Pownal Street Press Traditional Submissions for Nonfiction and Children’s Picture Books Opening June 1
PSP is excited to open our doors once again to traditional submissions this June. When selecting new titles for our traditional stream, our publishing mandate is to focus on stories that celebrate diversity in culture and relationships that connect people to the land, and tie us closer to our communities. As a social purpose company, we believe that it is the untold story, the risk-taking story, the brave story that will always catch our eye.
We exist to give rise to brave stories,
Pownal Street Press
and to be a light for community
and connection.
In nonfiction, this looks like narrative-driven memoirs, first person accounts, works with a philosophical question, or any manuscripts in poetry or essay collections that support the human experience. In children’s books, this looks like stories around themes of human relationships, connections with nature, and timeless stories of traditions, either the celebrations of old traditions or the building of new ones— both essential parts of life. If you are both a visual artist and elegant storyteller, and are looking to publish a meaningful children’s book, we especially want to hear from you.
If you feel your manuscript might be the right fit for us, please review these guidelines:
Guidelines for Submission with Pownal Street Press
— We accept Essay collections, memoirs, collections of poetry and works of literature for children.
— If submitting children’s stories, please submit 1-3 stories only.
— If you have previously submitted your work to Pownal Street Press, please ensure that you are sending new work.
— Tell us why you’re a good fit for us: browse our recent HERE to get a feel for what we publish.
— Please use industry-standard formatting: Microsoft Word document, 12 pt font, double-spaced
— We accept: nonfiction, collections of poetry, children’s stories (not illustrated unless you are the artist)
— Please format your file: Lastname_Title_2026
— Include your contact info / relevant social media channels, website, portfolios etc.
— Email your submission to “hello@pownalstreetpress.com” with the Subject line “Traditional: Genre”, and the completed manuscript attached.
Some reminders from the publishing team
— Sugar Shack Books is not accepting romance manuscript submissions during this call.
— We do not accept any manuscripts that have been created by Artificial Intelligence (including visual mockups for your children’s book.) This is kinda really really important. Please read our statement here: AI in Book Creation
— We do not accept “single” poems, we are only accepting full length collections.
— Currently we are not accepting anthropomorphic children’s books. We love and do publish books with animals as main characters, however at this moment we are looking for books that young readers will see themselves in.
Which topics are on the PSP wish list?
- In MEMOIR , we are currently drawn to your adventures in travel writing, memoirs that explore relationships, infertility, and all facets of #momlife, including neurodivergent mom, parenting memoirs of atypical children and forward thinking family setups.
- In NONFICTION, we love to read books about spiritual awakenings, books by experienced yoga teachers on methodology, books by artists who explore their creative processes.
- In POETRY, we love reading collections that experiment with structure and form in interesting ways, or are transitioning out of a performance poetry setting or theme, books with a philosophical question or use fragmentation to interrupt or pause time.
- In KIDS, we want to see new points of views, fresh angles on old topics, themes that circle around gender, personhood, self-development, self-realization and being yourself.
A note about our hybrid acquisitions
Our Hybrid publishing acquisitions are OPEN year round. If you are keen to get your story onto bookstore shelves as quickly as possible, book a call with us HERE or fill out an application form HERE .
Pownal Street Press is PEI’s newest publishing house. Women-owned and women-led, friendly, warm and professional: We exist to give rise to brave stories, and to be a light for community and connection. With distribution through Raincoast Books (Canada) and Orca Books (US), Pownal Street Press’ titles have national reach but local heart. For more information about the Press and its books, please visit: www.pownalstreetpress.com.