Children’s Book Submission Guidelines

We are actively acquiring single-title and single-title series Children’s Picture Books and Middle-grade fiction for our Jabberwocky imprint. We are looking for strong writers who are excited about marketing their books and building their community of readers, and whose books have something fresh to offer children and middle-grade readers.

Quick Reference

• 0-2,000 words (actual digital) for picture books
• 1,000-30,000 (actual digital) for middle-grade fiction
• single title or single title series only
• we prefer email submissions in WORD
• always include a synopsis (including the ending)
• allow 8-12 weeks for response

Complete Guidelines

Picture Books
If you  have the ability to use language and art to inspire the imagination, and:

• strong storytelling
• innovative artwork
• a dynamite theme

then we’re looking for you!

Middle-grade Fiction
Our readers want to relate to the characters and the world they live in, so if you have:

• strong and polished writing
• believable storytelling for audience
• great character development
• an exciting plot

then we're looking for you!
We consider agented submissions in all subgenres of Middle-grade fiction, including:

• friendship
• mystery
• comedy
•  historical
• fantasy

Queries should be emailed in a WORD file and should include:

• full author and agent contact info (name, address, phone number, email
  address) on every document
• brief bio of author including previous books published (including under pseudonyms), sales history (number of books sold to readers, not to publishers), awards and contest won
• title and word count of proposed book
• short (2-3 paragraph) synopsis

Submissions can be sent via mail or email WORD file (email is preferred) and should include:

• full author and agent contact info (name, address, phone number, email
  address) on every document
• author bio including previous books published (including under pseudonyms), sales history (number of books sold to readers, not to publishers), awards and contests won, list of other finished manuscripts or books in progress
• competitive analysis (list of titles that are comparative and/or competitive with yours)
• full synopsis, including actual digital word count and the ending
• a header or footer on each page that includes: book title, page number, author or agent name, phone number and email address
• minimum of 3 sample chapters (for middle-grade fiction submissions), or complete manuscript in WORD (preferred for email submissions)

Please send submissions to:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Aubrey Poole
Sourcebooks, Jabberwocky
390 Fifth Avenue, Suite 907
New York, NY 10018
Please allow 8-12 weeks for response.
If you require confirmation of receipt of a hard copy submission, please use a courier service such as Fedex or DHL or US Post Office Priority or Express mail with delivery tracking.

If you have any questions about our guidelines, please don't hesitate to email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Thank you! We look forward to reading your book!