Mid-size
Ave Maria Press
Christian, Catholic, Nonfiction
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About Ave Maria Press
Ave Maria Press is open to book proposals from authors without an agent, by email. Send one document with a description, an annotated table of contents, a writing sample, a short bio and your platform. It replies within three to four weeks and charges no fee to evaluate. It does not take unsolicited fiction, children's books or poetry.
Ave Maria Press is a Catholic publisher in Notre Dame, Indiana, founded in 1865 and owned by the Congregation of Holy Cross. Its main interest is books for Catholics and Catholic institutions, and many of its titles also reach a wider Christian readership. It publishes books on prayer and spirituality, ministry resources and high school religion textbooks, with imprints including Sorin Books, Christian Classics and Forest of Peace.
The press reads proposals sent by email and looks closely at the author’s platform, asking for website and social links and audience figures. It answers within three to four weeks, though a full review can take several months. It says there is no fee for evaluating a manuscript.
What Ave Maria Press is looking for
- Books for Catholics and Catholic institutions
- Prayer and spirituality
- Ministry resources
- High school religion textbooks
Publishes
- Catholic
- Christian
- Nonfiction
- Religion and Spirituality
Specialties
- Christian living
- Textbook
How to submit to Ave Maria Press
From its own guidelines- Write one document with your working title, a one-paragraph description and why the book is unique.
- Add an annotated table of contents, a writing sample such as the introduction or chapter one, a short bio and your platform links and audience data.
- Email it to submissions@mail.avemariapress.com from a valid address.
- Expect a first reply within three to four weeks; a full review can take months.
Is Ave Maria Press right for your book?
A good fit if
Catholic nonfiction writers, especially those with a ministry, a teaching role or an existing audience they can show in numbers.
Look elsewhere if
Writers of fiction, children's books or poetry, and authors of personal conversion stories or accounts of private revelation.
Ave Maria Press imprints
Which take submissions| Imprint | Direct submissions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sorin Books | Not stated | Launched 1999 'to reach spiritual seekers' (about page). |
| Christian Classics | Not stated | Acquired 2003; new editions of classic spiritual/theological works (Aquinas, Newman, Chesterton etc.). |
| Forest of Peace | Not stated | Acquired 2003 (about page). |
Questions about Ave Maria Press
Does Ave Maria Press accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes. Ave Maria Press reads proposals emailed directly by authors, and there is no fee to have your manuscript evaluated. Send one document with a description, an annotated table of contents, a writing sample, a short bio and your platform details to submissions@mail.avemariapress.com. Send a sample, not the whole manuscript.
What does Ave Maria Press not publish?
Ave Maria Press does not accept unsolicited fiction for adults or teens, children's books of any kind or poetry. It also turns down accounts of personal conversion and private revelation. Its focus is nonfiction for Catholics and Catholic institutions, such as prayer, spirituality, ministry resources and religion textbooks.
How fast does Ave Maria Press reply?
Ave Maria Press aims to respond within three to four weeks, which is quick for a Catholic publisher. A full review of a promising proposal can take several months. Paper submissions are not returned and the press does not reply by letter, so always email your proposal from an address you check.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
