General Interest Fiction and Nonfiction Books: Unfortunately, we are unable to accept unsolicited manuscript submissions. If you want... More

General Interest Fiction and Nonfiction Books: Unfortunately, we are unable to accept unsolicited manuscript submissions. If you want to publish a manuscript, a good way to start is by looking for a literary agent in the Literary Marketplace. This is a reference book that can be found in most public libraries. The book lists literary agents around the country, their addresses and phone numbers, and the types of books that they specialize in handling. You might also want to pick up a copy of the Houghton Mifflin Trade Division book How to Be Your Own Literary Agent by Richard Curtis. This information can also be heard at 617-351-5914. Poetry: Houghton Mifflin regrets that we can no longer consider unsolicited poetry. Since our poetry publishing program is quite small, we have decided to reserve it for the authors to whom Houghton Mifflin has already made a commitment. Please seek out resources like Poet's Market if you want to pursue publication. Houghton Mifflin Literary Fellowship: The Houghton Mifflin Literary Fellowship is designed to reward American authors for a first general interest trade book of literary merit. Only books that have already been accepted for publication by Houghton Mifflin are eligible. Clarion Books: Clarion Books publishes picture books, nonfiction, and fiction for infants through children in grade 12. Our imprint issues about fifty new hardcover titles each year. In the picture books area, the editors are looking for active picture book stories with a beginning, middle, and end � stories that deal fully and honestly with children's emotions. You do not need to provide illustrations or find an illustrator; if your manuscript is accepted, the publisher will handle this. If you wish to submit illustrations, send only photocopies. We cannot be responsible for original art. Avoid telling your stories in verse unless you are a professional poet. No query letter is necessary for picture book manuscripts and/or dummies. . In the fiction area, the editors are seeking lively stories for ages eight through twelve and ages ten through fourteen. They are also looking for transitional chapter books (12 to 20 manuscript pages) for ages six through nine and for short novels of 40 to 80 manuscript pages suitable for ages seven through ten. Clarion is highly selective in the areas of historical fiction, fantasy, and science fiction. A novel must be superlatively written in order to find a place on the list. The editors prefer to see complete manuscripts. We cannot review submissions on computer disk and will not consider queries or submissions that arrive by fax. We also cannot review manuscripts or queries posted on the Internet or respond by e-mail. Clarion has a policy against accepting manuscripts from young people. Most writers are happy that their early stories were not published, even though some of them were quite good, because in later years their writing improved and they could make their early work even better. The years they spent writing simply because they liked to do it gave them time to develop the skills they needed to tell their stories in the very best way possible, and it shows in the high quality later on. Address all submissions to: Clarion Books A Houghton Mifflin Company imprint 215 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10003 USA Attention: Editorial Department Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope of adequate size for returning material, or indicate that the manuscript need not be returned. Please make sure the postage adheres to the SASE to prevent its loss during handling. Never send your ONLY copy of a manuscript. Manuscripts that arrive without an SASE of adequate size will not be responded to or returned.

Clarion Books Art: We are always looking for artists with a passion for illustrating for children. In particular we need illustrators w... More

Clarion Books Art: We are always looking for artists with a passion for illustrating for children. In particular we need illustrators who can draw people, especially children, and/or animals very well, and who can put these characters into different situations while maintaining continuity of character and consistency of style from page to page. Often we suggest that an illustrator try illustrating an old fairy tale to show his or her visual storytelling ability. We recommend that you look at some of Clarion�s books at bookstores or libraries to familiarize yourself with the different styles of art and different kinds of stories that make up our list. We receive portfolios for review on Mondays. Illustrators may drop off portfolios at our office on the 12th floor at 215 Park Avenue South, New York, New York, anytime between 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. and pick them up between 3:00 and 5:30 p.m. that same day. Please do not send or drop off original artwork. Color prints, printed pieces, and copies are preferred. Put your name, address, and phone number on all pieces so that we can keep them on file if we like your work. We suggest including a self-addressed stamped postcard with your samples for comments. Include an SASE if you would like us to return your samples. Please send art submissions to: Clarion Books A Houghton Mifflin Company imprint 215 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10003 USA Attention: Art Department Children's Books: This information can also be heard at 617-351-5959. IMPORTANT: Owing to the overwhelming number of unsolicited manuscripts we receive, we at Houghton Mifflin Children's Books have had to change our submissions policy. As of January 1, 2004, we are no longer responding to your unsolicited submission unless we are interested in publishing it. Please do not include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Submissions postmarked January 1, 2004, or later will be recycled, and you will not hear from us regarding the status of your submission unless we are interested, in which case you can expect to hear back from us within twelve weeks. We regret that we cannot respond personally to each submission, but we do consider each and every submission we receive. The Children's Book Division will read unsolicited manuscripts. Please send them to us by conventional mail only. We do not accept e-mailed or faxed manuscripts. Because confirmation postcards are easily separated from the manuscript or hidden, we do not encourage you to include them with your submission. We prefer a typed (letter-quality), double-spaced manuscript on unfolded plain white paper in a 9 x 12 envelope. We do not accept manuscripts that are handwritten or submitted on computer disk. You do not have to furnish illustrations, but if you wish, copies of a few comprehensive sketches or duplicate copies of original art will suffice. For fiction we prefer to see the entire manuscript, and for nonfiction a synopsis and sample chapters. Please keep a copy of the manuscript for your files. Because of the volume of manuscripts we receive each day, submissions are virtually impossible to track, and it may take up to twelve weeks before we reach a decision. When submitting your work to any publishing house, it is always a good idea to check your local bookstore or library to get a sense of what kinds of books the company publishes. Please send your submission(s) to: Submissions Houghton Mifflin Children's Books 222 Berkeley Street Boston, MA 02116-3764 USA Children's Books Art: � Do not send original artwork or slides � Send color photocopies, tearsheets, or photos � Send a SASE if you would like your samples returned to you Please submit only your strongest work. As to subject matter, illustrations that feature children or animals are always welcome, but feel free to submit other subjects as well. It is also a good idea to look at Houghton Mifflin books in your local bookstore or library to get a sense of what kinds of books we publish. Please send art submissions to Art Department Children's Trade Books 222 Berkeley Street Boston, MA 02116-3764 USA

In the fiction area, the editors are seeking lively stories for ages eight through twelve and ages ten through fourteen. They are also l... More

In the fiction area, the editors are seeking lively stories for ages eight through twelve and ages ten through fourteen. They are also looking for transitional chapter books (12 to 20 manuscript pages) for ages six through nine and for short novels of 40 to 80 manuscript pages suitable for ages seven through ten. Clarion is highly selective in the areas of historical fiction, fantasy, and science fiction. A novel must be superlatively written in order to find a place on the list. The editors prefer to see complete manuscripts. We cannot review submissions on computer disk and will not consider queries or submissions that arrive by fax. We also cannot review manuscripts or queries posted on the Internet or respond by e-mail. Clarion has a policy against accepting manuscripts from young people. Most writers are happy that their early stories were not published, even though some of them were quite good, because in later years their writing improved and they could make their early work even better. The years they spent writing simply because they liked to do it gave them time to develop the skills they needed to tell their stories in the very best way possible, and it shows in the high quality later on. same as manuscript guidelines above.

In the nonfiction area, the editors are interested in hearing about social studies, science, concept, wordplay, holiday, historical, and... More

In the nonfiction area, the editors are interested in hearing about social studies, science, concept, wordplay, holiday, historical, and biography ideas for all age levels. Send a query letter or proposal with a sample chapter(s) on all nonfiction projects Dictionaries: Please send lexical submissions to our Dictionary Department at: Dictionary Department Houghton Mifflin Company 222 Berkeley Street, 8th Floor Boston, MA 02116-3764 USA