For Aspiring Authors
Our Curated Recommendations
Although we don't have the capacity to accept new commissions with so many upcoming projects in our pipeline, we do still want to help aspiring authors jumpstart their research! Whether you plan to self-publish or go through a traditional publishing house, here's a list of references that might be helpful to you as you work to complete your book. We wish you success on your journey!
Illustrators and Agencies:
Black Illustrator Lists
https://www.readbrightly.com/picture-books-from-black-illustrators/
https://www.harpercollins.com/blogs/harperkids/black-childrens-book-illustrators
https://www.mothermag.com/black-childrens-illustrators/
Additional Black Illustrators:
Many illustrators are represented by agencies:
We also recommend checking freelance illustrators on:
Diverse Traditional Book Publishers:
JUST US BOOKS
Submit a manuscript to: https://justusbooks.com/pages/resource-center/submission-guidelines.html
In 30 years of operation, Just Us Books has become more than a children's book publishing company; it's an institution and remains one of the nation's few Black-owned publishers. It continues its mission grounded in the same belief that helped launch the company three decades ago: Good books make a difference.
DENENE MILLNER BOOKS
Imprint of Simon and Schuster Publishing
https://simonandschusterpublishing.com/denenemillnerbooks/
Submit a manuscript to: https://www.simonandschuster.biz/c/biz-manuscript-submissions
Denene Millner Books is a love letter to children of color who deserve to see their beauty and humanity in the most remarkable form of entertainment on the planet: books.
VERSIFY by KWAME ALEXANDER
Imprint of HarperCollins
https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/versify
Submit a manuscript to: https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/worldwide-submit-a-manuscript
Welcome to a growing, award-winning imprint full of innovative creators with fresh and varied voices. VERSIFY reflects that accessible and powerful prose and poetry—in picture books, novels, and nonfiction—can celebrate the lives and reflect the possibilities of all children. Seeking new authors and artists as well as established writers and illustrators, VERSIFY publishes books that explore the beauty, hurdles, and hopefulness of life... books that will engage, entertain, and empower young people to imagine and create a better world.
Traditional Religious Book Publisher:
THOMAS NELSON
Subsidiary of HarperCollins
Submit a manuscript to: https://www.thomasnelson.com/about-us/manuscript-submission/
Thomas Nelson is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian content. The company was acquired by HarperCollins in 2012 to be one of the two major publishing houses that form HarperCollins Christian Publishing. The company is now based in Nashville, TN.
Here is a complete list of children’s book publishers:
Self-Publishing Options:
https://www.ingramspark.com/how-to-self-publish-a-book
https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/bookshelf
https://www.lulu.com/publishing-toolkit
https://www.bookbaby.com/book-printing/complete-self-publishing-package
https://www.instantpublisher.com
Great Information on the Process of Publishing a Children’s Book:
https://www.instagram.com/marshmallowtreepress/
Crowdfunding Resources:
Crowdfunding 101 by Kifani Press (download pdf slideshow)