UK Book Publishers Accepting Submissions
Every UK 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
Best UK publishers for first-time authors
UK publishers that are open now and read submissions from authors without an agent. Status and checked dates are live.
- 1
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Reads nonfiction proposals through an online form and usually replies within about eight weeks.
Reply: About 8 weeks
- 2
Hurst
Reads proposals for serious adult nonfiction by email, from current affairs to history and politics.
Reply: Not stated
- 3
Bluemoose Books
Welcomes literary fiction from writers anywhere, with or without an agent, by email.
Reply: About 24 weeks
- 4
Birlinn
Reads nonfiction, sport, children's and academic proposals by email for most of its imprints.
Reply: About 12 weeks
- 5
Crown House Publishing
Takes a short pitch of up to 300 words for education, coaching and personal growth books, and tells you if it is a no.
Reply: Not stated
All UK 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.
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 →
Independent publishing companyCrown House PublishingNonfiction, Academic, BusinessCarmarthen, UKOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Crown House Publishing takes book ideas from authors without an agent: email a pitch of up to 300 words. It publishes education, coaching, therapy, business and personal growth titles and tells unsuccessful authors.No agent neededSend: A pitch of up to 300 words by emailEmailReply time not statedView profile →Independent publishing companyFloris BooksChildren's, Independent, Middle gradeEdinburgh, Scotland, UKOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Floris Books, in Edinburgh, takes proposals through an online form only for adult nonfiction connected to the Steiner-Waldorf or anthroposophical communities. Its Kelpies children's list is closed to general submissions and reads work only from set groups, such as Scottish BPOC Writers Network members and literary agents.Some imprints unagentedSend: Online form: bio, proposal, contents and sample chaptersOnline form12 wks replyest. 1976View profile →
Mid-sizeFrances LincolnChildren's, Art and Photography, Diverse and BIPOC voicesLondon, UKOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Frances Lincoln, part of The Quarto Group, takes illustrated nonfiction and children's book proposals from authors by email. Proposals go to Quarto's subject addresses with a signed Submission Agreement. Silence after three months means no.No agent neededSend: Full proposal by email with a signed Quarto agreementEmail13 wks replyest. 1977View profile →
Independent publishing companyHurstNonfiction, Academic, HistoryLondon, UKOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Hurst Publishers takes proposals for serious adult nonfiction straight from authors by email. It specialises in current affairs, history, politics, Islamic studies and conflict, and asks for a proposal of at least 1,500 words.No agent neededSend: A proposal of at least 1,500 words with sample chaptersEmailReply time not statedest. 1969View profile →Major publishing houseJessica Kingsley PublishersChildren's, Academic, Diverse and BIPOC voicesUKOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Jessica Kingsley Publishers is open to nonfiction proposals from authors without an agent. Fill in its form on Submittable and expect an answer within about 8 weeks. It pays royalties but no advance as standard.No agent neededSend: Proposal form on Submittable; sample chapter optionalSubmittable+1 more8 wks replyest. 1987View 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 →Small pressNine Arches PressPoetry, Diverse and BIPOC voices, IndependentWest Midlands, UKOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Nine Arches Press is open to full poetry collections until midnight GMT on 31 October 2026, through Submittable only. Send a sample of twenty poems in one document and a short bio. There is no fee. Replies come at least 12 weeks after the window closes, and simultaneous submissions are not allowed.No agent neededSend: Twenty poems in one document + short bioSubmittable12 wks replyest. 2008View 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 →
Major publishing houseRoutledgeAcademic, NonfictionUKOpen to submissionsChecked Oct 2026Routledge is open to book proposals from authors, and no agent is needed. Send your proposal by email to the commissioning editor for your subject, found through the Taylor & Francis editorial contacts. Standard publication has no author fee; open access is optional and carries a book publishing charge.No agent neededSend: Book proposal to the subject commissioning editorEmailReply time not statedView 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 →
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 →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 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 →
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 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 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 →Small pressBloodaxe BooksPoetryHexham, UKClosed nowChecked Oct 2026Bloodaxe Books is not taking unsolicited poetry submissions until it clears a backlog; its schedule is committed for the next two years. It expects poets to have a track record in reputable literary magazines or a small-press pamphlet first, and it never takes submissions by email.Send: Closed until its backlog clearsNo reopening date givenReply time not statedest. 1978View 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 →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 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 → 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.
These UK book publishers were each checked on their own websites in October 2026. Every one is a traditional publisher that pays authors. Some UK book publishing companies read submissions straight from writers, while the largest publishing houses take work only through literary agents. Each card shows which, what to send and how long replies take. Filter by genre or agent rule to find UK publishers for your book.
UK publishers for first-time authors
11 of the 27 UK publishers on this page read submissions from authors without an agent, and 11 are open now. Independent presses are the most open. Bluemoose Books reads literary fiction directly, while Hurst, Jessica Kingsley and Crown House read nonfiction proposals.
UK publishing houses that need an agent
The big UK publishing houses mostly read agented work. Transworld and Jonathan Cape follow Penguin Random House UK’s policy of no unsolicited manuscripts, although Cape’s poetry list reads collections sent by post. Canongate, Salt and Nosy Crow also work through agents. Some point writers to the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook to find one.
Top publishing companies in the UK
The top publishing companies in the UK include large groups such as Penguin Random House UK, home to Transworld and Jonathan Cape, and independents such as Canongate and Birlinn. For a first book, the smaller book publishing companies in the UK are usually the better target, because many of them read submissions without an agent.
These publishing companies UK writers ask about most are all on this page with their current rules. Each UK publishing house has its own guidelines, so open the profile before you send anything.
How to submit to a UK publisher
- Check the publisher reads your genre and takes work without an agent.
- Read its guidelines on the day you send. Some UK presses open and close submissions often.
- Send exactly what it asks for: often a cover letter, synopsis and first three chapters, or a nonfiction proposal.
- Note the reply time. Many UK publishers say no reply within one to three months means no.
For querying agents, see our guide to how to get a book published.
Paid services are not listed
A traditional UK publisher pays you and covers the costs of publishing. Companies that charge authors are paid services, so we leave them out. Where a traditional publisher also runs a separate paid service, its profile says so clearly. See our guide to vanity presses for the warning signs.
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Questions authors ask
Answers use the live data on this page.
Which UK publishers accept unsolicited manuscripts?
Several UK publishers accept unsolicited submissions, including Bluemoose Books for literary fiction and Hurst, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Crown House and Birlinn for nonfiction. Use the No agent needed filter on this page for the current list, and read each publisher's guidelines before you send.
Do UK publishers need a literary agent?
The largest UK publishers, including Penguin Random House UK houses such as Transworld and Jonathan Cape, read only agented work. Many independent UK publishers read submissions directly from authors. Each card on this page shows whether the publisher needs an agent.
What are the best UK publishers for first-time authors?
The best UK publishers for first-time authors are open now, publish your genre and read work without an agent. Bluemoose Books for literary fiction and Hurst, Jessica Kingsley and Crown House for nonfiction are good starting points. Check each one's guidelines first.
How long do UK publishers take to reply?
Many UK publishers reply within one to three months, and several say that no reply in that time means no. Some literary presses take up to six months. Each card on this page shows the stated reply time. Keep a note of each date.
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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.
