Note: I originally posted this piece in April
2017, so if you come across anything that's out of date, please leave a Comment
for others, but this is such a popular and helpful piece, I'd thought I'd re-post
it. For more recent postings about book publishers and journals seeking
children's lit, see here (and
scroll down). ~Brian
Note: I'll
be leading a Writing for Children & for
Young Adult mini-workshop on Saturday, Sept 22, in Oakville with Yasemin Uçar, Senior
Editor at Kids Can Press. Details here.
For
updated listings of Writing for Children & for Young adult workshops and
for weekly Kid lit classes, see here (and
scroll down).
If you can get an agent, I think it’s usually a good idea and there are many agents representing authors of children’s books, especially middle grade and young adult. Start your search for the right agent for your children's or young adult book here. If you prefer to go it alone,though, or can’t get an agent, here are 21 American and Canadian publishers of children's and YA books who accept unagented authors:
Teen Fiction: Annick Press invites writers to submit proposals for teen
novels which possess a high degree of originality and capture strong and
distinctive contemporary voices. There should be creativity in the use of
language—language that is lively, dramatic and vivid. The story must
involve and stimulate the reader. It is essential that it have authentic
dialogue and richly visualized settings. The reader must see the real teen
experience reflected through the story line. We encourage the use of appropriate
and well-timed humor.
Please mail a synopsis, together with a sample
chapter. (No email submissions.)
Middle Reader Fiction: Annick Press seeks middle reader
fiction (8 – 11) which captures the imagination of readers and readily engages
their interest. The story must be memorable, well-written and notable for its
originality. Humor, even if used occasionally, is an asset. The characters
in the novel should come to life for the reader and the settings must be vivid
and rich in detail. We look for gripping action, even though it may be
delivered in a subtle form. Stories should involve the reader while
simultaneously provoking thought and reflection.
Please mail a synopsis, together with a sample
chapter. (No email submissions.)
Nonfiction for mid-grade and teen readers: The degree of originality in an idea
or in the approach to a subject is key to our non-fiction program. The subject
matter must have inherent appeal to the readership. The key is to combine the
skills of a fiction writer, including narrative techniques, to draw the reader
into the text. At the same time, there must be a dedication to
accuracy—fictionalization is not a stylistic option. The text should
encourage the reader’s natural sense of wonder, and avoid any tendency to
become didactic. Attention should be given to little-known details that serve
to fascinate the reader and encourage further exploration. The work should
have a distinctive voice that uses language in an engaging and lively
manner. The topic must be thoroughly researched and a passion for the
subject matter must be evident. The writing level must be age
appropriate.
Please mail a synopsis, together with a sample
chapter. (No email submissions.) Annick Press also uses illustrators.
Full submission guidelines here.
Submissions: Picture Books: Query letter + the full
text;
Novels: Query letter + the first two chapters + synopsis;
Other: Query letter + five page samples (five poems, five nonfiction pages,
etc.);
Illustration: Three sample illustrations via attachment, and links to online
portfolios. Do not send full manuscripts.
August House (U.S.) focuses on world folktales and the art and uses of storytelling.
Submissions are by regular post only. Please review their guidelines their before contacting them about publishing your work. They do not
respond unless they are interested.
Capstone (U.S.) publishes both fiction and nonfiction books for struggling and reluctant readers. They have four imprints and three separate divisions with over 3,000 books in print.
Most of Capstone's books are produced in-house, but they are also
interested in receiving writers’ manuscripts and reviewing artists' portfolios.
Fiction submissions should be sent via email, nonfiction by regular post only.
They respond only if they are interested. See guidelines here.
Please submit only one or two manuscript(s) at a time. For picture
books, please send a complete manuscript. For fiction books longer
than 30 manuscript pages, please send a detailed plot synopsis, a chapter
outline, and three chapters of text. For nonfiction books
longer than 30 manuscript pages, please send a detailed proposal, a chapter
outline, and one to three chapters of text. Regular mail only. No simultaneous
submissions.
To see what they prefer, check out
their previously published books. Also, they'll send you a copy of their
current catalogue upon request.
Query Coteau
by mail (not email) and include a brief
sample of your work. No more than 20 pages. Coteau evaluates all submissions
and will get back to you if they want to see your whole manuscript.
Coteau only publishes authors who are
Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Proposals to be considered must be sent by mail (not by fax or email).
Include the following: A cover letter briefly outlining your project, the
intended audience (including age ranges), and your relevant expertise; A
current résumé; A detailed chapter-by-chapter outline; At least two sample
chapters. (If a full manuscript is available, you may send it.); A market
analysis with a comprehensive listing of similar titles and detailed
explanation of how your project differs from available products; A description
of your personal promotion plan for the proposed book (including both in-person
and social media outreach). Read guidelines here.
Enfield &
Wizenty is a literary imprint of Great Plains that
publishes original novels and short story collections by Canadian writers at
all career stages. Before submitting a manuscript, check out their backlist to
decide if your work is likely to fit with our publishing program. While you may
query us email, they do not accept email submissions of full manuscripts except
by invitation; attachments should be in doc format only.
Great Plains Teen Fiction primarily publishes contemporary and historical fiction from Canadian
authors for readers age 14 to 16, and 15 to 18. Humour is appreciated, as is
romance. Stories can be set anywhere, though they prefer stories set on this world,
present or past. If you have been previously
published by a traditional book publisher, you may query by email with a synopsis
of your story, a short bio with your previous publications, and one to three
chapters of your novel as a Word attachment. If you are an
emerging author or self-published author, please send by standard mail a cover letter,
synopsis, and the first one to three chapters of your book.
Full submission guidelines here.
Harbour
also publishes children’s books, poetry, books concerning Canada’s north, and
assorted other books with a wider range of interest than the west coast.
Harbour
has published more than five hundred titles, including Raincoast
Chronicles, a series of anthologies on BC coast history and
culture, of which twenty have now been produced, and the bestselling, Fishing
with John by Edith Iglauer.
Recent
children's books from Harbour include Boys, Girls and Body Science and Fishing
with Gubby.
Recent
poetry releases include Patrick Lane's Witness: Selected Poems
1962-2010. Other titles include novels, gardening titles, art books,
cookbooks and anthologies.
The
press publishes books about life in Canada's North Under its Lost Moose imprint, including titles such asHouse
Calls by Dogsled: Six Years in an Arctic Medical Outpost and The
Boreal Gourmet: Adventures in Northern Cooking.
Submissions: Harbour accepts unsolicited
manuscripts and regularly receives 1,000 per year, which they read as time
permits. Submit a letter of inquiry which includes an outline, a bio,
publication credits (if applicable) and a sample of the work. Manuscripts should
be submitted on hard copy or by email as an attached MS-Word (.doc) file.
Send
your submission to:
Full
submission guidelines here.
Heritage House also has a range of full-colour pictorials and recreational guides, and a series of shorter narratives designed for younger readers, new Canadians and casual readers, called Amazing Stories. Heritage House publishes 20-30 new titles per year. Most of authors are Canadian citizens or residents, as the company’s mission is to publish and promote distinctive nonfiction works by Canadian authors.
Full guidelines here.
Heritage
House is a member of The Heritage Group, an
affiliation of five separate entities. In addition to Heritage House, it
includes TouchWood Editions, Brindle & Glass and Rocky
Mountain Books, which also publishes some children’s books (see below). By sharing select resources, The Heritage Group is
better able to generate publicity, expand promotional activities and serve
retail customers and readers alike
Holiday House only responds if they are interested in publishing your
manuscript. Please send the entire manuscript, whether submitting a
picture book or novel. All submissions should be directed to the Editorial
Department, Holiday House, 425 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10017. No email or
fax submissions.
Full submission guidelines here.
Ideals Children’s Books (U.S.) publishes fiction and nonfiction picture books for children ages 4 to 8. Subjects include holiday, inspirational, and patriotic themes; relationships and values; and general fiction. Manuscripts should be no longer than 800 words.
Full submission guidelines here.
Ideals Children’s Books (U.S.) publishes fiction and nonfiction picture books for children ages 4 to 8. Subjects include holiday, inspirational, and patriotic themes; relationships and values; and general fiction. Manuscripts should be no longer than 800 words.
CandyCane Press publishes board
books and novelty books for children ages 2 to 5. Subject matter is similar to
Ideals Children’s
Books, with a focus on younger children. Manuscripts should be no longer than
250 words. Ideals magazine welcomes the opportunity to review your poetry or
prose.
For Ideals or CandyCane, send complete manuscript
to: 2630 Elm Hill Pike, Suite 100, Nashville, TN 37214.
Just Us Books is currently accepting queries for
chapter books and middle reader titles only. Please send a query letter
pitching us your manuscript, 1-2 page synopsis of your manuscript, 3-5
sample pages of your manuscript, a brief author bio that includes any
previously published work, self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail your
query to: Submission Debt., Just Uss Books, P.O. Box 5306, East Orange, NJ
07019
Marimba is looking for fiction and nonfiction chapter
books for children aged 8–12 (middle grades). Mail your query to: Submissions Dept., Marimba Books, P.O. Box 5306, East Orange, NJ 07019
Please send either the complete picture book
manuscript, or a synopsis and two sample chapters of your fiction work.
Electronic submissions accepted.
Full submission guidelines here.
“For picture book submissions, please send a copy
of the entire manuscript. For chapter book submissions, we require a synopsis
and approximately three sample chapters. Please do not send the entire
manuscript unless requested to do so. No email submissions.
“You are welcome to send your proposal
simultaneously to other publishers rather than submitting it exclusively to
Kids Can Press.”
Kar-Ben accepts unsolicited manuscripts by regular
post only. Full submission guidelines here
(scroll down page for PDF submission guidelines for fiction, nonfiction and
illustrations).
Fiction: If under 100 pages, submit the completed,
double-spaced manuscript. If over 100 pages, submit the first three chapters
and a plot summary. Cover letter with market analysis is required. Submissions
may be sent via regular mail or email.
They do not publish picture books, short stories or
poetry. Query first for non-fiction. They only publish fiction books for ages 8
to 18.
Query Pajama Press at: info@pajamapress.ca
Your query should include an overview of your book,
information about your writing background, and an excerpt. Send the
equivalent of one or two pages of your finished book—this means that novel
excerpts will be considerably longer than those for picture books. The excerpt
will give a taste of your writing style.
Full submission guidelines here.
Pants on Fire is acquiring Chapter Books,
Middle-grade and Young Adult fiction.
“At RMB we ‘Think Outside.’” Rocky Mountain Books only
accepts submissions relating to the following:
·
Mountaineering & Alpinism
·
Exploration & Discovery
·
Adventure Travel & Eco-Tourism
·
Eco-Politics & the Environment
·
Aboriginal History & Issues
·
Natural History
·
Art & Photography
·
Guidebooks (hiking, climbing,
scrambling, winter sports)
·
Children's Picture Books (in areas
relating to the above topics)
·
At this time, RMB does not accept
fiction, poetry, drama, self-help, family histories, self-publishing endeavours
or corporate histories.
Full manuscript guideline here and submission guidelines here.
Rocky Mountain Books is a member of The Heritage Group, an affiliation of five separate entities. In addition to our company, it includes our distribution partner, Heritage Group Distribution, and publishing houses TouchWood Editions, Brindle & Glass and Heritage House Publishing. By sharing select resources, The Heritage Group is better able to generate publicity, expand promotional activities and serve retail customers and readers alike.
Rocky Mountain Books is a member of The Heritage Group, an affiliation of five separate entities. In addition to our company, it includes our distribution partner, Heritage Group Distribution, and publishing houses TouchWood Editions, Brindle & Glass and Heritage House Publishing. By sharing select resources, The Heritage Group is better able to generate publicity, expand promotional activities and serve retail customers and readers alike.
See Brian’s complete current schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Algonquin Park, Bolton, Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, Georgetown, Guelph, Hamilton, Ingersoll, Kingston, Kitchener, London, Midland, Mississauga, Oakville, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, Saint John, NB, Sudbury, Thessalon, Toronto, Windsor, Woodstock, Halton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Muskoka, Peel, Simcoe, York Region, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.
Navigating tip: For more postings about Children’s Book Publishers, click on the button in the right-hand column under More Content, and scroll through the listings. Also, besides the buttons across the top of the page and in the right-hand column, other collections of postings can often be accessed by clicking on the Labels found beneath individual postings.
Thanks for this!
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