Whispering Pine Press International, Inc. is a quality book publishing company that specializes in life-enriching reading materials. Our goal is to meet the growing need for books that address family values, education, self-help, spirituality, multiculturalism, and entertainment. It is our objective to promote a greater understanding of one another through quality literature for children and adults of all ages to enjoy.
The following submission guidelines are designed to help you understand the kinds of written material we are looking for. Please read them carefully.
NOTE: All mail or email is assumed for publication unless clearly stated otherwise in the letter. Letters may be excerpted.
PLEASE SEND ALL SUBMISSIONS TO:
Submissions Editor
Whispering Pine Press International, Inc.
P.O. Box 668
Spokane Valley, WA 99037-0668 USA
Do not send submissions as attachments through email.
Only submissions through regular mail will be accepted. We will accept inquiries and questions about Whispering Pine Press International, Inc. at: sales@whisperingpinepress.com.
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR WORK
Submissions should be made in hard copy through standard postal mail (also, submission must be on a CD in Word). Mailed copies should be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font, and have 1-inch margins. It makes our job easier if all submissions are in a standard format. Also include a cover page containing the author or artist’s full name, age, mailing address, telephone number, the title of the work for consideration, and an accurate word count. All works submitted must be the original work of the named author or artist. (Note: if a story is co-written, include names of all authors.) Creators should not copy stories or artwork from books, annuals and annual books, or other publications. Please note that anything sent to us is considered publishable material.
If you want us to respond to your submission, you must enclose a business-size, self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). If you want your work returned, the envelope must be large enough and have the right amount of postage for the return of your complete submission.
TYPES OF BOOKS PUBLISHED: Hardcover and trade paperback originals and reprints including hardcover, trade paperback, and mass market. We publish an average of 20-30 titles per year.
SUBMISSIONS POLICY
Whispering Pine Press International, Inc. does accept unsolicited manuscripts at this time. All writers should send us a query letter and a SASE describing the project briefly and concisely. Multiple or simultaneous submissions are considered. Submissions are processed as soon as possible.
A query letter should include the following information: the book’s content, its anticipated length (in double-spaced pages or in words), its intended audience, the author’s writing and professional background, and any promotional ideas and contacts the author may have. If the author has previously been published by another firm, please specify why a change is being sought. A formal synopsis, chapter outline (if applicable), and/or two sample chapters may be sent with a query letter. NEVER send us the original copy of any material. We are not responsible for any submissions sent to Whispering Pine Press International, Inc.
Be advised that we have specific requirements regarding the length of any proposed manuscript.
Children’s books (ages 2-8, 32 illustrated pages when published) should not exceed 1,200 words.
Proposed books for young adults should be no less than 25,000 words.
Adult books should be 25,000+ words.
For cookbooks, we require a minimum of 200 proposed recipes.
Photocopies of any accompanying artwork or illustrations are welcome, but again, NEVER send us any original material. Always keep the original and send a copy.
We will respond as promptly as possible. The usual response time is three to six months. Following the submission procedures ensures the most expeditious treatment of all inquires. Questions regarding status of a submission after four months should be made in writing to the address above; no phone calls please. We regret that due to the large quantity of submissions, we cannot guarantee a personal response.
All work submitted to us must be in good taste, non-libelous, and consistent with the level of excellence we have established. Although many of our titles are specialized, they are all suitable for general readership and are free of gratuitous offensive words, phrases, or references.
POETRY
Since poems are generally short artistic works, they should be highly polished. Pay attention to the way in which you use language and poetic devices such as the rhythm created by repeated sounds or stress, rhyme and word sounds, or line breaks. Use rich images, appeal to the senses, and do not disregard correct grammar. If you break a rule, it should be for effect. We will accept poems on a wide range of topics and in many styles, so use your imagination. General submission guidelines apply to written poetry projects.
ILLUSTRATIONS AND ARTWORK
We welcome new and creative artwork and illustrations for various publication projects. The number of works we can publish always depends on the individual project and available space. Give your talent and creativity free reign, but be sure that the works sent are no larger than a standard paper size (8½ x 11 inches) and no smaller than 3 x 4 inches. Keep in mind that extremely light images may not reproduce well. Also, please use a fixative if the artwork was created using charcoal or pastels that tend to rub off when you touch them. A fixative is a substance you can spray on your drawing to protect it and keep it from smearing. You can find them at your local art supply store. Visit our Illustrator Services page for more information regarding illustrations.
FICTIONAL STORIES
We welcome fictional stories covering a variety of subjects including adventure stories, animal stories, fantasy, folktales, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, humor, nature stories, science fiction, sports stories, or suspense and mystery stories. Your stories should be no less than 1,200 words. Submissions may include accompanying artwork or photography (see Illustrations and Artwork section). We have included a few writing tips below, but these are only suggestions. Above all, remember to use your imagination and have fun writing!
Please, self-edit your drafts. Correct grammar is important. In general, we wish to model Standard English.
Remember to keep verbs active, show readers what you mean instead of just telling them, and in general keep a tight time frame for short stories.
Try to find an ending that does not seem too easily solved. Predictable endings can be given surprising twists and details.
A good story should transport the reader into another world that is both consistent and interesting.
Action and dialogue are appealing and can help hold a reader’s interest.
Use your experiences and imagination. Listen to how people talk, feel, and act.
Be sure your story has a sense of why events that occurred were important to the characters. Is your main character somehow different by the end or do they always stay the same?
Avoid being cliché. We appreciate original ideas and solid writing.
WRITING FOR YOUNG READERS
We welcome fictional stories for children from First Grade through Sixth Grade. We will consider a variety of subjects including adventure stories, animal stories, fantasy, folktales, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, humor, nature stories, science fiction, sports stories, or suspense and mystery stories. We usually accept one or two short stories (200 to 500 words) and one longer story (500 to 1,400 words).
We provide guidelines below to help young authors better understand the type of work we are looking for.
Self-edit your drafts for correct grammar and syntax. In general, we wish to model Standard English.
We would like stories to be enjoyable for both adults and children since some subscribers are young and parents may read aloud to them. Also, we hope children will want to read the story aloud, so we welcome interesting out-loud sounds.
We prefer that stories be gender inclusive. We hope a good story will potentially appeal to and entertain both boys and girls.
We welcome stories with a multicultural dimension that show diversity or introduce readers to experiences they may not have encountered on their own.
We particularly welcome humorous stories.
Avoid ‘mushy’ scenes and kissing. Our audience is fairly young and we are not looking for romance or overtly adult themes.
Avoid being cliché. We are looking for original ideas and writing.
Since we publish children’s stories as well, we want our adult written stories to inspire young people to write. Be an example of the imaginative possibilities in writing.
Submissions should be made in hard copy through standard postal mail (also, submission must be on a CD in Word). Use a standard manuscript format for both. Always include an accurate word count. Mailed copies should be typed, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font, and have 1-inch margins. It makes our job easier if all submissions are in a standard format. Also include a cover page containing the author or artist’s full name, age, mailing address, telephone number, the title of the work for consideration, and an accurate word count. All works submitted must be the original work of the named author or artist. (Note: if a story is co-written, include names of all authors.) Creators should not copy stories or artwork from books, annuals and annual books, or other publications. Please note that anything sent to us is considered publishable material.
If you want us to respond to your submission, you must enclose a business-size, self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). If you want your work returned, the envelope must be large enough and have the right amount of postage for the return of your complete submission.
Mailing Address:
Attn: Submissions Editor
Whispering Pine Press International, Inc.
P.O. Box 668
Spokane Valley, WA 99037-0668 USA
Also include a SASE. If you want us to respond to your submission, you must enclose a business-size SASE. If you want your work returned, the envelope must be large enough and have sufficient postage for the return of your submission. If you sent an email submission we will respond by email.
We publish and accept a relatively small number of manuscripts. Seasonal stories should be submitted at least six months in advance. Due to limited staff, it may be several months before you hear from us. For further information email: sales@whisperingpinepress.com.
For sample copies of our annuals please contact us at (509) 928-1010.
PLAYS
We will occasionally publish plays in our annual book. Like short story submissions, plays should be no less than 1,200 words in length. Given length restrictions, we recommend that plays be kept to one act. Submissions may include accompanying artwork or photography (see Illustrations and Artwork section). Visualizing the action of the story is important for plays. Dialogue will also be a big part of your play, so listen to how people talk. Necessary movements, props, and events must be explained either in your dialogue or stage directions. If you would like a better idea of how plays work, read a few. Your local library is a great place to start. Here are a few basic directions to help you with layout for your submission:
Place a title and list of characters at the top.
Stage directions should be in italics and parentheses.
The name of the character speaking should be in all capital letters with a colon after.
For example:
KIMBERLY: Do you like writing plays?
DARIN: Yes, (coughs) but I’ve only written one so far.
ARTICLES FROM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS
Whispering Pine Press International, Inc. is always searching for writers from around the country and the world to tell us what is going on in your community or region. If you would like to be a special correspondent, send us a completed article along with a query letter (a short letter describing your idea).
Tell us about your experience where you live. What is it like? What’s interesting about the people you know, the traditions you observe, the nature and wildlife you see around you, or the current events unfolding? Use your experience and knowledge of your surroundings to tell us about the news in your area. Be sure to do your research. These articles need to be based on fact, not fiction. If you quote someone, you must give them credit in your work. If you use a source, you must cite it. Your work must be original, and you must not invent any part of your article.
OTHER SUBMISSIONS
Whispering Pine Press International, Inc. encourages you to submit your ideas for featured articles in our newsletters and our creative writing contests. If you have an idea, such as a craft idea or recipe, send us a letter telling us about it. Your letter should be typed so that we can read it easily. At the top of the letter, you need to indicate which feature your idea is for. Try to be brief, but be sure your idea is explained clearly. Include in or with the letter a description of your idea and any necessary information (for example, the actual recipe or a sample drawing of the craft project with directions).
Remember that submissions must be original. We are not able to pay for these ideas, so please do not send us any suggestions you are not willing for us to publish in our book free of charge. Also, keep in mind that we may receive similar ideas from more than one person. While we contract for actual written works, ideas suggested to us may be used freely and without compensation.
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
Because it takes time to edit and print, any works with seasonal themes, such as a Christmas poem or Easter story, should be submitted six months in advance. Also, due to limited staff, it may take a while before you hear back from us, but we will respond to all received entries that include your SASE.
If your story is selected for print, we will help you edit further so that it is ready for publication. We look for stories that combine excellent writing with original, creative ideas and stories that will inspire other readers and potential writers to excel.
We request first-time rights to publication, which means you may re-publish your work somewhere else at a later date but not at the same time as our publication. Published authors will receive three copies (in addition to their regular subscription copy) of the issue in which their work appears.
We also occasionally publish stories or letters on our website for our website readers. These may be the same as or different from the stories and letters appearing in the books.
LETTERS FOR WHISPERING PINE PRESS
INTERNATIONAL’S MAILBOX
We welcome your letters! Your thoughts and ideas are important to us, and we love hearing from you! You can address your letters to any of the characters regularly featured in the annual or book or to the editors themselves.
Address them to:
Whispering Pine Press International, Inc., Mailbox
P.O. Box 668
Spokane Valley, WA 99037-0668 USA
OUR GOAL
The goal of Whispering Pine Press International, Inc. is to create a fun setting in which children can explore their own creativity, activate their imaginations, and establish lifelong reading and writing skills. By publishing the stories, poems, and artwork of child writers as well as short stories written by adults, we hope to inspire children to be lovers of reading, writing, and the inspirational act of creating.
Your business is our priority. Thank you for your recommendations and referrals.
