Pajama Press wants your picture books and middle grade manuscripts – both fiction and nonfiction

Pajama Press

11 Davies Ave., Suite 103
Toronto, Ontario
https://pajamapress.ca/ 

Pajama Press is a small literary press. Working with skilled authors, illustrators, editors, and educators, they aim to craft books that spark curiosity, develop empathy, and grow joy and self-empowerment.

Pajama Press publishes picture books for toddlers and for 5 to 8-year-olds, early chapter books for new readers, middle grade novels, and literary nonfiction. Currently they’re looking for both picture books and middle grade books, both fiction and nonfiction. They’re seeking works from diverse Canadian authors. 

Early picture book stories:

150 words or less. High concept, simple ideas, word play. Suitable for ages 1–2 or 3–5. 

Picture books for 5–8:

300–800 words. Fictional, character-driven stories, or stories that emphasize word play, vocabulary building, rhythm, with a strong hook.

Non-fiction picture books that have STEM connections, historical or biographical content, and social justice topics.

To submit picture books, please email: pajamapresspbsubs@gmail.com

In your email, include a brief summary of your picture book, the text in a PDF with word count, and information about your writing background. Do not include illustration instructions, just your text file.

Middle-Grade novels:

24,000–40,000 words. More complex, character-driven stories that feature a single or dual point of view. Some excellent themes include the environment, animal stories, children dealing with life challenges, humour, sports, social justice, feminism, mystery, fantasy, and community stories with diverse casts and a universal appeal.

To submit middle grade fiction or nonfiction, please email: pajamapresspbsubs@gmail.com

In your email, include a brief summary of your novel, the first ten chapters of your manuscript, and information about your writing background.

Pajama Press only respond to submissions if they determine your project is a good fit for their publishing program. They aim to review submissions within four to six months. If you haven’t received a reply within six months, it is safe to assume they’re no longer considering your manuscript.

Full submission guidelines here.

Art Submissions

Illustrators who wish to share a portfolio with Pajama Press’s Art Director may send links or attachments via email to info@pajamapress.ca at any time.

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

See Brian Henry’s upcoming weekly writing classes, afternoon workshops, and wonderful writing retreats here.

 

Orca Books will open for submissions in February, 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.

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.

***

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/

Note: You can now get new postings on Quick Brown Fox delivered straight to your Inbox as they go up. Subscribe to the new Quick Brown Fox page on Substack here: https://brian999.substack.com/

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}.