Submission Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in submitting your work to Capstone. Before you send us anything, please read our submission guidelines detailed below. 

Capstone is an independent, family owned, children’s publisher creating educational content for children from preschool through middle school. From picture books, early readers, and chapter books to middle grade novels and nonfiction, our publishing list includes more than 10,000 print titles and 9,000 digital eBooks. Please explore our website, especially our Imprints, to see the kinds of books we publish before sending any submissions or queries. 

Capstone is committed to celebrating our diverse world and advocates for inclusivity, equity, and accessibility so that all readers see themselves reflected in the stories they read. We actively seek #OwnVoices contributors to work with and are interested in hearing from authors and illustrators from marginalized communities. Please specify in your cover letter if you identify with an underrepresented community. 

We are currently closed to submissions of unsolicited manuscripts. 

We are, however, always seeking new authors and illustrators interested in work-for-hire assignments. If you are interested in writing or illustrating work, please familiarize yourself with our books before contacting us. We are open to working with authors and illustrators at all experience levels. 

Due to the high volume of submissions, we will respond only if your submission meets our needs.
 

Work-for-Hire Authors

Please include the following:

  • Cover letter in the body of your email
  • Previous publishing credits
  • Writing sample
  • Topics of interest for writing assignments
  • Your contact information, including telephone number

Email to authors@capstonepub.com. 
 

Work-for-Hire Illustrators

Please include the following:

  • Cover letter in the body of your email
  • A link to your website
  • 3-4 illustrations that showcase your work
  • Previous publishing credits, if available 
  • Your contact information, including telephone number 

Email to il.sub@coughlancompanies.com.
 

Freelancers

We are also seeking experienced copy editors, fact checkers, and proofreaders, as well as professionals able to create indexes in InDesign.

Please include the following: 

  • Cover letter in the body of your email
  • Experience as a copy editor, fact checker, proofreader, or indexer
  • Hourly rate
  • Your contact information, including telephone number

Email to authors@capstonepub.com.