GETTING PUBLISHED SANS AGENT
Will I ever find an agent? Will I ever get a book published? We’ve all been there. Finding an agent… getting a book published… It can seem impossible. And while friends sign with agents and announce book deals, maybe you’re wondering if your dreams will ever come true too.
You don’t need an agent though, to get a book published. An agent can certainly help open doors and offer valuable feedback among other benefits. Some publishing houses only take submissions through agents. But agents aren’t the only path to publication. I don’t have an agent yet, but by the end of 2021, I will have had about 20 books published with traditional publishers and over 100 short stories published in children’s literary magazines and education resources. This includes my debut trade picture book RAJA’S PET CAMEL: THE MAGIC OF HOPE (October 1, 2020, Cardinal Rule Press).
Here are some traditional publication paths to consider among others. Author Evelyn Christensen maintains an excellent website of magazine and work-for-hire (education) kidlit markets: http://www.evelynchristensen.com/writers.html.
Magazines
About 13 years ago, when I first became serious about writing, I started with the children’s magazine market. My first published story was in Kahani, a now defunct magazine which featured stories about the Indian culture. They were non-paying but lovely, and just seeing my work in print gave me the boost of confidence I needed to keep pushing forward. Eventually, my stories were published in paying ezines, and then paying print magazines such as Highlights, Humpty Dumpty, Ladybug, Spider, and Fun for Kidz.
Children’s literary magazines are a great way to build confidence and publication credits. The magazine market is competitive, but magazines can offer more opportunities, especially to unpublished writers. Magazines publish several issues a year with several stories in each issue, so they’re not dependent on selling your work as standalone.
I mainly write short stories, but many magazines also look for nonfiction, poetry, recipes, and crafts. Many also list specific needs or themes, so be sure to check the magazine’s website for submission information.
Keep in mind that while most magazines also want a manuscript less than 800 words, there are differences between a short story and picture book. Short stories don’t rely on page turns or artwork to tell the story; they rely on the author to tell the story.
Work-For-Hire
In Fall 2018, I saw a post in 12 x 12 about a work-for-hire project with an education publisher. I had no idea what work-for-hire was. But it sounded good. So, I applied and subsequently landed a project to write a diverse leveled reader chapter book for Grade 4 – in one month. Yikes! I’m a very slow writer. I quickly realized my natural urge to panster wouldn’t work and that I would have to stick to an outline if I wanted to meet my deadline of not only writing the story, but also making sure the reading level was on target. It was a great opportunity for publication, and it changed the way I write – I always start with a pitch and some form of outline now. I also met other wonderful work-for-hire writers (12 x 12ers!) who are now good friends.
I’ve found many of my opportunities through social media retweets. To apply for work-for-hire, most publishers will ask you to submit unpublished writing samples, and sometimes a resume and publication credits. After that, you may not hear back with a project offer for months. I once waited a year! Some publishers hire all year long, but many are cyclical. Also, they match projects based on skillset. Most of my projects matched my cultural or STEM work experience and education.
Payment is often a flat fee. Also, many work-for-hire agreements require strict confidentiality. The copyright stays with the publisher, not the author.
Unsolicited Submissions Accepted
Some small and medium-size traditional publishers still accept unsolicited submissions. Cardinal Rule Press published my debut picture book RAJA’S PET CAMEL: THE MAGIC OF HOPE in October. (An early version of this story was actually one of the winning 12 x 12 diversity scholarship entries three years ago – this is how I first joined 12 x 12!) I happened to find out about Cardinal Rule Press from a 12 x 12 friend. They’re a small traditional publisher, which was perfect for me as a debut picture book author, because they give a lot of individual attention which I may not have gotten from a larger publisher. They have a clear mission and wide market reach, and they’re open to submissions November – February. Not all publishers are equal though, so definitely do your research.
Periodically, closed houses open to unsolicited submissions too. You’ll find these announcements circulating on Twitter and Facebook. I follow editors on social media to connect and learn from them, and also to keep track of any potential opportunities.
If you eventually want an agent though, consider that agents often want to see 2-3 picture books before making an offer. They may not want manuscripts that have been reviewed by too many publishers, because they won’t have anywhere to submit your work.
Critique Opportunities
Consider signing up for editor/agent critiques! SCBWI, Inked Voices, the Writing Barn, and more offer periodic critique opportunities through conferences or workshops. Keep an eye out for giveaways and fundraisers – sometimes they offer critiques too. You never know where these critiques will lead. Maybe an offer! At the very least, you’ll get helpful feedback.
Twitter Events
Twitter pitch parties, such as #PitMad, #PbPitch, and #DvPit, are a great way refine your book’s pitch and pique an agent’s or editor’s interest. It’s easy for pitches to get lost among the flood of tweets though. So, don’t get discouraged if your pitch doesn’t get any love. Editors or agents may have missed it.
And remember, YOU are not getting published – your book is. Too many of us tie our self-worth and success as a writer to publication. Your writing is worth reading. Keep going. And know there’s likely more than one way to get where you want to go.
Anita Nahta Amin (www.AnitaAminBooks.com) is the author of 20 children’s fiction and nonfiction books and over 100 short stories, published or forthcoming. Her work is often inspired by her STEM background and Indian heritage. RAJA’S PET CAMEL: THE MAGIC OF HOPE (Cardinal Rule Press, Oct 2020) is her debut picture book.
Anita is offering a signed copy of her book RAJA’S PET CAMEL: THE MAGIC OF HOPE to one lucky 12 x 12 member in the November check-in. Be sure to write your draft and complete a revision for your best chance to win!
135 Responses
Thanks for a great post, Anita! And I love Raja’s Pet Camel! Congratulations!
Loved this post! How encouraging. I also love what you say at the end about it being our books, not us, getting published.
Congrats my friend!!!!! You are amazing!
Thank you, Anita, for such an inspiring post. It’s good to be reminded that there are many paths to publication.
Thank you for all the encouragement to we pre-published authors. Congratulations on your book!
Thank you, Anita, for sharing your story. I particularly appreciated your last paragraph, your self-worth reminder, and the recognition that there are many different journeys possible. Congratulations on all your success, and all the best for more!
Thank you for your wise advice,
Loved the article, Anita! And you know how much I love Raja’s Pet Camel!!! 🤗
Thank you for sharing your journey and the tips! It is always exciting to hear about someone’s process. Congrats on your new book! 🙂
Thank you for the Inspiration, great advice, and for sharing your journey. Such a valuable post!
Anita – thank you for the encouraging, inspiring post.
Anita, we loved Raja’s Pet Camel! I also love this post. Thank you for sharing your story and journey towards publication with us. I loved hearing more about work for hire and magazine writing. Best of luck to you!
Thank you for sharing your story, Anita!
Congratulations, Anita, on your debut PB! So happy for you!
As you point out, there are many ways to publication. Thanks for highlighting some of the ones that have worked for you. It always helps to hear of others’ experiences.
Found it especially interesting that the work-for-hire changed your writing approach. Can see how that would happen with short deadlines looming!
Look forward to reading Raja’s Pet Camel.
Congrats, Anita! Your advice really shows that there are different ways to succeed in this business!!
Thanks for your post! It seems like I’ve been querying agents for so long that I’d forgotten about the possibility of going straight to a publisher…Congratulations on your new book!
Fabulous advice on these additional ways to reach children, keep writing, and get published even without an agent…thanks!
Thanks Anita for the great tips and resources!
Hi, Anita. Your post offered encouraging suggestions on many other ways to publication. Thanks for the resources and congratulations on Raja’s Pet Camel.
Thanks for sharing your story, Anita, and congratulations on your debut PB!
Congratulations Anita! Thanks for the great resources!
Thanks for sharing your journey, Anita, and congrats on Raja’s Pet Camel!!
Thank you for your “can do” attitude. So inspiring.
Thank you for the encouraging and inspiring post! Congratulations on all of your success.
Anita,
Your candor in describing your own writing path to publication is encouraging. I especially appreciate these words: “And remember, YOU are not getting published – your book is. Too many of us tie our self-worth and success as a writer to publication. Your writing is worth reading. Keep going. And know there’s likely more than one way to get where you want to go.” I will copy-and-paste-and-print those thoughts to post on my printer. Every time I receive a rejection, even a “you’re a wonderful writer” rejection, I’ll read your words to lift my heart. Thank you and best of success as you continue your journey. I’ll certainly ask our local library to purchase your PB and be thrilled to read it.
Hi Anita, congrats again on your book! 🙂
Congratulations on your debut picture book, Anita, and thank you for the great advice and encouragment for long-suffering unpublished and unagented children’s writers.
Anita, you’ve given writers excellent tips on how to find success in publishing their written works. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Anita, for your wise and encouraging words. Raja’s Pet Camel is a wonderful book.
Anita, these are great tips for publishing without an agent. I like your encouragement!
Anita, you make writing and publishing seem natural and a regular process. Thank you for being an encourager and giving hints and resources. You are inspirational.
Thank you, Anita, for sharing your journey with us! I love how you sum it all up in the end, YOU are not getting published – your book is. Very sane advise. And many, many congratulations!!! Keep writing.
Harshita
Thanks for outlining how you broke into the industry and for reminding us that there is more than one way to launch a writing career.
Thank you for this insightful article and your experiences with magazine publishing. I will find more on
the kid’s magazines that are being published today.
Thanks for this great information! Happy book birthday!
Thank you for your post! And for encouraging us to be open to various paths to publication.
Congratulations, Anita on your debut book. It looks amazing. You certainly paid your dues and have devoted yourself to writing picture books. And I really loved what you said: that it’s your book that is getting published, not you. I’ll remember that when I get a rejection letter.
Looking forward to all those books coming out by the end of 2021. Wow! is all I can say.
Thank you so much, everyone! I’m so glad you found this interview helpful, and I’m wishing the best for you on your writing journey!
Great information! Thanks, Anita! Good luck with Raja’s Pet Camel!
Thanks, Anita, for the encouragement and helpful information. And congrats on Raja! Best wishes!
Great post. Very helpful and encouraging!
Thank you for all the great ideas and suggestions- just was published by Cricket Media and it has inspired me to push further into children’s magazines as a path to getting published. Great post!
Thank you, Anita. Congratulations on all your successes in such a wide array of markets! Thanks for the advice, and how to, for different ways to help get published.
Anita,
So interesting to see your journey. One of my critique partners told me about cardinal Rule Press. Now that you’ve recommended them i’ll check them out.
Continued good luck to you!
Sue
What an excellent post with great ideas and avenues to being published. Thanks Anita and congrats on your book.
Thanks for the link to some markets. And congratulations on your latest book. Hope you have continued success. I rode a camel once. It was so much fun.
A great reminder to just keep at it. Thanks so much
Congratulations on your debut picture book. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Congratulations, Anita! Thank you for sharing your inspirational journey and helpful nuggets of information.
Such an encouraging post! I’m looking forward to checking out the link you gave us. Thanks so much and congratulations on your book.
Thank you, Anita, for sharing your journey and tips. I definitely will check out the website for work-for-hire options. Congrats on your publishing successes!
“Your writing is worth reading.” Love that! Thanks for sharing your journey and tips. Best of luck with Raja’s Pet Camel.
Lots of good advice here. Thanks for sharing.
Great post, Anita! Thank you for sharing your journey on getting published! It’s good to be reminded that there are paths to publication that do not involve having an agent.
I loved it when you said, “… remember, YOU are not getting published… your book is. Too many of us tie our self-worth and success as a writer to publication. Your writing is worth reading. Keep going. And know there’s likely more than one way to get where you want to go.”
Thanks for sharing your journey with us, Anita.
Congrats on your book!
Thank you, Anita! I love this encouraging post!
This was great advice and information! Thank you!
Thanks for sharing the tidbit about literary magazines! It is was awesome to hear about your writing journey.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and giving me something new to think about with regard to trying to get published in magazines. Best of luck with your debut picture book too!
Congratulations Anita! It was fun to read your story, your perseverant, determined story of writing and publication.
So may ways to break into writing! I was an editor for a publishing company and after moving to a new job was invited to write for the publisher on work for hire. Get your name in print and take off!
I love hearing about your writing journey. I think it’s important to let people know about different ways to get published. Congrats on a wonderful book, Anita!
Thank for the pep talk! It’s always good to read the journey of others.
💛Congratulations and thanks for sharing your inspirational story.💛
Awesome advice! Thanks!!
If there’s one word to describe Anita’s post, it’s ENCOURAGING! And that she has published 20 children’s books (traditionally) without an agent is something to take note of! So many great ideas!
So I’ll keep plugging away, and yes, I continue to learn from my 12×12 friends as my picture book manuscripts continue to improve!
Congratulations, Anita!
I was shocked at how many published stories you have…without having an agent. This truly gives me hope. Thanks for such an inspiring article!
Congrats, Anita! So exciting! Great post!
Anita, wonderful, helpful information! Can’t wait to read your debut book!
Keep spreading your magic!
Thank you for all of your helpful suggestions! Love the bright illustrations that are posted here.
Thank you for this wonderfully inspirational post, Anita! I plan on reviewing it in the new year. You have inspired me to persevere.
Anita, I truly appreciate the valuable information you have shared. Very encouraging!
Thank you for the inspiring post, and congratulations on Raja’s Pet Camel!
Congrats! Raja’s Pet Camel looks adorable!
Anita, you know how much I love Raja’s Pet Camel!!! Congrats. 🤗
Great advice, Anita! So interesting to see the different paths everyone takes.
Congratulations on your book launch !!! Loved reading your journey..it provides alot of insight and wisdom with a few more dashes of hope:)
This was a very inspiring post. Congratulations on your picture book publication.
Thanks for such an inspiring post Anita. Congrats on your debut trade PB!
Anita,
Your picture book looks fabulous. Congratulations! How refreshing to see a book about a pet we don’t normally see in the US.
Your message about not giving up hope and trying another way are important to keep in mind.
Nice illustrations.
Thanks for your informative, inspiring post. So glad you’ve had so much success!
Thanks for your encouraging words and congrats on all your success!
Anita, can’t wait to read your camel story. Danielle
Appreciate your reminders re: several paths toward a goal of publication. They all help us hone our craft and be better at what we do. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing! Great work, Anita!
Congratulations! Your story is very encouraging.
What a great, encouraging and informative post, Anita! Congratulations on your new book. Raja’sPet Camel looks really sweet.
Congratulations Anita! It’s so inspiring to hear your story, and impressive that you came at your goal from a variety of directions. I am going to add a work-for-hire goal to my calendar!
Thanks for sharing your journey! Your goal to share love with children is inspiring! Can’t wait to read Raja’s Pet Camel!
Congratulations!
Your story gives me such hope, Anita! Thanks for sharing! Can’t wait to read “Raja”!
This is great, really demystifying some things I hadn’t fully understood …thank you Anita!
This is some great advice in the work for hire arena! Thank you so much Anita! I can’t wait to read your debut. Congratulations again!
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about sending in some of my poetry to magazines (I’ve mainly focused on my PB submissions, in my few years of active work), so this is a great (and gentle) kick in the pants to get me started! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you for sharing! So inspiring! And I love your book!!👏🏼👏🏼
Congratulations and thank you for sharing your story! I am so happy for you and your journey!
Such an inspiring ost! Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Congratulations on your lovely book, and thanks for the encouraging post.
Thank you Anita for a fantastic article. I have always been interested in writing for magazines and this gave me some great info! Congrats on your book!
“YOU are not getting published – your book is.” This quote is going somewhere I can see it everyday at my writing desk! Thanks, Anita!
Great advice Anita. It is encouraging to hear how your pathway to publication has worked out so well. Congratulations and thanks for sharing.
Congratulations Anita! Thank you for your very encouraging post. Onward!
Thanks for sharing your path to publication. Magazine, educational market, and small press opportunities are often overlooked when writers fixate on signing an agent and selling a trade picture book. There are many paths to publication.
Thanks for sharing this not-so-run-of-the-mill paths to publication, and congrats on your debut PB!
Thank you for this great advice! So appreciate it.
Thank you all! I’m so glad this post has helped some of you! Good luck to all of you!
Thanks for sharing much detailed information about publishers and work-for-hire!
Pure inspiration! Thank you, Anita, for sharing your writing journey!
Congrats! Thanks for the tips.
Congratulations on your book! And thank you for your encouraging suggestions.
A very helpful post, thank you.
Thank you for this encouraging post Anita! It is a great reminder about other potential opportunities out there. Congratulations on Raja’s Pet Camel. Can’t wait to read it!
Thank you for all the advice on various avenues to publication. Very encouraging Anita!
What a great success to publish your PB, Anita. These are some great ideas for other writing venues. Thanks for those. And I’m going to check out Cardinal Rule Press!!!
I started out having a story published in a magazine as well, that is also now out of business, Stable Kids! I think it was a helpful way to start out. Thanks for sharing your story and tips, and good luck with continued success for the future! Congrats on your book!
Such a great post! I loved reading about your journey as a writer! Thank you for all of the specific helpful advice too about trying out the magazine market, looking for critique opportunities, and stretching out of our comfort zones to improve our writing. I like how you said, “And know there’s likely more than one way to get where you want to go.” Wonderful post! Thank you.
Thank you for sharing the great tips on various options for publication. Congratulations on your book and all your writing success!
Even the title is inspiration! Thanks for all the information as well, Anita.
Thank you, Anita!
Thank you Anita. I also have a picture book coming out with a small press. I plan to do more research on magazine opportunities. I appreciated hearing your path.
Congratulations on all your wonderful success, Anita. Your words inspire me, especially in a time when even the ground we walk on shakes with the unknown. Great to know how to ground ourselves in goals and forward momentum. Thank you so much.
Vanessa
Thanks so much for sharing your journey and tips to break into markets.
Thank you for sharing your inspiring story!
Thank you for sharing your writing journey. Your story is so inspirational!
Thanks. Anita for sharing your publishing journey and reminding us there are more paths than one to getting published. Congratulations on your picture book! 🙂
Thanks Anita for sharing your story and for the reminder that there are many paths to publication. Congratulations on your book!
Thanks for the all the great advice and info! And huge congrats on your debut PB!!
Thank you for this info. I learned a lot.
Anita, thanks for sharing the info and encouragement! I will definitely keep in mind “YOU are not getting published – your book is.” Congratulations on your new picture book!
Great post with a lot of good advice and also reminded me what I must do. Thanks.
Congratulations on all your successes and thanks for the great thoughts!
Thanks for the great tips and for sharing your writing journey!
Thanks for the tips. Very helpful.
Wow — that line “YOU are not getting published – your book is.” smacked me right between the eyes. Mostly because this is what I feel like every time I tweet and get little, if any, love. Thanks for sharing!!
Great post, Anita. Very encouraging with helpful information. Congrats on Raja’s Pet Camel!