Would You Like to Write for West 44 Books?

West 44 Books is looking to publish fresh new voices in our YA verse program!

Who Are We?

As a fiction imprint of the educational publishing company Enslow, West 44 Books publishes hi-lo (high-interest, low reading level) fiction novels in verse to appeal to teen readers who are still developing their reading skills. We are known for tackling tough topics, such as racism, mental illness, coming out, substance abuse, domestic violence, and body image, as well as stories of survival, adventure, and dystopic worlds. Diversity and inclusivity are top priorities at West 44 Books, so we are especially looking for own-voice stories. We believe everyone should be able to get lost in a book, and see themselves represented on its pages.

What Are Verse Novels?

A verse novel is a book with a complete story arc that is told in a series of connected loose verse poetry. Sample pages from our YA verse novels can be found in the “Young Adult” section under the “Books” tab on our website: west44books.com.

What Are We Looking For?

If you have a story to tell, send us a pitch! Should we accept your pitch, the project specifications are as follows:

• West 44 Books YA verse novels are approximately 10,000 words in length.
• Language is simple, with ample line breaks, for maximum reading accessibility and comprehension.
• Hi-lo format ensures high-interest topics and stories for teens at a lower reading level.
• Author must be willing to work with a set production schedule and open to promoting their book, with the committed support of the West 44 Books team.

We do not accept unsolicited manuscripts, as our books are written to a specific word count and format. However, if you have a proposal for a verse novel, please send a brief pitch, author bio, and sample of no more than 500 words to submissions@west44books.com. This is a paid publishing opportunity to reach out to struggling and developing teen readers in an unforgettable way.