Inspired by the enduring magic of books, we cultivate and distribute exceptional publishing that is instantly recognizable for its spirit and creativity. Our collaborations spark the passions of adults and children worldwide, encouraging them to explore, connect, and see things differently.

Chronicle Books is committed to publishing authors, illustrators, and creators of diverse backgrounds and points of view. We enjoy collaborating with authors to further our work as a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and collaborative publishing house.

To encourage submissions from a wide range of potential authors, Chronicle Books has an open submissions policy. We accept unagented submissions of any projects suited to our list, from brilliant books to innovative gift products.
Before sending projects to us, please read the following guidelines carefully.

• Adult Trade Submissions
• Children’s Submissions (picture books, middle grade, or young adult)
• Portfolio Submissions (freelance illustrator, photographer, or other visual artist guidelines)
• Freelance Writer Submissions 

 

Adult Trade Submissions

Chronicle Books publishes a wide range of nonfiction books on our adult trade list, in categories such as cooking, fine art, design, photography, pop culture, fashion, beauty, home décor, personal relationships, and more. We also publish innovative formats, such as interactive journals, decks, games, stationery, and much, much more. Please note: We do not acquire adult fiction.

Please make sure to familiarize yourself with our publishing before you pitch!

General Guidelines

• We currently accept submissions by email only, which can be sent to submissions@chroniclebooks.com.
• Please attach your proposal to your email as a single Word file or PDF, and keep the file under 5MB or less to ensure delivery. Outside links and downloads may not be opened due to security risks.
• Please allow six months for the editors to review a proposal.
• Given the volume of proposals we receive, we cannot ensure that we will be able to personally respond to each submission unless we are interested in pursuing the project.
• Because we currently only accept digital submissions, we are not responsible for any materials that are mailed to our physical location.

What to Include in Your Proposal

• A one-page cover letter giving a brief description of the project and why you think Chronicle Books should publish it. If your proposal is a simultaneous submission, please indicate this in your cover letter.
• Any available sample content to give us a clear picture of the project; this may include an outline, introduction, sample illustrations or photographs, sample captions, sample recipes or cards, and/or sample chapters.
• An analysis of the potential readership for the book. Who is the consumer? Include a list of similar titles that are already available on the market, including the publisher, date of publication, and a brief explanation of how your project differs.
• An author/illustrator/photographer biography that includes any publishing credits or credentials in the field. 

 

Children's Submissions

Please note that our submission guidelines have changed effective April 2022.

Chronicle Books, Children’s is no longer accepting physical submissions. Please submit all unsolicited projects to childrenssubmissions@chroniclebooks.com.

Chronicle Books publishes an eclectic mixture of traditional and innovative children's books. We are looking for projects that have a unique bent—be it in subject matter, writing style, or illustrative technique—and that will lend our list a distinctive flair. We are interested in fiction and nonfiction books for children of all ages, as well as board books, decks, activity kits, and other unusual or novelty formats.

General Guidelines

• We currently accept submissions by email only, which can be sent to childrenssubmissions@chroniclebooks.com.
• Please attach your proposal to your email as a single Word file or PDF, and keep the file under 5MB or less to ensure delivery. Outside links and downloads may not be opened due to security risks.
• If your proposal is a simultaneous submission, please indicate this in your cover letter or email.
• An automated reply email will serve as confirmation of receipt. If you do not receive one, your submission may not have arrived in our inbox.
• Please allow six months for the editors to review a proposal.
• Given the volume of proposals we receive, we cannot ensure that we will be able to personally respond to each submission unless we are interested in pursuing the project.
• Because we currently only accept digital submissions, we are not responsible for any materials that are mailed to our physical location.

What to Include in Your Proposal

• Books for younger children may be submitted in their entirety without querying first. Projects for older children—such as chapter books or YA novels—should be submitted by query letter, synopsis, and three (3) sample chapters.
• If you have multiple project proposals, please note that we will not accept more than three (3) submissions by the same author and/or illustrator during the same 6-month period. If you are submitting more than one at the same time, please include all of them in the same email.
• For manuscripts that are part of a series, please submit the first installment only. Information about the rest of the series may be included in the cover letter.

We receive more than 1,000 children's book submissions every month. For this reason, we are not able to track receipt of or answer queries about individual submissions.

PLEASE NOTE: These guidelines are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a solicitation of any manuscript, artwork, transparencies, or other material.