25 Australian publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts in November 2024
Are you an Australian who’s just written a novel? Then this list of Australian publishers accepting manuscripts this month is the list for you! I’ve done my best to weed out any vanity presses or publishers without any novels published from the past year.
Don’t forget to check out my developmental editing services if you want to make sure your novel is in top shape before you sent it to a publisher for consideration. I offer a variety of services to suit all budgets, from writers looking for the standard developmental editing experience to those seeking high-level feedback and a quick turnaround time.
1. Penguin Random House Australia
Penguin Random House Australia comprises an adult and children’s publishing division. The guidelines below are for the adult division.
Genre: Fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
2. JOAN Press
JOAN Press is a new publishing imprint from Allen & Urwin that publishes work that pushes boundaries, challenges norms and creates spaces for voices that for too long have been pushed to the margins. JOAN is seeking stories that find joy in resistance and laughs in the face of oppression and despair.
Genre: General adult fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
3. Wild Dingo Press
Wild Dingo Press publish books which explore social, cultural, political and environmentally significant issues.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
4. UWA Publishing
UWA Publishing is a division of The University of Western Australia who shares stories, research and education with the world.
Genre: Scholarly works, non-fiction, adult fiction and children's books. Please note they do not accept genre fiction and only accept adult fiction in July and YA/children's books in August.
Word count: Not stated.
5. Manticore Press
Manticore Press is an Australian publisher of non-fiction who takes pride in producing the highest quality books that inspire readers around the world.
Genre: Non-fiction including history, spiritual traditions and philosophy.
Word count: Not stated.
6. Allen & Unwin
Allen & Unwin are an Australian owned and operated publisher. They were named 2023 Publisher of the Year and have won the title twelve times since 2000! They accept submissions every Friday during their The Friday Pitch sessions.
Genre: Fiction. They are not interested in category romance, fantasy, science fiction or short stories.
Word count: Full length works.
7. Text Publishing
Text Publishing is an independent Melbourne-based publisher of fiction and non-fiction.
Genre: General fiction.
Word count: 40,000-120,000 words.
8. HQ
HQ is a boutique publishing division under HarperCollins who publishes a wide range of fiction.
Genre: Adult fiction.
Word count: At least 70,000 words.
9. Big Sky Publishing
Big Sky Publishing is an independent Australian publisher who loves to bring great Australian stories to readers everywhere.
Genre: Non-fiction including history, military history and true crime.
Word count: Not stated.
10. UNSW Press Limited
NSW Press Limited is a not-for-profit Australia company who started operating in 1962. Its mission is to contribute to intellectual and cultural development.
Genre: General, scholarly and literary non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
11. Magabala Books
Magabala Books is an Indigenous publishing house. Please note they only accept submissions from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers. They will consider collaborative works between Indigenous and non-Indigenous authors.
Genre: All genres including fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels.
Word count: Not stated.
12. Black Inc.
Black Inc. love ideas and stories. They are passionate about publishing works about history, politics, biography, criticism and current affairs.
Genre: General, literary and commercial non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
13. Oceaniacom Pty Ltd
Oceaniacom Pty Ltd are all about "making waves" (yes, that is an Oceania pun they use on their website!) and turning wild ideas into successful books.
Genre: Fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels and children's books.
Word count: Not stated.
14. MidnightSun Publishing
MidnightSun Publishing grew from a disenchantment with the established publishing houses in Australia. They want their readers to be entertained and accept manuscript submissions in the first week of every month.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction. They are not accepting poetry, horror, romance or memoirs at this time.
Word count: Not stated.
15. Exisle Publishing
Exisle Publishing was founded in 1991 with the goal of shining a light on local artists and writers.
Genre: Non-fiction including self-help, health, psychology, travel, business, current affairs, military history and alternative lifestyle.
Word count: Not stated.
16. Monash University Publishing
Monash University Publishing has been in operation for over 10 years and has built a reputation as a trusted source of information.
Genre: Books with a focus on sustainability, the environment, science, Indigenous affairs, politics, sociology, popular culture, economics, literature, history and biography.
Word count: Not stated.
17. Scribe
Scribe has been operating for over 40 years as an independent trade-publishing house.
Genre: Literary fiction and serious non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
18. UQP
UQP is the wholly owned subsidiary of The University of Queensland. They produce culturally significant works across genres such as fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
Genre: Non-fiction, literary fiction, children and YA books, and poetry.
Word count: Not stated.
19. Pan Macmillan Australia
Pan Macmillan Australia is committed to investing in Australian authors and publishes a variety of bestselling books.
Genre: Fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
20. The Federation Press
The Federation Press is an independent Australian publishing company who publishes a mix of titles for student and legal practitioners.
Genre: Legal, social science and academic books.
Word count: Not stated.
21. Melbourne University Press
Melbourne University Press was established in 1922 and is Australia's first university press.
Genre: Non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
22. New Dawn Publishing
New Dawn Publishing is an independent publisher of speculative fiction based in Perth, Western Australia.
Genre: Speculative fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
23. Wakefield Press
Wakefield Press is a leading independent publishing company based in Adelaide.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
24. ANU Press
ANU Press is the largest open-access university press in the world. They are the part of the Australian National University.
Genre: Non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
25. Aurealis
Aurealis is Australia's most successful science fiction and fantasy magazine.
Genre: Fantasy, science fiction or horror short stories.
Word count: 2,000-8,000 words.
Best of luck with your manuscript submissions! If you want to ensure your manuscript is in the best position to be accepted, check out my developmental editing services, pre-querying package or my free writing advice.