Submission Guidelines

Frances Lincoln Children's Books:

Picture Books: Please note that due to the very competitive market, we are reducing the number of picture books we produce. We are only publishing those that really stand out, with strong writing, an original story or subject matter and fresh illustrations.

Janetta Otter-Barry Books continues to produce picture books that have specific multicultural interest or influences.

Picture book texts should be no longer than 500 words and need to be easily translatable since we aim to sell all our new titles as co-editions to foreign publishers (rhyming texts and books taking the UK as a theme are not easy to translate, for example).

Fiction: Again, we are only interested in exceptional writing for our developing fiction list and are looking for novels (for readers aged 9-14) and young fiction (ages 6 – 9) that really stand out.

If you feel your manuscript falls within these guidelines, you may submit it to:

Emily Sharratt
Frances Lincoln Publishers
4 Torriano Mews
Torriano Ave
London
NW5 2RZ
flcb@frances-lincoln.com

Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope with your submission. Alternatively, you can send it by email to the address above, providing it does not exceed 2MB. Your manuscript will be passed to our freelance reader who will contact you regarding its suitability for our list. Material sent without sufficient postage for return will be read but not enclosed with our response.

Tips for Authors and Illustrators:

It’s always a good idea to look at what’s already in the shops and libraries. Try to read or look at as many of our books as possible before sending in your material, to get a feel for our list and whether your manuscript, idea or style of illustration is likely to fit.

Think about what makes your work special.

Think about whether your characters are convincing and well-rounded, with an appealing voice and personality.

Does the plot make your reader keep turning the pages right to end?

Does your narrative flow, with a smooth rhythm that reads aloud well?

If submitting illustrations, think about whether there is any movement, emotion or humour in your artwork. Is the style suitable for children and for the Frances Lincoln Children's Books list?

Please bear in mind that we receive a large number of unsolicited manuscripts, so our response times may vary and we ask for your patience. Please do not send your only copy of a manuscript or any original artwork. While we do endeavour to take good care of all submissions we cannot take responsibility for their safe-keeping.

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