Big 5 publishing house
Penguin Random House
Fiction, Audiobook, Children's
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About Penguin Random House
Penguin Random House does not accept unsolicited submissions, proposals or manuscripts. Its imprints read work from literary agents. Its Berkley imprint has run short open windows for unagented writers, but none is open or announced in October 2026.
Penguin Random House was formed in 2013 when Penguin and Random House merged, and it is owned by Bertelsmann. It is headquartered in New York City and has more than 300 imprints and brands, including Penguin, Random House, Knopf, Doubleday, Crown and its children’s groups.
Penguin publishers and Random House publishing teams read work from literary agents only. The one exception has been Berkley’s Open Submission Program, which opens for a few days at a time. The last window ran in May 2024, and no new one is announced.
What Penguin Random House is looking for
- Literary and commercial fiction
- Romance, mystery, thrillers and fantasy
- Nonfiction across every subject
- Children's and young adult books
- Christian books
Publishes
- Audiobook
- Children's
- Christian
- Fantasy and Sci-Fi
- Fiction
- Horror
- Mystery and Thriller
- Nonfiction
- Romance
Readers
- Adult
How to submit to Penguin Random House
From its own guidelines- Finish your manuscript, or a full proposal for nonfiction.
- Query literary agents who represent your genre.
- Your agent submits to the right imprint.
- If you write adult genre fiction without an agent, watch Berkley's site for its next open window.
Is Penguin Random House right for your book?
A good fit if
You have a literary agent, or you write adult genre fiction and can act fast if Berkley opens another window.
Look elsewhere if
You want to send your manuscript directly. Penguin Random House does not accept unsolicited work, including books published elsewhere.
Penguin Random House imprints
Which take submissions| Imprint | Direct submissions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Berkley | No | Runs short open submission windows for unagented writers; none open or announced now |
| Penguin Publishing Group | Agent only | House policy |
| Random House Publishing Group | Agent only | House policy |
| Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group | Agent only | House policy |
| Crown Publishing Group | Agent only | House policy |
| Penguin Young Readers Group | Agent only | House policy |
| Random House Children's Books | Agent only | House policy |
Questions about Penguin Random House
Does Penguin Random House accept unsolicited manuscripts?
No. Penguin Random House does not accept unsolicited submissions, proposals or manuscripts, including books previously published elsewhere. It recommends working with an established literary agent. Its imprints, including Penguin, Random House, Knopf and Crown, read agented work. Agents know which editors fit your book.
What is the Berkley Open Submission Program?
It is Berkley's occasional window for unagented writers of adult genre fiction, such as romance, mystery, thrillers and fantasy. Windows last only a few days. The most recent ran in May 2024, and as of October 2026 no new window is open or announced.
Are Penguin publishers and Random House publishing the same company?
Yes. Penguin and Random House merged in 2013 to form Penguin Random House, owned by Bertelsmann and headquartered in New York City. Penguin publishers and Random House publishing teams now work as groups within one company, under the same agent-only policy.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
- Checked on the publisher's own site
