Submissions

Currently we are not accepting submissions.

Jacinta and Danielle are going to endeavour to be open to receiving adult fiction and non-fiction manuscripts at some point in late-2023. Keep checking back here for details.

In the meantime and other than those we read at publishing events, we are not currently accepting unsolicited manuscripts. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for details of any events we may be attending too.

Sher Rill Ng
Illustration by Sher Rill Ng

Middle Grade and Young Adult Submissions

Danielle Binks

Closed for submissions. She will be open at some point in 2024 – be sure to check back for when that might be.

Picture-Book Writers/Illustrators

Karen Tayleur

Not currently accepting submissions for words or pictures, but that could change – always check back! In the meantime you can read this interview about my opinions on what I’ll be looking for in future; Danielle Binks talks to Karen Tayleur.

Guides

You can visit the Australian Literary Agents Association website for information and helpful industry links: ALAA

Some suggested-reading and things to consider to make sure your MG or YA manuscript is in the best possible shape!

Writing Irresistible Kidlit: The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Fiction for Young Adult and Middle Grade Readers by Mary Kole – this is such a comprehensive guide to writing KidLit, it gives you both the basics (word-count differences between MG and YA) but through interviews and extracts, also explores the expertise needed when writing for younger people. Brilliant stuff!

John Newbery Medal (often shortened to just ‘the Newbery’) is a US literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of “the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children”. While this is an American-award, it’s fair to say that the American publishing industry has led the charge on middle-grade literature, and it’s always worthwhile seeing where they’ve set the bar – since the Australian industry is increasingly swayed and inspired by our US-counterparts, especially in this realm!

#LoveOzMG & #LoveOzYA = “Love Australian Middle Grade Lit” and “Love Australian Young Adult Lit”. These are grassroots movements, and shorthand used to discuss everything Aussie MG and YA. Search for these hashtags on social-media platforms or visit the website.

And keep up-to-date on latest Australian MG publishing news via Inside A Dog, this Goodreads list and things like The Readings Children’s Book Prize – to keep up-to-date on LoveOzYA there’s the Official Website and The Readings Young Adult Book Prize.