We strongly encourage writers and illustrators to become familiar with our publications and the general trade children’s book market before submitting any material. Please review our books on our news page or at your local library or bookstore to determine whether your manuscript or artwork is appropriate for us. We will also be happy to send you a recent catalog upon request.
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers will continue to accept unsolicited hardcopy submissions, but we will respond only to submissions we are interested in publishing. While we no longer require submissions to be exclusive, we do ask that you inform us if you are simultaneously submitting it elsewhere, and certainly inform us if another publisher has expressed interest in your manuscript. If you have not heard from us after four months, you may assume that your submission does not fit the needs of our list.
For picture book submissions, please include the full manuscript. Except in the case of author-illustrators, we prefer that submissions not include artwork. For novel submissions, you may submit the full manuscript, or a query that includes a synopsis and at least three chapters of the manuscript.
Do not submit the only copy of your manuscript, and do not include an SASE; materials will not be returned under any circumstances. Be sure to include your contact information (including address, email, and phone number) on your cover letter.
Because of the volume of manuscripts we receive, we are unable to track receipt of submissions or respond to any inquiries as to the status of your manuscript. If you would like confirmation that your materials have been received, please include a self-addressed, stamped postcard with your submission. Our mailing of this postcard is not an indication of whether or not we are interested in your manuscript; it will be returned to you before your submission is evaluated, merely as proof that your submission was received.
Please understand that our reply timeline for exclusive submissions is generally 6 months. Please do not call or e-mail to inquire about the status of your manuscript. We regret that due to the volume of material we receive, we cannot comment on manuscripts we are unable to accept.
Send manuscript submissions to:
Acquisitions Editor
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
2140 Oak Industrial Dr. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
More information here.
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