Publishing Houses

Looking for a publishing house that's the right fit for your manuscript? This directory brings together English-language publishers, sorted three ways: by deal type (royalty-paying "traditional" contracts versus author-subsidized "vanity" presses), by genre (thriller, sci-fi and fantasy, children's, graphic novels...), and by state or region (from New York to California, from London to Scotland). Browse the tags below to narrow your search to whatever fits your project.

The number one thing to check first is the business model. A legitimate royalty-paying publisher never asks you for money: it invests in your book and earns its share from sales. The second thing to check is editorial fit: pitching a fantasy novel to a poetry press is the easiest rejection to avoid, so always look at a publisher's recent catalog before you submit.

Once you've built your shortlist, prepare each submission with care: a proofread manuscript, a synopsis, and a cover letter tailored to each house. Response times typically run from three to six months, and simultaneous submissions are generally accepted. To put the odds in your favor, consider a beta read or a professional edit beforehand. And if you're aiming for the major houses, a literary agent can help carry your project.