To ask where I can send a manuscript for a children’s book?

[Summertimehere123]

Have phoned a couple of publishers, but they don’t accept manuscripts. Does anyone know any who do? Or does anyone know of a good online publisher (have read some bad reviews of online publishers) Thanks..

The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook is your friend - there's a Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook too, but either would give a list of contacts.

It's not a market I know but generally publishers only accept manuscripts via literary agents - however there are some online publishers who accept direct submissions and a few smaller independent traditional publishers.

This website includes a list of UK and US literary agents (you don't have to sign up to view it) so you could check the agents' websites to see who is looking for children's manuscripts and which writers are already on their lists, to give an idea of what they like.

jerichowriters.com

Best of luck - it's a tough market.

Pellets... thanks! Also, is it straightforward to join an agent?

*Pelleas

It depends what you mean by straightforward! The process is simple enough - you send them your work and they let you know if they want to represent you. The agents will say on their websites how they need your work to be formatted and whether they want to see a full or partial manuscript, synopsis etc. You'll need a covering email in which you pitch your work (look online for tips on how to do this effectively) and then, usually, you wait ... and wait ... and wait ...

There are cases of agents loving books and snapping them up within a day or so, but those are quite rare. It's a good idea to follow your chosen agents on Twitter so you can quickly see if there's one who is looking for the type of book you've written and get it submitted ASAP.

Sadly, agents often don't respond at all if they're not interested, or you may receive a 'form rejection' - standard 'thanks but no thanks' blurb. Again, websites will say whether the agency will respond and if so what the likely turnaround is (6-8 weeks is common).

Most writers end up making multiple submissions to different agents before they receive a positive response (if they receive one at all) and it can be very disheartening so you need some determination to keep going.

Thank you again! Good information there👌

You might also find it useful to read Writing Magazine (other writing magazines are available). It has articles specifically on writing for children, as well as on writing and publishing generally. Published monthly, you can buy it in WHS, or take out a subscription (would be a good Christmas or birthday present).

You need an agent, most publishers don’t accept manuscripts directly as the agents negotiate the deals and act as the go between for both parties.

Penguin has a how to get published guide

getpublished.penguin.co.uk/

Oh, and beware of 'vanity' publishers who will offer to publish your book, but will want money from you upfront. There are legitimate companies which will help you to self publish, but you need to be very very careful before entering into any kind of agreement which involves you giving money to a publisher.

You normally need to send a query to an agent after checking their website to see if they are accepting manuscripts and what type they are looking for. I would actually recommend YouTube, it was really helpful when I was sending off my book.

@BarbedBloom did you have any success in getting an agent/ published?

Be aware that there are a lot of shysters in the publishing industry. The money flows to the author in all cases.

If anyone starts saying "We'll publish you for £500" they're not publishers, they're print-on-demand vanity presses.

Thanks for this advice everyone-very useful!