07/07/2026
Not every rejected children’s book manuscript is a bad book.
In fact, many wonderful stories never make it to the shelf, and it often has very little to do with the writing.
A publisher might already have something similar.
It might not fit their upcoming list.
The timing could be off.
The production costs might be too high.
Or it simply might not be the right fit for that publisher’s mission.
Rejection isn’t the opposite of quality.
More often than not, it’s about finding the right home.
That’s why I wanted to make this video. Publishing can feel mysterious from the outside, and I believe the more we pull back the curtain, the stronger our creative community becomes.
Whether you’re an author, illustrator, bookseller, librarian, teacher, parent or simply someone who believes children’s books matter. I hope this gives you a little more insight into the decisions that happen long before a book ever reaches a child’s hands.
The goal isn’t to find a publisher.
It’s to find the right publisher.
❤️ I’d love to hear from you:
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about publishing?
