15 Publishers Who Welcome Unsolicited Submissions

You’ve got a great nonfiction book proposal in hand, or maybe a finished novel plus proposal, and you’re eager to see it published. Unfortunately, not a single literary agent has agreed to represent you. if you are not willing to self-publish, is this the end of the world?

Not necessarily. It’s true that the major traditional publishers do not accept unsolicited proposals or manuscripts. Many smaller publishers do, including a modest number of imprints of major publishers. (An imprint is a “division” of a larger publisher.)

To help you find them, I’ve put together a list of 15 publishers who accept unsolicited submissions. For each, you’ll find a link to the contact page on their websites, as well as a brief description of the types of manuscripts they are looking for. As much as possible, all information I’ve included is quoted from the websites.

Some of these publishers only publish in digital form, while others publish “physical” books, as well. Some are traditional, royalty-based publishers, while others offer add-on services in addition to traditional publishing. Be sure to read a publisher’s website carefully before contacting them. (And please note that I am not a publisher.)

Good luck with your submissions!

Note: This information is current as of February 2025 but can change at any time. I am not recommending any of these publishers, just providing information. Be sure to check a publisher’s current information to make sure that they are truly a standard publisher and have not recently switched to hybrid or self-publishing models.

Albert Whitman & Company

See: https://www.albertwhitman.com/submission-guidelines-for-unrepresented-authors/

What they are looking for: “Albert Whitman & Company currently has an open submissions policy. We will read and review un-agented manuscripts and proposals for picture books, middle-grade fiction, and young adult novels.”

Andrews McMeel Publishing

See: http://publishing.andrewsmcmeel.com/our-company/submissions

What they are looking for: “Andrews McMeel Publishing is a leading publisher of poetry, inspiration, humor, and children’s books and licensed, popular calendars. We publish as many as 150 books and 200 calendars annually. We are happy to consider submissions from creators and literary agents…”

Baen Books

See: http://www.baen.com/submit

What they are looking for: “We publish only science fiction and fantasy. Writers familiar with what we have published in the past will know what sort of material we are most likely to publish in the future: powerful plots with solid scientific and philosophical underpinnings are the sine qua non for consideration for science fiction submissions. As for fantasy, any magical system must be both rigorously coherent and integral to the plot, and overall the work must at least strive for originality.”

Bancroft Press

See: https://bancroftpress.com/about/submissions/

What they are looking for: “We publish trade fiction and non-fiction, and we publish what we like…. From classical literature to political memoirs, from illustrated picture books to gripping suspense thrillers – the key is in the quality…. We look forward to reading your submission!”

Celsea Green Publishing

See: http://www.chelseagreen.com/submission-guidelines

What they are looking for: “Chelsea Green publishes books by authors who bring in-depth, practical knowledge to life and give readers hands-on information related to organic and regenerative farming and gardening, ecology and the environment, healthy food, local economies and resilient communities, and integrative health and wellness… We welcome inquiries from authors and literary agents.”

Chicago Review Press

See:
https://www.chicagoreviewpress.com/information-for-authors—agents-pages-100.php

What they are looking for: “We are interested in publishing high-quality nonfiction that will sell year after year. We look for books with a well-defined, passionate target audience. Chicago Review Press and its imprints publish general nonfiction on a wide range of subjects:

• • • music, film, pop culture
    • history
    • feminism
    • LGBTQ+ interest
    • true crime
    • outdoor and nature
    • African American history and the Black experience
    • parenting
    • children’s and YA history, science, literature, and art

“Before sending us a proposal, it’s a good idea to e-mail a brief query to one of our acquiring editors…”

Chronicle Books

See: https://www.chroniclebooks.com/pages/submissions

What they are looking for: “To encourage submissions from a wide range of potential authors, Chronicle Books has an open submissions policy. We accept unagented submissions of any projects suited to our list, from brilliant books to innovative gift products.

“Chronicle Books publishes a wide range of nonfiction books on our adult trade list, in categories such as cooking, fine art, design, photography, pop culture, fashion, beauty, home décor, personal relationships, and more. We also publish innovative formats, such as interactive journals, decks, games, stationery, and much, much more. Please note: We do not acquire adult fiction.”

“Chronicle Books publishes an eclectic mixture of traditional and innovative children’s books. We are looking for projects that have a unique bent—be it in subject matter, writing style, or illustrative technique—and that will lend our list a distinctive flair. We are interested in fiction and nonfiction books for children of all ages, as well as board books, decks, activity kits, and other unusual or novelty formats.”

Gibbs Smith

See: https://www.gibbs-smith.com/submissions

What they are looking for: “NONFICITON – Our main emphasis is on interior design, architecture, children’s, and cookbooks. Additionally, we accept submissions in the following subjects: arts and crafts, western humor with general appeal, general humor, and gift books.

“CHILDREN’S – We accept submissions for children’s activity books, board books, and picture books.

“WE DO NOT ACCEPT – We are NOT accepting poetry submissions at this time. We are NOT accepting fiction submissions at this time.”

Harlequin

See: https://harlequin.submittable.com/submit

What they are looking for: “Harlequin is always on the lookout for talented writers—from established authors to those just starting their writing careers. We publish a wide range of stories and welcome writers from all backgrounds, cultures and communities to submit to the romance line best suited to their unique voice and story.

“Harlequin Series (sometimes known as “Category Romance”) and Carina Press accept unagented submissions from authors.”

Joffe Books (UK)

See: http://www.joffebooks.com/submissions/

“We accept submissions from agents, previously published authors (including self-published authors) with long backlists, first-time writers with only one book under their belt, and anyone in between.”

What they are looking for: “Our favourite genres are crime fiction, mysteries, psychological thrillers, cosy crime, police procedurals, chillers, suspense and domestic noir. We also love women’s fiction, fantasy, historical fiction and romance novels, including WWII romances and sagas.”

Kensington Publishing

See: http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/page.aspx/submissions

What they are looking for: A broad range of fiction and nonfiction.

Pants On Fire Press

See: http://pantsonfirepress.com/submissions/

“Pants On Fire Press is a book publisher that accepts unsolicited manuscripts from authors.”

What they are looking for: “We are acquiring Middle-Grade, Young Adult and Fiction for adults. We are looking for strong writers who are excited about marketing their stories and building a following of readers.”

Skyhorse Publishing

See: http://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/guidelines

What they are looking for: “We are open to receiving submissions for proposed books in the following categories:

• • Sports (Team and Individual)
  • Outdoor Sport (Hunting, Fishing, and Camping)
  • Adventure and Travel
  • Health and Fitness
  • House and Home
  • History
  • Humor
  • Military History
  • Business
  • Games and Gambling
  • Horses
  • Pets and Animals
  • Nature and Science
  • Food and Wine
  • Aviation
  • True Crime
  • Current Events

Stone Pier Press

See: https://www.stonepierpress.org/submissions

What they are looking for: “We are currently accepting books about sustainable gardening.”

Timber Press (part of Workman Publishing, which is part of Hachette)

See: https://www.workman.com/work-with-us/author-submissions#artisan

What they are looking for: – “Timber Press is devoted to sharing the wonders of the natural world by publishing books from experts in the fields of gardening, horticulture, and natural history. Our list includes gardening how-to, garden design, popular science, nature, garden literature, and both regional and national field guides. We consider new book ideas from authors and agents.”

NOTE

If you wish to submit to publishers who do not accept unsolicited submissions, you’ll need to work with a literary agent. Here’s a list of 100 agents to help you get started in your agent search, if that’s the approach you’re taking. (Please note that I am not a publisher and not a literary agent.)