Big 5 publishing house
Henry Holt and Company
Fiction, History, Literary fiction
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About Henry Holt
Henry Holt and Company does not read unsolicited manuscripts, proposals or query letters. Its policy is to recycle or discard anything sent without a request. To be considered, work with a literary agent who submits to Holt's editors.
Henry Holt and Company is a Macmillan publisher founded in 1866. Its list covers literary fiction, mysteries and thrillers, history, politics, biography, science and psychology, with children’s and young adult books from Henry Holt Books for Young Readers. Its imprints include Metropolitan Books, Times Books and Holt Paperbacks.
Henry Holt publishers are clear about how they read: it is house policy not to read unsolicited material, and anything sent without a request is recycled or discarded. Writers who want a Holt contract should look for an agent who knows the list.
What Henry Holt is looking for
- Literary fiction
- Mysteries and thrillers
- History, politics and biography
- Science and psychology
- Children's and young adult books (Henry Holt Books for Young Readers)
Publishes
- Fiction
- History
- Literary fiction
- Mystery and Thriller
- Nonfiction
- Young adult
Specialties
- Literary fiction
How to submit to Henry Holt
From its own guidelines- Do not send unsolicited work to Holt; it will not be read.
- Research literary agents who sell fiction or nonfiction like yours to Macmillan houses.
- Query agents with a strong letter and sample pages, then let your agent pitch Holt.
Is Henry Holt right for your book?
A good fit if
Agented authors of literary fiction, crime fiction and serious nonfiction who want a long-established house with a broad trade list.
Look elsewhere if
Authors without an agent. Holt does not read queries, proposals or manuscripts that arrive unsolicited.
Henry Holt imprints
Which take submissions| Imprint | Direct submissions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Henry Holt | No | House policy: unsolicited material is not read. |
| Metropolitan Books | Not stated | Politics, history, memoir, science and technology. |
| Times Books | Not stated | |
| Holt Paperbacks | Not stated | |
| Henry Holt Books for Young Readers | Not stated |
Questions about Henry Holt
Does Henry Holt accept unsolicited manuscripts?
No. Henry Holt and Company says it is house policy not to read unsolicited manuscripts, proposals or query letters. Anything sent without a request is recycled or discarded, so mailing or emailing your work directly will not get it read. The practical route is a literary agent who submits to Holt's editors.
Who owns Henry Holt and Company?
Henry Holt and Company is part of Macmillan, one of the Big Five publishers. Founded in 1866, it publishes under its own name and through imprints such as Metropolitan Books, Times Books, Holt Paperbacks and Henry Holt Books for Young Readers. Each imprint follows the same rule against unsolicited material.
What does Henry Holt publish?
Henry Holt publishes literary fiction, mysteries and thrillers, history, politics, biography, science and psychology for adults. Its young readers imprint publishes children's and young adult books. Because it reads only agented work, the best way to judge fit is to study recent Holt titles in your genre before you query agents.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
