Last reviewed by Robert Prime, 9 November 2026. Each policy was read on the publisher’s own page that day. Policies change, so check before you send anything.
Quick Answer: Most large UK children’s publishers only take books through a literary agent. Among the 13 publishers we checked, Graffeg, Lantana and Wacky Bee said they accept submissions from authors directly, Lantana for under-represented groups. Chicken House runs a competition for unagented novelists.
UK children’s publishers and their submission policies
| Publisher | Status | Policy on 9 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Graffeg | Open | “Submissions for children’s books up to young adult reads are particularly welcome.” Up to three titles a month. If you haven’t heard in 12 weeks, assume it’s a no. |
| Lantana | Open to under-represented authors and illustrators | It replies within 12 weeks for picture books or 24 for chapter books, if interested. |
| Wacky Bee | Open | Ages 3 to 12. It prefers authors to use its sister company’s paid manuscript appraisal first, but says it is “also open to unsolicited submissions”. |
| Chicken House | Competition | For unpublished, unagented novelists aged 18 or over, writing for ages 7 to 18. The last round closed 1 June 2026, with a £25 fee and a £10,000 advance for the winners. |
| Firefly Press | Closed for now | “We are not currently accepting fiction submissions.” It announces occasional windows on social media. |
| Hachette Children’s | Agents only | Apart from occasional open-submission windows, which it announces on social media. |
| Bloomsbury Children’s | Agents only | Its page says “you must have a literary agent”. |
| Walker Books | Agents only | “Submissions accepted via literary & illustration agents only.” |
| Usborne | Agents only, fiction list | Staff writers write most of its other books, including picture books. |
| Scholastic | Closed to unsolicited text | It will look at illustration samples by email. |
| Nosy Crow | Closed | Emailed submissions “will be deleted without being read”. |
| Little Tiger | Closed | “Unfortunately, we are currently unable to accept unsolicited submissions.” |
| Andersen Press | Closed | “Unfortunately, we are currently unable to accept any unsolicited manuscripts or book proposals.” |
Do you need an illustrator before you submit?
Check first, because publishers differ. Lantana says: “We do NOT require authors to provide illustrations or source their own illustrator if they are submitting a picture book manuscript.” If you are self-publishing, finding the illustrator is your job, and our guide to children’s book illustrators explains how.
How to submit a children’s book
- Read what the publisher has published recently. Lantana says most of its rejections happen because “the author has not read our mission statement”.
- Check the length. Lantana wants board books “under 100 words” and gives 30,000 to 40,000 words as an example for middle grade. It won’t read an 85,000-word manuscript for a list like that.
- Send only what’s asked for, in the format asked for.
- Say who you are. Lantana says a manuscript sent alone “tells us nothing about who you are or why you are the right person to tell this story”.
- Be patient, and expect silence. Graffeg and Lantana both say they can’t reply to everyone.
Watch out for fake offers
Usborne warns that people are impersonating its staff. Walker says it “will not ask for payment of a fee to review a manuscript or to enter into a publishing agreement”. If a firm contacts you unprompted and asks for money, check it against our vanity publishing warning signs.
If the publishers are closed
You have two other routes. The first is an agent: see how to get a literary agent in the UK. The second is to publish it yourself. Picture books have their own technical demands, which our guide to picture book formatting for KDP covers. If you want that part done for you, see our picture book formatting service.
Sources, read 9 November 2026: each publisher’s page linked in the table. Lantana’s quotes on rejection and length come from its submissions advice post.
Frequently asked questions
Which UK children's publishers accept unsolicited manuscripts?
On 9 November 2026, Graffeg and Wacky Bee said they did, and Lantana did for authors from under-represented groups.
Should I pay to be published?
A traditional publisher pays you. If a company asks you for money, it is selling you a service, so read the contract as a customer.
Can I send the same book to several publishers?
Check each publisher’s guidelines first.
