Small press
Merrell Publishers
Art and Photography, Cookbook, History
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About Merrell
Merrell is open to unagented proposals for illustrated books on art, design, photography, architecture, fashion, gardens and interiors. Email a proposal with a one-page synopsis, annotated contents and a sample chapter if written to Hugh Merrell, Publisher. Send large files via WeTransfer.
Merrell Publishers is a London publisher of illustrated books on art, design, photography, architecture, fashion, gardens and interiors. Its category pages also cover travel, food and drink and illustrated history. Others cover graphic design and illustration, plus culture and society in Saudi Arabia. Merrell says it works with museums, foundations, private collectors, brands and companies.
Submissions are open to authors without an agent, and proposals go by email only to Hugh Merrell, Publisher. The proposal includes a one-page synopsis, an annotated table of contents with word and illustration counts for each chapter, one sample chapter if written, sample images if available, a short bio for each author and an annotated list of competing books. Send large files via WeTransfer. Explain why the project is commercially viable and how it differs from competing books.
What Merrell is looking for
- Illustrated books on art, design, photography and architecture
- Fashion, gardens and interiors
- Travel, food and drink, plus illustrated history
- Graphic design and illustration, plus culture and society in Saudi Arabia
- Projects with museums, foundations, private collectors, brands and companies
- Proposals that show commercial viability and a clear difference from competing books
Publishes
- Art and Photography
- Cookbook
- History
- Nonfiction
- Travel
Readers
- Adult
How to submit to Merrell
From its own guidelines- Write a one-page synopsis covering subject, scope, approach, purpose and commercial viability.
- Prepare an annotated table of contents with word and illustration counts for each chapter.
- Add one sample chapter if written, sample images if available, a one-paragraph bio per author and an annotated list of competing books.
- Email the proposal to Hugh Merrell (Publisher) and send large files via WeTransfer.
Is Merrell right for your book?
A good fit if
This suits authors, institutions and collectors with an illustrated book on art, design, architecture, gardens, interiors or travel.
Look elsewhere if
Look elsewhere if your book is not illustrated or falls outside its listed categories. It may also not suit you if you cannot show why the project is commercially viable.
Questions about Merrell
Does Merrell accept unsolicited manuscripts?
Yes, Merrell accepts unsolicited proposals from authors who do not have an agent. It asks for a proposal rather than a full manuscript, with one sample chapter if you have written one. The proposal should explain why the project is commercially viable and how it differs from competing books. Merrell focuses on illustrated books across art, design and related subjects.
How do I submit to Merrell?
Email your proposal to Hugh Merrell, Publisher; email is the only route. Include a one-page synopsis, an annotated table of contents with word and illustration counts per chapter, one sample chapter if written, sample images if available, a one-paragraph bio per author and an annotated list of competing books. Send any large files via WeTransfer.
What does Merrell publish?
Merrell publishes illustrated books on art, design, photography, architecture, fashion, gardens and interiors. Its category pages also cover travel, food and drink, illustrated history, graphic design and illustration. It also lists culture and society in Saudi Arabia. The London publisher says it works with museums, foundations, private collectors, brands and companies.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
