Big 5 publishing house
Transworld Publishers
Fiction, Fantasy and Sci-Fi, History
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About Transworld
Transworld, part of Penguin Random House UK, does not accept unsolicited manuscripts or synopses. Its imprints Bantam, Doubleday, Torva and Wayward read work sent by literary agents.
Transworld Publishers was founded in 1950 and is part of Penguin Random House UK. It publishes commercial fiction and nonfiction and looks for bestsellers and debut authors. Its imprints include Bantam for commercial fiction and nonfiction, Doubleday for literary fiction and narrative nonfiction, Torva for big-idea nonfiction and Wayward for fantasy, romantasy and young adult.
Like the rest of Penguin Random House UK, Transworld publishers do not take unsolicited manuscripts. The way in is a literary agent.
What Transworld is looking for
- Commercial fiction: thrillers, mysteries and uplifting stories
- Literary fiction and narrative nonfiction (Doubleday)
- Expert-led nonfiction (Torva)
- Fantasy, romantasy and YA (Wayward)
Publishes
- Fantasy and Sci-Fi
- Fiction
- History
- Literary fiction
- Mystery and Thriller
- Nonfiction
- Romance
- Self-Help
- Young adult
Specialties
- Literary fiction
How to submit to Transworld
From its own guidelines- Finish your manuscript.
- Find a literary agent. Penguin points writers to the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook.
- Your agent submits to the right Transworld imprint.
Is Transworld right for your book?
A good fit if
You have a literary agent and a commercial or literary book with a strong hook.
Look elsewhere if
You want to send your manuscript yourself. Penguin Random House UK does not read unsolicited work.
Books published by Transworld
Well-known titles- The Secret of SecretsDan Brown
- The Last LetterRebecca Yarros
- Exit StrategyLee Child and Andrew Child
- The Discworld BestiaryTerry Pratchett and Paul Kidby
- The Winter GuestKaren Swan
Transworld imprints
Which take submissions| Imprint | Direct submissions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bantam | Agent only | Commercial fiction (thrillers, mysteries, uplifting) and non-fiction |
| Doubleday | Agent only | Boutique literary imprint: prize-winning fiction and narrative non-fiction |
| Torva | Agent only | Expert-led non-fiction, bold ideas |
| Wayward TxF | Agent only | Fantasy, romantasy, new adult and YA, in partnership with FairyLoot |
Questions about Transworld
Does Transworld accept unsolicited manuscripts?
No. Transworld is part of Penguin Random House UK, which does not accept unsolicited manuscripts or synopses. Every Transworld imprint, including Bantam, Doubleday, Torva and Wayward, reads work sent by literary agents. Start by querying agents who represent your genre.
What imprints are part of Transworld Publishers?
Transworld Publishers includes Bantam for commercial fiction and nonfiction, Doubleday for literary fiction and narrative nonfiction, Torva for expert-led nonfiction and Wayward for fantasy, romantasy, new adult and young adult. All of them take submissions through agents. Your agent will know which imprint suits your book.
Is Transworld part of Penguin Random House?
Yes. Transworld Publishers is a publishing house within Penguin Random House UK. It was founded in 1950 and focuses on commercial fiction and nonfiction, including debut authors. Like every Penguin Random House UK house, Transworld reads manuscripts only through literary agents, so finding an agent is the first step for any writer who wants to publish with it.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
