TEST SITE FOR APPROVAL ONLY – DO NOT LINK OR REDIRECT TO THIS URL
Denene Millner Books
I’ve always loved children’s books—the illustrations, the color, the whimsy, the beauty of the stories. I’m particularly drawn to books that speak to the human experience of African American children, beyond the typical subjects saddled on them, like the Civil Rights Movement, slavery, and the lives of sports and music icons. Don’t get me wrong: I appreciate that those books give our history an airing for our babies. But I’m infinitely more interested in stories that celebrate the everyday beauty of being a little human of color. Black children believe in the tooth fairy, get scared when they contemplate their first ride on the school bus, look for dragons in their closets, have best friends who get into mischief with them. In other words, Black children have the same universal childhood experiences that any other human revels in as a kid, and they should be able to see that part of their lives reflected in the stories on their bookshelves. My goal is to have my imprint add to that small but important canon. Denene Millner Books, then, is a love letter to children of color who deserve to see their beauty and humanity in the most remarkable form of entertainment on the planet: books.
—Denene Millner, Vice President and Publisher
Featured Titles
Also Available
Submission Guidelines

Denene Millner Books publishes books that celebrate the everyday humanity of Black children and families. Submissions can be works of fiction or nonfiction, from board book and picture book (newborn +) to young adult (protagonists eighteen or under). Please note that we do not publish historical books or memoir; our focus is on books that highlight positive, well-rounded portrayals of Black children and families, stretching beyond slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, and Black “firsts” and celebrity.

If you have a project that fits this description, please consider submitting your work according to the following guidelines (a literary agent is not necessary at this time):

  • In the subject line of your email, please include the title and the format (picture book, middle grade, teen, etc.).
  • In the body of the email, please include:
    • The format (picture book, chapter book, novel), word count, and a short synopsis with plot and character descriptions.
    • Publishing credits and/or any special background or skills that demonstrate your expertise with the subject matter.
    • Your literary agent, if applicable.
  • Attach your manuscript as a Word document, preferably in 12-point Times New Roman font, double spaced.