Submissions
A preface for hands-on creative types:
- We are always looking for interesting, locally-produced non-book items. Thus, makers are welcome to contact us with ideas and samples. The same consignment policy applies, so before submitting, please peruse the following...
When considering blue manatee for your work, please remember:
• We are picky. All titles must be approved by blue manatee staff, in accordance with our rigorous standards of writing, editing, illustration quality, and child development. ISBN numbers and traditional bindings add greatly to the feel of work, and make a good first impression.
• We are local. Our tastes reflect our customers and 20 years of serving them. The decision to accept or decline work is utterly subjective, rooted in this experience.
• We are for children. Adult titles will not be considered, nor these genres:inspirational, horror, how-to, manga, plays, or celebrity/TV.
• We are busy. Please know that we receive several books for consideration everyweek, and cannot be held responsible for ones left in the store.
• Ecosystems rule: Authors known to us as customers are more apt to become authors on our shelves. We invite you to shop here and attend our events to see if your book seems a good fit.
• We are not a publisher, editor, or publicity firm.
If your work is approved, our consignment policy is:
• We will initially stock at most 5 copies. If demand warrants, we will gladly reorder.
• Books on consignment will be displayed in our “local authors” section for four months.
• Authors are responsible for picking up unsold books after the four month period.
• Books left longer are subject to donation.
• No books will be purchased outright. Authors will receive payment for books sold at in-store signings and/or at the end of the four month period.
• blue manatee's share of all sales is 40% of the retail price.
*** Authors are encouraged to and responsible for promoting their work.
• If you would like blue manatee to promote your work, fees will apply:
- For $50, your book will be featured on and offered for sale through our website.
- For $100, blue manatee will host an in-store signing or event, and promote your book on our site, in-store calendar, and in our e-newsletter.
• For effective promotion, we strongly encourage the following:
- Spread the word: refer family and friends to blue manatee to purchase your book.
- Add “available at blue manatee” to all promotional materials.
- Provide a link to blue manatee on your website.
- Provide bookmarks, postcards, or flyers to be displayed with your book.
- Provide a 50 word blurb describing your book for our website and in-store signage.
- Join the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators - an invaluable resource for emerging children's authors, including national and local chapters, networking for critique and support, marketing tips, and more.
If all of this seems a good match, send an e-query here, containing:
- A brief writerly biography, including past published work, how you discovered blue manatee, and any relationship or experience with our staff or store.
- A brief synopsis of your work and its genre, i.e. where you think it fits in our store.
- Any publicity materials or ideas you have that you think might help sell your work, e.g. networking with local groups, postcards, Facebook page, email list.
- You will be contacted within 2 weeks regarding whether or not to send the work itself.
- Generic and/or mass e-queries are likely to be ignored.
- Thank you for your hard work and interest!
