Educator Author Program
Where classroom insight becomes world-class storytelling
Every day in classrooms, libraries, and learning spaces, educators witness the moments that shape young readers — curiosity ignited, confidence built, imaginations unlocked. You know which stories children turn to, which ones fall flat, and which ones simply don’t exist yet. At Starfish Bay, we believe the people who understand children best are the ones who should be shaping the stories they grow up with.
This programme exists to bring those voices to the bookshelf.
Why This Program Exists
Traditional publishing can feel inaccessible – dominated by agents, gatekeepers and opaque pathways that often shut out exceptional voices with real-world experience.
Starfish Bay is changing that.
The Educator Author Program offers a direct route into traditional publishing for educators working with children aged 3–8, removing unnecessary barriers and opening our list to stories grounded in real classroom understanding, literacy expertise, and lived experience with young readers.
No agents. Just strong stories from people who know children.
Who This Is For
We welcome submissions from educators working with children aged 3–8:
- Teacher Librarians
- Primary and Early Childhood Educators
- Education professionals working directly with children
If you witness those daily moments with young readers — the stories they love, the ones they need, the gaps you see on the shelf — we want to hear from you.
What We're Looking For
We are seeking picture book manuscripts (up to 1,000 words) that:
- Engage: Stories children aged 3–8 will return again and again.
- Support: Themes that reflect real childhood experiences and classroom life
- Inspire: Fresh voices, original perspectives, and a strong narrative identity
We are particularly drawn to stories that combine emotional intelligence, narrative clarity, and strong read-aloud appeal.
The Starfish Bay Publishing Pathway
Starfish Bay is a traditional publisher. If your manuscript is selected, we manage the full publishing process, including:
- Professional structural and developmental editing
- Illustration pairing and art direction
- Design, production, and print management
- Distribution to schools, libraries, and trade markets across:
- Australia
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- New Zealand
You focus on the story. We build the book.
What to include
- Your Manuscript: (PDF or Word document).
- A short author bio outlining your role in education
- A brief note on what inspired the story