We are always looking for original, thoughtful and joyful stories for children—stories that are rooted in the Indian experience, reflect our many cultures, and communities and trust children to feel deeply and think for themselves.

We welcome submissions from both writers and illustrators, including first-time creators and especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. We are interested in stories that children can see themselves in, stories that feel contemporary, inclusive and deeply human.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong writing with an original voice
• Stories set in everyday Indian contexts that children recognize and relate to
• Inclusive, multicultural narratives that celebrate diversity without moralizing
• Stories that spark imagination, curiosity, and emotional connection
• Humour, humour, humour

Our focus is always on readability, enjoyment and resonance, with books that delight children and stay with them.

What We Currently Accept

Please submit one manuscript at a time.

Picture Books

• Age group: 3–9 years
• Word count: 0–750 words

Chapter Books

• Age group: 7–10 years
• Word count: 5,000–8,000 words

Please do not submit manuscripts that exceed these word limits.

Illustrations

If you are submitting a picture book manuscript, it is not necessary to include illustrations. We usually prefer to match the text with an illustrator whose visual style best suits the story.

If you do submit illustrations:

• We may express interest in the text or the artwork independently
• Please let us know if the text and art must be considered together, or if the artwork is meant only as a visual guide

Illustrators are welcome to submit their portfolios as a single PDF, showcasing a range of styles, characters, and visual storytelling approaches. Portfolios should be concise and clearly labelled.

How to Submit

Please email your submission to submissions@katha.org.

• Manuscripts must be submitted as Microsoft Word documents with editable text
• Illustrator portfolios should be submitted as a single PDF
• Attachments larger than 3 MB will not be opened or reviewed

Along with your manuscript, please include:

• Target age range
• Word count (for manuscripts)
• A brief synopsis (2–3 paragraphs)

If you are submitting a chapter book, please include a chapter-by-chapter synopsis.

About You

We’d love to know a little about you. In a short paragraph, tell us:

• What motivated you to create this work
• Your personal connection to the story, subject, or visual world

No CVs, please. Keep this brief and personal.

A Few Important Notes

• We accept simultaneous submissions, but please inform us if your manuscript is under consideration elsewhere. If another publisher makes an offer, let us know immediately.
• Due to the high volume of submissions we receive, it may take 6–8 weeks to respond. Longer works may take additional time to review.
• A rejection does not necessarily reflect the quality of your work—it may simply mean the manuscript isn’t the right fit for our current list.

Thank you for thinking of us and for trusting us with your stories and artwork. We deeply value the voices and perspectives of creators who are shaping inclusive, meaningful children’s literature today.