Independent publishing company

Dundurn Press

Fiction, Business, History

Toronto, Canada Founded 1972

Open to submissionsChecked on its own website, 25 Oct 2026

Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026

About Dundurn Press

Dundurn Press is open to nonfiction, literary fiction and mystery or thriller submissions by email, prioritizing Canadian authors. Nonfiction sends a proposal with two or three chapters; fiction sends the full manuscript, a literary CV and a one-page synopsis. It does not take graphic novels, children's, YA or poetry right now.

Dundurn Press is an independent Toronto publisher founded in 1972. It prioritizes books by Canadian authors and those eligible for Canadian citizenship in three areas: nonfiction, literary fiction and mystery and thriller. Its nonfiction covers history, politics, business, society and culture, true crime, sports, music, popular science, memoir and biography, and its imprints include Dundurn Fiction and Rare Machines.

Submissions go by email with an introduction. Dundurn says it does not solicit authors or creators for money. It is not currently taking graphic novels, children’s or young adult books or poetry.

What Dundurn Press is looking for

  • History, politics and business
  • True crime, sports and music
  • Memoir and biography
  • Literary fiction and mystery or thriller

Publishes

  • Business
  • Fiction
  • History
  • Independent
  • Literary fiction
  • Memoir
  • Mystery and Thriller
  • Nonfiction

Specialties

  • Literary fiction

How to submit to Dundurn Press

From its own guidelines
  1. Nonfiction: email an introduction with a proposal: bio, contact and residence, summary, two or three chapters or 30 to 50 pages and comparable titles.
  2. Fiction: email an introduction with the full manuscript, a literary CV and a one-page synopsis.
  3. Format fiction in 12 point, double spaced; partial manuscripts are not accepted.
Visit the official submissions page

Is Dundurn Press right for your book?

A good fit if

Canadian nonfiction writers and novelists with complete fiction manuscripts.

Look elsewhere if

Writers of graphic novels, children's or young adult books and poetry, and fiction writers with partial manuscripts.

Books published by Dundurn Press

Well-known titles
  • The Son of the HouseCheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia
  • SevenFarzana Doctor
  • YumeSifton Tracey Anipare
  • MudflowersAley Waterman

Dundurn Press imprints

Which take submissions
ImprintDirect submissionsNotes
Dundurn FictionYesFiction and mystery/thriller submissions accepted via submissions@dundurn.com
Rare MachinesYesLiterary fiction imprint launched 2021; same fiction submission route

Questions about Dundurn Press

Does Dundurn Press accept unsolicited submissions?

Yes. Dundurn reads nonfiction, literary fiction and mystery or thriller submissions by email, with no agent needed, and it prioritizes Canadian authors. Nonfiction sends a proposal with sample chapters; fiction sends the complete manuscript with a literary CV and a one-page synopsis.

Does Dundurn Press charge authors?

No. Dundurn says it does not solicit authors or creators for money. It is a traditional independent publisher in Toronto, founded in 1972. If anyone asks you to pay to publish with Dundurn, treat it as a scam and report it to the press.

What is Dundurn not accepting right now?

Dundurn is not currently accepting graphic novels, children's or young adult books or poetry. For fiction it wants the complete manuscript, not a partial one. Its main areas are nonfiction, literary fiction and mystery and thriller, including its Rare Machines imprint.

Listing history

  • Checked on the publisher's own site