get published

Moa Press is currently closed for submissions for 2024. We will reopen in early 2025. We will announce on social media when we are reopening, so make sure you follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Submissions are currently closed.

Little Moa will open submissions on Monday 25 November 2024, for one week. One manuscript per person, if more than one manuscript is submitted, we will consider the first manuscript received.

We are looking for the next blockbuster in children’s publishing — a book or series that will be beloved.

We want characters that children dress up as, storylines that will be re-enacted in the playground, and imagery that kids spend hours looking over.

Could your submission meet our needs?

Then get your manuscript ready for when we are open again.

We will be looking at if:

• New Zealand children can see themselves in this book
• It fits what Little Moa specialises in - newborns to those finishing primary school

What to prepare:

• Elevator Pitch: In 30 seconds sell us your book. If your submission captures our interest, then it will be discussed three separate times inhouse. Please refine your pitch. Are the essentials details are included? Does it include comparisons to other successful books, TV series, or games? Is it memorable and repeatable many times?
• Synopsis: In 100 words or less, tell us about your book.
  You have our attention, now share with us more information about the book. This is normally the foundation for writing blurbs about the book. To go on websites or back of the books.
• Biography: In 100 words or less, tell us about you.
  Let us get to know you, why children’s books, and what a great fit you are for Little Moa. Remember to include social media handles, previous publishing history, writing experience or awards.

A last check:

Picture books:

• Word count of less than 500 words
• Manuscript divided up into spreads/two-page
• Notes on illustrations provided

Junior fiction:

• Word count of less than 4,000 words

Middle grade fiction:

• Word count of less than 30,000 words

If your work is a picture book or illustrated internally, unless you are an illustrator, or wish to illustrate the story yourself, please only send text. If you are plan on doing your own illustrations, you will also need to upload a copy of sample artwork (not original artwork).

Keep an eye on @LittleMoaBooks on Facebook and Instagram for a reminder.

We are always interested in hearing from new illustrators who are based in New Zealand. We run the Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize annually, otherwise if you would like to submit your illustration portfolio, please send a link to your website or a PDF of up to 10MB to:

Please note that we will only contact you should we have a suitable project for you at some time in the future.