Small press
Second Story Press
Children's, Diverse and BIPOC voices, Fiction
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About Second Story Press
Second Story Press is open to submissions from Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in Canada, with no agent needed. Send a query letter, CV, synopsis of up to 500 words and the first three chapters; picture books send the whole manuscript. Replies take 7 to 10 months, and simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Second Story Press is a Toronto publisher founded in 1988 that publishes feminist-inspired books for adults and young readers. Its list covers adult fiction and nonfiction, children’s fiction, nonfiction and picture books and young adult books, with a focus on girls’ and women’s lives, social justice and children’s empowerment. Its series include the Holocaust Remembrance Series for Young Readers.
Second Story publishes only Canadian authors: citizens or permanent residents currently living in Canada. It especially welcomes Indigenous, Black, racialized, disabled and LGBTQIA+ creators and debut authors. Submissions go by email or post, and replies take 7 to 10 months.
What Second Story Press is looking for
- Feminist-inspired fiction and nonfiction for adults
- Children's books and picture books
- Young adult fiction and nonfiction
- Books on social justice and children's empowerment
Publishes
- Children's
- Diverse and BIPOC voices
- Fiction
- History
- LGBTQ+
- Memoir
- Middle grade
- Nonfiction
- Picture book
- Young adult
Readers
- Adult
- Board book
- Early reader and chapter book
- Middle grade
- Picture book
- Young adult
How to submit to Second Story Press
From its own guidelines- Check that you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada.
- Prepare a query letter, CV, a synopsis of up to 500 words including the ending and the first three chapters; picture books send the whole text.
- Send by email or post.
- Allow 7 to 10 months for a reply.
Is Second Story Press right for your book?
A good fit if
Canadian writers, including debut authors, with books centered on women, girls or social justice.
Look elsewhere if
Writers outside Canada and poets, along with authors of traditional romance, rhyming picture books or talking-animal stories.
Questions about Second Story Press
Who can submit to Second Story Press?
Only Canadian authors: citizens or permanent residents of Canada who currently live in Canada. Second Story rarely makes exceptions. It especially welcomes Indigenous, Black, racialized, disabled and LGBTQIA+ creators and debut authors, and no agent is needed. Read the steps on this profile before you send anything.
What does Second Story Press publish?
Second Story publishes feminist-inspired books for adults and young readers: adult fiction and nonfiction, children's books and picture books and young adult titles. It focuses on girls' and women's lives, social justice and children's empowerment. Check the publisher's own page for any change before you submit.
How long does Second Story Press take to reply?
Second Story says replies take 7 to 10 months, and it allows simultaneous submissions. It does not accept poetry, short story collections, traditional romance, rhyming picture books, talking-animal stories or anything made with AI, so check the fit before you send.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
