Nosy Crow launches open call for picture book submissions from LGBTQ+ authors

Nosy Crow is calling for picture book submissions from the LGBTQ+ community. 

Submissions open this week on Thursday 1st June, which is the beginning of Pride Month in the UK. This is following the success of the open submissions call for LGBTQ+ authors and author-illustrators that Nosy Crow ran in June 2022, which led to the publisher welcoming new author Poppy O’Neill to the list with her debut picture book, The Pumpkin Seed. 

During June, authors are encouraged to submit their picture book stories, together with their own artwork if they are author-illustrators, which will be reviewed by members of the Nosy Crow picture book team. Texts can be in prose or rhyme, and stories informed by the author’s or author-illustrator’s LGBTQ+ identity and experience are especially welcomed. There are no restrictions on theme or type of characters, “they can be magical, mythical, human, animal, and everything in-between" Nosy Crow said, but stories must be suitable for children aged from three to five. 

Submissions are free and can come from anywhere in the world, but they must be written in the English language and must be previously unpublished. Entrants must be aged 18 or older. 

Alice Bartosinski, senior commissioning editor, picture books, said: “Last year we had a brilliant response when we opened our doors to new LGBTQ+ voices, and it led to us signing up an exciting new author. As publishers of books for children, we have the opportunity to bring uplifting, funny, captivating and surprising picture books into the world that promote a positive attitude towards diversity and living your life in your own way.” 

For more information and full details of how to submit a picture book story or stories, visit Nosy Crow’s website.