Share Your Story with the World!
By Kids, For Kids is Bow’s Bookshelf’s initiative dedicated to discovering and publishing young storytellers and illustrators.
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Imagine it.
Every big idea starts with a single spark. We celebrate the wild, creative worlds young minds build.
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Write it.
Putting pen to paper builds confidence and shows young storytellers that their unique voice matters.
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Publish it.
From draft to real book, we teach kids how to finish what they start and see their hard work in print.
What Bow’s Bookshelf Provides
Professional Editing
Minor developmental edits, line editing, copyediting, proofreading, and formatting to prepare your book for print.
Cover & Layout Design
Professional layout support and cover styling to make your artwork pop on retail shelves.
Social & Media Promotion
Dedicated promotion across our social media channels before, during, and after your book launch.
Global Distribution
Inclusion in major online bookstores and pitch submissions to physical retail stores.
What We Look For
General Requirements
Story Readiness: Needs a fully developed storyline with minimal editing required.
Guardian Permission: Authors/illustrators under 18 must have a parent or guardian’s consent (a permission form is provided upon acceptance).
Picture Book Submissions (If Applicable)
Must feature both an author and an illustrator (unless you are both!).
Cover artwork must be created by the illustrator (our team handles final text placement and design).
Standard royalties are split 50/50 between author and illustrator unless agreed otherwise.
Step-by-Step Submission Guide
Step 1: Prepare Your Files
Picture Books: Send the full manuscript + sample artwork/cover art.
Chapter, Middle Grade & YA: Send the first 3 chapters + a 1-page synopsis.
File Formats: Standard Manuscript Format (.docx or .pdf).
Step 2: Write Your Query & Bio
Include a short bio for the author/illustrator, links to any social media pages (if applicable), and a brief query letter summarizing your book.
Step 3: Submit Here
Document Naming: [Author Name] — By Kids, For Kids Submission
(Example: Jane Doe — By Kids, For Kids Submission)
The Inspiration.
Some of my fondest childhood memories are sitting at my grandma’s dining room table, writing and illustrating stories. Most of our tales revolved around the Bow family—a group of green bunnies based on my favorite stuffed animals. My grandma was an avid reader who passed her passion directly to me. When I wasn't creating stories, I was hopping from library to library to get my hands on as many books as possible.While we were writing, my grandma would always say:“One day, we’ll open our own publishing company where kids write books for other kids. Who knows what kids want to read better than kids themselves?”Though she passed away years ago, her words inspired me to take a leap of faith and launch Bow’s Bookshelf. I created our By Kids, For Kids program to nurture that same creative spark in young authors—building their confidence and giving them a genuine platform to be heard.
The Program.
I also created this program because I know how frustrating and inaccessible traditional publishing can be for parents and young writers. Navigating agents, formal queries, and industry gatekeepers often shuts out brilliant young minds before they even get started.We believe publishing should be simple, welcoming, and fair:All Creative Styles Welcome: Picture books, middle grade novels, or poetry. If your child is under 18 and passionate about their work, they are eligible to submit with guardian approval.Equal Royalty & Rights: Young creators are published as full partners. They receive the exact same benefits as our adult authors, including equal royalty splits, professional editing, and promotional support.A Dedicated Home: As an independent publisher specializing in children's, middle grade, and teen literature, we provide a safe, transparent, and hassle-free path to seeing their work in print.
My goal is simple: to inspire kids to reach goals they didn't know were possible, just like my grandma did for me.— Anna Stileski | Founder & Publisher, Bow’s Bookshelf
FAQs
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No, absolutely not. Bow’s Bookshelf is a traditional publishing house, not a vanity or self-publishing company. We never charge authors or parents any upfront fees for editing, design, or distribution. If accepted, we invest in your child’s book.
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We review every submission carefully! Because we receive many manuscripts, please allow 8 to 12 weeks for our editorial team to review your child’s work. You will receive an email update as soon as a decision is made.
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Your family retains creative ownership of the original work. When we publish a book, we secure a license to publish and distribute that specific edition. All contracts must be reviewed and signed by a parent or legal guardian if the author is under 18.
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Young creators in our By Kids, For Kids program receive the exact same fair royalty rates as our adult authors. Earnings are paid out on a regular schedule directly to a parent or guardian’s account (or a trust account set up for the author).