Submission Guidelines
Determining Whether Your Work Is a Fit
If you are interested in being a Free Spirit, Curiosity Unlocked, or Shell Education author, please familiarize yourself with our books at freespirit.com, curiosityunlockedbooks.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 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.
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, disability, 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.
Board Books:
- Board book series
Picture Book Wish List:
- Picture books with authentic representation of underrepresented religions
- Authentic picture books featuring characters with disabilities, especially seeking a picture book featuring a main character who has Down syndrome
- Picture books featuring children facing and coping with world issues such as natural disasters, displacement, rebuilding, etc.
- Important stories from historically underrepresented voices
- Picture books in celebration of identity, culture, and/or family
- Other high-interest and lyrically written picture books about experiences & challenges personally relevant to children
Wish List of Nonfiction for Older Kids:
- Nonfiction books with strategies and learning to support tough topics relevant to older kids (age 9-13)
- Book to support older kids ages 9-13 through change and growing (socially, physically, emotionally) during middle grade years
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.
Curiosity Unlocked Books Submission Guidelines
Curiosity Unlocked Books publishes engaging, curiosity-driven books for children ages birth through twelve. We seek fiction and nonfiction that spark imagination, connect to children’s interests, build knowledge, and inspire a love of reading and learning.
We Publish Books in the Following Categories:
BOARD BOOK SERIES
Concept- and curiosity-driven board book series for infants and toddlers, including early learning topics.
PICTURE BOOKS
Engaging picture books that reflect children’s natural curiosities and play with language storytelling, and the power of words. We welcome realistic fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, concept books, biographies, informational titles, wordless books, humorous stories, and poetry/rhyme.
EARLY CHAPTER BOOKS
Fiction for ages 6–9 featuring relatable characters, accessible chapters, and engaging plots that ignite curiosity and support developing readers.
MIDDLE GRADE FICTION
Compelling novels for ages 8–12 that celebrate kids’ interests, identities, and growing independence—across genres such as realistic, fantasy, sci-fi, historical, mystery, humor, and horror.
HIGH-INTEREST NONFICTION
Browsable, expository, narrative, and interactive nonfiction for ages 4–12. Topics may supplement content-area learning but are written primarily to inspire curiosity and a love of reading.
MATH FICTION
Imaginative picture books and early chapter books that weave math ideas naturally into engaging, character- or plot-driven stories.
SOCIAL STUDIES FICTION
Picture books and early chapter books connected to history, civics, economics, and geography—fun, story-first titles that spark interest rather than formally teach content.
STEAM FICTION
Picture books and early chapter books that explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through imaginative stories, creative problem solving, and curiosity-driven characters.
SEASONAL FICTION & NONFICTION
Books celebrating the wonder of seasons and holidays across picture book, early chapter book, and middle grade formats.
WE DO NOT ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF SUBMISSIONS
- Books primarily written to teach academic skills and standards (e.g., textbooks, direct math instruction, grammar instruction, or curriculum-driven texts).
- Didactic, message-heavy stories or nonfiction that prioritizes rote facts over engagement, curiosity, or narrative appeal.
- YA novels or nonfiction for teens ages 13 and up.
- Fiction or nonfiction for adults.
If your proposal is in any of the above formats, it is not right for us—even if content themes overlap with those we publish.
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: The Disability Books for Kids series explores visible and invisible disability in the first person, as seen through the eyes of children and written from lived experience. The series builds allyship, challenges ableism, and celebrates difference, empowering and educating all readers.
The first books in this series will be publishing in 2026:
- More Than What Eyes See: A book about blindness by Miso Kwak
- Uncommonly Curious, Eternally Autistic: A book about autism by Rasha Hamid
- Tic-errific Me: A book about Tourette syndrome by Alicia Meyers
- Curious Mind and Dancing Feet: A book about ADHD by Melinda Gonzalez
- I Spark Like Lightning: A book about epilepsy by Jenna Elyse Johnson
- My Life as an Asthmanaut: A book about asthma by Jack Lockett
We are currently reviewing manuscripts to add more topics to this series!
Interest Level: Ages 4-8
Who should submit? We are seeking authors who have lived childhood experiences with a disability. We also welcome submissions from coauthors, including a professional paired with a coauthor who has lived experience. People of all ages are encouraged to submit, including children, teens, and adults.
Goal Statements:
- Uplift voices of people with disabilities. Each book will be authored by a writer who has the disability; or coauthored with an expert and a person with the disability.
- Build empathy and allyship through advocacy/inclusion focus.
- Written to and for all children.
- Honors differences and provides a sense of belonging and empowerment for all children.
- Demonstrates the strength of diversity when everyone can participate fully.
- Tone and portrayal of people with disabilities is positive, and each book has the unique voice of the author.
- Seeking diversity in race, ethnicity, culture, and gender across the series to best represent diverse experiences of having disabilities.
Suggested Guidelines:
- Word count: 350-550 words
- Expository, written in first person from a child's perspective
- Lyrical, authentic, and engaging text
- 32-36 pages, picture book
- May include illustration direction in brackets.
- Prioritize celebration of self.
Suggested Content Options:
- Using first person, introduce a child speaker who has the disability, including strengths, passions, skills, and/or hobbies.
- Name and define/describe the disability.
- Included details offering an honest portrayal of life for a child with this disability.
- Consider representing accommodations that assist children with this disability.
- Consider representing or addressing societal challenges.
- Prioritize celebration of self and representation.
We want to honor and uplift your voice and expertise! Everything named in our guidelines is intended to provide ideas for our authors and consistency for the series; and is not required. We want to hear your voice and content ideas. Email acquisitions@freespirit.com if you would like more ideas for a suggested table of contents before writing your manuscript and proposal.
Professional Resources
We Publish Books That Support Teaching Strategies and Professional Development
Practical, jargon-free materials for educators, administrators, counselors, and youth workers that focus on positive learning environments that promote strong outcomes. Topics include early childhood education, academic subject-area strategy books, creative teaching strategies, gifted and special education, and a wide range of social and emotional needs.
We Do Not Accept the Following Types of Submissions
- Material with religious or New Age content
- Biographies, autobiographies, or memoirs
- General self-help for adults
- If your proposal is in any of the above formats, it is not right for us—even if content themes overlap with those we publish.