Big 5 publishing house
Orbit UK
Fiction, Fantasy and Sci-Fi, Horror
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About Orbit
Orbit UK reads science fiction and fantasy through literary agents only and cannot respond to unsolicited material. Hachette UK's Future Bookshelf occasionally runs group-wide open submission periods, which are the only other route.
Orbit is the science fiction and fantasy imprint of Little, Brown Book Group at Hachette UK, founded in 1974 and based at Carmelite House in London. Its reading lists cover romantasy, horror, space opera, cozy fantasy and epic fantasy.
Orbit reads only agented submissions, and its team says it cannot respond to unsolicited material. Hachette UK’s Future Bookshelf occasionally holds open submission periods across the whole group, which are worth watching for unagented writers.
What Orbit is looking for
- Science fiction and space opera
- Epic, cozy and romantic fantasy
- Horror
Publishes
- Fantasy and Sci-Fi
- Fiction
- Horror
- Romance
Readers
- Adult
How to submit to Orbit
From its own guidelines- Find a literary agent who represents science fiction and fantasy.
- Your agent submits the manuscript to Orbit.
- Watch Hachette UK's Future Bookshelf for occasional open periods.
Is Orbit right for your book?
A good fit if
Agented science fiction and fantasy novelists.
Look elsewhere if
Unagented writers, since Orbit cannot respond to unsolicited material.
Books published by Orbit
Well-known titles- DaggerboundT. Kingfisher
- The Wolves of WarJohn Gwynne, 2026
- The Void DragonAnnabel Campbell
- Our Cut of SaltDeena Helm
- The Shadows That ListenLouisa Carmody
Questions about Orbit
Does Orbit UK accept unsolicited manuscripts?
No. Orbit UK reads science fiction and fantasy through literary agents and says it cannot respond to unsolicited material. Hachette UK's Future Bookshelf occasionally runs open submission periods across the group, so watch for those if you do not yet have an agent.
What does Orbit UK publish?
Orbit publishes science fiction and fantasy, and its reading lists include romantasy, horror, space opera, cozy fantasy and epic fantasy. It has been publishing since 1974 as part of Little, Brown Book Group, one of Hachette UK's publishing divisions. Check the publisher's own page for any change before you submit.
Where is Orbit UK based?
Orbit UK is based at Carmelite House in London, the home of Hachette UK. It is the UK arm of the Orbit science fiction and fantasy list. Because it reads only agented work, the best first step for most writers is a literary agent.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
