As an unpublished author, it’s difficult to find someone who will even read your manuscript. The picture book publishing industry is tight, with too many authors and few publishers willing to risk an unknown writer.
So I have compiled a reasonably extensive list of Australian publishers and their status with respect to accepting unsolicited children’s picture book manuscripts.
Because I’m mostly interested in fiction and educational publishers, I did not fully research some of the publishers who did not meet my specifications. Additionally, quite a few of the publishers on this list are open to children’s books, but not picture book submissions, so I may not always have closely read the fine print on submission pages for publishers who I was not a good fit for, so as always, do your research. I’ve also included the date I last viewed their websites so you can assess how current this information may be.
Legend:
XX = not accepting unsolicited manuscripts
X* = not accepting at this time
XA = accepting only agented manuscripts
X=> = not accepting, but there are other options
XI = only accepting illustrator portfolios.
?? = more research needed
=> = refer to parent publisher’s submission information
SP = Self Publishing/Assisted Publishing
| Publisher | Unsolicited submissions | Notes and Submission guidelines | Last accessed |
| ABC books (Harper Collins) | => | Only accepts submissions via a Literary Agent. See: Harper Collins |
Jan ’23 |
| Affirm Press | X* | CLOSED until 2025 | Jan ’23 |
| Allen and Unwin | X* | Friday pitch from 3 Feb ’23.
Indigenous PBs only, and general Children’s books. |
Jan ’23 |
| Balboa Press (Hay House)
Self publishing arm of Hay House. |
SP | Not certain that they specialise in PBs
https://www.balboapress.com/en-au/ |
Jan ’23 |
| Berbay Books | X* | Not accepting picture books.
No current submission information. https://www.berbaybooks.com |
Jan ’23 |
| Big Sky | YES* | Accepts children’s book submissions, but may not accept PBs. | Jan ’23 |
| Black Dog Books (Walker Books) | => | See: Walker Books | Jan ’23 |
| Blake Publishing/Education | X* | No submission information.
https://blake.com.au |
Jan ’23 |
| Boolarong Press
Australiana, non fiction |
YES | https://boolarongpress.com.au/writers/ | Jan ’23 |
| Brio Books | XX | CLOSED | Jan ’23 |
| Brolly Books | XI | Only accepting illustrator submission | Jan ’23 |
| Celapene Press
children’s fiction including chapter books and junior novels |
X* | Not accepting PBs.
Submissions currently closed. http://www.celapenepress.com.au/publishing.html |
Jan ’23 |
| Christmas Press Picture Books | X* | CLOSED for submissions for the foreseeable future. | Jan ’23 |
| Coroneos Publishing
Educational |
?? | No submission info | Jan ’23 |
| Cottage Door Press | XI | Illustrators only | Jan ’23 |
| DoctorZed Publishing
Heartfelt, purpose-driven, with heart and soul, inspiring stories, that opitimise Goodness, Truth, and Beauty and the triumph of good over evil. |
YES | Submissions >> | July ’23 |
| Eagle Books | X* | Not PB or illustrations
Not currently accepting submissions. |
Jan ’23 |
| EK Books | YES* | Submissions open March 1, 2023 submissions >> |
Jan ’23 |
| Era Publications
Educational books with a literacy focus for junior primary school children K-9 |
YES* | No longer publish Trade picture books. | Jan ’23 |
| Five Senses Education | => | See: Coroneos | Jan ’23 |
| Ford Street Publishing
Provide children and young adults with literary works that explore the significant social issues of our time with intelligence and ingenuity. |
YES | submissions >> | Jan ’23 |
| Freemantle Press | YES* | WA authors only from 1 July 2023
https://fremantlepress.com.au/submissions/ |
Jan ’23 |
| Gecko Press | XA | previously published, or recommended by an agent, manuscript assessor or book industry contact | Jan ’23 |
| Hachette Children’s
(includes Lothian Children’s Books, Hodder Children’s Books, Orchard Books, Orion Children’s Books, Little, Brown Children’s Books, Franklin Watts and Wayland) |
YES | submissions >> | Jan ’23 |
| Hardie Grant Egmont
+ Little Hare Books Fresh, exciting and well-written stories that kids and teenagers will love to read.
|
XI | Illustrators only | Jan ’23 |
| HarperCollins
(Via HQ Books) |
X* | not currently accepting children’s fiction.
Possible access to mentorship via CBCA Aspiring Writers Mentorship Program |
Jan ’23 |
| Hinkler | XX | No submission information | Jan ’23 |
| Hay House | XA | Agented submissions only
https://www.hayhouse.com.au/guides |
Jan ’23 |
| IAD Press
Indigenous |
?? | No submission information | Jan ’23 |
| IP Kidz | YES | All submission subject to initial reading fee of AU$90 / US$65!!! | Jan ’23 |
| Lake Press | X* | Not currently accepting submissions. | Jan ’23 |
| Larrikin House
Fun, quirky and original stories with a tinge of “cheeky”. |
YES* | 1 March & 1 September 6AM-6PM | Jan ’23 |
| Little Pink Dog Books | X* | CLOSED. Check back mid 2023. | Jan ’23 |
| Little Press | X* | By invitation only via Twitter Pitch #PBPitch | Jan ’23 |
| Little Steps Publishing | SP | Partner publishing (author shares costs of books)
https://www.littlesteps.com.au/submissions |
Jan ’23 |
| Lothian (Hachette) | ?? | Not certain? Probably the same as Hachette | Jan ’23 |
| Macmillan Educational | => | See: Pan Macmillan | Jan ’23 |
| Magabala Books | YES* | Indigenous only
https://www.magabala.com/pages/publishing |
Jan ’23 |
| Midnight Sun | X* | Not Currently Accepting | Feb ’23 |
| Morris Publishing Australia
*Assisted publishing |
YES* | Previously not accepting submissions, but now offering “assisted” options (ie. author shares costs of books) | Jan ’23 |
| New Frontier
Books for primary school age children to educate and uplift and that they will want to read again and again |
YES | submissions >> | Jan ’23 |
| New Holland Publishers
primarily non fiction |
YES | submissions >> | Jan ’23 |
| Nosy Crow | X* | Not accepting unsolicited MS at this time | Jan ’23 |
| Omnibus (Scholastic) | => | See: Scholastic | Jan ’23 |
| One Day Hill
Australiana |
?? | No submission details. | Jan ’23 |
| Oxford University Press
Academic and Educational |
X* | I don’t think they accept PB submissions.
Book Proposal required |
Jan ’23 |
| Pan Macmillan
Junior and middle grade fiction, young adult/crossover fiction |
X* | Not accepting PB submissions. | Jan ’23 |
| Pantera Press | X* | Not accepting picture or illustrated books at this time | Jan ’23 |
| Pascal Press
Educational books, teacher resources, and guides. |
XQ | Educational | Jan ’23 |
| Pearson | XX | No longer accepts unsolicited MSsubmissions >> |
Jan ’23 |
| Penguin Books Australia (includes Random House) | YES | Dates are unclear. Previously 1 Aug-1 Nov ’22.
Check back mid year for updates. |
Jan ’23 |
| Pademelon Press
Primarily aimed at professionals who work with children in early childhood care and education settings. |
XQ | Query proposal | Jan ’23 |
| Random House (Penguin) | => | See :Penguin Books | Jan ’23 |
| Redback
|
YES* | *Currently only considering picture book manuscripts that are submitted with accompanying illustrations. | Jan ’23 |
| Red Paper Kite
Quirky stories with a fresh vibe to inspire wonder, foster creativity, and encourage children to read for pleasure. |
YES | 23-27th Jan ’23 | Jan ’23 |
| Scholastic (includes Scholastic Press, Scholastic Australia, Omnibus Books and Koala Books) | X* | Closed.
https://scholastic.com.au/about-scholastic/submissions/ |
Jan ’23 |
| School Magazine
Specifically looking for very short stories, plays, nonfiction, and material for younger readers (7-9 and 9-10 years). |
YES | Illustrator’s books closed.
Writing submissions open year round |
Jan ’23 |
| Scribble (Scribe).
Playful, vibrant, eclectic stories with new and empowering modes of thinking, which give children new tools to make sense of the world. |
YES* | first day of every month | Jan ’23 |
| Simon & Schuster Australia | XX | Does not review unsolicited materials or artwork. Submission via agent suggested.
https://www.simonandschuster.biz/c/biz-manuscript-submission |
Jan ’23 |
| Starfish | X* | Closed until 6th of January 2025 | Jan ’23 |
| Text Publishing | YES* | Children’s & YA. Not accepting PB.
Prize for YA and children’s writing Closes: 20 February 2023 |
Jan ’23 |
| The Five Mile Press
Bright, fun, quality books with humour and heart, with a running theme of big emotions, big ideas, and creative problem solving. |
YES* | last Friday of every month
https://fivemile.com.au/pages/submissions |
Jan ’23 |
| University of Queensland Press (UQP) | X* | Not accepting children’s manuscripts
https://www.uqp.com.au/pages/submissions |
Jan ’23 |
| Ventura Press
(Formerly Jane Curry Publishing ) |
X* | CLOSED
https://www.venturapress.com.au/submissions |
Jan ’23 |
| Wakefield Press | YES* | Currently not accepting children’s picture books submissions >> |
Jan ’23 |
| Walker Books | X* | Not currently accepting submissions | Jan ’23 |
| Wide Eyed Press
Celebrating Australia’s natural environment.
|
YES | https://wildeyedpress.com.au/pages/contact | Jan ’23 |
| Wilkins Farago
Funny, surprising books with quirky characters, that stimulate a children’s heart and mind and explore different perspectives and elicit emotion. |
X* | https://wilkinsfarago.com.au/contact-us/ | Jan ’23 |
| Windy Hollow Books | X* | Not accepting at this time. https://www.windyhollowbooks.com.au/pages/information |
Jan ’23 |
| Wombat Books
Wholesome, inclusive books with an underlying Christian tone. |
YES | Picture books: (Non-Fiction only) Dec ’22 Early readers: Dec ’22 Middle fiction: Feb ’23 Picture Books (General Fiction) Apr ’23 Early reader fiction: June ’23submissions >> |
Jan ’23 |
| Working Title Press | X* | No website
=> Harper Collins |
Jan ’23 |
| Yellow Brick Books | X* | Not accepting at this time.
Do not accept submissions for picture book manuscripts. |
Jan ’23 |