Thank you for considering Acorn Press for your manuscript. We are committed to publishing works that reflect the culture, history, and stories of Prince Edward Island and the Atlantic Canadian experience. Please review these updated submission guidelines carefully before submitting.

General Submission Requirements

Please review these updated submission guidelines carefully before submitting.

• Familiarize Yourself: Review our website and backlist titles to ensure your manuscript aligns with our publishing program.
• Cover Letter: Please include a cover letter with a brief summary of your book, its target audience, and why it fits our publishing mandate. Also, include your contact information.
• Author Bio: Provide a short biography highlighting relevant writing experience and publication history (if applicable).
• Submission Status: Let us know if your manuscript is a simultaneous submission. We understand and only request notification if it is accepted elsewhere.

Manuscript Formatting

Word format, double-spaced in Times New Roman font set to 12pt.

Genre-Specific Guidelines

FICTION/NON-FICTION

• • Submit a detailed outline and two sample chapters or the equivalent of twenty pages (non-fiction) or fifty pages (fiction).
  • Explain why you are qualified to write the book and suggest potential markets
  • If submitting non-fiction, include a list of proposed illustrations (e.g., maps, photos, artwork).

POETRY

• Submit the complete manuscript (maximum 100 pages).
• Include a list of past publications or literary prizes.

CHILDREN’S CHAPTER BOOKS

• Provide an outline and two sample chapters or the equivalent of twenty pages.
• Mention relevant qualifications and suggested book markets.

CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOKS

• Submit the entire manuscript. Do not include illustrations unless you are an illustrator. We will match your manuscript to illustrators on our roster.
• Fiction picture book manuscripts should be 1000 words or less. 1500 words or less for non-fiction picture books.
• Highlight past publications or relevant awards.

ILLUSTRATORS Illustrators may submit queries separately to our submission email, preferably with a link to their online portfolio or via a single PDF file containing samples up to three pages long. Please provide a brief bio and relevant illustration experience and/or education.

Submission Best Practices

DO:

• Submit a cover letter with contact details, book description, target market, and bio.
• Include a table of contents or outline.
• Provide the first three to four chapters (approximately 50 pages).
• Ensure your project aligns with our publishing program.
• Inform us of simultaneous submissions or if your manuscript is accepted elsewhere.

DON’T

• Submit projects unrelated to Atlantic Canadian themes.
• Submit manuscripts or sample pages in PDF format.
• Send original artwork or materials requiring return.
• Include illustrations with picture book submissions unless you are an author/illustrator. (Illustrators may submit queries separately to our submission email as per the illustrator guidelines above).
• Submit projects created with more than 5% artificial intelligence influence. This factors in a small amount for grammatical usage.
• Call about submissions.

AI Policy: Submissions influenced by artificial intelligence (AI) will not be considered. Do not submit projects created with more than 5% artificial intelligence influence. This allows for a small amount of grammatical usage. Acorn Press aims to preserve the integrity of human creativity and the rights of content creators. While we acknowledge AI can be a valuable tool for administrative tasks, Acorn Press believes that the heart of creative writing should remain authentically human-driven. Email Submissions to: Email: submissions@acornpresscanada.com Important Notes

• Do not submit material via mail. We accept email submissions only.
• Allow up to six months for a response.

We value your creativity and hard work and look forward to reviewing your submissions.