MC-Guide
Content Writing
Website 7: Candlewick.com
How Can You Earn Money Writing For “candlewick.com” Website
This guide shows you, step by step, how a beginner can learn to pitch and sell stories to candlewick.com.
You will learn what Candlewick wants, how to test your idea, how to write a pitch, and how payment roughly works. You can use this like a small SOP.
Guide: How to Publish or Work with Candlewick Press
This guide breaks down how to navigate Candlewick Press, one of the most prestigious independent children’s publishers. Whether you are a writer hoping to submit a manuscript, an illustrator building a portfolio, or a job-seeker looking for an editorial internship.
Unlike tech blogs that pay for quick articles, Candlewick offers careers and book deals. This requires a different strategy. We will cover how to align with their “story,” how to prepare your work, and how to get paid in the publishing industry.
Section 1 · The Publisher Identity
Understand what Candlewick really is
Candlewick Press is not a blog or a content mill. It is an independent children’s book publisher based in Somerville, Massachusetts. They are famous for high-quality production, heavy paper stock, and the iconic “Bear with a Candle” logo.
Their motto, often attributed to Abraham Lincoln, is: “Whatever you are, be a good one.” This means they prioritize literary quality and artistic excellence over mass-market trends. Before you write for them, you must read what they publish.
They produce physical and digital books for children and young adults.
- Picture Books: Like We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
- Middle Grade: Like Kate DiCamillo’s Because of Winn-Dixie.
- Young Adult (YA): Like Patrick Ness’s Chaos Walking.
- Non-Fiction: Educational but beautifully illustrated.
To avoid rejection, know what they don’t do:
- They generally do not buy single blog posts or “how-to” articles.
- They do not publish adult romance, business books, or thrillers.
- They are not a “self-publishing” service; they pay you (if accepted).
Section 2 · The Authors
What kind of writing gets accepted?
To earn money with Candlewick, your writing needs to match their standard. Look at their star authors to understand the bar.
Patrick Ness (Young Adult)
Check his author page. His books (A Monster Calls, Chaos Walking) are known for:
- Unique Voice: The writing style is distinct, not generic.
- Deep Themes: Dealing with grief, war, and noise.
- Genre Bending: Mixing sci-fi with deep emotion.
Kate DiCamillo (Middle Grade)
Her books are quiet, emotional, and character-driven. Candlewick loves stories that respect the intelligence of children. They don’t like “preachy” stories that talk down to kids.
Jon Klassen (Picture Books)
Known for I Want My Hat Back. His work features:
- Dry Humor: Funny in a subtle way.
- Visual Storytelling: The text and the art work together.
- Economy of Words: Very few words, but they matter.
Section 3 · The Writer’s Path
How to submit: The “Closed Door” vs. The Agent
This is the most important part for a beginner. Most major publishers, including Candlewick, do not accept unsolicited manuscripts directly from writers. If you mail them a story, it often goes into the “slush pile” or is returned unread.
To get paid to write for them, you usually need to follow this workflow:
Write and Polish Your Book
You cannot pitch an “idea.” You must write the full manuscript (for fiction) or a detailed proposal (for non-fiction). Revise it until it is as good as the books you see in stores.
Query a Literary Agent
Research “Literary Agents who represent Children’s/YA.” You send your query letter to them. If they like it, they sign you. The agent creates the bridge to Candlewick. Candlewick editors trust agents to filter for quality.
The Submission Deal
Your agent sends your manuscript to a specific editor at Candlewick. If the editor loves it, they make an offer (an “Advance”). This is how you earn money.
Section 4 · Illustrators
The Visual Path: Submitting a Portfolio
If you are an artist, the rules are slightly different. Candlewick places a huge emphasis on visual storytelling. Art directors often look for new talent even without agents.
- Postcards: It is industry standard to mail physical promotional postcards with your best art and website link to the “Art Director” at Candlewick Press.
- Online Portfolio: Have a clean website showing sequential art (characters moving through scenes), not just single portraits.
- Conferences: Attend SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) events where Candlewick art directors might be reviewing portfolios.
Section 5 · Career & Internships
The Employee Path: Getting paid to work there
If you want a steady paycheck rather than the uncertainty of writing books, look at their Careers & Internship page.
| Role | What you do | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial Intern | Read manuscripts, write reader reports, draft rejection letters, assist editors. | Love for reading, strong grammar, attention to detail. |
| Design Assistant | Help with layout, scan art, route proofs. | InDesign/Photoshop skills, good eye for typography. |
| Marketing/Publicity | Help promote books, coordinate author tours, social media. | Communication skills, organizational skills. |
Section 6 · The “Blogger” Strategy
How to “Write Articles” to reach Candlewick
The user prompt asked how to “write blog, article… and earn money” using these links. Since Candlewick doesn’t buy blog posts, here is the Side Door Strategy.
You can start a blog or write for magazines (like Horn Book, School Library Journal, or Kirkus) reviewing children’s books.
- How it earns money: Some review sites pay freelancers ($50-$100 per review).
- How it helps: If you review Candlewick books, you get on their “Press List.” They send you free books (ARCs). You build a relationship with their publicists.
Pitch articles to literary websites (like LitHub or Electric Lit) interviewing authors like Patrick Ness.
- The Benefit: You get paid by the magazine for the article.
- The Connection: You become a known name in the Candlewick network.
Section 7 · Money Matters
How payment works in publishing
If you sell a book to Candlewick, here is the rough money structure:
1. The Advance
This is money paid before the book is published. For a debut picture book or novel at a major house, this can range from $5,000 to $50,000+ (highly variable). It is paid in chunks (e.g., on signing, on delivery of manuscript, on publication).
2. Royalties
Once the book sells enough copies to “earn back” the advance, you start getting royalties. Standard rates are often:
- Hardcover: 10% of cover price.
- Paperback: 6-8% of cover price.
- E-book: 25% of net receipts.
Section 8 · Final Checklist
Your action plan
Use this checklist to ensure you are ready before engaging with a publisher like Candlewick.