Chicken House is a small, highly individual children’s book publishing company with an enthusiasm for new fiction, a publisher with a growing reputation for ingenuity especially in finding new talent.

Their MD and Publisher Barry Cunningham has said: "Can we make a difference to children’s reading? Of course we can: by continuing to choose books we truly believe in and talking about them wherever we go! Stories still remain the most important currency of our lives."

In 1994 Barry was approached by Bloomsbury to set up their first children’s book list. Not only was the new list a success, but Barry soon became one of the best known names in publishing after he signed up J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

J.K. Rowling said: "If it wasn’t for Barry Cunningham, Harry Potter might still be languishing in his cupboard under the stairs … I doubt any of the writers with whom he has worked could be more grateful to him."

Chicken House Publishing Ltd was founded in 2000 by Barry with Deputy Managing Director, Rachel Hickman.

Each year they announce a 24 hour open submissions period at Chicken House, for finished or unfinished novels for children aged 7, up to (and including) YA, for the chance to gain mentorship from a member of their editorial team.

Writers selected during their last Open Coop include Alison Weatherby for The Secrets Act and Sabine Adeyinka for Jummy at the River School, both of whom went on to sign publishing contracts with Chicken House and are publishing in January 2022.

In a statement Chicken House describes how the process works. 'Our editorial team (consisting of Rachel Leyshon, Barry Cunningham and Kesia Lupo) will pick their favourite submissions to receive feedback and mentoring. We’d love to help writers develop their idea or draft into a fully-fledged children’s novel with expert editorial input.

Submissions are open for one day only, 20th September 2021. Full details on what and how to submit, along with FAQs, can be found on their website here. 

Although they encourage submissions of children’s and YA novels of all themes and subjects, there are a few ‘wish lists’ from their three editors:

"Barry loves an animal story, he still believes in the special magic between children and creatures wild and (apparently) familiar!"

"Kesia is particularly interested in YA horror, thrillers and suspense – especially if the author and characters are from underrepresented groups. A strong romantic subplot would be a bonus!"

"Rachel would especially like to see more stories about disability, and stories (about anything) written by authors with disabilities."

What are you waiting for...