Most submissions that don't make it past first read fall down on one of the points below.
Run through this list with your child before pressing send — it dramatically improves your chances of a yes.
- The author is a child.
- Jayce's World Publishing exists to publish children's voices. Adult-written stories — even excellent ones — are not eligible.
- A parent or guardian has consented.
- Every submission must come with explicit written permission from a parent or legal guardian.
- The work is original and unpublished.
- No fan fiction, no AI-generated text, no work already published in print or online (a school newsletter is fine).
- You have a synopsis ready.
- 200–400 words. Tell us the story — including the ending. A good synopsis is the single biggest factor in our first-read decision.
- You have the first three chapters (or the whole piece).
- Attach as a Word document or PDF. Double-spaced is ideal but not required. Picture-book texts can be sent in full.
- You have read at least one Jayce's World book.
- We don't expect you to imitate Jayce — but we do expect you to know what kind of press you are submitting to.
- The author's voice is on the page.
- Light help with spelling and punctuation is fine. Heavy adult rewriting is something we can usually tell, and it counts against the submission.
- The story has heart.
- We are looking for honesty, courage, humour and care — not perfect grammar. If a story made the author laugh or cry while writing it, tell us.
- Diverse voices are explicitly welcomed.
- Especially Black, Brown, disabled, neurodivergent, looked-after and working-class young authors. If a child has not seen themselves on a bookshelf yet, we want to hear from them first.
- You understand we cannot publish everyone.
- A "no" from us is not a judgement on the child — only on the fit. We respond personally, with feedback where we can.
- You are happy to wait up to twelve weeks.
- We read every submission ourselves. Please do not chase before week twelve — it slows everyone down.
- You have not used "Submit" as the subject line.
- Use the format: Manuscript Submission — [Author Name]. The button below does this for you automatically.