Two book publishers that favour older writers: House of Anansi and Book*hug

House of Anansi Press and Groundwood Books. 

Here are two Canadian book publishers that explicitly invite submissions from older writers:

House of Anansi Press is looking for literary fiction, especially from Canadian authors. Anansi is always open for submissions and they particularly welcome submissions from authors launching their literary careers later in life.  

Groundwood is looking for Picture Books, Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction and nonfiction. They open for submissions in August and September.

More about Anansi and Groundwood here.

Book*hug Press is a radically optimistic Canadian-owned publisher based in Toronto.

“We are deeply committed to advancing and integrating equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in all our publishing activities. We prioritize submissions from equity-deserving writers marginalized by attitudinal, historical, social, and environmental barriers based on race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, economic status, age, gender, and sexual orientation.”

Book*hug Press publishes contemporary, innovative, and boundary-pushing books of literary fiction, translated literature, poetry, and creative nonfiction.

They do not publish commercial fiction, thrillers, crime fiction, fantasy, children’s books, YA books, graphic novels, cookbooks, scholarly or academic texts, or self-help books.

Book*hug seeks to acquire innovative, groundbreaking, and adventurous literary books that thoughtfully engage with contemporary cultural and social issues. They’re most excited by bold, dynamic writing that challenges and pushes the boundaries of cultural expectations and conventions, and that offers new ideas and perspectives.

They love formally innovative writing that takes risks and plays with form and style, but we are not interested in experimentation for its own sake. We love hybrid, genre-defying writing. Above all else, they value the quality and craft of the writing. 

Book*hug books and authors receive regular recognition and acclaim in the media and from literary awards. Their authors have been nominated for and won national and international awards, including the Governor General’s Literary Awards, the Giller Prize, the Amazon Canada First Novel Award, the League of Canadian Poets’ Book Awards, the Griffin Poetry Prize and more.

Book*Hug will open for submissions Tuesday, September 29 to Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Full submission guidelines here.

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See all of Brian’s upcoming weekly writing classes, afternoon workshops, and writing retreats here.

For information about other publishers looking for manuscripts, see here (and scroll down).

Scholastic wants books kids will spend their own money to buy

Scholastic Canada

604 King St W
Suite 100
Toronto, Ontario

https://www.scholastic.ca/

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Scholastic Canada’s priority is publishing “kid picks” – books that children would spend their own money to read. Stories featuring Canadian culture, settings, and history are also a priority.

M.R. (Robbie) Robinson founded the original Scholastic company in 1920 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Incorporated in 1957, Scholastic Canada Ltd. was the first of an international family of companies that now includes members in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, India and Asia.

SScholastic Canada has its own editorial and acquisitions office. They do not usually accept un-agented manuscripts, but on August 23, 2027, we'll be have Patricia Ocampo, senior editor at Scholastic Books, as the guest speaker for our online “Writing for Children & for Young Adults” and afterwards, she'll be accepting queries from attendees (see here). 

Don’t miss it!

Also, Scholastic Canada welcomes submissions from professional illustrators (especially from underrepresented communities) interested in working with Scholastic. Illustrators are invited to email sample art and links to an online portfolio to Andrea Casault, Art Director, at acasault@scholastic.ca

Full submission guidelines here.

See all of Brian Henry’s upcoming weekly writing classes, afternoon workshops, and writing 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 looking for manuscripts, see here {and scroll down}. For book publishers in general, see here {and scroll down}.

Groundwood Books opens for submissions Aug 1; House of Anansi always open

House of Anansi Press (for adults)

and Groundwood Books (for children)

128 Sterling Road
Lower Level
Toronto, Ontario

https://houseofanansi.com/

House of Anansi Press publishes about 35 books a year, including fiction, poetry, drama, French-Canadian writers in translation, lifestyle, and authors from around the world. Anansi is also particularly interested in authors looking to publish their first book later in life. More details below.

Anansi 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 Lana Button and Eric Walters (here), Deborah Ellis, Marie-Louise Gay, Sydney Smith and Jillian Tamaki, among many others. 

Groundwood is open for submissions August 1 – September 30.

In Picture Books, Groundwood seeks beautifully written manuscripts, featuring distinctive stories and children in real-life situations. Please submit a cover letter and the full manuscript.

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.

Please submit a cover letter, several sample chapters, and a brief synopsis of the entire manuscript.

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 “Writing for Children and for Young Adults” workshops always have an editor from a children’s book publisher or a literary agent as the guest speaker. See what’s coming up 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 literary, upmarket, and genre-bending genre novels, as well as short story collections, both by new voices and from household names. 

In nonfiction, they’re looking for creative nonfiction and book-length deep dives, alongside more lifestyle-oriented offerings. 

Currently, Anansi is not accepting personal memoirs or autobiography, and their poetry list is full until 2030, so if you’re looking to get published sooner than four years, best submit your poetry collection elsewhere.  

Like everyone else, they’re “looking to engage with work by writers from historically underrepresented communities, including—but not limited to—those who are Black, Indigenous, people of colour, disabled, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+.” But they also add writers “debuting latter in life” to this list – that is, they especially welcome older authors looking to publish their first book.

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}.

One book publisher and two literary journals seeking fiction, poetry, and nonfiction

Gordon Hill Press & The Porcupine’s Quill

Guelph, Ontario

https://ghp-pql.com/

Gordon Hill Press & The Porcupine’s Quill seek submissions of poetry, innovative fiction, lyric nonfiction, and literary criticism.

• The Porcupine's Quill – Full-length titles of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and criticism.
• Gordon Hill Press – Full-length titles by authors with invisible disability.
• The Sheffield Chapbooks – Chapbook-length titles of poetry by New Brunswick authors.
• mad / sick / different – Chapbook-length titles of poetry by disabled authors
• Scrummage Chapbooks – Chapbook-length titles for anything else you can imagine.

They do not publish children's books, YA titles, self-help books, genre fiction, travel writing, or previously published manuscripts. 

Please send submissions to submit@gordonhillpress.com

Include your full name and manuscript title in the subject heading. Include a cover letter with a brief description of your completed manuscript, your bio statement, and your publication history. If submitting poetry, poetry criticism, or chapbooks, provide your whole manuscript. If submitting fiction, provide an excerpt of up to 25 pages. All submissions should be sent in .doc or .docx format.

Full submission guidelines here.

If submitting nonfiction, you should do so through …

The Molly Peacock Nonfiction Prize

Deadline June 30, 2027

Molly Peacock is a distinguished Canadian-American author who has championed creativity in her two biographies The Paper Garden: Mrs. Delany Begins Her Life’s Work at 72 (book of the year in The Globe and Mail, Maclean's, The Economist, The Irish Times, The London Evening Standard, and The Sunday Telegraph); and Flower Diary: Mary Hiester Reid Paints, Travels, Marries & Opens a Door, an IPPY Award Winner. 

Her essays have appeared in The Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, House & Garden, and Oprah Magazine. Her memoir, Paradise Piece by Piece, helped spark the contemporary childfree movement. Author of eight volumes of poetry, including The Widow’s Crayon Box, Peacock’s work is widely anthologized, notably in A Century of Poetry from The New Yorker.

Gordon Hill Press and The Porcupine's Quill are pleased to honour her legacy through the Molly Peacock Nonfiction Prize, which is open to unpublished creative nonfiction manuscripts by Canadian authors. To submit, purchase the $50 Molly Peacock Nonfiction Prize Submission Fee here.

Then submit your completed manuscript along with a bio statement and your publication history to submit@gordonhillpress.com

Include your full name and manuscript title in the subject heading. All submissions should be sent in .doc or .docx format.

The winner will receive $1000 award upon acceptance of an offer of publication. Additional submissions may also receive an offer of publication.

Submissions are open until June 30. The winner will be announced in September.

 

Hello, Brian. 

I am the editor of a new Canadian literary journal devoted to blending flash fiction and art. 

Just read your blog post about “32 Canadian literary journals that pay” (here) and would love to have NUNUM included on your next post of a similar nature.

Details about NUNUM 

- website: https://www.nunum.ca

- submission period: year-round – submission guidelines here.

- issues per year: quarterly online and annual print anthology

- looking for flash fiction of up to 500 words and visual art

- submission fee: $3 (for either three flash fiction pieces or three visual art pieces)

- payment: $20 per accepted piece

Also, we publish two anthologies annually, one Done in a Hundred, which focuses on work of a hundred words or less (fourth addition coming out in Dec 26) and Opolis, which focuses on science fiction of a thousand words or less (third addition coming out in July 26). The anthologies have no submission fee.

Have a nice summer,

Geoffrey Miller 

Editor 

NUNUM

 

Yolk

A Montreal-based literary journal, Yolk publishes fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and visual arts in our print (Canadian citizens and residents of Canada) and digital (Canadian + international) publications. Their mandate is to publish fine work by established and emerging artists. 

They’ll open for submissions for the fall print issue on July 1.

Pays $100 honorarium for their digital publication and $30 per page to a maximum of $200 for print. Pays $200 for cover art.

Full submission guidelines here. 

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See more writing contests and markets for your short pieces here (and scroll down).

For more publishers looking for manuscripts, see here.

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

Navigation tips: Always check out the Labels underneath a post; they’ll lead you to various distinct collections of postings. If you're searching for a literary agent who represents a particular type of book, check out this post.  

Orca Books will open for submissions in August, and now's the time to get ready

Orca Books

1016 Balmoral Road
Victoria, BC

https://www.orcabook.com/

You can now get new postings on Quick Brown Fox delivered straight to your Inbox as I publish them. Subscribe to Quick Brown Fox on Substack here: https://brian999.substack.com/ 

Founded in 1984, Orca Book Publishers is an independently owned Canadian children’s book publisher. With over 1,000 titles in print and more than 80 new titles a year, Orca prides itself on publishing Canadian authors (only) and bringing them to a wider market.

Orca accepts submissions in February and August. Look for announcements on their social media: OrcaBook Publishers on Facebook or @orcabook on Twitter, and doubtless they’re on other platforms, too. To submit to Orca, create an account on CanSubmit.

In February and August, Orca will be looking for manuscripts in the following genres:

New: Indigenous Books by Indigenous Creators

Submissions should follow the general requirements for each genre outlined [above/below] (board books, picture books, chapter books, middle-grade fiction, etc.).

We're looking for well-told stories that draw from lived experience and are authentic to Indigenous voices and communities.

Stories should be engaging and well-crafted, whether rooted in traditional culture or exploring contemporary themes.

Please send a cover letter and complete manuscript to the attention of Tara Solomon.

Board Books

Manuscripts should have minimal text and be aimed at ages 0–24 months.

No art should be included with board book submissions unless you are a professional illustrator. Original art should never be included.

Please send submissions to the attention of Sarah Howden.

Picture Books

Good stories, well told. Any lesson or moral should be secondary to credible characters, an engaging plot and strong writing. The point of view should invite the child reader into the story.

Even if you have written a series, please send only one submission. “We rarely publish sequels to our picture books, and then only if the first book has been very successful.”

Picture book manuscripts should typically be 1,500 words or less.

No art should be included with picture book submissions unless you are a professional illustrator. Original art should never be included.

Complete manuscripts (no queries, please) should be sent to the attention of Sarah Howden.

Orca Echoes

Early chapter books aimed at ages six to eight

Contemporary stories or fantasy with a universal theme, a compelling, unified plot and a strong, sympathetic child protagonist who grows through the course of the story and solves the central problem him/herself

Currently seeking stories where humour, imagination and play are at the forefront. Any lesson or moral should be well-disguised, and secondary to an engaging plot, strong characters, and child-appeal. 

7,500 to 8,000 words (max.)

Submissions should be sent in their entirety to the attention of Sarah Howden.

Middle Grade fiction

Contemporary stories with a universal theme, a compelling, unified plot and a strong, sympathetic child protagonist who grows through the course of the story and solves the central problem themselves

30,000 to 50,000 words

Target audience: readers for this genre can range anywhere from 8 to 12 years old. Please be clear about the target age group for your work in your cover letter.

A cover letter and the complete manuscript should be sent to the attention of Sarah Howden.

Orca Shivers

High-interest contemporary horror novels aimed at readers aged 9–12 with a reading level approximately at age (grade 4-6)

Relatable protagonists between 11 and 14 years old in stories with fairly intense, high-stakes horror plots. Moderate violence, mild gore and death are okay.

Supernatural (vampires, ghosts etc.) or natural horror (crazed animals, serial killers) are both welcome.

10,000–20,000 words, short chapters, each with cliff-hanger endings (shorter novels  of 6000+ words will be considered).

Please send a cover letter, a short (100–200 words) synopsis, a chapter-by-chapter outline and three sample chapters to the attention of Gabrielle Prendergast.

Orca Currents

High-interest novels aimed at reluctant readers ages 9-12, with a reading level of grades 1.0-4.5

Protagonists are between 12 and 14 years old and should be appealing and believable.

These stories should have middle-school-appropriate story lines (family issues, humor, sports, adventure, mystery/suspense, sci-fi/fantasy, etc.).

12,000 to 15,000 words, 12 to 16 chapters.

Submit a cover letter, a short (100–200 words) synopsis, and a chapter-by-chapter outline, and a sample chapter to the attention of Gabrielle Prendergast.

Orca Soundings

High-interest novels aimed at reluctant readers aged 12 and up, with a reading level of grade 2.0-4.5, preferably closer to 3.0

Protagonists are between 14 and 17 years old and should be appealing and believable.

These stories should reflect the universal struggles that young people face. They need not be limited to "gritty" urban tales. Can include adventures, mystery/suspense, performing arts, romance, sport, and fsci-fi/antasy

12,000 to 15,000 words, 12 to 16 chapters

Submit a cover letter, a short (100–200 words) synopsis, a chapter-by-chapter outline, and a sample chapter to the attention of Gabrielle Prendergast.

Orca Anchor

High-interest novels for reluctant teen readers ages 12 and up, with a reading level below grade 2.0, preferably closer to 1.0

Protagonists are between 14 and 17 years old and should be appealing and believable.

These stories should reflect the universal struggles that young people face. They need not be limited to "gritty" urban tales. Can include adventures, mystery/suspense, performing arts, romance, sport, and fsci-fi/antasy

6,000 to 8,000 words, 8 to 10 chapters

Submit a cover letter, a short (100–200 words) synopsis, a chapter-by-chapter outline, and a sample chapter to the attention of Gabrielle Prendergast.

Graphic Novels

Orca is looking for stories for all ages that can be told in graphic novel format, but no manga or anime.

Submissions should include a cover letter, synopsis and full text of the story. The more complete the submission, the better.

If you are working with an illustrator, please include samples of their work and any finished art (copies only).

Note: If you’re interested in meeting an agent and in getting published, join us for a “How to Get Published” workshop with a literary agent as a guest speaker. See what's coming here.    

Orca Footprints

Nonfiction books about the complex environmental issues that kids face every day. 

Each 48-page book aims to inspire kids to take action.

Geared to readers ages 9 to 12 who are asking questions about the state of the natural world. 

Please submit query only to Jenna Campbell.

Orca Biography

Nonfiction books that introduce young readers to inspiring individuals who have made positive impacts on the world.

The series aims to celebrate the legacies of lesser-known figures who have made a difference in their communities and beyond.

Material should be appropriate for middle-grade readers, ages 9 to 12.

Please submit QUERY ONLY to Jenna Campbell.

Orca Take Action

Nonfiction books that explore big problems facing the world today.

The series helps young readers understand these important issues and shows them how they can make changes for a better future.

Material should be appropriate for middle-grade readers, ages 9 to 12.

Please submit QUERY ONLY to the attention of Jenna Campbell.

Orca Think

Nonfiction books that introduce readers to the issues making headlines today

Well-researched topics by authors with a connection to the subject matter

Please submit query only to Jenna Campbell.

Navigation tip: For more book publishers, see here {and scroll down}.

Orca Timeline

Nonfiction books that explore how big ides have shaped humanity in the past, present, and into the future.

Well-researched topics by authors with a connection to the subject matter

Material should be appropriated for middle-grade readers, ages 9 to 12

Please submit query only to Jenna Campbell.

Orca Wild

Nonfiction books that challenge us to think about our relationships, both good and bad, with vulnerable species and habitats.

Well-researched topics by authors with a connection to the subject matter

Material should be appropriate for middle grade readers, ages 9 to 12

Please submit query only to Jenna Campbell.

Other Nonfiction

Orca is looking for unique projects that will have broad appeal to young North American readers. These could be nonfiction picture books for elementary readers (ages 4 to 8) or books for middle grade readers (ages 9 to 12) outside the scope of the series above. Material should be age appropriate.

Please submit a query only to Jenna Campbell.

To submit to Orca, create an account on CanSubmit.

See full submission guidelines here. See guidelines for illustrators here. 

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