A Silver Lining

I reported earlier that Stories for Children is closing down its online magazine - such sad news. BUT they are putting out one final Back to School issue, which includes my poem House Parade. I received the contributor's copy of the magazine today and it looks great. The issue will be available online shortly - so keep an eye out:

http://storiesforchildren.tripod.com/in-this-issue.html

Free Online Course in Verse

Audrey Owen, editor at Writer's Helper, offers free writing courses from her site. Learn how to write correctly, and powerfully. Classes include verse for children. 

http://www.writershelper.com/write-verse.html

The Bewitching Castle

The 4th Annual Spooktacular Rhyming contest will be taking place at The Storyteller's Scroll from October 1st to the 14th. Submissions must be a maximum of 250 words, written in rhyme, and centered on a witch or an enchanted castle.  Good luck little goblins!

http://www.thestorytellersscroll.blogspot.com

Velo Press

VeloPress is the leading endurance sports book publisher. Drawing from the expertise of the top experts in endurance sports, VeloPress books help cyclists, triathletes, and runners develop the fitness, skills, and knowledge to meet any challenge. VeloPress celebrates the icons, athletes, and personalities of endurance sports through historical, biographical, and photography books. VeloPress has published a few children's books.

http://velopress.com/about

Picture Book Database

Every now an then I have an original, fabulous book idea, and I get really excited. That is, until I do my homework and discover that fifteen other people have had the same original, fabulous idea. Very annoying BUT a problem best discovered before submission. The Children's Picture Book Database at Miami University is one of my research resources. It offers:

• abstracts of over 5000 children's picture books;
• search capabilities for over 950 keywords, including topics, concepts, and skills which describe each book;
• weblinks for keywords so you can integrate your up-to-date content knowledge with our picture book resources

http://www.lib.muohio.edu/pictbks

Immedium

Immedium publishes innovative, influential, and insightful books and collaborates with creators who have the same goals. Immedium values fresh ideas, dynamic perspectives, and can-do creativity and transforms them into media that have vibrant markets and international potential. We serve audiences who appreciate originality, skill, and a compelling message. 

http://www.immedium.com/contactus/submissions.html

New in Spring 2013

Here's a sneak peek of who is publishing what in the children's market. Thank you Publishers Weekly.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/53024-spring-2013-sneak-previews.html

Story Pie Press

This publisher's current needs include health related/special interest picture books. Authors, please submit queries to editor@storypiepress.com. If we are interested in reviewing your manuscript, you will be asked to send it in full electronically. For more, visit:

http://03636ce.netsolhost.com/wordpress1

Sky Pony Press

According to their submissions guidelines: 

We will consider picture books, early readers, midgrade novels, novelties, and informational books for all ages. Although we are not searching for YA fiction in particular, we would consider projects that tied in with the subject areas in which we are publishing. We are mainly publishing single titles but are open to series ideas. Our parent company publishes many excellent books in the fields of ecology, independent living, farm living, wilderness living, recycling, and other green topics, and this will be a theme in our children's book line. We are also searching for books that have strong educational themes and that help inform children of the world in which they live. We are also interested in books with special needs themes, such as autism, ADHD, food allergies, and so forth. Website: http://www.skyponypress.com

Pockets

Here is a link to submission guidelines for another religious (but less overtly so) publication, Pockets magazine. Pockets is inter-denominational, and their readers include children of many cultures and ethnic backgrounds. 

http://pockets.upperroom.org/write-for-us/writers-guidelines

My Light

My Light is a Catholic Magazine dedicated to helping children understand their faith. They are actively seeking submissions for November and December. 

http://mylightmagazine.com

Crossway

Have a great idea for a book? Will the book be thoroughly evangelical Christian in its perspective? If so, Crossway wants to hear from you. Send an e-mail query and, if your idea fits within their acquisitions guidelines, they will invite a proposal. Please do not send a proposal or manuscript without first sending an e-mail query.

http://www.crossway.org/contact/submissions

Star Bright Books

This company welcomes submissions for picture books and longer works, both fiction and non-fiction.  Please note that they are particularly interested in books that satisfy their goal of publishing books that are entertaining, meaningful and sensitive to the needs of all children. 

http://www.starbrightbooks.org

Where were you?!

 

Well, I was at Sea World and Aquatica with my eldest daughter. She loved it. I loved that they had potties every ten feet. And, at the end of the week, I completed my first ever  triathlon. Lest you think I am actually some sort of athlete, you should know that several other competitors were wearing costumes, and some people were drinking beer. It was THAT kind of triathlon. 

But I'm back now - so check in for more small press publishers! (and, you know, struggling writer stuff...)

Storey Publishing

The mission of Storey Publishing is to publish practical information that encourages personal independence in harmony with the environment. We seek to do this in a positive atmosphere that promotes editorial quality, team spirit, and profitability. They describe their children's books as follows: 

For kids who are crazy for horses, wild about nature, or in love with animals, we’ve got books to feed their frenzy. Curious kids who are seeking to know more and do more love our puzzles and games books, pull-out poster books, nature exploration guides, and how-to books on riding and caring for horses. 

http://www.storey.com/about/proposals.php

Character Publishing

I rarely submit manuscripts because I'm too busy torturing myself over every syllable BUT I did send off my most polished picture book to Character Publishing. I like their approach towards children's books, and I love their interest in "quirky" stuff.

If you are interested in submitting to them, take a moment to become familiar with their mission. The focus of this company is to allow parents and children to selectively enhance certain character traits in a particular child.

http://characterpublishing.org/submission/index.html

Lights, Camera, Action... Publishing

Action Publishing is a west coast independent publisher of quality children's picture books, juvenile and young adult fiction and non-fiction for all ages.

http://actionpublishing.com/submission_guidelines_for_writers.html

Special Needs Publisher

Their requirements? Specific. Their acceptance rates? Super low. BUT Woodbine House makes special books for special people, and that's pretty awesome.

Their website says it better: Woodbine House is a publisher specializing in books about children with special needs. Our titles within the Special-Needs Collection cover AD/HD, autism, celiac disease, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, spina bifida, early intervention, inclusion, special education, communication skills, and more.

http://www.woodbinehouse.com/submission_guide.asp#anchor29959

Panera Bread Company

Ah, the smell of baking bread, and diet soda on tap. Perfect. I'm tucked up here at my local Panera, trying to generate a genius picture book. (Hey, I can't spend all day researching small publishers). The only distraction is the group of little old ladies in the "Reserved" room. I think they are writers too - lots of papers and pencils and laptops in there. Plus a couple of walkers. I've decided that they are writing dirty romance novels.

The Purple Crayon

There are many wonderful writer's blogs out there, and Harold's The Purple Crayon has to be at the top of the list. Favorite pages include Who's Moving Where and Specific Topics, both of which are chock full of goodies.

http://www.underdown.org

All Around the World

This publisher's directory includes foriegn companies, and can be searched by category.
Very cool.

http://www.publishersglobal.com

Interesting...

Azro Press is primarily interested in picture books and illustrated easy reader books for young children. At the moment, we are focusing on books written and illustrated by residents of the Southwest. These books are not necessarily about the Southwest, but it helps. We only accept manuscripts that have already been illustrated (this last bit intrigues me... never seen that before!)

 

http://www.azropress.com/submissions.html

Rowman & Littlefield, Taylor Trade

The Taylor Trade Publishing program includes children's titles. While many of their titles are of general interest, Taylor books also have a strong regional presence from the Mississippi west to California, and from Texas north to the Canada border.

https://rowman.com/Page/RLAuthRes
https://rowman.com/page/GTTAuthRes

101 Independent Book Publishers

The Top 101 Independent Book Publishers:

http://www.bookmarket.com/101publishers.htm

This page features the sites of the best independent book publishers in the United States as selected by John Kremer, author of 1001 Ways to Market Your Books. Here are the criteria used in making this list:
(1) No non-profit book publishers
(2) The book publisher must publish books with great cover designs and interior text designs
(3) The book publisher must publish books with good content and editorial selection
(4) The book publisher must carry out great marketing programs
(5) They must have at least ten books in print.
(6) They must have at least one title that has sold 25,000+ copies

Each listed publisher has a click-able link, contact information, and brief synopisis of what they print.

Related links:
Independent Book Publishers Hall of Fame
Independent Publishers Bestsellers List

Independent Book Publishers Association

Today Is the Last Day!

September 1st (that's today, I checked) is the deadline for emailing submissions to Guardian Angel Publishing. Their guidelines can be found here: http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/submissions.htm#guidelines