Submissions Open!

Children’s Line

Being a child is a magical time. We are seeking books that celebrate the joys of childhood. However, we also will not shy away from the tough topics kids encounter.

We want to build a line of books that educate, entertain, engage and enlighten young minds. The main characters should be children who undergo a change during the story. We want to see characters who are active participants in that change.

At this time we are only seeking submissions for children’s picture books. Submissions for children’s chapter books is currently closed. Submissions may be sent to submissionslilacarchpress@gmail.com. In the subject line please put— Children(your name and book title). For this submission you can submit the whole manuscript. Please include a short bio about yourself.

Books for Older Adults

Our line for older adults features heart-warming tales to engage older audiences. Though these books are for anyone, our focus is stories specially crafted for adults beginning to have memory issues and cognitive impairment.

Taking a hi-lo (high interest, low reading level) approach to this line we will offer books between 5000 and 20,000 words. Shorter words, sentences, paragraphs and chapters will help ensure that the reading experience is enjoyable.

The goal of this line is to keep minds engaged and active in the hopes of slowing the progression of many cognitive disorders that affect older adults.

In this line, we want to see either a strong older protagonist or a protagonist of any age from an earlier period.

Submissions for this line can be sent to submissionslilacarchpress@gmail.com. In the subject line please put—Senior(your name and book title). Submit a brief synopsis of the story and the first chapter. Please include a short bio about yourself.

Non-Fiction

This non-fiction line aims to promote health and wellbeing. This line is open to books that promote physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Because this line is open to a broad range of topics please include in the submission your vision for this project and why you are passionate about the topic of your book.

Submissions for this line can be sent to submissionslilacarchpress@gmail.com. In the subject line please put NF(your name and book title). Submit an outline for this book and a 500 word sample from the book. Please include a short bio about yourself.

Artists, Illustrators, Photographers

As we develop our lines we will be looking for a variety of artists, illustrators and photographers for different projects. If you are interested in being considered for upcoming projects you can make a submission to lilacarchpress@gmail.com. Please include five samples from your portfolio and a brief bio.

Special Submissions

The Grief Journey—an upcoming anthology about the raw emotions that come from a devastating loss. Share your unique experiences about how you have navigated or are navigating your grief journey to let others know they are not alone. We are looking for essays, short stories, poems, artwork, and photography. Deadline for submissions is March 9, 2026. Submissions can be sent to submissionslilacarchpress@gmail.com.

All About Christmas—an upcoming anthology about how we celebrate the season. We’re looking for short stories, essays, poetry, artwork, and photography that show how different people find meaning in the Christmas season. Yes, we want to see beauty, joy, and beloved family traditions. But, we also want to hear about the time you ruined the turkey and had to order take-out, the first Christmas without a loved one, or how you manage to deal with the stress of juggling too many to-do lists. Life can be messy and chaotic and that’s okay. We want to celebrate it all. In the quiet of your heart, what does Christmas mean to you? How do you find inspiration and contentment this time of year? Submissions will be open until March 31 2026 and can be sent to submissionslilacarchpress@gmail.com

Hi-Lo Advent Book—Try your hand at crafting a short (250-500-word) holiday story for our hi-lo line for older adults. Hi-lo means high interest/ low reading level. Our hi-lo line can be enjoyed by anyone but is specially crafted for those experiencing cognitive impairments such as dementia. We are seeking heartwarming stories featuring older main characters. We are looking for stories that celebrate winter, the Christmas season, or the new year. Submissions close March 31, 2026 and can be sent to submissionslilacarchpress@gmail.com

Caregivers/Careparteners of People with Dementia & Cognitive Impairments—Caring for individuals with diseases such as dementia can be challenging. We are seeking submissions for an anthology about the joys, sadness, victories and obstacles that come with caring for those with cognitive impairments. We welcome original essays, short stories, poems, artwork and photography. We aim for this book to be a resource and support for the many people who will take on a caregiving role in the future. Deadline for submissions April 30, 2026 submissionslilacarchpress@gmail.com.

Sacred Places—an anthology dedicated to places in nature that help you slow down and connect to your soul. These places bring out feelings of reverence, calm, and inner peace. Whether in the city or out in the wild, these places offer sanctuary for the weary. We’re looking for essays, short stories, poems, art, and photography that share your love of these spaces. Submission deadline is May 15, 2026. Submissions can be sent to submissionslilacarchpress@gmail.com

Celebrating This Chapter—an anthology for women by women as we navigate our 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond. What does aging mean to you? What do you know now that you wish you knew then? How are you loving the age you’re at? Share your new adventures, passions, and explorations. What struggles have you encountered and overcome? Or what struggles are you facing now? We want to hear your bold, fearless, authentic accounts. We’re looking for essays, short stories, poems, art and photography that look at the older female experience. Submission deadline is June 30, 2026. Submissions can be sent to submissionslilacarchpress@gmail.com

People Experiencing Dementia & Cognitive Impairments—We are seeking submissions for an anthology about the lived experiences of dementia and other cognitive impairments. We welcome original essays, short stories, poems, artwork, and photography. We aim to create a book to provide comfort to those experiencing dementia. We welcome thoughts about the disease. However, we know that the disease is just one aspect of who you are and welcome any topic or theme that your heart is called to share. Deadline for submissions May 31, 2026 submissionslilacarchpress@gmail.com.

Authenticity Readers
We are looking to work with authenticity readers for our current and future
projects. We want our works to uplift and encourage honest discourse
around real-life experiences. We want to ensure an accurate portrayal of
what are often complex experiences.

*Note that there is typically a 6-12 month wait time for a response in all categories.