Groundwood books (for children) opens for submissions Aug 1. Anansi Press (for adults) is always open for submissions

House of Anansi Press (for adults)

and Goundwood Books (for children)

128 Sterling Road
Lower Level
Toronto, Ontario

https://houseofanansi.com/

House of Anansi Press was founded in 1967 by writers Dennis Lee and David Godfrey to publish work by Canadian writers. The House got its start publishing authors such as Matt Cohen, Michael Ondaatje, Northrop Frye, Austin Clarke, Harold Sonny Ladoo, Daphne Marlatt, Roch Carrier, and Margaret Atwood (who also worked for the press as an editor).

Now under the ownership of Scott Griffin, House of Anansi Press aims to continue breaking new ground with award-winning and bestselling books that reflect the changing nature of the country and the world.

Anansi publishes about 35 books a year, including fiction, poetry, drama, French-Canadian writers in translation, lifestyle, and authors from around the world.  Anansi also publishes children’s literature under its Groundwood imprint….

Groundwood Books publishes literary picture books, fiction, poetry, nonfiction and graphic novels from Canada and around the world. The press is home to award-winning authors and illustrators, such as Deborah Ellis, Marie-Louise Gay, Sydney Smith and Jillian Tamaki, among many others. And coming soon: Lana Button and Eric Walters (here).

Groundwood is open for submissions Aug 1 – Sept 30 and Feb 1 – March 31.

In Picture Books, Groundwood seeks beautifully written manuscript, featuring distinctive stories and children in real-life situations.

Groundwood is always looking for new authors of book-length middle grade and young adult fiction. Their mandate is to publish high-quality, character-driven literary fiction with a strong narrative voice. They do not generally publish stories with an obvious moral or message, or genre fiction such as horror or high fantasy.

Groundwood is also looking for nonfiction for children of all ages, from informational picture books to issues-driven works for middle grade and young adult readers.

For middle-grade and YA nonfiction, they do not require a completed manuscript. Please submit a proposal that includes a compelling introduction to and argument for the book, followed by a chapter outline that conveys the proposed content of the work, plus one or two sample chapters that convey the proposed tone and approach. 

Please also include a bio and/or previous publishing credits that demonstrate credentials relevant to your book or give you authority on the proposed subject.

Groundwood is also looking for Canadian illustrators.

See Groundwoods detailed submissions guidelines here.

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Note: Our one-day “Writing for Children and for Young Adults” workshops always have a literary agent or an editor from a children’s book publisher as the guest speaker. See what’s coming up here.  

And also join our upcoming weekly course “Writing Kid Lit – The Next Level.” Details here. 

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House of Anansi Press is always open for direct submissions from authors, both established authors and new authors.

In fiction, they seek groundbreaking Canadian literary and upmarket fiction that has a unique flair, memorable characters, and a strong narrative voice. For their Spiderline imprint, they’re also seeking genre-bending, ground-breaking, experimental, innovative, unexpected, and unconventional speculative writing in all its forms, from horror and science fiction to psychological thrillers and mysteries.

In nonfiction, they look for creative nonfiction and book-length deep dives alongside more lifestyle-oriented offerings. Specifically, for their Anansi imprint, they want compelling narrative nonfiction and meticulously researched, thesis-driven works to wrestle with the mind and passions. For their Ambrosia imprint, they want visually arresting gift books and cookbooks, along with creative and prescriptive nonfiction. And for Walrus Books – a partnership with The Walrus magazine, they want “excellent book-length nonfiction.” 

Anansi is not a good bet for personal memoirs or autobiographies.

In poetry, they’re looking for the best of Canadian poetry, from debut collections to selections by established and award-winning poets.

Like everyone else, they especially welcome “work by writers from historically underrepresented communities, including—but not limited to—those who are Black, Indigenous, people of colour, disabled, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+.”

Anansi is also particularly interested in authors looking to publish their first book later in life.

Full guidelines here.

See all of Brian’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and four-day retreats here.

Navigation tips: Always check out the Labels underneath a post; they’ll lead you to various distinct collections of postings. For more children’s and young adult publishers, see here {and scroll down}. For book publishers in general, see here {and scroll down}.

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