30 Book Publishing Companies (For Authors Without Agents)

Ten years ago, getting your book traditionally published without an agent would have felt like a pipe dream. But things have changed.

Sure, the traditional vs. self-publishing debate has been talked to death.

Still, there’s something satisfying about writing a book that’s so good a publisher wants to put their name on it. Maybe you’re one of those writers who dreams of seeing your book in bookstores, backed by a traditional publisher. Or maybe you’ve already self-published and want to try something new.

Either way, you’re not alone.

And here’s the good news: While literary agents are one option, there are also plenty of publishing companies that still accept proposals directly from authors.

No middleman required.

Caveat: As you all know, I've never traditionally published. So I want to be upfront and let you know that the below is purely research-based and does not imply that I have used these publishers. It's important you do your own research. You can do so by searching for publishers and agents on websites like QueryTracker.net, WritersMarket.com, or PublishersArchive.com.

Thinking of the Big 5… Maybe Not?!

When most people hear “traditional publishing,” they think of the Big 5:

1. Hachette Book Group
2. HarperCollins
3. Macmillan Publishers
4. Penguin Random House
5. Simon and Schuster

These companies are major players, but they’re also extremely selective. You can’t submit to them directly. They only review work sent through a literary agent.

Now, a good agent can be a huge help. They’ll negotiate your contract, pitch your work, and act as your publishing advocate. But finding the right agent takes time, research, and a strong dose of patience. Even then, there’s no guarantee you’ll land a deal.

And if you do? Agents typically take a 15% cut of your earnings.

It’s a tough road, and it’s not for everyone.

The good news? Working with one of the Big 5 isn’t the only path to bookstore shelves.

Publishing Companies To Consider (Even If You're a New Author)

Outside of the Big 5, small and mid-sized publishers are often easier to reach — and many now accept submissions directly from authors, no agent required.

Most of these publishers specialize in certain genres or subjects, so they don’t expect you to be famous or have a huge platform. What they want is a good book that fits their niche.

Now, it’s true that smaller publishers don’t always have the same marketing muscle or retail reach. But many still offer skilled editors, professional design, and a passionate team that knows how to launch quality books.

One of the companies on this list is actually an imprint of Penguin Random House, and yes, they welcome direct submissions. Another publisher, Baen Books, gave a debut author a shot, and that novel ended up performing very well on Amazon.

So below, you’ll find 30 publishing companies that are open to hearing from authors like you.

Important: Always review a publisher’s website and submission guidelines carefully before reaching out. You’ll have a much better chance of success if you target publishers who already work with books like yours.

30 Book Publishing Companies That Accept Proposals Directly From Authors

1. DAW

• Publish science fiction and fantasy
• A respected and popular publishing company, and an imprint of Astra Publishing House.
• Submission guidelines
• They only accept snail mail submissions and full-length novels of at least 80,000 words. They do not accept short stories or novellas.
• They require submissions to be exclusive to them, however, if they take longer than three months to review your manuscript, then you can submit elsewhere
• New York, New York

2. Chronicle Books

• Children's books and Adult trade (not adult fiction)
• Their books are everywhere as they even have international retail stores
• Submission guidelines
• Different guidelines if you're submitting children's or adult trade, so follow carefully
• Will only respond if interested in publishing
• Browse their books here
• San Francisco, California

3. Baen

• Science fiction and fantasy only
• One of the most respected publishers of Science Fiction and Fantasy books, they are one of the few established publishers that will accept full-length manuscripts from authors without an agent
• Submission guidelines here
• Strongly prefer electronic submission through their submission form
• Take longer than typical to hear back (9-12 months)
• Website
• Wake Forest, North Carolina

4. Flashlight Press

• Publish children's fiction picture books targeted to 4-8-year-olds
• Their books are beautifully illustrated and they only publish 2-4 each year. Their company and individual books have won many awards. They distribute internationally.
• Submission guidelines
• Please follow the guidelines exactly
• Books should be less than 1,000 words with a universal theme dealing with family or social situations and fit within their catalog of books
• If interested, they will contact you within 3 months.
• Brooklyn, New York

5. Skyhorse Publishing

• One of the fastest-growing independent publishers in the U.S. with 15 imprints and a backlist of over 6,000 titles.
• They publish pretty much everything, both fiction and nonfiction, adult, young adult, and children's books.
• They've had 43 titles on the New York Times bestseller list in the 10 years they've been publishing.
• Submission guidelines
• You'll hear from them within 4-6 weeks if they are interested in seeing more of your manuscript.
• You can browse their titles here
• New York, New York

6. Free Spirit Publishing

• Publish nonfiction books and learning materials for children, teens, parents, educators, counselors, and others who interact with young people
• They produce 20-25 new titles per year and have a strong distribution through major trade and library distributors, in bookstores such as Barnes & Noble, on Amazon.com, and their widely distributed mail order catalog.
• Submission guidelines
• They are looking for nonfiction proposals in these categories: Teaching Strategies & Professional Development, Early Childhood, Gifted & Special Education, Bullying Prevention & Conflict Resolution, Character Education, Leadership & Service Learning, Educational Games, Posters, & Jars, and Counseling & Social-Emotional Learning (at the time of this writing)
• They only accept proposals through mail.
• Their response time is usually 2-6 months
• Home page
• Minneapolis, MN

7. Five Star

• Open to Mystery and Western fiction submissions
• Connected to large academic companies Gale and Cengage Learning
• Without an agent or previous book published, will need to query a general editor (AssociateEditorTekno@shaw.ca) to get full submission guidelines. You should include your name, contact information, and genre. Submissions are accepted electronically only.
• They will respond, but it may take some time
• Their website was more difficult than most for authors seeking publishing companies, but they also have a Facebook page for more information
• Website
• Waterville, Maine

8. Kensington Publishing Corp.

• Known as “America's Independent Publisher,” they have a bunch of imprints
• Publish over 600 fiction and nonfiction titles each year, including a range of popular genres such as romance, women's fiction, African American, young adult and nonfiction, true-crime, western, and mystery titles
• Published some New York Times bestselling authors
• Submission guidelines
• You should review their editors' interests and submit to the one you think is the best fit for your book
• They will only respond if they are interested.
• You can browse their book categories and titles here
• New York, New York

9. Beacon Press

• Publish serious nonfiction of deep fundamental issues, such as respect for diversity, religious pluralism, anti-racism, justice, equity, and compassion for all humans
• At the time of this writing, they are not accepting self-help, new poetry, or fiction books
• Submissions
• They only accept electronic submissions.
• They will contact you within 3 weeks if interested in seeing a full proposal after considering your query
• Website
• Boston, Massachusetts

10. Black Inc.

• Publish a variety of fiction and nonfiction, but not poetry or children's books
• Submission guidelines
• Open to submissions from Australian writers only and via email only
• If they are interested in your manuscript, they will contact you within 8 weeks.
• Explore their website
• Carlton, Victoria, Australia

11. Persea Books

• Fiction and nonfiction.
• They accept literary novels, creative nonfiction, memoirs, essays, biographies, books on contemporary issues, anthologies, and limited poetry and young adult titles.
• They do not publish genre fiction, self-help, textbooks, or children's books
• Submission guidelines
• You should submit your submissions package through the mail
• Browse their books here
• New York, New York

12. BelleBooks/Bell Bridge

• BelleBooks originated to publish Southern fiction before creating the substantial imprint Bell Bridge, which publishes a wide variety of genres
• Publish everything from anthology to young adult, including children's books, fantasy, nonfiction, romance, mystery, and women's fiction.
• Submission guidelines
• This page includes to-the-point answers to questions like What do editors want? Why was your book rejected? And specific submission instructions, editor to contact, and word count by genre.
• They do not accept simultaneous submissions unless you're agented.
• Typical response is 3-6 months
• Browse their books
• Memphis, Tennessee

13. Seven Stories Press

• Publish fiction and nonfiction, and the occasional book of poetry
• Books are distributed by Random House
• Submission guidelines
• You should submit the requested materials through mail only.
• Check out their titles. You'll notice their subjects include feminism, LGBTQ, environmentalism, human rights, and journalism.
• New York, New York

14. Jollyfish Press

• Publish a variety of commercial and literary fiction, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, thrillers, young adult, humor, romance, and women's fiction.
• A newer publisher started in 2012, was acquired by North Star Editions, Inc. in October 2016
• Submission guidelines
• Should submit through email only
• Their About Us page tells what their editors are looking for, which can be helpful for authors seeking publication
• Book titles
• Provo, Utah

15. Oneworld Publishing

• Nonfiction and literary fiction. Categories include self-help, biographies, religion, history, business, and more.
• Approximately 100 books per year internationally.
• Submission guidelines
• They have a submission form for authors to download and complete
• Make sure your book fits in with their previously published titles
• London, United Kingdom

16. Black & White Publishing

• Fiction and nonfiction, including women's fiction (chick lit, saga, and romance), crime and psychological thrillers, contemporary YA and new adult crossovers, children's fiction … and nonfiction: memoirs, sport (the UK and Ireland especially), humor, food and drink, and activity books
• A leading independent Scottish publisher open to work by authors from UK, Ireland, and beyond
• Submission guidelines
• They prefer you use their online submission form, but they will accept mail
• You should hear back within 3 months if they are interested
• Book titles
• United Kingdom

17. Angry Robot

• A respected adult science fiction and fantasy publisher, who occasionally publishes horror too
• British-based but has great distribution in the US, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. Part of Watkins Media Ltd
• Submission guidelines
• They have “open door” periods periodically (like every 18 months or so) when they accept manuscripts from authors without agents. Check their website to find out if it's currently an open door period
• You can submit to them anytime if you have a literary agent or if you've been recommended to them by an author already on their list
• Submissions are only accepted electronically
• They prefer books targeted to adults rather than junior or young adults. You can browse their books here
• United Kingdom

18. Evernight Publishing

• They seek complete manuscripts between 10,000-100,000 words in sub-genres of romance and erotic romance.
• Submission guidelines
• Your submission should be exclusive to this publishing house
• They will make a decision on your proposal within 12 weeks
• Browse their website to see if yours fits
• Canada

19. Felony & Mayhem

• A print and digital literary mystery fiction book publisher
• Submission guidelines
• They only accept electronic submissions, preferably in Word docs
• Word count must be at least 80,000 words. 85,000 is preferred.
• They prefer mysteries with plots related to literature, philosophy, religion, academia, history, music, art, politics, food and wine, theatre, magic, anthropology, and settings outside the U.S.
• Their book titles are here
• New York, New York

20. Chicago Review Press

• A variety of both fiction and nonfiction. They have several imprints, including an award-winning line of children's and young adult nonfiction books
• Carefully review submission guidelines relevant for you
• You can even learn more about the acquisition editors you'll be contacting
• Here are their book titles
• Chicago, Illinois

21. Albert Whitman & Company

• Children's books from 0-15, from board books to young adult
• Submission guidelines
• Picture books, middle-grade fiction, and young adult fiction each have their own submission details to follow
• You should hear from them within 6 months if they are interested
• Browse their catalog
• Park Ridge, Illinois

22. Charlesbridge

• Publishes primarily books for children, but also adult nonfiction and puzzle books. Their submission guidelines also state they are accepting young-adult novels.
• Submission guidelines
• Submit through mail
• They will respond if they are interested only.
• Here are their children's books
• Watertown, Massachusetts

23. Peachtree

• Specialize in children's books, from board books to picture books to young adult fiction and nonfiction. They also maintain a line of adult backlist titles covering consumer references in health, education, and parenting; regional guide books about Southern US; adult fiction, biography, and memoirs with a focus on Southern authors.
• Submission guidelines – CURRENTLY CLOSED TO SUBMISSIONS
• Send through mail
• Their review process typically takes 6-9 months
• Check out their books
• Atlanta, Georgia

24. Turner Publishing

• Little bit of everything – children's, health & fitness, cookbooks, literary fiction, thriller/suspense, family & relationships/religion, juvenile fiction, history, humor, science, sports, romance, and nonfiction
• Submissions
• Their submissions don't provide a lot of guidelines except where to email your materials
• They will contact if interested
• Check out their books
• Nashville, Tennessee

25. Koehler Books

• Two publishing models: 1) Traditional model for experienced and agented authors with good sales. 2) Hybrid/co-publishing for new and emerging authors who need help and coaching.
• A wide array of genres, including memoirs, military, Business, Fiction, self-help mystery, thriller young adult and women
• Submission guidelines
• They do not accept previously published books
• Fill out their submissions form and expect to hear back within 1-2 weeks
• Virginia Beach, VA

26. Graywolf Press

• They publish poetry, memoirs, essays, fiction, and nonfiction
• Submission guidelines
• Submissions are opened and closed at different times
• Publishes only about 30 books annually
• Browse their titles here
• Minneapolis, Minnesota

27. Union Square & Co. (Formerly Sterling Publishing)

• They publish a massive variety of adult, young adult, and children's books
• They have over 60 years in business and over 5,000 titles in print
• They have several imprints, including one for food, wine, and spirits; another for body, mind & spirit; another for crafting, decorating, and outdoor living; yet another for puzzles and games.
• For children's books, they publish both fiction and nonfiction. They even have an imprint that publishes workbooks and flashcards for students in preschool through middle school.
• Submission guidelines – NOTE: THIS PUBLISHER NOW REQUIRES AN AGENT FOR SUBMISSION
• They accept submissions from authors through mail.
• It sounds like they respond to all submissions via mail or phone within several months.
• Browse their catalogs here
• New York, New York

28. Fairlight Books (UK)

• Literary fiction and short story collections
• They publish beautifully produced literary fiction and novellas and accept unsolicited submissions directly from authors (no agent required). They're respected in the UK indie scene and have global distribution via Ingram and eBooks.
• They accept complete manuscripts for adult literary fiction, and have separate windows for short stories.
• Submissions here (currently closed)

29. Neem Tree Press (UK)

• Fiction and nonfiction with international and diverse themes
• They’re focused on discovering new voices and welcome authors from around the world. Great for writers interested in global or cross-cultural themes, social justice, or underrepresented perspectives.
• Submissions are open year-round to unagented authors for adult fiction and nonfiction.
• Submission rules are here

30. Flame Tree Publishing (UK)

• What they publish: Genre fiction in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and crime (with a focus on hybrid and Gothic-style works)
• What makes them stand out: A respected genre press in London offering regular open submission windows for novels and anthologies
• Submission tip: Submit full manuscript, synopsis, word count, and author bio via email or online submission form; check their website for current guidelines and deadlines
• Submission guides here

Here's How To Find More Publishing Companies

If at this point you still haven't found a publishing company that works for you, then we may need to manually dig a bit deeper and look at individual books similar to yours and see who they are using.

Using a program like Publisher Rocket's category analysis tool, you can easily find a list of traditional publishing companies for any genre by doing the following:

• Finding your desired category/genre through the Category Search
• Clicking on the “Insights” link
• Hover over the “i” icon under the Large Publisher tile
• Find a list of large publishers in that genre

As a lot of these publishing houses will be traditional publishers, you can reach out to them if you want a traditional publishing deal. Or you might find some hidden gems, like lesser known but successful small publishers.

Check Out Publisher Rocket Here

Beware of Vanity Pressess…

“Vanity press” might sound harsh, and to be fair, not every company that falls under this label deserves the reputation. But the term exists for a reason.

A vanity press is a company that charges you (the author) to publish your book under their imprint. You pay them to handle things like editing, formatting, and cover design, and they put the book out for you.

It sounds shady, and often it is. Many vanity presses overcharge, underdeliver, and make big promises they can’t keep.

That said, there are rare situations where hiring a vanity press might make sense. Let’s say you need a book published quickly for professional reasons, and you don’t have time to manage everything yourself. In that case, paying someone to handle the production and publishing can be a practical solution.

But if you go this route, tread carefully. Avoid any company that guarantees bestseller status or claims you’ll get rich. Those are red flags. Some companies in the publishing world care more about cashing your check than helping your book succeed.

If you're unsure whether a company is legit or just another vanity press in disguise, check out this guide to help you tell the difference.

Get After It

If the idea of getting your book on store shelves gets you fired up, then reaching out to publishing houses might just be your next big move.

And the best part? You don’t need an agent to get started. Sure, you’ll probably get a few rejections along the way, that’s part of the deal. But don’t let that stop you. There are real, reputable publishing companies out there looking for the next great book. Maybe it’s yours.

So why not take the shot?

You’ve got nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain. Because one thing’s for sure… if you never try, you’ll never know.

Side note: If you're interested, I also have an article to help you find the best self-publishing company here.

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