For Children's Books Submissions click here

Download guidelines as a PDF

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES HAVE CHANGED (effective July, 2009)

Thanks for your interest in Chronicle Books! We publish an exciting range of books, stationery, kits, calendars, and novelty formats. Our list includes children's books and interactive formats; young adult books; cookbooks; fine art, design, and photography; pop culture; craft, fashion, beauty, and home décor; relationships, mind-body-spirit; innovative formats such as interactive journals, kits, decks, and stationery; and much, much more. As of 2009, we are no longer acquiring adult fiction. For guidelines on submitting fiction for children and young adults, please click here to see the children's submissions guidelines.

To get a better sense of our publishing, take a look at our website, www.chroniclebooks.com, or peruse your local bookstore or library.

Manuscript Submission Guidelines

We're always looking for the new and unusual. We do accept unsolicited manuscripts and we review all proposals. However, given the volume of proposals we receive, we are not able to personally respond to unsolicited proposals unless we are interested in pursuing the project.

General Guidelines:
• Chronicle accepts submissions by mail or e-mail. For environmental reasons, we prefer digital submissions. (See below for more detail on where to send).
• We are not able to personally respond to unsolicited submissions unless we're interested in publishing.
• Please allow three months for the editors to review a proposal.
• Given the volume of proposals we receive, we are unable to return materials submitted. Please do not include originals of any sort or any materials of value.
• Because we cannot return materials submitted, no need to include a self addressed, stamped envelope (see point above).

What to Include in Your Proposal:
• Include a one-page cover letter giving a brief description of the project, why you think Chronicle should publish it, what's included in the package, and your contact information.
• If your proposal is a simultaneous submission, please indicate this in your cover letter.
• Include an outline, introduction, sample illustrations or photographs, sample captions, sample recipes (if cookbook) or projects (if craft book), and text/sample chapters.
• When submitting artwork, either as a part of a project or as samples for review, please do not send original art, as it will not be returned. Anything from photocopies to tear sheets will do.
• Include a market analysis of the potential readership for the book. Who is the reader? What trends does the title speak to? Include a list of similar titles including the publisher, date of publication, and a brief explanation of how your book differs what's currently available.
• Include author/illustrator/photographer biography that includes publishing credits and credentials in the field.
• If you would like confirmation of receipt, please include a self-addressed stamped postcard for the editor to put in the mail upon receiving your proposal.

Where to Send Your Proposal:

We look forward to seeing your work!

PLEASE NOTE: These guidelines are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a solicitation of any manuscript, artwork, transparencies, or other material. Submission of any materials shall be done at the author/illustrator's own risk of loss or damage.