msji press
submissions
mSJI Press is the independent publishing house of Muslim Social Justice Initiative.
We publish books that build clarity for the present — challenging dominant narratives, expanding our imagination of what is possible, and centring Muslim intellectual and political thought.
Dr Ali Tahrawi, Mosab Abu Toha, Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan, Sara Bafo, Bilal Hafda, Abu Leila and Aryam Marafi are among the writers and thinkers whose work we've published.
We want to hear from writers with ideas that deserve to be brought into the world.
What we're looking for
We welcome original work from writers, scholars, organisers and cultural workers, both inside and outside formal academic institutions.
Our editorial interests span Muslim life and thought, histories of empire and resistance, struggles for justice and liberation, and the possibilities of building a different world.
We are particularly interested in writing that bears witness, preserves political memory, challenges established ways of thinking and brings new perspectives into view.
We welcome non-fiction, essays, poetry, testimony, memoir, criticism, history and literary fiction that engage with these commitments.
How submissions work
We welcome submissions from both established and emerging writers, including those working outside formal academic and literary institutions. You do not need a literary agent, academic affiliation or previous publishing experience to submit.
We are open to completed manuscripts and well-developed proposals. While we generally prioritise projects with a substantial body of writing already completed, we also recognise that important books can begin with an exceptional idea.
What to send
For an initial submission, please prepare a single PDF containing:
A cover letter (up to one page): Introduce your project, its central ideas and why you believe it matters.
A synopsis or outline: Summarise the manuscript and, where relevant, provide a proposed chapter or section breakdown.
A writing sample: Approximately 2,000–3,000 words, or an appropriate selection for poetry and shorter forms.
An author biography: Tell us a little about yourself, your writing and any relevant experience.
Your intended readership: Who do you imagine reading this book, and why?
The manuscript's current status: Let us know how much has been written and your anticipated timeline for completion.
You may also include details of comparable or related publications, although this is not essential.
Please send submissions as a single PDF to: submissions@msji.org
Our editorial process
We review submissions for their originality, strength of writing, intellectual contribution and alignment with our editorial vision. If a proposal interests us, we may request a full manuscript, additional material or a conversation about the project's development
We approach publishing as a collaborative process between writers and editors, and are interested in developing lasting relationships with the people whose work we publish.
However, we can only take on a limited number of projects. We are unable to offer individual feedback on every submission, and an invitation to submit further material does not guarantee publication.
We are a small team and may take time to respond, but we will aim to review all submissions as carefully as we can. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Sign up to our mailing list to stay connected, and to hear about new releases and opportunities to work with the Press.
