Mid-size
Augsburg Fortress
Christian, Academic, Children's
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About Augsburg Fortress
Augsburg Fortress, the publisher of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, reads direct proposals for its core line, Fortress Press and Broadleaf Books. Its children's imprint, Beaming Books, takes agented work only.
Augsburg Fortress Publishers is the publishing house of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It publishes worship, music, adult education and leadership resources under its own name, plus several imprints.
Fortress Press publishes theology, biblical studies and ethics. Broadleaf Books publishes general trade books from a progressive Christian view. Beaming Books publishes for children. Each imprint has its own email route, so pick the right one before you send.
What Augsburg Fortress is looking for
- Augsburg Fortress: worship, music, adult education and leadership resources
- Fortress Press: theology, biblical studies and ethics
- Broadleaf Books: general trade nonfiction
- Beaming Books: children's books, through agents
Publishes
- Academic
- Children's
- Christian
- Nonfiction
- Picture book
- Religion and Spirituality
Specialties
- Bible study
- Christian living
- Textbook
How to submit to Augsburg Fortress
From its own guidelines- Choose the imprint that fits your book.
- Augsburg Fortress line: email a letter of inquiry, a proposal with outline, or the manuscript as a PDF or Word file.
- Fortress Press: email the acquisitions editor whose interests match your book. Broadleaf: email its submissions address.
- Augsburg Fortress acknowledges proposals that fit within 60 days. Fortress Press and Broadleaf reply only if interested.
Is Augsburg Fortress right for your book?
A good fit if
You write for congregations or scholars in the Lutheran tradition, or you have a general trade book that fits Broadleaf.
Look elsewhere if
You have a children's picture book and no agent. Beaming Books reads agented work unless an editor has asked for yours.
Augsburg Fortress imprints
Which take submissions| Imprint | Direct submissions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Augsburg Fortress (core: worship, music, adult education, leadership) | Yes | Email afsubmissions@augsburgfortress.org (non-music) or musicsub@augsburgfortress.org (music); proposals that fit are acknowledged within 60 |
| Fortress Press | Yes | Theology, biblical studies, ethics. Email the acquisitions editor whose interests match; replies only to potential fits; guidelines in a .do |
| Broadleaf Books | Yes | Progressive Christian general trade. Mostly works with agents but open to unsolicited proposals at submissions@broadleafbooks.com; replies o |
| Beaming Books | Agent only | Children's books. Agents only, unless an editor asks for the manuscript (conferences, Twitter pitch contests). Email or PO box submissions n |
| Sparkhouse | Not stated | About page gives no submission information. |
Questions about Augsburg Fortress
Do Augsburg Fortress publishers accept unsolicited manuscripts?
Yes, for most of the group. Augsburg Fortress publishers read direct submissions for the core Augsburg Fortress line, Fortress Press and Broadleaf Books. Beaming Books, the children's imprint, takes agented work only unless an editor has asked for your manuscript.
How do I submit to Fortress Press?
Email the Fortress Press acquisitions editor whose subject matches your book, such as theology, biblical studies or ethics. Fortress Press replies only to proposals that might fit, so no answer means it is passing. Its guidelines list each editor's subjects, so read them before you choose who to write to.
How long does Augsburg Fortress take to respond?
Augsburg Fortress acknowledges proposals that fit its plans within 60 days. Fortress Press and Broadleaf Books reply only when they are interested. Allow two months before you send the project elsewhere, and keep a note of where and when you sent it.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
