Our Submission Mailbox: Most Common Mistakes to Avoid

We receive hundreds of submissions each month, and while we are always excited to discover new voices, many submissions are unsuitable due to common mistakes. To increase your chances of getting noticed, please make sure you avoid the following:

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1. Not Following Our Submission Guidelines

One of the most common reasons submissions don’t make it past the first review is that the sender didn’t read our submission guidelines on our website. Please take the time to review them carefully before submitting. Here are a few things we look for:

• Are you from an underrepresented background?

• Is the subject matter of your book traditionally underrepresented in children’s literature?

• Is your book meant to be read to or by children?

• Is the main character a human child?

• If you are submitting a manuscript for middle grade, did you include a chapter-by-chapter synopsis? 

If you answered "yes" to all of these questions, then you’ve already caught our attention!

2. Missing Practical Information

Be sure to include the following essential details in your email:

• Target age range for your manuscript

• Word count

• A brief synopsis of your book

This information helps us understand the context of your submission right away.

3. Don’t Forget to Tell Us About Yourself

We want to know who you are! Tell us what motivated you to write your book and a little bit about your background. This helps us understand your passion for the project and your personal connection to the story.

4. Be Succinct

We receive hundreds of submissions every month, so time is limited. Keep your email short and straight to the point. The more concise and clear you are, the better your chances of grabbing our attention.

5. No CVs, Please

We’re not hiring you for a job, so there’s no need to share your CV. However, if you're active on social media, feel free to include your handles. Social media presence is important for book promotion, and we'd love to see how you engage with your audience.

6. Set Realistic Expectations for Feedback

Because we receive a high volume of submissions, it can take up to three months to assess a manuscript. Keep in mind that reviewing longer works of fiction takes time, and our team carefully evaluates every submission ourselves.

7. Dealing with Rejection

Rejection doesn’t always mean your writing or plot isn’t strong. It may simply be because your manuscript closely resembles something we’ve already published or it doesn’t fit our current list. Try not to take it personally, as it’s part of the process. We are always looking for books that fit our mission, and sometimes that just means the timing isn’t right.

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In Conclusion:

By following our submission guidelines, providing the necessary information, and keeping your pitch clear and concise, you’ll greatly improve your chances of standing out. We’re excited to hear from you and can’t wait to see your work!