MC-Guide
Content Writing
Website 11: Holidayhouse.com
How Can You Earn Money Writing For “holidayhouse.com” Website
This guide shows you, step by step, how a beginner can learn to pitch and sell stories to holidayhouse.com.
You will learn what Holidayhouse wants, how to test your idea, how to write a pitch, and how payment roughly works. You can use this like a small SOP.
How to Get Published by Holiday House (and Build Income from Children’s Books)
This detailed, beginner-friendly guide explains how Holiday House works, what imprints like Pixel+Ink are looking for, how to prepare strong submissions (or find an agent), and practical ways authors earn money from published children’s and YA books. It collects official pages, helpful resources, and step-by-step templates so you can act today.
Quick reference: Holiday House is a US-based children’s book publisher with multiple imprints and author resources. For Pixel+Ink — Holiday House’s series fiction imprint — there is specific contact/submission information. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Section 1 · About Holiday House
What Holiday House publishes and who reads it
Holiday House is an established independent publisher focused on quality books for young readers — picture books, middle grade, and young adult (YA) fiction and nonfiction. Their catalog emphasizes strong storytelling, literary quality where appropriate, and market-aware children’s publishing. For the publisher homepage and general contact information, see Holiday House’s site. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Holiday House publishes:
- Picture books (ages 0–7)
- Early chapter and middle grade books (ages 7–12)
- Young adult novels (teens)
- Selected nonfiction for kids (history, STEM, social topics)
Buyers are librarians, teachers, parents, and trade booksellers — plus gift buyers and early-reader households. Librarians and educators are important advocates for children’s books, so marketing plans that include classroom/school outreach and librarian engagement improve a book’s chance to sell well.
Section 2 · Imprints: Pixel+Ink and more
Holiday House imprints you should know
Holiday House manages several imprints; one notable imprint is Pixel+Ink, which focuses on series fiction for children ages 3–13 (picture series, early chapter series, middle grade series). If your work matches an imprint’s focus, your chance of fit increases. The Holiday House Pixel+Ink imprint page describes the imprint and — importantly — provides contact/submission details for Pixel+Ink. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Imprints often have clear editorial goals. Targeting the right imprint lets editors quickly see fit (tone, age range, series potential). Pixel+Ink is explicitly series-minded — if your story reads like a single volume of an ongoing series (strong recurring characters, world hooks), note that in your query.
The Pixel+Ink / Holiday House page includes a contact / submissions note; Pixel+Ink has asked for certain materials via email (see the Pixel+Ink contact/submissions note linked in Resources). If you’re sending to Pixel+Ink specifically, follow that page’s directions precisely. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Section 3 · Official submission rules
Do they accept unsolicited manuscripts? (short answer: check carefully)
Publishers change their submission windows and policies. Some Holiday House pages (and imprint pages like Pixel+Ink) include submission contact instructions; other industry write-ups indicate Holiday House may primarily work with literary agents. That means:
- Some imprints or special programs may accept email submissions or have a public submission route (Pixel+Ink shows contact information relevant to its imprint). :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
- Other parts of Holiday House may primarily acquire via literary agents and may not respond to unsolicited manuscripts in all cases. Industry roundups and recent publisher lists note that Holiday House often works with agents; confirm before you submit. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
- The Holiday House FAQ and contact pages give general editorial addresses and postal instructions for certain submissions. Use official pages to confirm the current process before sending manuscripts. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Section 4 · How to prepare your manuscript & query
A practical, editor-friendly checklist
- Picture books: Provide full text (single-spaced, each page break noted) plus a 1–2 paragraph pitch, target age, and optional sample images/illustrations or a note about illustration vision.
- Middle grade / YA: Standard manuscript format — double-spaced, 12-point readable font (Times New Roman or similar), 1″ margins, page numbers. Include word count at the top.
- Nonfiction: Include a short proposal: overview, target audience, outline, sample chapter, and back-matter notes (activities, resources) if relevant.
- Include a short bio (publication credits, teaching or library experience, past books) and contact details.
Editors read many submissions. A clear one-paragraph pitch helps them decide quickly. Use this template:
- Title — Hook: one sentence that sells the premise.
- Age range/word count — one short sentence about the format.
- Why this book matters: two brief bullets on the emotional or curricular value.
Example pitch (picture book)
Title: The Cloud Who Couldn’t Float.
Hook: A small cloud learns to change its shape and mood to cheer up a child who misses their old home.
Format: Picture book, 600 words, ages 4–8.
Why it matters: Addresses relocation grief gently; includes fold-out map activity and reading guide for parents and teachers.
What to include in a submission email or packet
- Subject line: SUBMISSION: [Title] — [Format] — [Your Name]
- One-paragraph pitch (as above)
- Brief author bio — one short paragraph (credentials, other publications, or why you’re the right person to tell this story)
- Manuscript attached as a PDF or DOCX (follow imprint instructions)
- For picture books, optionally include a 1–2 page sample layout note (which lines go on which spreads)
- Links to online samples, author website, or relevant social profiles
Section 5 · If Holiday House prefers agents
How to find a literary agent who can submit for you
Many trade publishers acquire through agents because agents pre-screen manuscripts, negotiate contracts, and help guide careers. If a Holiday House editorial note or industry report indicates they primarily work via agents, here’s a compact plan:
Polish your manuscript and prepare a query
Before approaching agents, your manuscript must be near-final. Agents expect polished work or a solid proposal for nonfiction.
Research agents who represent children’s books
Use AgentQuery, QueryTracker, Publisher’s Marketplace, and industry lists. Look for agents who represent picture books, MG, or YA depending on your project.
Customize queries — don’t mass-email
Personalize a short query letter and follow each agent’s submission instructions exactly (sample pages, synopses, multiple author bios when relevant).
Use critique groups and professional feedback
Beta readers, critique partners, and paid manuscript critiques can make your submission stronger before an agent sees it.
Section 6 · Money: advances, royalties, and other income
How children’s authors earn money (practical breakdown)
Book income is usually mixed — advances and royalties are the core, but many authors also earn from school visits, library events, teaching, freelance writing, or derivative rights.
| Income stream | Typical timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Advance | Paid upon contract (or in installments) | Varies widely — small publishers sometimes pay modest advances; larger advances are rare for debut children’s books. Negotiated by your agent. |
| Royalties | Paid after royalties recoup advance; regular statements | Royalty rates depend on format (hardcover, paperback, ebook) and contract terms. Keep careful records. |
| School & library visits | Ongoing | Paid speaking fees or honorariums; builds audience and long-term sales. |
| Subsidiary rights (translation, film) | Occasional | Can be significant if sold; agent negotiates. Include reversion clauses in contracts. |
| Teaching / freelancing | Ongoing | Workshops, courses, and freelance articles about your writing niche can be steady additional income. |
Section 7 · 30-day action plan (for beginners)
Concrete week-by-week steps you can do now
Research & choose your target
Read 5 recent Holiday House (or imprint) books in your target age range. Note tone, length, and subject matter. Save links to the publisher and imprint pages. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Polish a one-paragraph pitch and sample pages
Write your one-paragraph pitch and revise your first 5–10 pages or full picture-book text. Get quick feedback from a trusted reader or critique group.
Decide: agent route or direct submission
Check imprint instructions (Pixel+Ink or Holiday House general pages). If the imprint accepts email/submissions, prepare your packet; if agents are preferred, prepare agent queries. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Send 5 targeted queries
Send queries to 5 agents or email submissions to a targeted imprint contact where allowed. Track responses in a simple spreadsheet (date sent, to whom, response, next step).
Section 8 · Resources, templates & links
Direct links you can open right now
- Holiday House — official homepage (general contact & news). :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
- Holiday House · Pixel+Ink imprint page (imprint overview). :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
- Pixel+Ink contact / submission note (see imprint page for directions). :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
- Holiday House FAQs — submission & contact notes (postal & editorial info). :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
- Editor listings and interests (Manuscript Wishlist entries for Holiday House editors).
- Editor spotlights & interviews that mention Holiday House editorial preferences. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
- Historical notes on Holiday House submission addresses (archive blogs & community notes).
- Roundups of publishers accepting children’s book submissions (verify with official pages).
Templates (copy & paste)
Query email — for an agent
Subject: Query: [Title] — [Format] — [Word count] — [Your Name]
Dear [Agent Name],
I am seeking representation for my [picture book / middle grade / YA] titled "[Title]." [One-sentence hook that sells the premise.]
[One-paragraph short pitch — 3–4 sentences with stakes and emotional core.]
The manuscript is approximately [word count] words. I have included the first [5 pages / sample chapter] and a short author bio below. Previously, my work has appeared in [list if any] or I [briefly mention relevant experience, teaching, librarian work, or related background].
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Email] | [Phone] | [Website / Social]
Submission email — direct to imprint/editor (if allowed)
Subject: Submission: [Title] — [Format] — [Your Name]
Dear [Editor / Pixel+Ink team],
Please find attached my [picture book manuscript / proposal] titled "[Title]" (approx. [word count] words) for consideration at Pixel+Ink / Holiday House. [One-sentence hook.] Attached are the manuscript (PDF) and a short author bio.
About me: [1–2 sentences about your background and relevant experience or publications.]
Thank you for your time — I look forward to hearing if this might be a fit.
Best,
[Your Name]
[Contact details]