast and breaking things. We may update these submission guidelines from time to time. These guidelines are informational and do not constitute a publishing contract. If we offer publication, rights and obligations will be governed by a separate written agreement.

We're committed to transparency and building in public. If you have questions, reach out via X or our contact form. We can't wait to discover your fairy story! Happy writing...