On January 15th till the end of February our picture book submissions will open. Unsolicited submissions are welcome. I asked some of our authors how their picture books came to be! The authors share their experience. Some of our manuscripts were via agents, others were via unsolicited submission and others were CYA assessments. 

Walls: Tania Ingram

Walls is an unusual kind of picture book and I wasn't sure if any publishers would take it on, but Rochelle was willing to take the risk. I'm so pleased that she could see the potential in this story. Picture book was through an agent.

Mila and Ivy: Katrina McKelvey

I submitted Mila and Ivy to the Wombat Books slush pile in June 2020. Rochelle surprised me with an email and a phone call in February 2021. After a fabulous discussion involving a slight rewrite, including a title change and a new character, I signed the contract a month later. I was excited and grateful Rochelle accepted my story and me into the Wombat family.

Dragon Guest Handbook: Jeanette Stampone

Yes it was the slush pile! A lot of people think slush piles are impossible but there’s definitely a chance. I am always submitting wherever I see an opportunity. Wombat Books were one of the very first publishers I submitted to. I read every book Wombat book I could find. Eventually it must have paid off, as I was offered a contract. I was thrilled and grateful to have my work alongside Wombat’s other wonderful titles.

Boots: Elizabeth Pulsford

Receiving an offer from Rochelle following a CYA assessment was a dream come true. ‘Boots’ is a story very close to my heart, and I have felt championed by the Wombat team throughout the entire publishing journey. Rochelle’s belief in this picture book and her genius in pairing the text with Krista Brennan’s incredible illustrations, has helped to breathe life into a story, which I hope will share with young readers the importance of family and legacy.