CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Fiction
YA LGBTQ2S+ Romance
Queer authors are invited to submit for our Real Love series of LGBTQ2S+ romance novels for teens. We’re looking for realistic, diverse stories about LGBTQ2S+ teens that explore the development of a positive sense of self and highlight the push towards acceptance and positive changes in society, through the lens of YA romance.
We want novels that are high interest but at a relatively low reading level. This way, they can be enjoyed by all readers, including those who read at a lower level, because they are fast-paced page-turners at an average of 20,000-25,000 words. Stories should follow one character’s perspective, either in a first or third-person narrative style.
Check out our books in the Real Love collection
What we are looking for:
• Short 25,000-word novels OR scripts specifically written to be used for graphic novels.
• Authentic queer and marginalized voices.
• Realistic fiction that can reflect your favourite romance tropes (enemies to lovers, forbidden love, second chance romance, etc.)
• Fast-paced.
• First- or third-person narrative style.
We will consider all stories that fit these guidelines. We’re currently especially interested in:
• Transfem-focused and authored stories.
• Intersectional identities (e.g., racialized characters with disability).
• Stories that accurately portray economic disparity and disadvantage.
What we do not accept:
• Stories written about places of privilege. We are not interested, for example, in stories about cis-white teens learning lessons or gaining perspective.
• Stories with unrealistic characters.
• Stories not set in concrete places and current times, in Canada.
• Main characters with wealth, status, or other positions of power.
YA/Middle-Grade Environmental Justice
Climate change is the overwhelming existential threat of our time and the one that will affect the life of every child of today. It is crucial that the discussion of this and other environmental issues be framed in fiction in a way that inspires hope and practical activism as coming generations adapt to new and shifting realities. Literature for young people continues to have a role to play in inspiring resistance and change.
Check out our books in this collection:
Jamilah at the End of the World and Escape from the Wild Fire
What we are looking for:
• 20,000–30,000 words OR scripts specifically written to be used for graphic novels
• Authors of all experience levels are invited to submit, but we encourage submissions by young and debut writers
• Realistic fiction, including well-researched fictionalized accounts inspired by news headlines, real events, and real teens [see town on fire]
• Stories that crystallize the real impact climate change has had on Canada and Canadians. These should be significant impacts (think: wildfires, floods, community-level environmental poisoning etc).
• Children or teenage characters who take meaningful, realistic, radical action to respond to climate change.
What we do not accept:
• Dystopian/sci-fi premises.
• Stories about endangered animals.
YA/Middle-Grade Fiction by Racialized Voices
Racialized authors are invited to submit young adult and middle-grade fiction. Our list has a progressive focus on the real stories and issues that specifically reflect the experiences today of the different groups that make up Canadian society. Our goal is to publish authors that accurately and honestly reflect the true diversity of Canada’s population, inspiring understanding and activism. We seek authors whose characters and stories are recognizably current, not based on experiences of 10, 20 or 30 years ago.
What we are looking for:
• 20,000–30,000 words OR text specifically written to be used in a graphic novel format.
• Written by racialized voices, of all levels of experience.
• Realistic fiction, set in identified current Canadian settings.
• We encourage authors from BIPOC groups to submit stories that reflect the realities faced by marginalized groups in Canada today.
What we do not accept:
• Dystopian/sci-fi premises.
• Stories about racialized characters written by non-racialized authors.
YA/Middle-Grade Activism
As a progressive, issues-based publishing house we are interested in publishing stories that highlight our world’s most pressing issues in ways that authentically engage today’s youth. Fictional stories about these “big picture problems” are of interest to us. Big issues we focus on are: Sexism, Racism, Climate Change, and Economic/Class injustice.
Check out our books in this collection: Jamilah at the End of the World
What we are looking for:
• 20,000–30,000 words OR scripts specifically written to be used for graphic novels.
• Authors of all experience levels may submit, but we encourage submissions by young and debut writers
• Realistic fiction, including well-researched fictionalized accounts inspired by news headlines, real events, and real teens.
• Stories that explore a pressing “big picture” issue in a Canadian context in a real and hard-hitting manner
• Stories that showcase the resistance, activism and involvement these issues may create.
• Children or teenage characters who take meaningful realistic action to cope with and change systemic problems.
What we are not interested in:
• Dystopian/sci-fi premises.
• Stories that focus on these issues in soft ways (think: Teen homelessness, not Teen without name-brand clothes).
Non-Fiction
We have a collection of illustrated informational books. The books cover topics like: Wrongfully convicted youth, Canadian sports stars, Canadian history, racism, gender and sexual orientation. We are looking for books that update mis-told or untold histories, amplify unheard voices, and bring to light systemic inequalities They should also tie into curriculum outcomes across Canada.
What we are looking for:
• Writers with knowledge about and progressive perspectives on various topics in line with the above
• A collection of visuals, or knowledge of the possible visuals that could support the work (photographs, historic paintings, artefacts etc)
• Particular areas of interest are Indigenous and marginalized perspectives in civics, history, science and math; collected histories on injustices against marginalized groups; true accounts of real kids/teens that inspire activism in the areas of racism, environmental justice, mental health, feminism, and economic disparity.
What we are looking for:
• Writers with knowledge about and progressive perspectives on various topics in line with the above
• A collection of visuals, or knowledge of the possible visuals that could support the work (photographs, historic paintings, artefacts etc)
• Particular areas of interest are: Indigenous and marginalized perspectives in civics, history, science and math; collected histories on injustices against marginalized groups; true accounts of real kids/teens that inspire activism in the areas of racism, environmental justice, mental health, feminism, and economic disparity.
How to Submit
Submissions are open to Canadian writers.
Interested authors of all levels of experience who have unpublished manuscripts or suitable ideas and concepts are invited to submit their works to submissions@lorimer.ca. Full manuscripts are accepted but are not essential; the quality of an idea is a huge part of what makes a great book. Authors should expect to work closely with editors in developing their concept through the course of drafting the book, working within a set timeframe.
When making a submission, please:
1) Name your files with the following format:
YOUR NAME_PROJECT TITLE_Document description. Ex: JANE DOE_A GREAT BOOK TITLE_Sample Chapter
2) Send one email containing the following 3 documents as Microsoft Word or PDF files:
• A detailed chapter-by-chapter plot outline/synopsis (Be sure to spoil the ending for us! We need to know what happens- don’t leave us guessing)
• A sample chapter
• Information about yourself and your interest in writing for Lorimer. We usually like to know: the Province/Territory you live in, your profession (or what else might position you as an authority on the subject you are writing about-volunteer work, personal experiences, etc), and what writing experience you have (blogs, published works, articles, etc).
3) Indicate in your email:
• If your submission is a simultaneous submission (is your proposal also with another publisher?)
• The best way to contact you.
If the above guidelines are not followed, your submission may not be read. It is not possible for us to respond to all those who submit, but we try! Submissions that interest our editorial team will be notified within 8 weeks.
Illustrators
We are actively seeking illustrators for graphic novel and non-fiction projects.
Check out some of our past illustrated projects: If I Go Missing, My Best Friend is a Viral Dancing Zombie, The Fake-Chicken Kung Fu Fighting Blues
Interested artists should:
1) Prepare a PDF or Word document with 3-4 single works as a sample. These samples should either give us a clear idea of your distinctive style OR show us the breadth of styles you work within.
2) Name the document as such: YOUR NAME_SAMPLE
3) Email submissions@lorimer.ca with your sample and CV attached.