What to Read to Your Kids

This website is a good reminder that we write for wonderful, little readers (and their slightly larger parents). The blogger, Melissa LaSalle, is a professional book buyer / seller turned stay-at-home mom. Her reviews are spot on, and provide insight into what does and does not work in today's children's books.

http://whattoreadtoyourkids.com

Picture Book University

How did I not know about this? This is awesome. This is amazing. This is Palm Calvert's Picture Book University. The website offers a free lessons in a mini-workshop format. It covers key topics such as genre, thinking in pictures, and style elements. You read the posts and complete the assignments at your own pace. Such a clever idea.

For more information: http://wwwpamcalvert.blogspot.com/p/picture-book-university.html

Rate Your Story

This is NOT a publisher but rather a free critique service provided by published authors. I've been very happy with their assessment of my work. They also just started offering low, low membership rates with extra perks like multiple submissions and quicker turn around times. I signed up for the Pro Membership. Anyone else?

http://rateyourstory.blogspot.com

Albert Whitman UPDATE

Heads up happy subbers - According to AW's website, they "will be temporarily closed to unsolicited and unagented submissions until the end of 2013* As of October 31, 2013, we are no longer reading unsolicited queries and manuscripts sent through the US Mail. When we resume open submissions in January 2014, we will provide an email address for queries and manuscripts. In the future, all unsolicited submissions must be sent via email." 

For more details visit: http://www.albertwhitman.com/content.cfm/editorial-guidelines-for-writers

If this news bums you out, please consider this alternative: 
http://www.russellstover.com/jump.jsp?itemType=CATEGORY&itemID=216

Milkweed

According to their website: "...(middle-grade and YA novels) between 90 and 200 pages. We’re looking for full-length fiction. We do not consider picture books or poetry collections for young readers. Please submit a query letter with three opening chapters of the novel."

The re-open to submissions in July 2013. They are a not-for-profit organization. 

http://milkweed.org/submissions

Xist Publishing

According to their website: "As the digital-first publisher for children, eBooks are our top priority. But we also know that parents love to snuggle up with their kids and flip through a picture book—so we do that too... Xist Publishing accepts submissions from authors and illustrators interested is sharing well-crafted stories with young audiences."

http://www.xistpublishing.com/wp/submissions-guidelines

Overmountain Press

According to their website: "Although we have published a few exceptions, we are now accepting regional (Southern Appalachian) titles ONLY. In reviewing a children’s manuscript for publication, we prefer to have copies of the illustrations at the same time we review the text. Very few publishers review in this way."

http://overmtn.com/seasonalsite/guides.php