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Thalia Leaf
Calkins Creek
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Currently Looking For
CALKINS CREEK Founded in 2004, Calkins Creek publishes entertaining, moving, and informative books on US history. We aim to help children and teens navigate the present by deepening their understanding of the past. Our books are not textbooks, but many are great for reading aloud in classrooms and we look for books with strong curriculum connections. We pride ourselves on producing books that are beautifully made and a joy to read. And the critics agree! Calkins Creek’s notable books include: MY LIST I’m primarily looking for US history-focused nonfiction picture books. I’m also looking to acquire a small number of middle grade and YA historical novels and the occasional long nonfiction or graphic novel project. PICTURE BOOKS I love picture books about historical figures who deserve to be better known—artists, activists, scientists, and trailblazers of all sorts. I like a good picture book picture book biography, but I generally find that they’re most successful when writers to focus on just a few key incidents (or even just one episode!) in the subject’s life. I’m also interested in books about important historical events told from the point of view of an ordinary, but real, person who participated in them. Picture books I love: Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist by Julie Leung; Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks by Suzanne Slade; Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles by Patricia Valdez. Research Because history is Calkins Creek’s focus, I generally don’t consider picture books with fictionalized stories or invented dialogue. Submissions must include a bibliography so that I can see what sort of sources the author has used. Encyclopedia entries or websites that give a general overview of an event or someone’s life are a great starting place for research but not sufficient on their own. I look for authors who have conducted interviews with the subject of their manuscript or people who knew them, have read and incorporated quotations from things the subject has written, and/or have used other primary sources like historical newspaper or magazine articles. Calkins Creek authors will seek out experts whom they can work with during the research and writing stages. Literary Quality At Calkins Creek, we pride ourselves on the literary quality of our picture books—they entertain and educate in equal measure. It’s essential that our books tell their stories in ways that build suspense with every page and include dynamic characters to which readers can feel connected. I love picture books with poetic language, especially surprising and vivid imagery, as well as word play and figurative language. Topics US history is full of difficult topics, and I welcome books that engage with them, provide context, and put them in terms kids can understand. Stories of queer and immigrant history are particularly close to my heart, and I’d love to see more of them in my inbox. I hope to continue to see m
Submission Guidelines
PLEASE NOTE: I do not accept unagented manuscripts, except when I’m participating in a pitch contest or workshop. All submissions must be complete manuscripts. I can’t consider proposals. As mentioned above, all submissions must include a bibliography. Vital Info tleaf@astrapublishinghouse.com @Thalia_Leaf
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