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/

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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.

Join us in-person for “Intensive Creative Writing” this fall

Intensive Creative Writing

In-person: Thursday afternoons, 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.
First readings emailed September 10, 2026.
Sept 17 – Nov 26 (no class Oct 22) and we'll extend it to Dec 3 or 10 if it fills up. 
Burlington Anglican Lutheran Church
3455 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, Ontario (Map here)

Intensive Creative Writing isn't for beginners; it's for people who are working on their own writing projects. You’ll be asked to bring in several pieces of your writing for detailed feedback. All your pieces may be from the same work, such as a novel in progress, or they may be stand-alone pieces, such as short stories or essays.

You bring whatever you want to work on. Besides critiquing pieces, we’ll have discussions on topics of interest to the class. In addition to learning how to critique your own work and receiving constructive suggestions about your writing, you’ll discover that the greatest benefits come from seeing how your classmates approach and critique a piece of writing and how they write and re-write. This is a challenging course, but extremely rewarding.

Instructor Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He publishes Quick Brown Fox, Canada's most popular blog for writers, teaches creative writing at Ryerson University (now called Toronto Metropolitan University) and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Saskatoon to Toronto to Saint John. But his proudest boast is that he’s has helped many of his students get published.    

Read reviews and other pieces about, or inspired by, Brian's various courses, workshops and retreats here (and scroll down).

Fee: $292.04  + hst = $330

To reserve your spot, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca 

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

Congratulations to Anne B, Anne P, and Dianne! Plus, Beta readers wanted

 Hi, Brian.

My novel, Val's Story, won in the best unpublished category for Canadian Crime Writers.

I'm shocked and over the moon in equal amounts.  

I'm shocked and over the moon in equal amounts. 

Anne Burlakoff

Congratulations, Anne! And to all the finalists (here)!

Note: For general information about Crime Writers of Canada, see here, and for information about their annual Awards of Excellence and specifically about their award for Best Unpublished Crime Novel, see here.

For information about submitting to ECW Press (the sponsor of the Best Unpublished Crime Novel award), see here.

 

Hi, Brian.

Commuter lit published my story, “The Wisdom of Lily and the Fishbowl.” Yay!

Anne Pittens

Read Anne’s story on CommuterLit here. Or read the beautifully illustrated version on Quick Brown Fox here.

For information about submitting to CommuterLit (and to a few other places), see here.

Hi, Brian.

In a span of less than 24 hours this week, I experienced a huge swing in the highs and lows of the writing life. 

I received a rejection letter for a submission I believed held great promise for a book contract. It came with above average feelings of despair and imposter syndrome and the usual thoughts: Who am I kidding? No one will want to publish my lousy writing. 

Maybe not the best thing to be above average in...  

About 24 hours later, I received a congratulations email saying my TV sitcom pilot, Moosekeg County FM, is a Second Round Selection in the International Screenwriters' Association Diversity Initiative. What a delightful surprise! It came with a little award badge to display, and probably above average feelings of excitement and how fabulous the writing life is.

Thanks for cheering me on through the ups and downs of writing.

Dianne Koebel-Pede

 

Writer to Writer

Hello,

I’m looking for a few people to provide feedback on my novel, Conrad’s Journal, all of it or even short sections. You can contact me at: Seanmjlindsay@gmail.com

Any help is appreciated!

Here’s what it’s about:

After accepting that he's better off on his own, Conrad Peters moves into the backyard shed to pursue a simpler life. Removed from friends and family, his yard becomes a sanctuary which he shares with his only true friend, a like-minded squirrel. As Conrad seeks peace of mind, he must navigate family tensions, and face old truths about his father’s death. A funny, satirical, sometimes absurd, sometimes dark story, written as a daily journal. 70,000 words.

Thanks,

Sean Lindsay

Note: If you’ve had a story (or a book!) published, if you’ve won or placed in a writing contest, if you’ve gotten yourself an agent, or if you have any other news, send me an email so I can share your success. As writers, we’re all in this together, and your good news gives us all a boost. 

Also, be sure to let know if you're looking for a writers' group or beta readers; a notice in Quick Brown Fox, will help you find them. 

Email me at: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

 See where else your fellow writers are winning accolades and getting short pieces published here (and scroll down).

See new books by your fellow writers here (and scroll down).

See all my upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and four-day  retreats here. ~Brian