An Imprint of Ann Arbor Media Group

Submissions

Authors:

Mitten Press does accept manuscript submissions based on the guidelines below. We review them approximately quarterly and do respond to authors in writing, although sometimes due to volume it takes a little longer.

We ask you to review our titles and consider objectively if your manuscript would be a fit for us. We do picture books for six to ten year olds and chapter books for middle-grade readers. We do NOT do preschool picture books or young adult novels. Please submit the manuscript only if it fits Mitten Press.

We prefer to receive hard copies of full manuscripts. Please do not send several manuscripts at the same time, but rather pick one that would be the most probable fit in our list.

Consider carefully if your work is of appropriate length by reading books already published. A picture book is about 1,000 words in length (not 4,000 like many received) and a chapter book would be between 15,000 and 25,000 words.

A publisher generally selects an illustrator appropriate to a manuscript and one who can develop a saleable book. Almost never would a completely illustrated book be accepted for publication.

We also ask that you include information on intended audience for the book and your thoughts on how it would be marketed. Consider what would make your book unique to a bookseller. Be sure to tell what you bring to the table as an author. How will you help sell the book?

Manuscript Guidelines:

Authors interested in submitting a manuscript can mail us at:

• Send a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply. Printed manuscripts will NOT be returned. If artwork is enclosed, it will be returned if appropriate postage is provided.
• One submission at a time, please.
• Allow three to four months for response.
• Enclose biographical, audience, and market information.
• Remember, like a resumé, your manuscript will be one of many in a pile being reviewed fairly quickly. Be sure to convey important selling points concisely!

Illustrators:

Since we carefully select a suitable illustrator for each book project, we like to keep a file of illustrator samples to review periodically. You may submit samples or information on your online portfolio to:

Samples sent will NOT be returned.

Call Toll Free 1-877-722-2264