Submission Guidelines

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Thank you for your interest

Hello and thank you for your interest in submitting to By The Spirit Books!

We publish children's books, graphic novels, and interactive stories/apps that are contemporary, 'slice-of-life' naturalistic, and rooted in Christ. If you are an author and/or illustrator interested in submitting your faith-based manuscript, please continue reading our Submissions Guidelines to determine if your story is a good fit with our company. Thank you!

Submissions

Children's Books

We are seeking fiction manuscripts for picture books for children ages 4-8 years old (up to 1000 words).

Graphic Novels and Interactive Stories

We are seeking nonfiction and fiction graphic novels for all ages with a strong visual and storytelling style that would have appeal to a wide range of readers, including those new to the genre. Interested in all types of faith-based graphic novels and books — with focus on stories for early readers, young adults, and middle grade.

Guidelines

  • We prefer to receive submissions and illustrations digitally. No compact discs, flash drives, etc, will be reviewed. Absolutely no in person submissions. 
  • If you have a story but no artwork to include, we will pair you up with one of our illustrators!
  • Include your complete contact information with your submission (email and phone number).
  • If you have a literary agent, please note that along with their contact information. 
  • If we are interested in your submission, you can expect to hear from us within 2-3 months after we receive your submission.

Cover Letter

We prefer that you include a strong cover letter with your manuscript/query. It should include:

  • A short story description
  • Word count
  • Short author bio, mentioning publishing history or relevant background
  • 2-3 sentences telling us the story’s inspiration
  • Your contact information along with social media links.

Manuscript

Your Manuscript should be attached as a PDF file! Please, no Google docs, Mac Pages, Word docs, or One Note docs as these will be discarded. Manuscripts should be:

  • Typed/Double-spaced
  • 12 point font
  • Margins (at least 1” all around)
  • Page numbers in bottom right hand corners
  • Proofread & spell check EVERYTHING

Art Samples

We are happy to consider art samples for picture books, graphic novels, and book jackets. You may send your sample to info@bythespiritbooks.com. Please include a link to your website. (Note that all manuscript submissions sent to this address will be deleted unread.)

Where to Send Your Proposal

You can send your proposal, manuscripts, and images for consideration as email attachments to: submissions@bythespiritbooks.com

We do not track receipt of submissions at this time, therefore we will not be able to give you confirmation that your materials have been received.

By submitting your manuscript and/or artwork you acknowledge that because of our position in the publishing industry we receive numerous solicited and unsolicited submissions of ideas, formats, stories, illustrations, suggestions and the like, and that many such submissions heretofore or hereafter received can be similar to or identical to those being developed by us or our employees or to those otherwise available to us. 

You acknowledge that no contractual relationship now exists between you and By The Spirit Books, and you further acknowledge that no such relationships are established between you and By The Spirit Books by reason of you submitting your material.