Independent publishing company
Canongate Books
Fiction, Cookbook, Independent
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About Canongate
Canongate does not accept unsolicited submissions. This independent Edinburgh publisher reads fiction and nonfiction sent by literary agents and suggests writers find an agent first.
Canongate Books was founded in 1973 and has its head office in Edinburgh, with a second office in London. It is an independent publisher of fiction and nonfiction, including memoir and food writing, and aims to find voices that need to be heard.
Canongate does not read unsolicited submissions. It says it likes hearing about new writers from agents, and its submissions page gives practical advice on finding one. Canongate publishers point writers to the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook to start.
What Canongate is looking for
- Literary fiction
- Nonfiction, including memoir
- Cookery and food writing
- Distinctive new voices
Publishes
- Cookbook
- Fiction
- Independent
- Literary fiction
- Memoir
- Nonfiction
Specialties
- Literary fiction
How to submit to Canongate
From its own guidelines- Finish your novel, or write a nonfiction proposal with sample material.
- Research literary agents and their guidelines. Many prefer you to approach only one agent at each agency.
- Send each agent a one-page synopsis and a cover letter with your bio and pitch.
- Your agent submits to Canongate.
Is Canongate right for your book?
A good fit if
You have a literary agent and a book with a distinctive voice.
Look elsewhere if
You plan to submit directly. Canongate will not read unsolicited manuscripts.
Books published by Canongate
Well-known titles- LanarkAlasdair Gray
- Life of PiYann Martel
- The Book of Form and EmptinessRuth Ozeki
- The Creative ActRick Rubin
- The Midnight LibraryMatt Haig
Questions about Canongate
Does Canongate accept unsolicited submissions?
No. Canongate does not accept unsolicited submissions from authors. It reads work sent by literary agents and says it likes hearing about new writers that way. Its submissions page gives advice on finding an agent and preparing a synopsis and cover letter.
Where are Canongate publishers based?
Canongate publishers are based in Edinburgh, Scotland, where the company was founded in 1973. It also has an office in London. It remains an independent publisher of fiction and nonfiction. Wherever you live, the route in is the same: a literary agent who sends your book to Canongate for you.
What does Canongate publish?
Canongate publishes fiction and nonfiction for adults, including memoir and cookery. It describes its publishing as independent, high quality and innovative, with a focus on voices that need to be heard and stories that last. Like other agent-only houses, it hears about new writers through literary agents.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
