Independent publishing company
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Christian, Academic, Children's
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About Eerdmans
Eerdmans is open to unagented authors. Adult proposals go by email to submissions@eerdmans.com, with a fuller reply within about eight weeks where possible. Children's books go to Eerdmans Books for Young Readers by post only, and it replies only if interested within four months.
Eerdmans, formally Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., is an independent, family-owned publisher in Grand Rapids, Michigan, founded in 1911. It publishes biblical and theological studies, plus religious approaches to philosophy, history, art, literature, ethics and social issues, and a growing list on Christian life, spirituality and ministry. Its Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (EBYR) imprint publishes 18 to 20 books a year for children and young adults.
For adult books, you email a proposal as a PDF, Word or RTF file to submissions@eerdmans.com, with a subject line that begins “Book Proposal” plus a short description. You get an automatic receipt and a fuller reply within about eight weeks where possible. EBYR prefers agented work but accepts unsolicited hard copy by post only. Simultaneous submissions are fine. Eerdmans does not do subsidy publishing.
What Eerdmans is looking for
- Biblical and theological studies
- Religious approaches to philosophy, history, art, literature and ethics
- Books on Christian life, spirituality and ministry, for academic to semipopular readers
- EBYR: board books, picture books, novels, nonfiction and religious titles for young readers
- EBYR: manuscripts that are "honest, wise and hopeful," including books that celebrate diversity, historical stories and contemporary social issues
Publishes
- Academic
- Children's
- Christian
- Independent
- Nonfiction
- Picture book
- Religion and Spirituality
- Young adult
Specialties
- Christian living
How to submit to Eerdmans
From its own guidelines- Prepare a proposal with a draft table of contents, chapter summaries and your CV.
- For adult books, email it to submissions@eerdmans.com with a subject line starting "Book Proposal".
- Watch for the automatic receipt and allow about eight weeks for a reply.
- For children's books, mail hard copy to the EBYR Acquisitions Editor in Grand Rapids.
- If EBYR has not replied after four months, treat it as not a fit.
Is Eerdmans right for your book?
A good fit if
Eerdmans suits scholars and writers of religious and Christian nonfiction, and children's authors whose work fits the EBYR list.
Look elsewhere if
Look elsewhere if you want a festschrift published or plan to pay for publication, since Eerdmans takes neither. Picture book writers who do not illustrate should not send illustrations to EBYR.
Eerdmans imprints
Which take submissions| Imprint | Direct submissions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (EBYR) | Yes | Prefers agented but accepts unsolicited hard-copy submissions by post only; no email; replies only if interested; no reply after four months |
Questions about Eerdmans
Does Eerdmans accept unsolicited manuscripts?
Yes, Eerdmans accepts proposals from authors without an agent. Adult proposals go by email to submissions@eerdmans.com. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers prefers agented work but accepts unsolicited hard copy submissions by post. It does not accept email or fax for children's books, and it does not return materials. Simultaneous submissions are fine at EBYR if you disclose them.
How do I submit to Eerdmans?
For adult books, email a proposal as a PDF, Word or RTF file to submissions@eerdmans.com. Start the subject line with "Book Proposal" and add a short description. For children's books, mail hard copy to the Acquisitions Editor, 4035 Park East Court SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546. Send a full manuscript for picture books, or a query, synopsis and three chapters for novels.
How long does Eerdmans take to reply?
For adult proposals, Eerdmans sends an automatic receipt and aims to give a fuller reply within eight weeks where possible. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers replies only if it is interested. If you hear nothing after four months, treat that as a sign your book is not a fit. You can include a stamped postcard if you want confirmation of receipt.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
