Deidra Purvis is the acquiring editor at Free Spirit Publishing, a mission-driven children's and teen imprint, focused exclusively on social-emotional learning, self-help strategy books, and inclusive picture books that give young people practical tools to navigate real-life challenges.
In brief
Deidra Purvis is an acquiring editor, not a traditional literary agent — they acquire directly for Free Spirit Publishing and its affiliated imprints, which means unagented authors can submit via an online portal, while agents submit directly by email.
Free Spirit's mission is tightly defined: every book must help children and teens think for themselves, cope with challenges, or celebrate identity. Entertainment-first or purely commercial children's titles are not a fit.
The most recent public signal (March 2026) confirms active submissions are open for a new 'Curiosity Unlocked' line focused on Math Fiction and STEAM fiction — a category expansion worth noting for writers in those spaces.
Free Spirit has a notably strict exclusion list: no animal or mythical creature protagonists, no poetry, no adult self-help, no religious or New Age content — these disqualifications apply even when thematic overlap exists.
Diverse and own-voices manuscripts are not just welcomed but actively prioritized; the imprint explicitly seeks authors representing race, ethnicity, culture, religion, social class, LGBTQ+ identities, ability, and physical differences.
Lately
Hey! 👋 We're now accepting submissions for Curiosity Unlocked Books! If you've already submitted to me for Math Fiction or STEAM fiction on the previous forms, your manuscript is already under review. Learn more and submit here: freespiritpublishing.submittable.com/submit/35266...
I'm so excited to share our new imprint at TCM: Curiosity Unlocked Books! Learn more here: www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/... I'll be posting more about our submission guidelines this week! I'm seeking books for curious kids. 💕
Purvis announced that Free Spirit Publishing is now accepting submissions for a new Curiosity Unlocked Books line. Authors who had already submitted for Math Fiction or STEAM fiction through earlier forms were confirmed to already be under review, with a new submission portal open for additional writers.
What Deidra is looking for
Purvis is actively seeking picture books that are lyrically written, deeply relatable, and anchored to a specific social-emotional learning trait or coping strategy. The bar is freshness — topics must feel genuinely contemporary and distinct from what already exists in the market. Stories should reflect authentic experiences of children from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and identities, and connect meaningfully to challenges children face today, aspects of identity, or cultural celebration.
Board book series for infants through age four, and picture books for ages three to eight, centered on social skills, early character education, self-esteem, positive development, and getting along with others. Fiction is considered if it connects directly to these developmental themes rather than being purely story-driven entertainment.
Long-form nonfiction strategy and self-help books written by credentialed experts in their fields. Topics must be personally relevant to the reader — focused on helping kids (ages 8–12) and teens (ages 12–18) manage real challenges, navigate tough circumstances, and build coping skills. Expert author credentials carry significant weight here; this is not a category for generalist writers.
A newly launched submissions line as of early 2026, specifically for fiction that integrates mathematics and STEAM subjects. Writers who submitted previously via earlier forms are already under review. This represents an active expansion of Free Spirit's traditional nonfiction-heavy catalog and is a current priority.
Purvis also acquires for Free Spirit Professional and Shell Education, taking on parenting books and professional resource books aimed at educators. These must align with Free Spirit's broader mission of supporting child development and learning — general adult self-help that does not serve this purpose is explicitly excluded.
Not the right fit
On Deidra's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Deidra
Unagented authors must submit through Free Spirit's online portal using their official submission form — direct email is reserved for agents only.
State clearly in your proposal how your book aligns with Free Spirit's SEL or strategy mission; a manuscript that does not explain this connection upfront is likely to be passed over.
For nonfiction strategy books aimed at older kids or teens, lead with your credentials and expertise — Purvis explicitly wants books written by field experts, so your author bio is as important as your sample pages.
If submitting a picture book, articulate what makes the topic both deeply relatable and genuinely fresh; 'we haven't seen this angle before' is the standard Purvis uses, so make that case explicitly.
For the new Curiosity Unlocked / Math Fiction / STEAM fiction line, use the dedicated submission form — do not fold these into a general picture book or nonfiction query.
Do not submit if your primary characters are animals or mythical creatures, your manuscript is poetry, or your content carries a religious or New Age message — these are firm, non-negotiable exclusions and submitting anyway will not help your case.
Diverse and own-voices manuscripts are actively prioritized; if you have relevant lived experience or represent an underrepresented community, make this visible in your cover letter.
Review the full submission guidelines on the Free Spirit website before querying — guidelines are detailed and specific, and following them precisely signals professionalism.
Confirm the live status of the submission portal before sending, as windows for specific lines (such as Curiosity Unlocked) may open and close independently of general submissions.