Paths to Publishing

Getting Published

Writing Process

What Am I Writing?

Genre, Age Group, and Format

More Resources

Information

Grants, Retreats, Mentorships

  • We Need Diverse Books: grants for emerging marginalized authors + emergency grants, funds for threatened libraries, mentorships, retreats and more

  • SCBWI: “Out From the Margins” grant available to marginalized authors and illustrators; conferences and other support

  • Kweli Journal: annual conference, literary journal, mentorships, retreats for kidlit and adult, workshops and masterclasses

  • LIFT Early Career Support for Native Artists: $15K + professional and marketing support; for writing and also other art forms

  • Emerging Voices Fellowship from PEN America: 5 month mentorship for marginalized communities including Natives and “those living outside of urban areas”

  • Ucross Foundation: Native Fellowship – 4 week residencies in both writing and visual arts including a stipend, lodging, meals, $2K award and option to do a reading or exhibition

MFA programs

Other

Traditional vs Self-Publishing

START HERE: “The Key Book Publishing Paths” - Jane Friedman (her website is full of resources)

“17 Pros and Cons of Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing” - Writers Digest

Dictionary of Publishing Terms - BookEnds Literary Agency

Publishing Industry Terms and Contracts: Some Resources, and Some Advice - Writer Beware

Book Publishing Advice - collection of resources from author/former agent Nathan Bransford

Authors Information Center - SFWA

Indie Pub 101 - SFWA

Absolute Write — excellent resource for self and traditional publishing, writing advice, critique partners, & more

All About Agents (password chokma)

When Do I Earn Out? - publishing calculator by author Hana Lee

Publishing On Your Own - Native America Calling segment

Publishers for Native Literature

Please note: Always do your own research before committing time and resources.

Big 5 Kidlit

Heartdrum (HarperCollins)

Kokila (Penguin Random House)

Versify (HarperCollins)

Mid-Tier Kidlit

Levine Querido (Scholastic)

Lee and Low

Charlesbridge

Adult Publishers Who May Not Require An Agent

Chickasaw Press: Essentially a micropress with the resources of a mid-tier or major. Publishes all age groups and most genres; no agent or experience required.

Unnamed Press: Open submissions; Chelsea T. Hicks (Osage) got an NBA nom with them

Arsenal Pulp Press: Open submissions for fiction & some other categories; mostly Canadian authors; Joshua Whitehead won awards with them

TinHouse: Occasional open call submissions as well as workshops, including some online; offered a fee waiver to Native authors in 2025.

Milkweed Editions: Currently closed but has done open sub periods in the past. Annual poetry prize of $10,000 open in January-February.

Soho: Currently closed but opens occasionally for literary fiction

Torrey House Press: Small but open to all kinds of fiction, lots of varieties of nonfic, poetry, memoir, etc. Focus on the West and interactions with place; marginalized communities encouraged to apply

Graywolf Press: Requires agent for fiction and nonfiction but occasional open periods for poetry

Copper Canyon Press: Opens once a year with 1000 read cap – last one was May, opening in 2026

Native Representation

Bad News:

Baseline Diversity Survey - Lee and Low (2019)

Current Representations of American Indians in Children’s Publishing - Publishers Weekly (2015)

CCBC Diversity Statistics - ongoing survey of representation in kidlit, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Good News:

Committing to a Long Journey: Indigenous Voices in Publishing - Publishers Weekly (2023)

NDN Girls Book Club promotes Indigenous literature, empowers Native girls - Indian Country Today (2023)

Native Narratives: Native Authors on Recent Gains in Children’s Publishing - School Library Journal (2022)