Submission Guidelines
Determining Whether Your Work Is a Fit
If you are interested in being a Teacher Created Materials, Free Spirit, or Shell Education author, please familiarize yourself with our books at teachercreatedmaterials.com freespirit.com and teachercreatedmaterials.com/shell-education
We also recommend that you check out our books at your local library or bookstore to get a feel for our tone and style.
Commitment to Diversity
We are committed to uplifting diverse voices with books that are relevant and inclusive for the youth we serve. We are especially seeking manuscripts from authors of diverse representation; including race, ethnicity, culture, religion, social class, LGBTQ identities, ability, and physical differences.
Note: Due to the large volume of submissions we receive, we are unable to respond to individual queries that are not accompanied by a complete proposal.
Submitting a Proposal
Only proposals with the following elements will be considered for publication:
- A cover letter briefly outlining your project, the intended audience (including age ranges), and your relevant expertise
- A current résumé
- A market analysis with a comprehensive list of similar titles and a detailed explanation of how your project differs from available products
- A detailed chapter-by-chapter outline
- At least two sample chapters (if a full manuscript is available, you may send it)
Note: For picture book submissions, the entire text is required for evaluation. Bracketed art suggestions are appreciated, though illustration samples should not be sent unless professionally competent. - A description of your personal promotion plan for the proposed book (including both in-person and social media outreach)
As you prepare a proposal, it may help to keep a few of our main considerations in mind:
Need: Why is the book needed? How is it different from similar available titles?
Purpose: Who will use the book? How will they use it?
Quality: Is the project well written and researched? Is the style similar to that of our other award-winning, jargon-free, solution-focused titles?
Relevance: Is the subject matter appropriate for our list? Does it compete with or complement other available titles from Free Spirit?
While we do our best to offer timely feedback on your project, the high volume of proposals we receive dictates a reply time of up to 6 months.
Agents as well as authors who cannot access Submittable due to a disability can email acquisitions@freespirit.com or mail a proposal with all elements listed above to the following address:
Free Spirit Publishing
Attn: Acquisitions
9850 51st Ave. N, Suite 100
Minneapolis, MN 55442
Free Spirit Publishing is committed to uplifting diverse voices with books that are relevant and inclusive for the youth we serve. We are especially seeking manuscripts from authors of diverse representation; including race, ethnicity, culture, religion, social class, LGBTQ identities, ability, and physical differences.
Submission Guidelines for Children’s and Teens’ Books
If you are a returning Free Spirit author, please contact us at acquisitions@freespirit.com to receive the link to the invited submissions Submittable form.
We Are Looking for Strong Proposals for Ages Birth through Eighteen in the Following Categories:
PICTURE BOOKS WITH ALIGNMENT TO AN SEL TRAIT OR STRATEGY
Authentic, high-interest, and lyrically written picture books reflecting contemporary experiences of children from diverse cultures, backgrounds, religions, and identities; and that also align with a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) trait or strategy.
GIFTED & SPECIAL EDUCATION
Books on academic, social, and emotional development for young people of all ages with diverse learning needs, including gifted students and students with learning differences, ADHD, behavioral difficulties, or autism spectrum disorders.
BULLYING PREVENTION & CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Picture books and books for kids and teens, and resources for teachers, counselors, and other educators, to help young people understand, prevent, and respond to bullying incidents. We will also consider fiction for kids and teens that relates to these topics.
CHARACTER EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Picture books and books for kids and teens to help young people build character, discover their leadership potential, and engage in their communities. We will also consider fiction for kids and teens that relates to these topics.
BOOKS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
Board books for infants to age 4 and picture books for ages 3 to 8 that focus on social skills and getting along, early learning, character education, self-esteem, and other topics related to positive early childhood development. We will also consider fiction that relates directly to these areas of focus.
COUNSELING & SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING
Picture books and books for kids and teens to help children and teens deal with grief and loss, health and wellness, depression and other mental illnesses, stress, social skills and friendship, anger management, LGBTQ issues, manners, family, self-confidence, and more. We will also consider fiction for kids and teens that relates to these topics.
Current Areas of Special Interest
Our editors are particularly interested in seeing the following areas of focus in our submissions pile. If your submission aligns with one of these special interests, please note that in your cover letter.
Picture Book Wish List:
- Books that are culturally relevant for today’s children
- High-interest and lyrically written picture books about experiences & challenges personally relevant to children
- Fiction and nonfiction books portraying social-emotional learning (SEL) skills in connection with social studies or STEAM
- Fiction and nonfiction books providing strategies to support executive function skills
- Important stories from historically underrepresented voices
- Picture books in celebration of identity, culture, and/or family
- Authentic picture book featuring a child with sensory sensitivities
- Authentic picture books featuring characters with disabilities
- Authentic picture book featuring foster care or adoption
- Stories based on real experiences of kids displaying SEL skills or impacting the world around them
- Picture book addressing trauma
- Latino/a/x authors
- Asian American authors
- Health and wellness topics
- Books exploring any of these SEL themes: joy, beauty, emotions, sadness/depression, coping skills, empathy, problem solving, resilience, perseverance, kindness, honesty, social awareness, self-management, calm-down strategies, focus/attention, self-confidence, self-esteem, decision-making, cooperation, teamwork, compassion, responsibility, or respect.
Wish List of Nonfiction for Older Kids and Teens:
- Books that are culturally relevant for today’s youth
- Mental health and executive function topics written by experts in the field
- Health and wellness topics written by experts in the field
- Tough topics and challenges faced by children and teens
- Strategies to address negative thinking
- Strategies to address media literacy and navigating complex conversations
- Books answering questions teens might be afraid to ask
- Books applying SEL to youth activism
- True stories about kids or teens impacting the world around them
- Strategy books addressing teen anger and violence
- Books teaching leadership skills
- SEL books aligned with high interest topics (i.e. sports, agriculture, technology, video games, etc.)
- Mindfulness for teens written by an expert
Submission Guidelines for Educator Resources
If you are a returning Free Spirit author, please contact us at acquisitions@freespirit.com to receive the link to the invited submissions Submittable form.
We Are Looking for Strong Proposals to Support Teaching Strategies and Professional Development
Practical, jargon-free materials for educators, administrators, counselors, and youth workers that focus on positive youth development, creative teaching strategies, leadership, and a wide range of social and emotional needs.
GIFTED & SPECIAL EDUCATION
Resources for educators, counselors, parents, and other adults that support children’s diverse learning and social and emotional needs.
BULLYING PREVENTION & CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Books for teachers, counselors, and other educators to help young people understand, prevent, and respond to bullying incidents.
CHARACTER EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Resources for teachers, counselors, and other educators to help young people build character, discover their leadership potential, and engage in their communities.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Guides for early childhood teachers, program directors, and other educators working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary children (birth to age 8). We look for hands-on, teacher-friendly guidance that is research-based, classroom tested, and focused on best practices to support the social, emotional, and cognitive development of young children. Topics include social skills, behavior challenges, healthy emotional development, diversity and equity, family engagement, emergent learning, and teaching strategies.
COUNSELING & SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING
Educator resources to help children and teens deal with grief and loss, health and wellness, depression and other mental illnesses, stress, social skills and friendship, anger management, LGBTQ issues, manners, family, self-confidence, and more.
Free Spirit Publishing is committed to uplifting diverse voices with books that are relevant and inclusive for the youth we serve. We are especially seeking manuscripts from authors of diverse representation; including race, ethnicity, culture, religion, social class, LGBTQ identities, ability, and physical differences.
Description: Free Spirit Publishing is seeking writers who have lived childhood experiences with a disability and experts who work with children who have disabilities. We are growing our list of books about disabilities for children and teens with goals of educating, providing representation and tools for children with disabilities, and building allyship and inclusion. Disabilities may include physical, intellectual, developmental, emotional, sensory, health, and learning disabilities. You are invited to submit your information and a writing sample to be considered as an author!
Interest Level: Authors should be able to write for ages 4-8, 9-13, or teens.
Who should apply? We are seeking authors who have lived childhood experiences with a disability. We also welcome submissions from coauthors, including a professional who has expertise and experiences working with children with disabilities paired with a coauthor who has lived experience. People of all ages are encouraged to apply, including children, teens, and adults.
Authors who are selected will be contacted to discuss ideas and receive an invitation to submit a full manuscript to be considered for publication. Questions can be emailed to acquisitions@freespirit.com.