Charlesbridge Manuscript Submissions

Manuscript Submission Guidelines

The Charlesbridge Trade Division publishes high-quality books for children, with a goal of creating lifelong readers and learners. We believe that books for children should offer accurate information, promote a positive worldview, and embrace a child’s innate sense of wonder and fun. To this end, we continually strive to seek new voices, new visions, and new directions in children’s literature.

Charlesbridge publishes both picture books and transitional “bridge books” (books ranging from early readers to middle-grade chapter books). Our nonfiction books focus on nature, science, social studies, and multicultural topics. Our fiction titles include lively, plot-driven stories with strong, engaging characters.

EXCLUSIVE SUBMISSIONS POLICY

Charlesbridge accepts unsolicited manuscripts submitted exclusively to us for a period of three months. “Exclusive Submission” should be written on all envelopes and cover letters.

Due to the high volume of submissions, we respond only to manuscripts of interest to us.

All other manuscripts will be recycled. If you have not heard back from us after three months, you may assume we do not have a place for your project and submit it elsewhere.

WHAT TO SEND

Please submit only one or two manuscript(s) at a time.

For picture books and shorter bridge books, please send a complete manuscript. For fiction books longer than 30 manuscript pages, please send a detailed plot synopsis, a chapter outline, and three chapters of text. For nonfiction books longer than 30 manuscript pages, please send a detailed proposal, a chapter outline, and one to three chapters of text.

We are not actively seeking alphabet books, board books, coloring books, activity books, or books with audiotapes or CD-ROMs.

Manuscripts should be typed and double-spaced. Please do not submit material by email, by fax, or on a computer disk. Illustrations are not necessary.

Please make a copy of your manuscript, as we cannot be responsible for submissions lost in the mail.

Please include your name and address on the first page of your manuscript and in your cover letter. Be sure to list any previously published work or relevant writing experience.

WHERE TO SEND IT

Please send your work to the attention of:

Submissions Editor
Trade Division
Charlesbridge
85 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472

GET TO KNOW US

To become acquainted with our publishing program, we encourage you to review our books and visit our website (www.charlesbridge.com), where you will find our catalog. To request a printed catalog, please send a 9" x 12" SASE with $2.50 in postage.