Second Story Press is looking for manuscripts
Publishes fiction and nonfiction for kids and for adults
Second Story Press
120 Carlton Street
Suite 412
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5A 4K2
Second Story Press is a Canadian feminist press. It was founded in 1988 by Margie Wolfe, but in 2025, Phuong Truong became the new owner. Second Story’s list spans adult fiction and nonfiction; children’s fiction and nonfiction, board books and picture books to young adult. They continue to look for stories that feature strong female and queer characters and that explore themes of social justice, human rights, equality, and ability issues.
Second Story is committed to finding authentic voices, and like everyone else, they seek to publish creators from communities who have been traditionally underrepresented in books. “These include (but are not limited to) works by creators who are Indigenous, Black, people of colour, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Second Story focusses on Canadian authors (either citizens or permanent residents of Canada who are currently living in Canada), and almost all their authors are women. They do not publish poetry, short story collections, traditional romance novels, rhyming picture books, or books with anthropomorphized animals. Second Story Press does not accept any submissions that have been created using artificial intelligence.
Note: If you’re interested in meeting an agent and in getting published, don’t miss our upcoming online “How to Get Published” workshop Saturday, June 13, with literary agent Ali McDonald of the 5 Otter Literary Agency and author Kristy Jackson. Details here.
In addition to your query letter, include a brief biography, a brief summary of your book, and why you’re the best person to write it. For all juvenile work, identify the intended audience or age range for your book.
Consider how your book fits into Second Story’s list, how it’s different from similar or competing titles published by Second Story or any other press, and how your book fits into the marker; i.e., who is it written for? Include a C.V. with information about any relevant work, previous publishing credits, and academic history (where applicable) particularly for nonfiction.
If you don’t have any publishing credits, don’t worry. Second Story happily publishes new authors.
Include a synopsis of your work (500 words maximum).
For adult fiction and nonfiction and for books for children and teens send the first three chapters.
For children’s picture books, please send the entire manuscript. You do not need to include illustrations if you are not a professional illustrator.
Note: Second Story publishes a lot of picture books for the 6–8-year-old age group, in addition to some picture books for the more usual 3– -year-old age group, which is the more usual target for picture books.
Email your submission to: submissions@secondstorypress.ca
Format the subject line thus: ADULT/JUVENILE FICTION/NONFICTION, AUTHOR NAME, PROJECT NAME; e.g.: Juvenile nonfiction, Erin Silver, What the Kids Did
Books for teens are classified as juvenile. For all juvenile books, specify the intended age range in your query letter.
Your query letter may be in the body of your email, but attach your C.V., synopsis, and sample chapters as a Word document or a PDF.
Please note that it can take a period of 7–10 months to receive a response.
Illustrators:
Second Story accepts portfolios only from Canadian illustrators. Send samples of your work and a C.V. either by mail or by e-mail to: illustrators@secondstorypress.ca
Please put Attn: Illustrator’s Portfolio on the package or in the subject line.
See full submission guidelines for writers and illustrators here.
See all of Brian Henry’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.