Asia Citro

What I’m looking for:

I love quirky and creative manuscripts that aren’t iterations of children’s books that currently exist; an ideal manuscript either covers a new subject or uses a new presentation or approach to cover a perennial topic.  Manuscripts that make me laugh are a huge plus.  As a former classroom teacher, I also appreciate having some form of learning tied in and definitely have a penchant for manuscripts that promote STEM skills/learning.  We love diverse characters (and are VERY interested in any #OwnVoices manuscripts) and characters who challenge traditional gender roles.  The Innovation Press is open to all kinds of submissions (board books, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and graphic novel), so long as the target audience falls in the PreK-5th grade range.

More about The Innovation Press:

• Our books have received positive reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, School Library Journal, The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, and Booklist.  We are an SCBWI PAL publisher and are also a member of the Children’s Book Council, the ABA’s ABC group, PNBA, and PubWest.
• Our books have received several awards including: NYPL Best Books for Kids, Chicago Public Library Best of the Best, NSTA’s Outstanding Science Trade Books, NSTA’s Best STEM Books for Kids, Junior Library Guild, and the Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award.  They have also been finalists/nominees for the CYBILS award and several state book awards.
• We have international distribution and foreign rights representation. We frequently sell the translation rights to our titles.
• We work with both experienced authors/illustrators and debut first time authors/illustrators.
• We pay an advance + royalties.
• We donate 1 book for every 10 we sell to kids in need via the non-profit First Book.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should be emailed to submissions@theinnovationpress.com

To determine what materials to submit, please find the heading below that best describes your type of submission.

***PLEASE NOTE:  If you have mimicked the style, structure, rhyme, or plot of a book that is already in existence, we are not interested in your submission.  We only wish to receive ORIGINAL work, not work that has been heavily inspired.***

NON-FICTION/FICTION (board book, picture book, chapter book, middle grade, and graphic novel)

At this time, we are only interested in submissions that appeal primarily to a PreK-5th grade audience.  Your presentation of the material should be creative and engaging.  We are particularly interested in hybrid texts that blend fiction elements with nonfiction elements, though we also welcome traditional fiction and nonfiction submissions.  We love books that make us laugh and we get excited when we see a presentation/approach or subject we have not seen before.  We are also actively seeking #OwnVoices submissions.

To submit a book proposal, please include the following in an email to submissions@theinnovationpress.com:

• A synopsis of your book
• The first 10 pages (either in the body of the email or as an attachment)
• A brief author biography

ILLUSTRATOR SUBMISSIONS

If you are an illustrator interested in working with us on future titles, please feel free to email us a link to your online portfolio at submissions@theinnovationpress.com.  As a general rule, we tend to choose illustrators with several successful traditionally published books under their belt.  Most of our illustrators have advanced degrees in children’s illustration and/or graphic design.

Guidelines & Details