Wednesday, April 9, 2014

10 UK Children's Book Publishers Accepting Manuscripts Directly from Writers

Updated 12/30/22

Some publishers in the UK still accept children's books directly from writers. Most of these are small, specialty publishers, but some are big names in the industry.

As always, make sure you examine their lists to see if your work would be a good fit, and read all of their submission requirements carefully.

Note: Some of these publishers have submission windows, during which they accept unsolicited manuscripts. 

Related posts: 

Top 5 Resources for Children's Book Writers

22 US Children's Book Publishers Accepting Manuscripts Directly From Writers 

14 Young Adult Publishers Accepting Manuscripts - No agent required

Note: You can find a full list of over 450 publishers accepting manuscripts (broken down by genre) here:

Publishers Accepting Unagented Manuscripts

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Candy Jar

Established in 2010 by Shaun Russell and Justin Chaloner, Candy Jar Books publishes both children's and adult titles. Marston Book Services Ltd, one of the leading independent distributors in the UK, is responsible for distributing their titles.

Submissions: They accept non-fiction ideas with a strong market appeal as well as some fiction. Click here for details.





Floris Books  

Floris Books is an independent publishing company based in Edinburgh, Scotland. They publish books in two main areas: non-fiction for adults, and books for children. Within their non-fiction list, they focus on books that cover all aspects of holistic and alternative living.

Submissions: Scottish themed books only for ages 2-15. Printed submissions by regular post only (no emails). Click here for details.


Frances Lincoln

Frances Lincoln is part of Quarto’s UK publishing unit, the Aurum Publishing Group. It publishes over 100 new books a year for both adults and children. Frances Lincoln Children’s Books publishes picture books, multicultural books, picture books and information books. 

Submissions: Click here for submission details.



Hogs Back Books 

Hogs Back is a small publishing house with a short list. They publish picture books and YA novels.

Submissions: For children’s books aged 0-10 years, send a complete manuscript along with a cover letter or email. For young adult novels, include a synopsis and the first three chapters of your manuscript. Click here for details.




Maverick

Maverick Arts is a picture book publisher in both print and Nook formats. They accept poetry or prose. Preferred style: "quirky." (Their website is suitably whimsical.)

Submissions: Junior and middle grade books will open in January. Click here for details.



Mogzilla

Mogzilla and Caboodle books are two independent publishing companies that share a commitment to creating brilliant books for young readers. They've created a new imprint, Mogboodle, for authors and poets.

Submissions: No submissions for the under 6 age group. Email them at info@mogzilla.co.uk and provide details of your proposal and they will send you the submissions address. Click here for details.


Nosy Crow

Nosy Crow is a small, independent company established in 2011. They publish commercial fiction and non-fiction books for children aged from 0 to 14 by well-known authors and illustrators and by new talent. "We’re looking for “parent-friendly books”, and we don’t publish books with explicit sex, drug use or serious violence, so no edgy YA or edgy cross-over. And whatever New Adult is, we don’t do it."  

Submissions: They prefer email submissions, though regular postal submissions are also accepted. For novelty/picture books please email the full text. For longer works, you should submit a short synopsis plus the first chapter (double-spaced). You should also send a cover letter containing all relevant information about you and your work. Temporarily closed to submissions. Visit site for next open submission period. They are currently open to writers and illustrators of color only. Click here for details.




O'brien Press Ltd. 

O'brien Press is an Irish press publishing children's fiction, children's non-fiction and adult non-fiction. They do not publish poetry, academic works or adult fiction.

Submissions: For works of 1000 words or less, submit your entire manuscript. For anything over 1000 words, send a synopsis and 2 or 3 sample chapters. Regular post only. (No email submissions) They prefer local authors. Click here for details. Opens to submissions in the spring.



Robinswood 

Robinswood books are aimed at increasing literacy, especially for those who 'don't do books' (e.g. people with learning disabilities).

Submissions: At present only titles with a purely educational content, especially meeting a specific difficulty teachers face in their tasks, are being considered. Click here for details.



Walker

Walker is a large company, publishing over 300 books a year in the UK alone. Its sister companies are Walker Australia and Candlewick in the USA. They have a wide-ranging list, but they do not accept submissions in every category.

Submissions: Walker accepts illustrated picture-book stories and/or artwork samples via post or email. They do not accept fiction manuscript submissions. Click here for details.








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