Romance

Romance is a world unto itself! Far from being just a genre, it's a galaxy of stories with its own codes and conventions. Whether you're an author hunting for the perfect publisher or a devoted reader, this list is your compass for navigating what's out there.

So, what makes your heart race? The new adult wave with its intense campus romances? Maybe you're drawn to the magic of fantasy romance, where fates collide across impossible worlds. Some publishers specialize in exactly these niches, offering sharply curated catalogs for readers who know what they want.

Others lean into darker territory, if you're after dark romance for adult readers, you'll find publishers here who aren't afraid to go there. For younger readers, a well-written teen or young adult love story can capture those first sparks of feeling with real honesty. There's even room for more specific niches, like a moving military romance, tucked into the catalog of more general publishers.

This list is designed to help you find the romance publisher who'll take on your manuscript, or your next favorite read. And authors, don't forget: beta reading or professional editing can help make sure your manuscript is as sharp as it can be.

Where should you submit a new adult romance manuscript?

New adult is the genre's most dynamic corner right now: fueled by online reading communities, it's pushed several publishers to launch dedicated imprints, and a few houses on this list focus on it almost exclusively. If your manuscript falls into new adult or dark romance, check that your target publisher already works in those subgenres: tropes, tone, and serialization matter just as much as the writing itself.

Before you submit, make sure your manuscript is as clean as possible (competition in this genre is fierce), and if you're also eyeing genre fiction more broadly, it's worth looking into literary agents who represent romance.