Updated February 2025: While still technically open to submissions, they have not published a new book in over two years.
Immedium was founded in 2004 and is led by experienced professionals, who have written critically acclaimed books, marketed print and digital media, and sold #1 nationwide best-sellers. Aquanauts, a series of books they published, was turned into a successful TV show for children.
Immedium is interested in three types of books, according to their website, and is specific about the kind of stories they want (and do not want):
1. Children’s Picture Books:
The general format is 32-pages with color illustrations for ages 4-8 or 6-10.2. Asian-American:
Contemporary viewpoints on our evolving national identity, and changes that have universal resonance.3. Arts and Culture:
Cutting-edge commentary on the intersection of popular culture, social trends, and our modern lifestyle.We seek writers, illustrators, and artists who have provocative tales to tell and the talent to convey them. A publisher’s responsibility is to marry words with pictures to create a unique message. So please do not submit proposals that duplicate our existing books. Also do not submit children’s picture books which you consider to be complete with “finished art”, since we want the flexibility to help improve and refine your concept.
There were two things on their website that made me a little worried. The first is that they had a Kickstarter campaign for one of their forthcoming books. What I mean by this is that they use Kickstarter, a crowd funding website to raise money to help publish their book. In exchange the individuals who help fund the book get rewards depending on how much they contribute. The reward details are outlined on the Kickstarter website but in the case of fundraising for books, the prizes often include copies of the book. So in a round about way it can be a lot like pre-sales. Bestselling books and established publishers (like McSweeny’s) have started to make using Kickstarter more common in publishing. However it is still rather unusual for an established publisher to go this route.
The other is this sentence on their website: “Therefore our standard book contracts include royalties, though some projects may require work for hire compensation”.
But that said their books looked wonderful and I recognized a number of their titles. They seem to do a good job promoting their books and understanding marketing.
They ask that all submissions include a cover letter, a proposal, and a resume, as well as a sample of your story or illustration.
To learn more, please visit their website here.
