Scholastic New Zealand publishes between 30 and 40 new titles each year. These will typically include board books, picture books, true New Zealand stories, novels, activity books, and Māori titles. These books are written and illustrated by New Zealand residents and New Zealand citizens who live abroad.
We are currently closed for submissions, with the exception of submissions by authors who have been published by a major trade publisher, or submissions that come through a literary agent.
SHARE THE LOVE - 2024
Scholastic NZ Publishing will contact you by 31 May 2024 ONLY if your submission is successful in reaching the next stage.
SHARE THE LOVE - 14 February 2025
We will be running our annual 'Share the Love - Valentine’s Day Submissions' on 14 February 2025. This is a once-a-year, one-day-only opportunity for any keen writer to have their children’s picture book story considered for publication by Scholastic. You need to be a New Zealand resident or citizen.
If you LOVE to read, LOVE to write and would LOVE to get your story published, this is what you need to do:
Wait until Friday 14 February 2025
1. Prepare your manuscript as a word/google doc which needs to have the title, author name and word count at the top of the first page
2. Name your manuscript file (ideally a PDF or Word document as follows: Title of Story_Author Name
3. Email your manuscript of no more than 1000 words to publishing@scholastic.co.nz on 14 February only.
4. Use the subject line SHARE THE LOVE followed by the title of your story
We are accepting ONE manuscript per author, so if you are a keen writer please send us your favourite story. There is no need to include illustrations.
We will not be individually acknowledging each email, so please trust that we would have received it if you have used publishing@scholastic.co.nz.
Scholastic NZ Publishing will contact you by 31 May 2025 ONLY if your submission is successful in reaching the next stage. Good luck!
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Tips for what our publishing team look for in a submission:
Memorable characters that children will care about
Original stories, or an original take on a common theme that offers something new and irresistible
Stories that are written appropriately for the target age group
Child-centric stories
We are always interested in hearing from new illustrators who are New Zealand residents or New Zealand citizens who live abroad.
We are especially interested in viewing work where you have drawn the same character across a number of scenes and performing a variety of actions. This way we get to see different facial expressions, whether you can illustrate movement, backgrounds and a better understanding of your ability to carry a character through a plotline.
If you would like to submit your illustration portfolio, please send a link to your website or a PDF of up to 5MB to publishing@scholastic.co.nz
Please note that we will only contact you should we have a suitable project for you at some time in the future.
If you are not eligible to submit and you are looking for a publisher for your manuscript and/or you require an assessment of your work, Scholastic recommends that you:
1) Consider entering your manuscript into a Storylines Trust award www.storylines.org.nz/Awards
The Tom Fitzgibbon Award has traditionally been aimed at previously unpublished writers for children, however it is now open to all writers, published or unpublished, who meet the residency criteria. The manuscript should be between approximately 25,000 to 45,000 words, and aimed at the junior fiction audience. Check the Storylines website for instructions and entry form. Winning manuscripts are published by Scholastic NZ.
The Joy Cowley Award is designed to encourage writers to try writing a picture book. It is open to all comers but was specifically aimed at published writers who have yet to try writing at this difficult level. Winning manuscripts are published by Scholastic NZ.
2) Approach the New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA) for guidance on how best to proceed. They also have the NZSA appraisal service, which will give you feedback on your work. https://authors.org.nz/
3) Approach the New Zealand Association of Manuscript Assessors (NZAMA) – a group of professional editors and writers who offer authors objective advice and guidance on how to bring their work closer to a publishable standard. They have all worked in manuscript assessing, editing, and/or the teaching of writing. NZAMA has a code of professional practice and strict entry criteria.
Writers need to contact members individually for fees and other details, such as how to present manuscripts (e.g. do not email manuscripts unless the assessor has agreed). Please make enquiries by email or write with a stamped self-addressed envelope.
www.elseware.co.nz/NZAMA/
4) Approach a literary agent
Try submitting your work to a literary agent with a view to their acting on your behalf to place your work. An agent usually works on a percentage of the royalty earnings and should not request an up-front payment as a guarantee of publication. However, you may be asked to pay for the services these agents and consultants offer.
We suggest you write to them to discuss what you require and what fees may be involved before sending them your work. These agencies should not be used for the assessment of manuscripts prior to publishing. In this instance you are hiring these people to act on your behalf and, should they accept you as a client, they will actively promote your work. For an accurate, impartial assessment of your work, prior to approaching an agent, see the above list of manuscript assessors.
We are currently not accepting submissions.