Children's Book Publishers Accepting Unsolicited Submissions: Start Your Literary Adventure

Introduction

For aspiring children's book authors, the journey to getting published can be daunting, especially when many publishing houses require submissions through literary agents. However, there's a glimmer of hope! Several children's book publishers still accept unsolicited submissions, providing an opportunity for talented writers to share their stories with the world. In this blog post, we'll explore some of these publishers and offer tips on preparing your manuscript for submission.

1. Chronicle Books: Chronicle Books is known for its beautifully illustrated and creatively crafted children's books. They have a dedicated submission page for picture books, illustrated middle-grade fiction, and graphic novels. Be sure to follow their guidelines and present your best work. They are currently accepting Adult Trade Submissions, Children’s Submissions (picture books, middle grade, or young adult), Portfolio Submissions (freelance illustrator, photographer, or other visual artist guidelines), and Freelance Writer Submissions.

2. Holiday House: Holiday House has been a reputable name in children's publishing since 1935. They accept unsolicited submissions of picture books and middle-grade novels, provided you adhere to their submission guidelines. While they are currently taking children’s and yound adult books, they specifically note that they do not publish "mass market books" such as pop-ups, activity books, sticker books, coloring books, licensed books, and also will not take material created by AI.

3. Charlesbridge: Charlesbridge publishes both high-quality fiction and non-fiction children's books with a focus on educational and informative content. They accept unsolicited submissions for picture books, early readers, and middle-grade novels. Pay close attention to their submission guidelines for the best chance of success. Currently, they are seeking to represent diversity in their chosen works.

4. Albert Whitman & Company: Albert Whitman & Company has been publishing children's books for over a century. They accept unsolicited submissions for picture books, middle-grade fiction, and young adult novels. Make sure to check their submission guidelines before sending your manuscript. Currently, they are accepting manuscripts from underrepresented authors.

5. Sourcebooks: Sourcebooks is an independent, women-led publisher that started in 1987 in Naperville, IL. They accept young adult and adult fiction and non-fiction, but their imprint Sourcebooks Jabberwocky prints children's fiction. Currently, they are open to only taking books that promote diversity, equality, and inclusion.

6. Sleeping Bear Press: Sleeping Bear Press was launched in 1998 in Michigan alongside the release of The Legend of Sleeping Bear (an Official Children’s Book of the State of Michigan). Committed to education, information, and entertainment, Sleeping Bear Press is a publisher of high-quality children's books accepting both fiction and non-fiction manuscripts. Aside from their standard submissions, they also offer a publishing award for novel authors who identify as BIPOC and/or LGTBQ+. As with most other publishers at this time, books focusing on diversity and inclusion are preferred.

Before You Submit Your Manuscript

Submitting your manuscript to a children's book publisher is an exciting but nerve-wracking process. It is common to not hear back from publishers, but here are some tips that can help increase your chances:

1. Research the Publisher: Before submitting your work, research the publisher thoroughly. Read some of their books to understand their style and target audience. If possible, target their focused audiences in your write-up.

2. Follow Submission Guidelines: Each publisher has specific submission guidelines that you must adhere to. Failing to follow these guidelines could result in your submission being rejected without review, and you may not even hear back.

3. Proofread and Edit: Your manuscript should be polished and free of grammatical errors. Use free tools like Grammarly and the Hemingway App to proofread and correct your manuscript by yourself. Enlist the help of a professional editor if needed. If you are on a budget, consider using freelancers who have experience editing children's books specifically.

4. Write a Compelling Cover/Query Letter: A well-crafted query letter is your first opportunity to make a good impression. It should be concise and engaging but must highlight what makes your story unique. Have a version or two of this drafted ahead of time to get your foot in the door. Try using bullets to help direct the publisher to key points you need them to read.

5. Be Patient: The publishing process can be slow, and rejection is a part of the journey. Don't get discouraged; keep submitting and refining your work.

Submitting your children's book manuscript to publishers that accept unsolicited submissions is a fantastic way to start your literary journey without investing in a literary agent. While the road to publication may be long and have its own challenges, seeing your story in print and experiencing the impact it makes by reaching young readers, is worth every effort. Remember to research each publisher, follow their guidelines diligently, and most importantly -- Don't give up. If you have a story worth telling, there are readers out there waiting for it.

And if you already submitted your manuscript and had success with any of these (or other) publishers, congratulations! Please let me know more in the comments below and share the link to your book(s).