Editorial Guidelines for Writers

For all submissions:

PLEASE NOTE OUR UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONS POLICY CHANGE. We are now responding only to submissions of interest. Do not enclose a SASE.

Please send to the attention of Submission Editor.
Enclose a brief cover letter.
Be sure to include contact information on your cover letter and on the first page of your manuscript: address, phone number, and email address.
We permit simultaneous submissions. If you are sending your manuscript elsewhere, please let us know in your cover letter.
Please do not use email or fax to send your work to us.

Picture books (fiction and nonfiction):

Story text need only be presented in a typed and double-spaced manuscript. Given this format, most picture book manuscripts should be less than eight pages.

Other formats—such as storyboards, dummy books, layout suggestions, and illustration ideas—are unnecessary. Please do not include them unless you are a professional artist.

Illustrations are not needed. When we publish a manuscript, we prefer to choose an artist whose style we feel best complements the story.

Novels and longer nonfiction:

You may send the manuscript in its entirety OR a query letter with synopsis and sample chapters.

At this time, we are not seeking manuscripts or writers for the Boxcar Children® Mysteries series.

Responses:

After November 1st, 2010, we will respond only to submissions of interest. We read every submission within four months of receipt, but we can no longer respond to every one. If you do not receive a response from us after four months, we have declined to publish your submission.

After November 1st, 2010, please do not enclose an SASE. We will not be returning materials received after that date.

For notification of the safe arrival of your manuscript, please use the certified mail or return-receipt services offered by the post office. We cannot ensure the reliability of postcard enclosures or other kinds of confirmation methods.

Important Tips

Please note: Kathleen Tucker retired as Editor-in-Chief in May 2010, but we’ve continued to read submissions that are addressed to her. There is no need to re-send your work.
We will not read any unsolicited manuscripts, queries, or proposals sent via email.
We cannot be held responsible for the loss or damage of materials, so please do not send anything that is irreplaceable or expensive.
Some other common concerns about the submission process are addressed in our Frequently Asked Questions.