Not perfect. Not safe. Not another story that's been softened until it's forgotten. We want the one you weren't sure you should write — the one that kept you up.
We publish across four categories, but the throughline is always the same — a story that respects its reader, regardless of their age.
A story with a perspective so specific it could only come from you. We can tell within the first page when a voice is authentic versus constructed.
Children are not fragile. The books that last are the ones that acknowledge fear, grief, confusion — and don't resolve them too quickly.
Whether or not you are an illustrator, we want prose that sees things — that describes the world with precision and wonder in equal measure.
A good idea isn't enough. The story must work as a story. Pacing, stakes, resolution — we are looking for manuscripts ready to be published, not developed.
We are not currently accepting: Stories with overt didactic messaging, thinly veiled lesson delivery, derivative retellings without clear authorial perspective, or manuscripts requiring significant developmental editing.
We respond to every query. You deserve to know where you stand.
A one-page query letter, the first three chapters or 30 pages (whichever comes first), and a brief author bio. No full manuscripts until requested.
Every submission is read by a human editor. No interns. No automated filtering. You will receive a response — yes, no, or a request for more material.
If we ask for the full manuscript, expect a 10–12 week read with detailed editorial feedback regardless of our decision.
An offer to publish comes with a real editorial conversation — not a form contract. We work with authors, not around them.
We are a small team and we read everything that arrives. Send us what you've got — we'll be honest with you.
Submit Via Our PortalEmail your query and pages to
submissions@tatteredfox.com