Intead of sending to everyone, you should look for agents who prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) or "own voices" stories.

Boutique Agencies: Firms like East/West Literary Agency and Full Circle Literary often specialize in children’s books with strong social or diverse themes.

Diversity Directories: Use resources like the Directory of Literary Agents or QueryTracker and filter for "Multicultural," "Diversity," or "Special Needs/Chronic Illness."

2. Targeted Publishers
Many smaller, specialized publishers accept "unagented" submissions (meaning a writer can send their work directly without an agent).

Tilbury House: They focus on children’s books that explore social and emotional issues and are very open to diverse voices.

Blue Dot Kids Press: This boutique press looks for "Social and Emotional Learning" stories that build empathy and resilience.

JayJo Books: They have a specific series called "Special Books for Special Kids" designed to help children understand chronic illnesses.

3. The Query Letter
When reaching out, the "pitch" is everything. You should emphasize:

The "Hook": A girl navigating life with HIV, showing her resilience and normalcy.

The Need: Highlight that there are very few children's books on this specific topic, making it a "gap" in the market.

The Connection: Mention why this story matters to the HIV community specifically.

4. Professional Resources
SCBWI: I suggest joining the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. It’s the gold standard for networking and finding lists of reputable agents.

Avoid "Hybrid" Scams: Remind Justinwade that a legitimate literary agent never charges a fee to read a manuscript. They only get paid a commission once the book is sold.

Hi @A myHIVteam Member, what an amazing and necessary project! For children's books with these themes, you might want to look into Tilbury House or Blue Dot Kids Press, as they often look for stories that build empathy around health and social issues. You can also search for literary agents through the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) who specialize in 'diverse voices.' Make sure to mention in your pitch why this story is so vital for kids today—it’s a perspective that is definitely missing from many bookshelves!

Mentioned Users

A myHIVte...

Thank you so much. I have added them to my tracking list of things to do.

Thanks. I can do it through.Amazon

There are ways to self publish and print your book. Unfortunately I can’t remember who to contact. I would google self publishing