“WE LOOK FOR PUBLISHING HOUSES AND EDITORS WHO DO NOT REQUIRE THE WRITER TO HAVE AN AGENT. TAKE A LOOK AT THESE LEADS BELOW.” – Jennifer
We know it’s time consuming and tedious to scour market guides for children’s writers, so we’re doing it for you!
We look for publishers who accept “over the transom” submissions—that is unsolicited queries and/or manuscripts for books and magazines for children. We also look for publishing houses and editors who do not require the writer to have an agent.
So take a look at the leads below that we have compiled just for you.
Note: You should be aware that publishers vary in how they want manuscripts submitted.
Some require email attachment. Others require that you upload to their site, and some houses still want paper submissions by snail mail. You can see all the details on their sites.
For optimizing your chances of getting your submission accepted, be sure to get our workbook. We can help you fine-tune your manuscript or help you get that idea from your head out onto paper (or computer screen.)
Write a Marketable Children Book – Not Your Typical How-to-Write Guide by Shirley Raye Redmond & Jennifer McKerley
We teach you how to target the market and plot guides for fiction and give you story arc guides for nonfiction. That’s just an example, though, of what you’ll find in our easy-to-follow manual. (See more details below or go directly to our website.)
Compiled Publisher List
713 Books
713 Books especially wants first-time authors who submit literary comedies, satire, and experimental. For submissions, click on Menu, About, and then scroll down.
Abbeville Family
Abbeville Family publishes toddler, picture books, middle grade – Genres: multicultural, fairy tales, folklore, mystery. For submissions, at the bottom of page under About Us, click on Submissions.
Addicus Books
Addicus Books publishes nonfiction on health and legal topics. Click on Submissions.
Albert Whitman & Company
Albert Whitman & Company publishes picture books, chapter books, YA. Click on Authors & Illustrators, then Submission Guidelines.
Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine publishes every kind of mystery for young adults. Click on The Crime Scene, then Writer’s Guidelines.
All Things That Matter Press
All Things That Matter Press publishes fiction & nonfiction on various topics. Click on Submission Requirements.
Allworth Press at Skyhorse
Allworth Press publishes self-help books for the arts and business. Click on Submissions.
Analog Science Fiction & Fact
Analog Science Fiction & Fact publishes science fiction for young adults & adults & articles on science and technology. Click Writer’s Guidelines at the bottom of the page.
Andrews McMeel
Andrews McMeel Publishing publishes middle-grade contemporary multicultural, animal, family, and humor. Click on submissions at the bottom of the page.
Arbordale Publishing
Arbordale Publishing publishes picture books- science, animals, folklore, nature, and math-related subjects. At the bottom of the page click on Submission Guidelines.
Arcade Publishing
Arcade Publishing an imprint of Sky Horse Publishing, wants fiction and nonfiction on a wide list of subjects. Click on Submissions.
Arcadia Publishing
Arcadia Publishing publishes nonfiction, local and regional histories, and kid’s books. Click on Make Me an Author at the bottom of the page.
Arch Street Press
Arch Street Press publishes fiction and nonfiction titles on positive social change. Click on Submissions.
Arte Publico Press
Arte Publico Press publishes books about Latino culture by Hispanic writers and children’s books with their imprint Pinata. Click on Contact, then Submit a Manuscript.
Ascend Books
Ascend Books emphasizes sports, but also does other picture books, middle-grade, and YA on biography, current events, and sports teams. Click Contact, scroll down to Authors/Agents Submissions, and click on Guidelines for Submissions.
Ashland Poetry Press
Ashland Poetry Press has poetry contests with an entrance fee. Click on Guidelines.
August House
August House publishes picture books, early readers, and middle-grade about single-story folktales, fables, and social issues. Click on About, then Submission Guidelines.
Autumn House Press
Autumn House Press publishes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Click on Submissions.
Baen Books
Baen Books wants fantasy, YA, and sci-fi novels based on real science. Click on About Baen, FAQ, then Submission Guidelines.
Bancroft Press
Bancroft Press publishes fiction and nonfiction on a variety of topics. Click on About, then Submissions.
Baobab Press
Baobab Press works from all genres that resonate now and will in the future, timeless themes and climate. Click on Submissions.
Baylor University Press
Baylor University Press publishes nonfiction on culture, religion, science, arts, and juvenile. Click on Resources, then Our Acquisitions Process.
Bear Manor Media
Bear Manor Media wants books about entertainment. Click on Submit a Book Idea.
Beaufort Books
Beaufort Books publishes fiction and nonfiction for kids and adults in a variety of topics. Click on About Us then Submission Guidelines
Bentley Publishers
Bentley Publishers publishes books for automotive enthusiasts. Click on Contact Us, then Editorial Inquiries.
Berrett-Koehler
Berrett-Koehler does non-fiction books on business, current affairs, and personal growth. Click on Authors.
Bes Publishing
Bes Publishing publishes picture books, middle-grade, and YA on biography, current events, and sports teams. Click on Working With Us, Scroll to Authors, then Download Guideline.
Black Heron Press
Black Heron Press publishes fiction & nonfiction. Click on Contact.
Black Lawrence Press
Black Lawrence Press publishes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction and holds various literary contests each year. To learn more, click on Submissions & Contests at the bottom of the page.
Black Rose Writing
Black Rose Writing publishes a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction for adults and children. Click on Submissions.
Blue Light Press
Blue Light Press publishes inventive, emotionally honest poetry, fiction, and flash fiction. The current contest is open until June 30 ($10 fee). Click Contests.
Blue River Press
Blue River Press publishes nonfiction on a wide variety of subjects for children and adults. Click on Proposals.
BOA Editions, LTD.
BOA Editions, LTD., publishes poetry and short story fiction. Click on Submissions.
Bookouture
Bookouture publishes ebooks about women’s and historical fiction, plus science fiction & thrillers. Click on Submit Your Manuscript.
Bottom Dog Press
Bottom Dog Press publishes books that reveal essential human stories; mysteries, memoirs, poetry; working class stories. Scroll down to see Guidelines for Submission.
Brash Books
Brash Books publishes crime novels, mysteries, and thrillers. Click on About, then scroll to How to Submit.
Breakaway Books
Breakaway Books wants fiction, poetry, and essays on the athletic experience and books about boating. Send a query letter to the email address listed on the website.
Brick Road Poetry Press
Brick Road Poetry Press sponsors a contest and awards the first-place winner a contract and $1000. Click on Contests.
Brio Magazine
Brio Magazine prints stories for teen girls that teach Christian values. Go to: media.focusonthefamily.com/brio/pdf/brio-writers-guidelines-2019.pdf
Brown Books Kids
Brown Books Kids publishes story picture books, early and middle readers that are multicultural, about mystery, history, and adventure. Click on Submit.
C & T Publishing
C & T Publishing produces books about crafts. Click on Book & Product Submissions at the bottom of the page.
Capstone
Capstone publishes work-for-hire stories and has multiple imprints. Click on Submission Guidelines at the bottom of the page.
Cave Hollow Press
Cave Hollow Press publishes novels of contemporary, literary, or mystery fiction. Click on Submissions.
Cedar Fort, Inc.
Cedar Fort, Inc. publishes fiction & nonfiction that uplifts & edifies. They also do children’s books with strong moral values. Click on Submissions at the bottom of the page.
Charlesbridge Publishing
Charlesbridge Publishing wants picture books and transitional bridge books about nature, the environment, and social studies. Click on About, then scroll to Charlesbridge submissions.
Chelsea Green Publishing
Chelsea Green Publishing is interested in organic/regenerative farming, renewable energy, natural living, and more. Click Submissions at the bottom of the page.
Chicago Review Press
Chicago Review Press publishes nonfiction ranging from picture books to middle grades, YA, and adults. Click on Submission Guideline at the bottom of the page.
Chicken Soup for the Soul
Chicken Soup for the Soul publishes early readers to YA on art instruction, crafts, and activities. Click on Submit Your Story at the bottom of the page.
Chronicle Books
Chronicle Books publishes interactive journals, kits, decks, and stationery for children to young adults. They’re looking for the new and unusual. At the bottom of the page click on Support, then Submissions.
Circling Rivers
Circling Rivers publishes poetry and fiction. Click on Submission Guidelines.