General Interest Fiction and Nonfiction Books:
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept unsolicited manuscript submissions. If you want to publish a manuscript, a good way to start is by looking for a literary agent in the Literary Marketplace. This is a reference book that can be found in most public libraries. The book lists literary agents around the country, their addresses and phone numbers, and the types of books that they specialize in handling. You might also want to pick up a copy of the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade Division book How to Be Your Own Literary Agent by Richard Curtis.
Poetry:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt regrets that we can no longer consider unsolicited poetry. Since our poetry publishing program is quite small, we have decided to reserve it for the authors to whom Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has already made a commitment. Please seek out resources like Poet's Market if you want to pursue publication.
Children’s Books:
Manuscript Submission Guidelines
Clarion Books and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers are the hardcover imprints of the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers Division.
Please note: Presently, only Clarion Books is accepting unsolicited submissions. HMH Books for Young Readers will not be reviewing unsolicited submissions at this time.
While we accept unsolicited and unagented submissions, we do not respond unless we are interested in publishing the work or would like to request a revision. Our time frame for a response is up to twelve weeks. We regret that we cannot respond personally to every submission, but each manuscript does receive careful consideration.
Your manuscript should be typed and submitted via mail. We do not accept submissions by e-mail or fax. Please do not send a self-addressed return envelope or postcard, as materials will not be returned. Manuscripts will be recycled if we determine that they are not a match for our publishing program.
For picture books and novels, please send the entire manuscript. For nonfiction, submit a synopsis and sample chapters.
When submitting work to any publishing house, it is useful to check your local bookstore or library to get a sense of the company’s publishing style. This research may also help you determine which HMH imprint is best for your work. Please submit exclusively to one HMH imprint.
Submissions to Clarion Books should be sent to the following address:
Clarion Books / Submissions
3 Park Avenue, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Illustration Submission Guidelines
The design department receives samples from potential illustrators of picture books and fiction book jackets for Clarion Books and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. (Illustrations that are part of a picture book dummy with text should be submitted to the editorial department per the instructions above.)
Send color copies or tear sheets; do not send original artwork or slides. Please show a limited selection of your strongest work. Illustrations that feature children or animals are helpful, but feel free to submit other subject matter. Samples will not be returned. We will contact you only if we have a potential illustration assignment.
Our mailing addresses are as follows:
Clarion Books OR Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers
Design Department / Art Samples
3 Park Avenue South, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers
Design Department / Art Samples
125 High Street
Boston, MA 02110
Dictionary Department
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
125 High Street
Boston, MA 02110