The Big List of Australian Picture Book Publishers

As an unpublished author, it’s difficult to find someone who will even read your manuscript.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

Submissions >>

Jan ’23
Allen and Unwin X* Friday pitch from 3 Feb ’23.

Indigenous PBs only, and general Children’s books.

submissions >>

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.

submissions >>

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

submissions >>

Jan ’23
Brolly Books XI Only accepting illustrator submission

Submissions >>

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.

submissions >>

Jan ’23
Coroneos Publishing

Educational

?? No submission info Jan ’23
Cottage Door Press XI Illustrators only

submissions >>

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.

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.

submissions >>

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

submissions >>

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

submissions >>

Jan ’23
HarperCollins

(Via HQ Books)

X* not currently accepting children’s  fiction.

submissions >>

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!!!

submissions >>

Jan ’23
Lake Press X* Not currently accepting submissions.

Submissions >>

Jan ’23
Larrikin House

Fun, quirky and original stories with a tinge of “cheeky”.

YES* 1 March & 1 September 6AM-6PM

Submissions >>

Jan ’23
Little Pink Dog Books X* CLOSED. Check back mid 2023.

submissions >>

Jan ’23
Little Press X* By invitation only via Twitter Pitch #PBPitch

submissions >>

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

Submissions >>

Feb ’23
Morris Publishing Australia

*Assisted publishing

YES* Previously not accepting submissions, but now offering “assisted” options (ie. author shares costs of books)

Submissions >>

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

submissions >>

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

submissions >>

Jan ’23
Pan Macmillan

Junior and middle grade fiction, young adult/crossover fiction

X* Not accepting PB submissions.

submissions >>

Jan ’23
Pantera Press X* Not accepting picture or illustrated books at this time

Submissions >>

Jan ’23
Pascal Press

Educational books, teacher resources, and guides.

XQ Educational

submissions >>

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.

submissions >>

Jan ’23
Pademelon Press

Primarily aimed at professionals who work with children in early childhood care and education settings.

XQ Query proposal

submissions >>

Jan ’23
Random House (Penguin) => See :Penguin Books Jan ’23
Redback

 

YES* *Currently only considering picture book manuscripts that are submitted with accompanying illustrations.

submissions >>

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

submissions >>

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

submissions >>

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

submissions >>

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

submissions >>

Jan ’23
Text Publishing YES* Children’s & YA. Not accepting PB.

submissions >>

Prize for YA and children’s writing Closes: 20 February 2023
$25 entry fee.

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

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.

submissions >>

Jan ’23

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