Sheila is seeking stellar writing, especially from diverse and underrepresented voices, for picture books and middle grade stories with heart and humor.
No rhyming picture books, no YA, no adult fiction/nonfiction, no horror, dark themes, violent content, dragons, science fiction.
Sheila Fernley began her literary career as a young girl, writing and producing neighborhood plays. Today, she is a picture book writer under the pen name Sheila Herrera and advocates for other kidlit writers. She is a former special education teacher seeking authors and author illustrators, especially diverse and traditionally underrepresented voices, with a focus on stellar writing.
Sheila is seeking authors and author illustrators, especially diverse and traditionally underrepresented voices, but first and foremost she looks for stellar writing. Stories with openings that make the reader wonder and compels them to read on. Stories that you can't put down and want to read again and again. When Sheila opens for queries in 2025, she will be seeking authors and author/illustrators: - Picture books (fiction and nonfiction) - MG (especially contemporary fiction, adventures, humor, fantasy – no dragons please) - Diverse and underrepresented authors and author/illustrators - Heartfelt or humorous stories - Male protagonists - No rhyming picture books - No YA at this time She is not a good fit for adult fiction and nonfiction, horror, dark themes, violent content, dragons, science fiction. Sheila requests that authors only query her with one manuscript at a time. Please allow approximately two months for a query response and four months for a response for a full manuscript request. Queries are only accepted through QueryManager. Snail mail and emailed submissions will not be considered.
Last verified: April 3, 2026
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