Small Presses

There are literally thousands of independent publishers, university presses, and small presses out there. Some are merely storefront scams, some are vanity presses, and some are venerable, esteemed outfits. Keep in mind that the real power of an indie press often lies in their relationships with reputable distributors as well as their ability to release their titles as eBooks and use social media for marketing. We’ve accumulated a list of the legits, both for fiction and nonfiction. More than half of the indie presses on our list have been in business for over 10 years—which is a literary lifetime in human years.

Many of the indie presses on our list not only accept unsolicited manuscripts, but also work with literary agents, accepting (and publishing) their clients' manuscripts that the Big Boys of Publishing previously rejected for being too "risky." And while many small presses and independent publishers aim to inject more cutting edge, experimental, unconventional and downright raw and brazen fiction into the marketplace, others have helped launch grassroots literary fiction into the mainstream spotlight. Girl in Hyacinth Blue and The Time Traveler's Wife first published by MacAdam/Cage Publishing comes to mind as well as Water for Elephants first published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill.

But mainstream is not always the goal. The indies cater to an alternative marketplace that the Major New York Publishers overlook or don’t bother to touch. Some works cross over, some stay happily in their counter-culture niches. And unlike the major New York Bad Boys, most indie presses accept unsolicited submissions—which means you don’t need an agent to submit your writing for consideration.

If you feel that the indie route is for you, be sure to also check out Duotrope, a comprehensive online database of small and indie publishers.

Academy Chicago Publishers
(fiction, nonfiction)
Academy Chicago Publishers publish a broad range of fiction, history, literature, mystery, and travel.

A Cappella Books
(music and film)
A Cappella is an arts imprint specializing in music and film. It is an imprint of the Chicago Review Press, which publishes 60 new titles yearly under four imprints: Chicago Review Press, Lawrence Hill Books, A Cappella, Ball Publishing, and Zephyr Press.

Albert Whitman & Company
(children's/ middle grade fiction & nonfiction)
Albert Whitman & Company publishes approximately thirty books per year for the trade, library, and school library market. They are mainly interested in children's picture books and middle grade fiction and nonfiction.

Alyson Books
(gay fiction & nonfiction)
Alyson Publications publishes fiction and non-fiction books for gay teens, gay men and lesbians, and their children. Exploring the political, legal, financial, medical, spiritual, social and sexual aspects of gay and lesbian life, Alyson books reflect the rich diversity of gay life in America.

Akashic Books
(urban & cosmopolitan literary fiction)
Originally founded in 1996 as a small independent record label by punk rocker Johnny Temple, Akashic publishes urban literary fiction, or fiction with a cosmopolitan sensibility.

Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill
(high-quality literary fiction & nonfiction)
Founded as a small independent trade publisher in 1982 and later acquired by Workman Publishing in 1989, Algonquin Books publishes twenty to twenty-five new books each year and seeks books of high-quality, both fiction and non-fiction, including literary fiction, cookbooks, and lifestyle books (about family, animals, food, flowers, adventure, and other topics of interest).

Apex Book Company
(fiction, stories, and poetry with dark elements)
Apex Publications is a small press dedicated to publishing exemplary works of dark science fiction and horror.

Apress
(nonfiction by technology professionals)
Apress is a publishing company devoted to meeting the needs of programmers and IT professionals. Apress is looking for authors with both technical expertise and the ability to explain complicated concepts clearly. They want authors who are passionate, innovative, and original.

Arcade Publishing
(fiction & nonfiction)
Arcade Publishing is a small independent publisher with a major presence in the publishing scene. Since their launch in 1988, Arcade has published some 500 titles, discovered dozens of new voices, and built a considerable and constantly growing backlist. With a global reach, they challenge the domestic commercial marketplace by introducing fiction and nonfiction works by 252 authors from 31 different countries.

Arsenal Pulp Press
(broad range of fiction & nonfiction)
Arsenal Pulp Press is one of Canada's leading independent publishers, with over 160 titles in print, ranging from fiction and poetry to cultural and multicultural studies; from erotica and gay and lesbian literature to city guides and cookbooks. In 2001, Arsenal Pulp Press celebrated its 30th anniversary in the business of book publishing. As such, it is well-established as a publisher of provocative and stimulating books that challenge the status quo.

Ashland Creek Press
(books and shorts on the themes of travel, the environment, ecology, and wildlife)
Ashalnd Creek Press is an independent publisher of books, founded by two former New York editors, Midge Raymond and John Yunker, who have more than four decades ' experience in publishing, editing, design, digital platforms, and marketing. They are dedicated to promoting book-length manuscripts, stories, essays, and articles that explore the themes of travel, the environment, ecology, and wildlife.

Aunt Lute Press
(multicultural women's fiction and social criticism)
Aunt Lute Books is a non-profit, multicultural women's press publishing fiction and social criticism that reflects the complexity of women's lives and the possibilities for personal and social change.

Avalon Books
(romances, mysteries, and Westerns focusing primarily for the library market)
Under its Avalon Books imprint, Thomas Bouregy & Co., Inc. is a publisher of hardcover romances, mysteries, and Westerns focusing primarily on the library market. They publish sixty books a year in bimonthly cycles of ten. A cycle consists of four Contemporary Romances, two Historical Romances, two Mysteries, and two Westerns. They are looking for contemporary characters and fresh, contemporary plots and story lines.

Ball Books
(gardening)
Ball Publishing specializes in professional gardening books. It is an imprint of the Chicago Review Press, which publishes 60 new titles yearly under four imprints: Chicago Review Press, Lawrence Hill Books, A Cappella, Ball Publishing, and Zephyr Press.

Barefoot Books
(high-quality children's picture books)
Barefoot Books publishes high-quality children’s picture books, and specializes in cross-cultural picture books and anthologies. They are interested in folktales for anthologies as well as picture books with a whimsical timeless quality.

Barricade Books
(polemical nonfiction)
Barricade Books tests the boundaries of the First Amendment, ultimately strengthening it and protecting personal freedom. Barricade Books is committed to protecting the rights of serious authors to express even the most unpopular, outrageous, and offensive ideas. They look for non-fiction, mostly of the controversial type, from authors who can talk about their topics on radio and television, and to the press.

Basic Books
(nonfiction by journalists and academics)
Basic Books is an imprint of Perseus Books Group and publishes serious nonfiction by leading intellectuals, academics, and journalists.

Basic Civitas Books
(African-American nonfiction)
Basic Civitas Books is an imprint of Perseus Books Group and is devoted to publishing a broad range of titles on African and African American Studies.

Beacon Press
(serious nonfiction & high-quality literary fiction)
Founded in 1854, Beacon Press is a nonprofit, independent publisher of serious nonfiction books and high-quality literary works that seeks to change the way readers think about fundamental issues. Beacon promotes such values as freedom of speech and thought, the importance of racial and ethnic diversity, and respect for our environment. They are a distribution client of Houghton Mifflin.

Bella Books
(lesbian fiction)
Bella Books specializes in fiction by and about lesbians. They publish general lesbian fiction, romance, mystery / thriller, sci-fi / fantasy, and erotica. Bella is interested in novels with a solid plot and engaging, fully-realized characters. The main characters must be lesbians and the story must be credible. The manuscript should be between 50,000 and 80,000 words.

Belle Books
(Southern fried fiction)
In the fall of 1999, a group of veteran Southern authors -- having published more than one hundred novels of their own with some of the biggest publishing houses in the country -- decided to start their own press to showcase the rich storytelling traditions of Southern writerss. The company's motto is "Southern fried fiction at its finest." In 2008, they launched a new division, Belle Bridge Books to publish ebooks and POD editions exclusively.

Behler Publications
(literary fiction and non-fiction of personal journeys -- family issues, medical care, aging, love, human emotions, faith, inspiration, memoirs, and biographies)
Behler Publications is an independent publisher in Southern California. They publish works where the issues of a character's personal introspection, conflict and resolution is the primary driving force propelling the story. Additionally, they publish a writer's series relating to subjects that writers would find helpful during their research phase.

Bellevue Books
(literary fiction and non-fiction: arts, science (especially medicine))
Bellevue Literary Press (BLP)--founded in 2005--is a project of the New York University School of Medicine and publishes literary and authoritative fiction and nonfiction at the nexus of the arts and the sciences, with a special focus on medicine.

BenBella Books
(books by entrepreneurs and entrepreneurially-minded authors)
BenBella specializes in non-fiction in the areas of business and finance and health and fitness as well as other projects with by authors with an excellent track record of strong sales and fantastic platform.

Bethany House Publishers
(Christian children's books, fiction, nonfiction)
Bethany House is a division of Baker Publishing Group. The purpose of Bethany House is to help Christians apply biblical truth in all areas of life--whether through a well-told story, a challenging devotional, or the message of an illustrated children's book. They are diligently committed to offering the best in editing, design and marketing to make each book as inspiring, challenging, enjoyable and attractive as it can be.

Bleak House
(high-quality mystery, crime, suspense and literary fiction)
Bleak House looks for well written mystery/crime/suspense and literary fiction. They accept queries during January, February, July, and August, and books should be between 50,000-100,000 words.

Breakaway Books
(sports fiction and essays on the athletic experience)
Breakaway Books publishes literary and thoughtful writing on sports—fiction, poetry, and essays on the athletic experience. They are interested in the emotional and metaphysical side of sports, and the inner life of the athlete.

Byte Level Books
(nonfiction titles related to technology, sports and sports psychology, and business)
Byte Level Books is a small independent publisher devoted to books that help individuals and companies succeed locally and globally. We are currently looking for nonfiction titles related to technology, sports and sports psychology, and business.

Carina Press
(e-publisher: short stories and novels in all genre fiction categories)
Carina Press is a subsidiary of Harlequin Enterprises Limited. Carina Press features books from talented authors in all genres of romance, erotica, science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, women’s fiction, and more. If the book of your heart fits into a niche that has very little shelf space in a traditional bookstore, Carina Press is eager to read and potentially publish your story.

Charlesbridge
(seeking children's authors and illustrators)
Charlesbridge publishes high-quality books for children, with a goal of creating lifelong readers and lifelong learners. Their books encourage reading and discovery in the classroom, library, and home. They seek new voices, new visions, and new directions in children’s literature.

Chelsea House
(text books for middle grade and high school students)
Chelsea House continues its 30-year tradition of publishing curriculum-based, nonfiction books for middle school and high school students. Their young adult titles include historical and contemporary biography, social studies, world cultures, science, and health.

Chicago Press Review
(general nonfiction, children's activity books)
Chicago Review Press publishes general nonfiction and an award-winning line of children's activity books. Over the years we have grown into a dynamic midsize company with a list of national interest, publishing about 60 new titles yearly under four imprints: Chicago Review Press, Lawrence Hill Books, A Cappella, Ball Publishing, and Zephyr Press.

City Lights Publishers
(cutting-edge fiction, poetry, memoir, social & political works)
Founded in 1955 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, City Lights has focused on cutting-edge fiction, poetry, memoirs, literary translations and books on compelling social and political issues.

Cleis Press
(gay & lesbian & gender studies, provocative fiction)
Cleis Press publishes provocative, intelligent books in the areas of sexuality, gay and lesbian studies, erotica, fiction, gender studies, and human rights.

Counterpoint Press
(serious nonfiction and some edgy fiction via their Soft Skull imprint)
Counterpoint publishes fiction, literature, and poetry in addition to nonfiction, including history, memoir, biography, and nature. Soft Skull publishes contemporary fiction, as well as graphic novels, and nonfiction, including current affairs, counterculture, and politics. Sierra Club Books publishes books on environmental topics.

Coffee House Press
(fiction with unique voices written by those under-represented in literature)
Coffee House Press is a nonprofit literary press dedicated to innovation in the craft of writing. Coffee House publishes books that present the dreams and ambitions of peoples who have been under-represented in literature. They publish literary novels, full-length short story collections, poetry and essays. They look for writing with a unique voice that instructs, inspires, and/or entertains the reader.

Cormorant Books
(literary fiction and creative non-fiction by Canadian writers only)
Cormorant Books is committed to publishing the best new work in the area of literary fiction and creative non-fiction for the adult market.

Da Capo Press
(nonfiction)
Da Capo Press is an imprint of Perseus Books Group and is a leading publisher of quality paperbacks in American and world history, film, dance, theater, literature, art and architecture, sports, and African American studies.

Dalkey Archive Press/Center for Book Culture
(experimental fiction)
Although their main focus is on reprints, Dalkey has returned to publishing original fiction and puts out four titles a year. They publish primarily literary fiction and place a heavy emphasis on fiction belonging to the experimental tradition of Sterne, Joyce, Rabelais, beckett, Gertrude Stein and Djuna Barnes. They rarely publish criticism, or non-fiction.

DAW (now an imprint of Penguin Group)
(science fiction, fantasy)
Founded in 1971 by veteran paperback editor Donald A. Wollheim, along with his wife, Elsie B. Wollheim, DAW Books was the first publishing company ever devoted exclusively to science fiction and fantasy. Now more than 30 years and more than a thousand titles later, DAW has a well-deserved reputation for discovering and publishing the hottest talents in the industry. Although they recently became an imprint of major publisher, Penguin Group, they still accept unsolicited manuscript submissions.

Diversion Books
(ebooks for thrillers, romance, and nonfiction)
Co-founded by veteran literary agent Scott Waxman and his powerhouse gang, Diversion Books is a premier eBook publisher and packager based in New York. Diversion Books' mission is to combine and connect authors, traditional print and web-based media, and bloggers to the freedom of digital publishing. They are seeking submissions from authors of fiction thrillers and romances, as well as nonfiction books on the topics of health, sports, business, travel, lifestyle, cooking and mind, body and spirit.

Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
(children's books, middle grade, young adult fiction and nonfiction)
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers publishes picture books, middle reader and young adult fiction, and nonfiction for the general trade, school, and library markets. They seek manuscripts that celebrate the wonders of the physical and spiritual world—the joys and beauty, but also the challenges. They seek stories that are honest, wise, and hopeful; but they also publish stories that simply delight them with their storyline, characters, or good humor. They publish 13 to 16 titles a year.

Ellora's Cave
(e-publisher, erotica)
If you write erotic romance, Ellora's Cave is the place to be. Currently the ONLY e-publisher recognized by the Romance Writers of America, Elloras's Cave's website receives over 50,000 hits daily and average sales of over 30,000 books per month. Many of their authors have gone on to secure erotica book deals with major publishers.

Firebrand Books
(feminist & Lesbian fiction and nonfiction)
Firebrand Books is an award-winning feminist and lesbian publishing house committed to producing quality work in a wide variety of genres by ethnically and racially diverse authors. They have a very selective but open submissions policy, and they are currently accepting submissions of fiction and non-fiction.

FlatmanCrooked
(good stories: non-fiction, novellas and novels)
Flatmancrooked publishes a fiction and poetry anthology, novellas by debut authors under the New Novella imprint, and novels. As part of the New Novella imprint, Flatmancrooked operates Launch, a program that allows the community to invest in the future of an emerging author based on the merit of work previously published by Flatmancrooked.

Flux
(fiction for teens)
Flux is dedicated to publishing fiction for teens. It is an imprint of Llewellyn Press.

Front Street Inc.
(children's, middle grade, and young adult fiction and nonfiction)
Front Street is an independent publisher of books for children and young adults. Their picture books reflect the joy, spontaneity, and energy of infants and toddlers. Their middle grade books address the various settings and activities of school-age children. And their young adult titles often deals with children in crisis, children at risk, and offers hope and succor, however difficult the subject.

Four Way Books
(poetry and short-story collections)
Four Way Books accepts submissions through their yearly contest and through their open June submissions reading period only. In June, they read short story collections and novellas (no novels) and book-length poetry collections.

Genesis Press
(African-American fiction, young adult fiction, self-help, and inspirational)
Genesis Press is the largest privately-owned African-American book publisher in the country. Genesis Press has introduced several significant imprints, pushing the boundaries of African-American and cross-cultural literature further and further into the horizon. These imprints include Indigo Imprint (leader in African-American romance), Black Coral fiction, Indigo Love Spectrum (for the interracial romantic), Indigo After Dark (erotica), Obsidia (thriller/mystery), Indigo Glitz, Indigo Vibe (for the stylish 35 and under audience), Mount Blue Christian titles, Inca Books (for young teens), and Sage (self help and inspirational titles).

Globe Pequot Press
(nonfiction in the areas of travel, outdoor recreation guidebooks, etc.)
Globe Pequot Press includes the following imprints: the Insiders' Guide, the FalconGuide, the Lyons Press, and Chockstone. The Insiders' Guide series offers guidebooks that can be found in the travel sections of nearly every major bookstore for more than 60 cities and regional destinations. Written by top outdoors experts and enthusiasts, FalconGuides set the standard for outdoor recreation guidebooks. Lyons Press publishes both literary fiction and practical books on subjects such as nature, camping, adventure, gardening, woodworking, travel, the sea, history, food and wine, art and reference, hunting, general sport, and more. Chockstone offers the largest and most comprehensive line of instructional books and guidebooks for rock climbers in North America.

Graywolf Press
(high-quality fiction, memoir, and nonfiction)
Graywolf Press is a literary press that publishes twenty-one books annually, mostly collections of poetry, memoir, essays, novels, and short stories. Their editors are looking for quality literary fiction and nonfiction that combines a distinct voice with a distinct vision. They are interested in manuscripts that in some way take on the social and cultural challenges of contemporary life. In 1999, they celebrated 25 years of independent publishing. In 2002, they became a distribution client of Farrar, Straus, & Giroux.

Greenwood Publishing Group
(reference nonfiction)
The Greenwood Publishing Group is one of the world's leading publishers of reference titles, academic and general interest books, texts, books for librarians and other professionals, and electronic resources. With over 18,000 titles in print, GPG publishes some 1,000 books each year, many of which are recognized with annual awards from Choice, Library Journal, the American Library Association, and other scholarly and professional organizations.

Hand Print Books
(children's books, middle grade, young adult)
Handprint Books aims to publish high-quality books for young readers, ranging from board books to young adult novels. Handprint Books are distributed to the trade by Chronicle Books.

Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
(high-quality art and illustrated books)
Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (HNA), is the preeminent American publisher of high-quality art and illustrated books. HNA encompasses: Abrams Books, Stewart, Tabori & Chang, Abrams Books for Young Readers (including Amulet Books for Middle Grade and Young Adult), and Abrams Gifts and Stationery. HNA publishes and distributes approximately 250 titles and the company is a subsidiary of the prominent French publisher, La Martinière Groupe.

Harlequin Nocture Bites
(e-publisher: paranormal romance in short story and novella format)
Silhouette Nocturne books is looking to acquire paranormal editorial with strong sexual, fantasy and danger elements for its new eBook program, Nocturne Bites. They're looking for fast-paced novellas that hook the reader early on by establishing a paranormal world and its conflicts. They are looking for stories of vampires, shape-shifters, werewolves, psychic powers, etc. set in contemporary times.

Harlequin Spice Briefs
(e-publisher: erotica in short story and novella format)
Spice Books is looking to acquire bold, sexually explicit editorial that pushes the envelope for its new ebook erotica program, Spice Briefs. These are highly erotic short stories; although brief, these novellas should still establish context for the erotic content through an interesting and engaging premise (a great hook), a well-constructed plot and believable characters. Quality editorial is paramount.

Harvard Common Press
(cookbooks, parenting/childbirth/child care)
The Harvard Common Press is a small, independent publisher of quality nonfiction books in the areas of cooking, childbirth, and parenting.

Holy Cow! Press
(poetry, short fiction, young adult children's books and other prose that reveals the American Midwest)
For the past 20 years, Holy Cow! Press has concentrated their efforts upon bringing the very best writings from the Midwestern region into the hands of a national audience.

Ig Publishing
(offbeat and edgy fiction and lifestyle nonfiction)
Ig Publishing seeks the finest quality literary fiction and cultural non-fiction, particularly works that have an edge to them, or are completely distinct from works published by most large commercial presses. They aim to publish literature that is better and different. Their Gamble Guide imprint publishes offbeat eating, drinking and lifestyle guides.

Ilura Press
(literary fiction)
Ilura Press, established in 2006, is a small independent press based in Australia. As writers themselves, they have come together to form a publishing house interested in promoting engaging literary fiction, and seek to publish a high standard of writing. International submissions are welcome. Ilura Press also publishes Etchings, a triannual literary publication with an international focus, dedicated to showcasing new work by emerging and established writers and artists.

Inner Ocean Publishing
(spiritual, personal growth, inspirational, environmental nonfiction)
Inner Ocean Publishing (IOP), established in 1999 and distributed by Publisher’s Group West (PGW), publishes books on topics ranging from personal growth and spirituality, to women’s issues, inspiration, and environmental and political activism. Located on the Hawaiian island of Maui, their team of veteran publishing professionals has the unique opportunity to draw creativity and inspiration from their natural environment and support their books with national marketing, sales, and publicity exposure.

Joseph Henry Press
(nonfiction related to science, technology, and health)
The Joseph Henry Press, an imprint of the National Academy Press, was created with the goal of making books on science, technology, and health more widely available to professionals and the public.

Lawrence Hill Books
(African American interest, progressive politics, and feminism)
Lawrence Hill Books publishes mostly nonfiction on topics of African American interest, progressive politics, and feminism. It is an imprint of the Chicago Review Press, which publishes 60 new titles yearly under four imprints: Chicago Review Press, Lawrence Hill Books, A Cappella, Ball Publishing, and Zephyr Press.

Linen Press
(literary writing for and by women)
Linen Press is an independent publisher of women's writing based in Edinburgh. We have a growing reputation for integrity and a passion for fine writing by women. What we lack in size, we make up for in integrity, energy and commitment. We are passionate about original, beautifully crafted books that speak directly to women.

Leapfrog Press
(quality fiction, poetry, and memoir)
The Leapfrog Press was created by working writers to publish books that tell a strong personal story. Their list is eclectic and represents quality fiction, poetry and memoir.

Loveland Press
(high-quality fiction and nonfiction)
Loveland Press, founded in 1995 under the name of Rodgers & Nelsen Publishing, is an independent commercial book publisher based in Loveland, Colorado.

Llewellyn Press
(mind, body, spirit nonfiction and young adult fiction)
Llewellyn is the oldest and largest publisher specializing in books for personal growth and the transformation of body, mind, and spirit. Llewellyn’s best-selling subject areas include astrology, divination, tarot books and card decks, magic/magick, Wicca, paganism, witchcraft, shamanism, self-help, alternative health, herbs, religion, spirituality, tantra, paranormal, calendars, date books, almanacs, DVDs and spoken word and meditation audio CDs. In addition, their imprint, Flux, is dedicated to publishing fiction for young adult.

MacAdam/Cage Publishing
(high-quality fiction and nonfiction)
MacAdam/Cage Publishing was founded as an independent trade publisher in 1998 by David Poindexter with the aim of publishing books of quality fiction and non-fiction and committed to bringing new and talented voices to the literary marketplace.

Mapletree Publishing Company
(fiction & nonfiction that gently promotes religious values)
Founded in 2002, Mapletree Publishing Company is dedicated to producing quality books that gently promote religious values. It publishes in the subject areas of parenting, marriage, homeschooling, self-help, and certain public policy issues. It also publishes literary fiction.

Medallion Press
(mainstream adult and young adult fiction)
Medallion's mission is to publish well-written, visually appealing products based upon quality editing, excellent cover art, and an aggressive marketing campaign. They seek to publish mainstream adult and young adult fiction in a variety of genres, including historical fiction, romance, science fiction, fantasy, dark fantasy, horror, dark fiction, mystery, thriller, suspense and mainstream fiction.

Mid-List Press
(high-quality fiction and nonfiction)
MidList was founded in 1989 by a group of writers and editors who believed strongly that there was a need for an independent book publisher dedicated to the survival of the "midlist"-- those quality titles of general interest that are rarely bestsellers. Mid-List Press publishes books of high literary merit and fresh artistic vision by new and emerging writers and by writers excluded from publication for reasons of profitability.

Midnight Ink
(mystery fiction)
Midnight Ink is a fresh new voice in mystery fiction committed to publishing suspenseful tales of all types: hard-boiled thrillers, cozies, historical mysteries, amateur sleuth novels, and more. It’s always midnight somewhere.

Milkweed Editions
(high-quality literary fiction)
Milkweed Editions looks for high quality literary fiction that embodies humane values and contribute to cultural understanding.

Moonshine Cove Publishing
(genre fiction and select non-fiction)
Moonshine Cover Publishing is based in the Appalachian foothills region of South Carolina. We publish novels (adventure, historical ((especially Rome & Greece)), historical romance, mainstream, mystery, romantic suspense, science fiction (not fantasy), suspense, thriller, true crime and anything else that strikes our fancy. We also publish select non-fiction - economics, history, military, nature, psychology, science, self-publishing, writing and others.

National Academy Press
(science and health nonfiction)
National Academy Press (NAP) publishes over 200 books a year on a wide range of topics in science, engineering, and health, capturing the most authoritative views on important issues in science and health policy.

Night Shade Books
(science fiction, fantasy, and horror)
Night Shade Books is an independent publisher of quality science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Their books are routinely well-reviewed by trade and online venues and are frequently nominated for—and occasionally winning—major industry awards, including the Shirley Jackson, Stoker, World Fantasy, Nebula, and Hugo awards.

Northwestern University Press
(contemporary works by European writers, works of translation, African American studies, Theater and Performance, Latino voices (fiction), Literary travel, etc.)
Northwestern University Press publishes contemporary works by European authors as well as reissues lost or previously untranslated works of important European authors. They also publish fiction by Latino voices, literary travel, and regional non-fiction (Chicago and Illinois).

Open City Books
(dynamic, youthful, humorous, daring fiction)
Open City Magazine was founded in 1990 by Thomas Beller and Daniel Pinchbeck, and publishes three issues per year. The book series was founded in 1999 by Robert Bingham, and releases one book per year. Story submission and novels excerpts should be sent to the magazine, and they’ll contact you if they’re interested in reviewing more work for their book press.

Other Press
(contemporary novels, essays, poetry)
Other Press explores the ideas and concepts that shape our understanding of human subjectivity. They are committed to a dialectical exchange between disciplines, and publish essays and novels as well as scholarly texts. Handsel Books is the literary imprint of Other Press, specializing in contemporary essays, novels, and poetry.

Overflow
(fiction and nonfiction by academic writers)
Overflow publishes fiction and nonfiction by academic writers. All our authors have written at least one book in their academic field of expertise; their books for Overflow are written outside the confines of professional responsibilities.

Pants on Fire Press
(popular genre fiction and children's, MG, and YA fiction)
Pants On Fire Press is an award-winning children's book publisher of picture, middle-grade and young adult books. We publish popular genre fiction and select nonfiction children's books, picture books and young adult books for children and discerning adults.

Perseus Books Group
(serious fiction and nonfiction)
Perseus Books Group was created with the belief that works of literary fiction and serious nonfiction are both necessary and desirable. They serve as an umbrella for their imprints. Each imprint of Perseus Books Groups is editorially independent and individually focused, and all are committed to publishing books that matter.

Permanent Press
(fiction of literary and/or social merit)
Founded in 1978, Permanent Press is committed to publishing works of social and literary merit.

Poisoned Pen Press
(mystery)
Poisoned Pen Press is an independent publisher specializing in publishing high-quality works in the field of mystery. They are interested in publishing books that they think booksellers everywhere and especially independent booksellers would want to have available to sell.

PoliPointPress
(progressive books on politics, culture, and sustainability)
PoliPointPress was established in 2004 to publish lively books on politics and current affairs. Our authors share their knowledge, experience, personal insight, and passion to contribute fresh perspectives to the national political dialogue.

Potomac Books, Inc.
(serious nonfiction)
Formerly Brassey’s, Inc., American-owned Potomac Books will build on the reputation of the respected publishing company founded in 1983 as part of London based Brassey’s Ltd. Potomac Books will continue publishing outstanding titles in the areas of military history and affairs, memoir, biography, sports, international relations, intelligence, and world and national affairs. As Potomac Books, they will carry on the Brassey’s, Inc. tradition of providing readers with greater insight and solid information to help them better understand contemporary issues and national and world events.

Pressgang
(Literary heft and helium; Think Dorothy Parker mixed with Edward Gorey meets Steven Millhauser meets Dickens with a word limit.)
Pressgang is a small press affiliated with the MFA Program in Creative Writing at Butler University. Founded in 2012, our mission is to publish full-length books of fiction, creative nonfiction, graphic novels, and, in the future, poetry.

Princeton Architectual Press
(books on architecture, design, photography, landscape, and visual culture)
PAP publishes fine books on architecture, design, photography, landscape, and visual culture. Their books are acclaimed for their unique editorial vision, unrivaled design sense, and high production values at affordable prices.

Queens Ferry Press
(collections of literary fiction)
As an independent publisher of collections of literary fiction, Queen’s Ferry Press is committed to offering writing that conveys via its textual structuring and emotive interpretation. Influenced by a Scottish coastal estuary through which crossings have occurred for over a thousand years, and the two bridges that currently span its waters and link towns, Queen’s Ferry Press concerns itself with the construction of narrative vehicles.

Red Hen Press
(poetry, literary fiction, memoirs)
Red Hen Press is a nonprofit literary press which focuses on publishing poetry and literary fiction as well as memoirs. They are dedicated to advancing the arts by means of helping to support quality writing that is being ignored or overlooked by large or commercial publishers.

Raincoast Books
(nonfiction: current affairs, juvenile, culture, environment, nature, history, science, health/ fiction: young adult, middle grade, and children's picture books)
Raincoast Books is a Canadian publisher and distributor based in Vancouver, BC. Raincoast Publishing, which includes the Polestar imprint and key titles from Press Gang Publishers, produces a wide range of fiction and non-fiction titles for adults and children. Raincoast Books is committed to being Ancient Forest Friendly.

Ravenous Romance
(e-publisher, erotica)
Hollan Publishing, Inc. principals Holly Schmidt and Allan Penn have joined forces with rockstar literary agent Lori Perkins to form Literary Partners Group, Inc., which launched Ravenous Romance™, an online publishing company. Ravenous Romance™ publishes daily novel-length erotic romances, as well as lunchtime Hot Fling™ short stories in e-book and downloadable MP3 format.

Red Sage Books
(sensual romance and erotica)
Red Sage Publishing strives to publish the best in women’s sensual fiction in the form of their Secrets collections—anthologies of four diverse, ultra-spicy tales, brimming with sensuality. Submitted novellas/stories should be 20,000 - 35,000 words and can fall anywhere in the romance genre; from historicals to contemporary, from fantasy to science fiction—there’s something for everyone.

Running Press
(genres of children's, general non-fiction, lifestyle, gift books)
Running Press creates more than 200 new titles a year under four imprints: Running Press, Running Press Miniature Editions™, Running Press Kids, and Courage Books. Titles cover a broad range of categories, including: general non-fiction, science, history, children's fiction and non-fiction, food and wine, pop culture, lifestyle, photo-essay, and illustrated gift books.

Salvo Press
(genres of mystery, suspense, thriller, espionage, paranormal, historical fiction)
Salvo Press publishes mystery, suspense, espionage and thriller novels in trade paper and most eBook formats. They have also published a few mainstream/literary, sci-fi and romance novels. They are the microbrew of the publishing industry--hand-crafted with a distinct flavor.

Samhain Publishing
(genres of romance and erotica, as well as fantasy, urban fantasy and science fiction with strong romance elements)
Samhain is the Irish word for November. Samhain Publishing, Ltd. was founded with the goal of bringing to compulsive readers books that allow them to discover new worlds and be taken on adventures. Primarily a digital publisher, Samhain also publishes print versions, which turn our stories—and beautiful cover art—into something to touch and hold and love.

Sarabande Books
(short fiction and poetry)
A nonprofit literary press located in Louisville, Kentucky, publishes quality poetry, essays, and short fiction.

Seal Press
(women's nonfiction)
Seal Press, established in 1976, publishes 25-30 books a year and has recently become an imprint of The Perseus Books Group. They are committed to publishing books that inform women's lives, and they are an exclusively nonfiction press. Topics of primary interest to Seal include feminist issues, travel, motherhood, sports, and prescriptive books that include a strong narrative voice.

Seven Stories Press
(social and political works of fiction and nonfiction)
Seven Stories, based in New York City, publish works of the imagination, political titles by voices of conscience, works of literature in translation, notable works in the area of women's health and contemporary feminism, and issues regarding U.S. foreign policy, civil liberties, human rights and social justice.

Seventh Star Press
(Speculative fiction)
Seventh Star Press is a publisher of speculative fiction based in Lexington, Kentucky. The roster of Seventh Star Press includes several award-winning authors, and titles also feature the work of award-winning artists on both the covers and interior illustrations. Seventh Star Press strives in every way to assist authors in building their platform, reader base, and book series. Books are released in a variety of formats, including hardcover, trade paperback, and multiple eBook formats.

Shambhala Publications
(specializes in religion and philosophy)
Shambhala Publications specializes in religion and philosophy, particularly Buddhism.

Skyhorse Publishing
(a variety of nonfiction)
As of January 2008, Skyhorse plans to publish further in the areas of general sports (both team and individual), outdoor sports, narrative non-fiction, history and military history, nature and conservation, reference, house and home, gambling, hobbies, rural living, business, and maverick titles in a variety of other niches.

Soho Press
(literary fiction and crime fiction)
Soho Press primarily publishes fiction, with the occasional autobiography or cultural historical account. They are eager to accept a wide range of literary fiction, and their SOHO CRIME series includes hardcover and paperback novels featuring foreign settings, local noir and unusual investigators.

Soft Skull Press
(alternative fiction)
Thoughtful, critical, committed to expounding an openly manifold perspective toward all modern life, these and other releases by Soft Skull endorse a new, enlightened way of looking at society. They are an imprint of indie mid-sized publisher, CounterPoint Press.

Sourcebooks
(all types of non-fiction and fiction)
Sourcebooks has grown and flourished by following its independent vision, and by publishing extraordinary authors and unique books with readers in mind. Sourcebooks has strong distribution into the retail market—bookstores, gift stores and specialty shops whose primary product is something other than books—and provides tremendous editorial, sales, marketing and publicity support for our authors.

Switchgrass Press
(literary fiction with Midwest roots)
Switchgrass Books, an imprint of Northern Illinois University Press, is committed to enhancing the cultural landscape of the Midwest by offering a forum for publishing dynamic, original voices of literary fiction. With its roots in the rich soils of the Midwest, Switchgrass will be the premier publisher for authors and readers of novels grounded in the region.

Tin House Books
(contempoary, edgy fiction)
The mission of Tin House magazine and Tin House Books remains constant: To publish compelling and authentic narratives of our time. Tin House salutes the artistic edge but remains rooted in the tenets of the classic storytelling tradition.

Tor.com Stories
(digital imprint of science fiction, fantasy stories)
Tor.com, a site for science fiction, fantasy, and all the things that interest SF and fantasy readers, presents original short fiction, new sequential art, extensive art galleries, and commentary on science fiction and related subjects by a wide range of writers from all corners of the science fiction and fantasy field; both professionals working in the genres and fans.

Tu Books
(YA and middle grade fiction featuring people of color set in worlds inspired by non-Western folklore or culture)
Tu Books, an imprint of LEE & LOW BOOKS, publishes speculative fiction for children and young adults featuring diverse characters and settings. Our focus is on well-told, exciting, adventurous fantasy, science fiction, and mystery novels featuring people of color set in worlds inspired by non-Western folklore or culture.

Tyrus Books
(crime stories)
Tyrus Books publishes crime fiction: stories dealing with crime and its repercussions. We want not only an affecting story and honest characters, but also lyrical writing and attention to craft.

Ugly Duckling Presse
(emerging, international, and "forgotten" works/writers)
Ugly Duckling Presse is a not-for-profit collective publishing non-commercial poetry and literature, collaborations, periodicals, and experimental artist books. They specializes in experimental literature and artist-writer collaborations, paperless books (performances), artist's books, and more.

Unbridled Books
(literary fiction)
Unbridled Books is a premier publisher of works of rich literary quality that appeal to a broad audience. We want our readers, booksellers, and reviewers to trust that when they pick up an Unbridled book, we’re inviting them to enjoy that rarest of pleasures, a good read.

University of Illinois Press
(African-American studies, ethnic, folklore, religious)
The University of Illinois Press publishes scholarly books and serious nonfiction, with special interests in Abraham Lincoln studies; African-American studies; American history; anthropology; Appalachian studies; archaeology; architecture; Asian-American studies; communications; folklore; food studies; immigration and ethnic history; Judaic studies; labor history; literature; military history; Mormon history; music; Native American studies; philosophy; poetry; political science; religious studies; sociology; southern history; sport history; translations; transnational cultural studies; western history; women's studies.

NOTE: We do our best to include small presses and digital imprints that are open to accepting unsoliciated submissions and have stellar reputations. We also include notable small presses and digital imprints to which literary agents are selling their clients' work -- regardless of whether or not these presses are open to unagented submissions. If you represent a small press or digital imprint, and would like to be included on this weblist, please email us your information to updates@agentquery.com.