WRITER TIP: Get published without an agent!

If you’re an aspiring children’s book author, one of the huge obstacles to getting published is finding a literary agent to champion your work. Since most of the big publishers only take submissions from agents, this is definitely worth pursuing, but in the mean time, there’s no need to wait!

Many small and mid-size publishers don’t require an agent, so you can submit your manuscripts directly to them! Children’s nonfiction, in particular, is an area that many publishers often sign on directly with authors.

All of the publishers below accept submissions directly from authors. The key to getting your manuscripts considered is to make sure your work matches what they are looking for and to carefully follow their individual submission guidelines.

Good luck, and happy writing!

2024 children’s book publishers accepting submissions

• Albert Whitman is seeking picture books, middle grade, and young adult.
• Annick Press is currently accepting submissions of picture books, middle grade fiction, YA fiction, and non-fiction for kids of all ages. Their stories feature contemporary themes (even if the setting is historical) and aim to instill kids with the joy of reading.
• Arbordale Publishing is looking for fiction or narrative nonfiction stories with science or math woven into the story. They prefer fiction over nonfiction. In every manuscript they look for a “cuddle factor” that will make parents and children want to read it together.
• August House is seeking single-story manuscripts that feature traditional folktales. They are not looking for original stories written in fable or fairy-tale style.
• Bushel and Peck Books is a small, family-run publisher that will open to unagented submissions on January 1, 2025. They are seeking children’s fiction and nonfiction, board books, picture books, chapter books, and middle grade.
• Cedar Grove Publishing is a small publisher of children’s fiction. They accept submissions only twice a year: May 1 – June 15 and October 1 – November 15. They are seeking children’s books, middle grade, and YA fiction.
• Charlesbridge publishes fiction and nonfiction board books, picture books, early readers, middle-grade fiction and nonfiction (ages 8–12), and young adult novels (ages 12+). Their nonfiction tends to focus on nature, science, math, social studies, biography, history, and the arts.
• Chronicle Books publishes an eclectic mixture of traditional and innovative children’s books. They are looking for projects that have a unique bent—be it in subject matter, writing style, or illustrative technique—and that will lend their list a distinctive flair. They are interested in fiction and nonfiction books for children of all ages, as well as board books, decks, activity kits, and other unusual or novelty formats.
• Cicada Books is seeking activity, picture books, and nonfiction that is a little out of the ordinary and very beautiful.
• Clavis Publishing is accepting board books and picture books. They ask that submissions be limited to one book.
• Creston Books  is a publisher of children’s books. They specialize in picture books, but also publish novels.
• Flashlight Press is seeking picture books under 1,000 words that deal with family or social situations.
• Flowerpot Press is seeking STEAM-related titles for children 12 and under.
• Holiday House is a publisher of children’s books only. They specialize in quality hardcovers, from picture books to young adult, both fiction and nonfiction.
• Jessica Kingsley Publishers is seeking books that tackle complex or sensitive issues, like bereavement, anger, and depression, making them accessible for young readers.
• KidsCan Press is seeking nonrhyming picture books for ages 3–8, nonfiction for ages 5–14, early fiction for ages 6–9, and graphic novels (fiction and nonfiction) for all ages. Authors must be 18 to submit. Preference is given to Canadian authors.
• Levine Querido is focused on publishing the writing and artwork of authors and creators from underrepresented backgrounds, including people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, Latinx creators, indigenous artists and writers, creators with disabilities, members of minority religions, and more.
• Magination Press is seeking books related to social-emotional learning, mental health and wellness, and psychological topics for children and teens. Potential authors should be able to display an expertise in a mental health profession.
• Marble Press publishes juvenile, literary, and commercial fiction books, picture books, early-middle-grade books, (early readers), middle grade novels and graphic novels. They are interested in narrative nonfiction and books that challenge traditional forms.
• Owlkids Books is seeking picture books of under 900 words for ages 3–8, nonfiction for ages 5–14, early fiction for ages 6–9, and graphic novels for all ages.
• Phaidon Children’s Books is a publisher of books for children ages 0-14. They specialize in board books and picture books.
• Quirk Books is looking for high-concept stories for the young and young at heart.
• Second Story Press is a Canadian feminist press seeking picture books, but not rhyming books or books with anthropomorphized animals. Second Story Press is only seeking Canadian authors.
• Shadow Mountain Publishing is open to submissions four times a year. They are seeking middle grade, YA, and adult fiction and nonfiction.
• Sleeping Bear Press specializes in picture books and middle-grade novels in both fiction and non-fiction.
• TCK Publishing specializes in books for middle-schoolers, teens, and adults. They are actively seeking middle grade-grade fiction and YA that features sweeping themes that kids and young adults can relate to. Their ideal book is one that entertain and enchant not just kids, but also adults looking for an escape. All submissions must be at least 40,000 words.
• Tilbury House is accepting nonfiction picture books for ages 2–12, as well as nonfiction chapter books and graphic novels for ages 8–12 and nonfiction YA for ages 12+. Picture books should be between 500 and 800 words, and all books should be curriculum related.
• Tundra Books is seeking picture books, middle grade, and Y books Creators must be from underrepresented communities, including identifying as Black, Indigenous, a person of color, or LGBTSQI2S+. Authors who have a disability or have ever had refugee status are also invited to submit books. Note: Tundra does not accept rhyming picture books.
• Yehoo Press is seeking fun, enchanting, socially responsible picture books, which they publish in both English and simplified Chinese.