Fiction Book Publishers Accepting Submissions
Every fiction publishing house below was checked on its own website in October 2026: who is open, who needs an agent, what to send and how long replies take.
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
49publishing houses checked
15open to submissions now
18take authors without an agent
20 wksmedian reply time
Fiction publishers that read unagented work
These houses accept fiction straight from authors, each with its own rules.
- 1
Kensington
Romance, mystery, thrillers, fantasy and more from unagented, hybrid and indie authors. Email a query only to its submissions address.
Reply: About 12 weeks
- 2
Bluemoose Books
Literary fiction from writers anywhere, with or without an agent. Email a covering letter, three chapters and a synopsis in one file.
Reply: About 24 weeks
- 3
Hachette Book Group
Its Forever imprint reads romance and women's fiction from unagented BIPOC writers; other imprints use agents.
Reply: Not stated
- 4
Holiday House
Children's fiction and picture books by email or mail, with a reply within four months if interested.
Reply: About 16 weeks
- 5
Albert Whitman
Picture books, middle grade and young adult by email with a cover letter. Simultaneous submissions are fine.
Reply: About 24 weeks
- 6
Menucha Publishers
Novels and other books for Orthodox Jewish readers. Send the complete manuscript; every author hears a decision.
Reply: Not stated
All Fiction publishers
Filter by what you write and how you want to submit. Open publishers come first; every card shows when we last checked it.
No publishers match all of these. Try removing a filter.
Independent publishing companyAlbert WhitmanChildren's, Fiction, IndependentPark Ridge, Illinois, USOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Albert Whitman & Company has an open submissions policy for unagented authors. Email picture books, middle grade or young adult manuscripts with a cover letter. Simultaneous submissions are fine, and silence after six months means no.No agent neededSend: Cover letter in the email and the full manuscriptEmail+1 more24 wks replyest. 1919View profile →
Small pressArbordaleChildren's, Fiction, NonfictionMount Pleasant, United StatesOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Arbordale Publishing takes picture book manuscripts from authors directly. It wants fiction or narrative nonfiction under 1,000 words with science or math woven into the story, and pays small advances against royalties.No agent neededSend: The full manuscript under 1,000 words by emailEmail+2 moreReply time not statedest. 2004View profile →Mid-sizeBaen BooksFiction, Fantasy and Sci-Fi, IndependentWake Forest, North Carolina, USOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Baen Books is open to unagented science fiction and fantasy novels through its online form. Send the complete manuscript with a synopsis in one .rtf file; no query letter is needed. It prefers 100,000 to 130,000 words. Replies take 9 to 12 months by its submit page, or 12 to 15 by its FAQ.No agent neededSend: Full manuscript + synopsis in one .rtf fileOnline form, Post39 to 65 wks replyest. 1983View profile →Independent publishing companyBirlinnChildren's, Academic, FictionEdinburgh, Scotland, UKOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Birlinn takes nonfiction, sport, children's and academic proposals from authors without an agent, by email. Its Polygon fiction imprint is closed to unsolicited work. Replies take up to three months.Some imprints unagentedSend: A synopsis and sample material by emailEmail12 wks replyest. 1992View profile →
Small pressBluemoose BooksFiction, Independent, Literary fictionHebden Bridge, UKOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Bluemoose Books is open to literary fiction from writers anywhere, with or without an agent. Email a covering letter, the first three chapters and a synopsis in one file. It replies within 24 weeks only if it wants more.No agent neededSend: Covering letter, first three chapters and synopsis in one fileEmail24 wks replyest. 2006View profile →
Mid-sizeHoliday HouseChildren's, Fiction, Middle gradeNew York, USOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Holiday House is open to children's book submissions from authors without an agent. Email a query letter with the full manuscript attached, or send it by mail. It replies within four months only if it is interested.No agent neededSend: Query letter and the full manuscript by emailEmail, Post16 wks replyest. 1935View profile →
Independent publishing companyKensingtonFiction, Fantasy and Sci-Fi, HistoryNew York, USOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Kensington Publishing has an open submission policy and works with unagented, hybrid and indie authors. Email a query only, in the body of the email with no attachments, to submissions@kensingtonbooks.com. Allow at least three months; no reply means it is not a fit. It does not take children's, YA, poetry, short stories or AI-written work.No agent neededSend: Query only, in the email body; no attachmentsEmail12 wks replyest. 1974View profile →Small pressLantana PublishingChildren's, Comics, Diverse and BIPOC voicesUKOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Lantana Publishing is open to children's book submissions from authors and illustrators from under-represented groups, through its online form. Send one file with the manuscript, a synopsis and a short bio. It replies within 12 weeks for picture books and 24 for chapter books; no reply in that time means no.Send: One file: manuscript, synopsis and short bioOnline form24 wks replyest. 2014View profile →Independent publishing companyMenucha PublishersChildren's, Cookbook, FictionBrooklyn, New York, USOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Menucha Publishers takes complete manuscripts from authors directly, by email or mail. The Brooklyn publisher serves Orthodox Jewish readers with Torah, novels, biographies, cookbooks and children's books, and tells every author its decision.No agent neededSend: The complete manuscript as one file with a cover letterEmail, PostReply time not statedest. 2011View profile →Small pressOwlet PressChildren's, Comics, Diverse and BIPOC voicesLeamington Spa, UKOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Owlet Press, an independent publisher in Leamington Spa, takes children's book submissions by email. Its picture book list is full, and it most wants graphic novels and chapter books from diverse creators. Attach the manuscript with about 50 words on the book and 100 on you. It gets in touch only if interested.Send: Manuscript + 50 words on the book + 100 words on youEmailReply time not statedView profile →Mid-sizePauline Books & MediaChristian, Catholic, Children'sBoston, Massachusetts, USOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Pauline Books & Media is open to submissions from authors without an agent, by email or post. It pays a royalty with an advance and charges no fees. Adult proposals need sample chapters of at least 6,000 words; children's fiction needs the full manuscript and a synopsis. Replies take 8 to 10 weeks, and simultaneous submissions are fine.No agent neededSend: Cover letter + proposal + samples; kids: full textEmail, Post+2 more8 to 10 wks replyView profile →
Independent publishing companyPloughChristian, Children's, ComicsWalden, New York, USOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Plough Publishing House, run by the Bruderhof, reads proposals from authors without an agent through an online form or by mail. It wants books on faith, community and justice and replies in about 3 to 6 weeks.No agent neededSend: Cover letter, sample chapter, contents and prospectusOnline form, Post3 to 6 wks replyest. 1920View profile →
Mid-sizeSleeping Bear PressChildren's, Diverse and BIPOC voices, FictionAnn Arbor, Michigan, USOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Sleeping Bear Press takes picture book and middle grade submissions from authors without an agent, by email only. It replies within six months if interested and runs a yearly award for unagented BIPOC and LGBTQ writers.No agent neededSend: Cover letter in the email and the manuscript as a Word fileEmail+1 more24 wks replyView profile →
Small pressTilbury HouseChildren's, Diverse and BIPOC voices, FictionAnn Arbor, Michigan, USOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Tilbury House Publishers takes children's book submissions from authors without an agent, by email only. It publishes board books to middle grade, welcomes diverse voices and replies within six months if interested.No agent neededSend: Cover letter in the email and the manuscript as a Word fileEmail24 wks replyView profile →
Big 5 publishing houseZondervanChristian, Academic, Children'sGrand Rapids, Michigan, USOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Zondervan reads unsolicited proposals only for Zondervan Academic: textbooks, reference and scholarly books. Its other imprints work through literary agents. Academic proposals go by email, and silence after 6 weeks means no.Some imprints unagentedSend: Academic: proposal of up to 5 pagesEmail6 wks replyest. 1931View profile →Independent publishing companyAngry RobotFiction, Diverse and BIPOC voices, Fantasy and Sci-FiUKAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Angry Robot reads adult science fiction, fantasy and horror novels through literary agents. Unagented writers can submit only during its occasional Open Doors periods, announced on its site and social media; the last ran in April 2024. A separate call for unagented Black authors was extended indefinitely.Send: Agent proposal; unagented only in Open Doors periodsEmail10 wks replyest. 2009View profile →Major publishing houseBethany HouseChristian, Fiction, NonfictionUnited StatesAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Bethany House Publishers is part of Baker Publishing Group and takes manuscripts through literary agents only. It is best known for inspirational fiction, including historical and contemporary romance, Amish stories and romantic suspense.Send: Manuscript, sent by your literary agentThrough an agentReply time not statedView profile →
Independent publishing companyCanongateFiction, Cookbook, IndependentEdinburgh, Scotland, UKAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Canongate does not accept unsolicited submissions. This independent Edinburgh publisher reads fiction and nonfiction sent by literary agents and suggests writers find an agent first.Send: Through a literary agent onlyThrough an agentReply time not statedest. 1973View profile →
Major publishing houseChicken HouseChildren's, Fantasy and Sci-Fi, FictionFrome, UKAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Chicken House reads general submissions only through literary agents. Unagented, unpublished writers can enter its yearly Times/Chicken House Children's Fiction Competition, which closed for 2026 on 1 June.Send: Through a literary agent, or its yearly competitionThrough an agentPays an advanceReply time not statedest. 2000View profile →Independent publishing companyGraywolf PressFiction, Independent, Literary fictionMinneapolis, Minnesota, USAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Graywolf Press reads prose only through literary agents and does not consider unagented prose manuscripts. Poets reach it through three partner prizes: the Academy of American Poets First Book Award, the Cave Canem Prize and the Pegasus Poetry Book Prize. Graywolf itself charges no fee.Send: Prose through an agent; poetry through partner prizesThrough an agentReply time not statedest. 1974View profile →
Big 5 publishing houseHachette Book GroupChildren's, Diverse and BIPOC voices, Fantasy and Sci-FiNew York, USAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Hachette Book Group works mainly with literary agents, but three imprints take work directly: Forever reads romance and women's fiction from unagented BIPOC writers, and Storey and Timber Press read nonfiction proposals.Some imprints unagentedSend: Through an agent; some imprints take proposals directlyThrough an agent, Email, PostReply time not statedView profile →Big 5 publishing houseJonathan CapeFiction, Comics, Literary fictionUKAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Jonathan Cape, part of Vintage at Penguin Random House UK, reads prose only through literary agents. Its poetry list can be approached directly by post with a typed English-language collection.Some imprints unagentedSend: Prose through an agent; poetry collections by postThrough an agent, Post4 to 16 wks replyView profile →Independent publishing companyLee & LowChildren's, Diverse and BIPOC voices, FictionNew York, USAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Lee & Low Books is closed to unsolicited manuscripts until further notice. It reads work from agents and from writers its editors meet at conferences, and runs New Voices and New Visions contests for unpublished writers of color.Send: Through an agent, or a contest when one is openThrough an agentReply time not statedest. 1991View profile →
Mid-sizeLernerChildren's, Fiction, IndependentMinneapolis, Minnesota, USAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Lerner Publishing Group does not accept unsolicited submissions or queries from authors without an agent or a referral. It sometimes runs open calls, announced in its Press Room. It publishes children's fiction and nonfiction across many imprints.Send: Through a literary agent or a referralThrough an agentReply time not statedest. 1959View profile →
Big 5 publishing houseMacmillanChildren's, Cookbook, FictionNew York, USAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Macmillan Publishers does not accept unsolicited manuscripts, proposals or queries in the US. Its houses, including St. Martin's, Minotaur, Henry Holt and Celadon, read work sent by literary agents.Send: Through a literary agent onlyThrough an agentReply time not statedView profile →Independent publishing companyNosy CrowChildren's, Fiction, IndependentLondon, UKAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Nosy Crow does not accept unsolicited manuscripts or proposals. The London children's publisher reads agented work and sometimes runs time-limited open calls, announced on its blog.Send: Through a literary agent, or an open call when one runsThrough an agentReply time not statedView profile →Mid-sizePeachtreeChildren's, Fiction, Middle gradeAtlanta, Georgia, USAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Peachtree Publishing does not accept unsolicited manuscripts or picture book dummies. Its staff reviews only work queried through a literary agent or materials it has asked for. It publishes picture books to young adult.Send: Through a literary agent onlyThrough an agentReply time not statedest. 1977View profile →
Big 5 publishing housePenguin Random HouseChristian, Children's, Fantasy and Sci-FiNew York, USAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Penguin 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.Send: Through a literary agent onlyThrough an agentReply time not statedest. 2013View profile →
Independent publishing companySaltFiction, Fantasy and Sci-Fi, HorrorCromer, UKAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Salt Publishing does not accept unsolicited submissions from authors. Literary agents can email submissions, and silence after one month means no. Literary fiction is at the heart of its list.Send: Through a literary agent, by emailThrough an agent, Email4 wks replyest. 1999View profile →Big 5 publishing houseSimon & SchusterChildren's, Diverse and BIPOC voices, FictionNew York, USAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Simon & Schuster does not accept unsolicited or unagented submissions, with one standing exception: Salaam Reads, its children's imprint, reads manuscripts by email. Its other imprints work through literary agents.Some imprints unagentedSend: Through a literary agent; Salaam Reads takes email submissionsThrough an agent, EmailReply time not statedest. 1924View profile →Small pressTachyon PublicationsFiction, Fantasy and Sci-Fi, HorrorSan Francisco, California, USAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Tachyon Publications is open to agents only. It reads agented adult speculative fiction, including science fiction, fantasy and horror, sent as a pitch in the email body with the full manuscript attached. It is not considering anthologies, series novels or reprints, and it takes no direct submissions from authors.Send: Agent pitch in email body + full manuscriptThrough an agent, EmailReply time not statedest. 1995View profile →Big 5 publishing houseTransworldFiction, Fantasy and Sci-Fi, HistoryUKAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Transworld, 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.Send: Through a literary agent onlyThrough an agentReply time not statedest. 1950View profile →Major publishing houseTyndaleChristian, Children's, FictionCarol Stream, Illinois, USAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Tyndale House Publishers no longer reads unsolicited manuscripts. It takes proposals from literary agents, its own authors and people it knows in publishing. It publishes Christian fiction, nonfiction, children's books and the New Living Translation.Send: Manuscript or proposal, sent by your agentThrough an agentReply time not statedest. 1962View profile →Major publishing houseUsborneChildren's, Fiction, IndependentLondon, UKAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Usborne accepts fiction manuscripts only through literary agents and does not read unsolicited work. Its baby, picture, activity, novelty and nonfiction books are written in-house, so it takes no submissions for those. It suggests finding an agent through The Children's Writers' and Artists' Yearbook.Send: Fiction through a literary agent onlyThrough an agentReply time not statedest. 1973View profile →Major publishing houseWalker BooksChildren's, Fantasy and Sci-Fi, FictionUKAgent submissions onlyChecked Oct 2026Walker Books does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. Writers need another route, usually a literary agent. Illustrators and author-illustrators can email illustrated picture-book stories or artwork samples to its illustrator submissions address, though a reply is not guaranteed. It says it never charges authors a fee.Send: No manuscripts; illustrators may email samplesThrough an agent, EmailReply time not statedest. 1978View profile →Independent publishing companyAndersen PressChildren's, Fiction, IndependentLondon, UKClosed nowChecked Oct 2026Andersen Press is currently unable to accept unsolicited manuscripts or book proposals. The independent London children's publisher, home of Elmer and Little Princess, publishes picture books, fiction and graphic novels. Watch its contact page for changes, or work with a literary agent.Send: No unsolicited manuscripts or proposalsNo reopening date givenReply time not statedest. 1976View profile →
Independent publishing companyBedford Square PublishersFiction, Independent, Mystery and ThrillerLondon, UKClosed nowChecked Oct 2026Bedford Square Publishers is closed to submissions as of October 2026 and gives no reopening date. When open, it reads fiction and nonfiction, and silence after one month means no.Send: Closed for now; check its submissions pageNo reopening date given4 wks replyest. 2022View profile →Independent publishing companyCharlesbridgeChildren's, Diverse and BIPOC voices, FictionWatertown, Massachusetts, USClosed nowChecked Oct 2026Charlesbridge has paused its open children's submissions program, with no reopening date as of October 2026. When open, it reads picture books to young adult by email from January to June.Send: Program paused; usual route is email January to JuneEmailNo reopening date given24 wks replyView profile →Independent publishing companyCoffee House PressFiction, Independent, Literary fictionMinneapolis, Minnesota, USClosed nowChecked Oct 2026Coffee House Press is not accepting unsolicited submissions right now. When it reopens, it reads literary novels, story collections, poetry, creative nonfiction, essays and occasional memoir through its online submissions manager, with no fee. Reviews take 4 to 6 months or longer.Send: Closed; when open, Submittable with no feeSubmittableNo reopening date given16 to 24 wks replyest. 1972View profile →
Small pressDead InkFiction, Horror, IndependentLiverpool, UKClosed nowChecked Oct 2026Dead Ink Books is not open for general submissions as of October 2026. The Liverpool small press publishes weird, bold and genre-defying fiction, and warns writers about people pretending to be its editors.Send: Closed to general submissions for nowNo reopening date givenReply time not statedest. 2011View profile →Small pressFirefly PressChildren's, Fiction, IndependentCaerphilly, UKClosed nowChecked Oct 2026Firefly Press is closed to fiction and nonfiction submissions right now. It opens occasional windows, announced in advance on its social media, and publishes fiction for readers aged 5 to 19. Illustrators can still email a small sample and a website link at any time.Send: Closed; illustrators may email a sample and linkEmailNo reopening date givenReply time not statedest. 2013View profile →Mid-sizeHarvest HouseChristian, Children's, FictionEugene, Oregon, USClosed nowChecked Oct 2026Harvest House Publishers does not accept unsolicited manuscripts, proposals or self-published books. It finds new writers through agents, paid manuscript listing services and Christian writers conferences.Send: Nothing direct: agents and conferences onlyNo reopening date givenReply time not statedest. 1974View profile →
Big 5 publishing houseHenry HoltFiction, History, Literary fictionUnited StatesClosed nowChecked Oct 2026Henry Holt and Company does not read unsolicited manuscripts, proposals or query letters. Its policy is to recycle or discard anything sent without a request. To be considered, work with a literary agent who submits to Holt's editors.Send: No unsolicited material; agent submissions onlyNo reopening date givenReply time not statedest. 1866View profile →Major publishing houseLittle TigerChildren's, Fiction, Middle gradeLondon, UKClosed nowChecked Oct 2026Little Tiger Group is unable to accept unsolicited submissions. The London children's publisher, owned by Penguin Random House, publishes board books, picture books, chapter books, novels and nonfiction. Watch its guidelines page for any change, or work with a literary agent.Send: No unsolicited submissionsNo reopening date givenReply time not statedest. 1987View profile →Independent publishing companyMilkweed EditionsFiction, Independent, Literary fictionMinneapolis, Minnesota, USClosed nowChecked Oct 2026Milkweed Editions is closed to unsolicited submissions. Milkweed charges nothing itself, but its current poetry routes are partner prizes with entry fees: the National Poetry Series ($35, next period January 7 to March 21, 2027) and the Jake Adam York Prize through Copper Nickel ($25). Watch its newsletter for news.Send: Closed; poetry via partner prizes with entry feesNo reopening date givenReply time not statedest. 1980View profile →
Independent publishing companyOrca BooksChildren's, Comics, Diverse and BIPOC voicesVictoria, CanadaClosed nowChecked Oct 2026Orca Book Publishers is closed to submissions as of October 2026. Its last window ran until the end of August 2026. It publishes children's and teen books by Canadian citizens and permanent residents only, through CanSubmit.No agent neededSend: Depends on the series; through CanSubmit during the windowOnline form+1 moreNo reopening date given16 wks replyest. 1984View profile →Independent publishing companySeren BooksPoetry, Fiction, IndependentUKClosed nowChecked Oct 2026Seren Books is closed to submissions right now and reads work only during occasional free call-out windows. It publishes poetry, fiction and nonfiction, including memoir, for adults, with a focus on English-language writing from Wales. Writers must be 18 or over and live in the UK.No agent neededSend: Only during announced call-out windowsNo reopening date givenReply time not statedest. 1981View profile →
Big 5 publishing houseTorFiction, Fantasy and Sci-Fi, HorrorUnited StatesClosed nowChecked Oct 2026Tor is closed to submissions today. Its submission portal for Tor and Tor Teen shows no open window, and the last one listed ran in October 2021. The novella program is closed too. Watch the portal for a new window or work with a literary agent.Send: Closed; past windows took a full manuscript + cover letterOnline formNo reopening date given24 wks replyest. 1980View profile →
Independent publishing companyWhitaker HouseChristian, Fiction, MemoirNew Kensington, Pennsylvania, USClosed nowChecked Oct 2026Whitaker House does not review unsolicited manuscripts or proposals. It reads work only when one of its representatives asks for it or a recognized source sends it. An agent can help but is not required.Send: By invitation: proposal, synopsis and manuscriptEmail, PostNo reopening date given24 wks replyest. 1970View profile → What do Open, Closed and Agent needed mean?
- Open now: the publisher's own site says it is reading submissions today, in at least one genre listed.
- Closed: not reading new submissions right now. We show the reopening date when the publisher gives one.
- Agent needed: it only reads manuscripts sent by a literary agent.
Submit with confidence
Four checks before you send anything to a publisher, whichever list you use.
Check it on their own site
Guidelines change. Read the publisher's own submissions page on the day you send.
Never pay to be published
A traditional publisher pays you. If a company asks for money, it is a paid service.
Send exactly what they ask
Query, proposal or sample chapters: follow the format and word count to the letter.
Track every submission
Note the date, the reply time and whether no reply means no before you follow up.
Finding fiction publishers that read work without an agent takes time, so we checked each one on its own site. We list 49 publishers of novels and children's fiction, and 15 are open to submissions today. Every listing shows whether you need an agent, what to send and how long a reply takes. Many big houses are agent-only, but several independents still read unagented novels. Use the filters to show only houses that are open now, then read each profile before you send anything.
Fiction publishers that read unagented novels
Most of the largest fiction publishers read only agented work, but there are real exceptions. Kensington Publishing says it is happy to work with unagented, hybrid and indie authors across romance, mystery, thrillers, fantasy, science fiction, horror and westerns. Bluemoose Books reads literary fiction from writers anywhere. Hachette Book Group keeps one open door through its Forever imprint, which reads romance and women’s fiction from unagented BIPOC writers.
Agent-only and closed houses
Many well-known novel publishing companies on this page are agent-only, including Penguin Random House, Macmillan and Transworld. Others, such as Tor, have run short open windows and are closed now. A closed listing is still useful: it tells you to look for an agent or to wait for the next window instead of sending work that will not be read.
Children’s and young adult fiction
Several houses here publish fiction for young readers. Holiday House, Albert Whitman and Sleeping Bear Press take children’s manuscripts from authors without an agent. For the full picture, see our list of children’s book publishers.
What fiction publishers want to see
Finish the novel before you query. Fiction houses that read unagented work usually want a query letter, a synopsis and either sample chapters or the full manuscript. Read each profile for the exact package, the reply time and whether silence means no.
Genre fiction or literary fiction
Genre and literary fiction tend to go to different houses. Kensington covers commercial genres such as romance, mystery and thrillers, while Bluemoose focuses on literary fiction. Big groups publish both, but through agents. Decide where your book sits before you build your list, and query the houses whose current lists look like your novel.
How we check these listings
Every publisher on this page was checked on its own website, and we review each listing every month. We list only traditional publishers, which pay authors and do not charge them to publish. If a house adds fees, packages or a paid route, we say so on its profile or leave it out of the directory.
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Questions authors ask
Answers use the live data on this page.
Which fiction publishers accept unagented submissions?
On this page, Kensington Publishing, Bluemoose Books, Holiday House, Albert Whitman and Menucha Publishers all read fiction sent directly by authors. Hachette Book Group's Forever imprint reads romance and women's fiction from unagented BIPOC writers. Each profile shows what to send, how to send it and how long a reply takes.
Are there short story publishers on this list?
Few book publishers here say they take short story collections, and Kensington states that it does not publish short stories. Most fiction houses on this page want full-length novels or children's books. If you write short fiction, check each profile for its stated list before you send anything, and look at literary magazines for single stories.
Do I need a finished novel before I query?
Yes, for almost every fiction publisher. Houses that read unagented novels usually ask for a query letter, a synopsis and sample chapters, and they may ask for the full manuscript soon after. Have the book complete and revised before you send anything, so you can respond quickly when an editor wants more.
Browse more:Memoir book publishersFantasy and Sci-Fi book publishersIndependent book publishersPoetry book publishersReligion and Spirituality book publishersRomance book publishersNonfiction book publishersNew York book publishersAcademic book publishersUK book publishersSelf-publishing services
How we verify listings. We list traditional publishers only: no hybrid, vanity or paid self-publishing companies. Every listing is checked on the publisher's own website and rechecked every month. This page was last updated 25 Oct 2026; next review November 2026. Spotted a change? Tell us.
