68 literary fiction publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts in November 2024
Congratulations on writing your literary fiction novel! Now it’s time to embark on the next stage of your writing journey: seeking a publisher. All of these publishers are specifically seeking literary fiction, so if you’ve written a romance or fantasy novel I suggest you check out my other publishers lists.
All of the publishers listed here are currently accepting manuscripts without a literary agent, and I’ve done my best to weed out any dodgy or vanity publishers from this list.
Don’t forget to check out my developmental editing services or pre-querying package 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. t r a c e
t r a c e works with writers who want to publish books that illuminate contemporary and historical experiences of conflict, war, displacement, exile migration, the environment, labour and resistance.
Genre: Genre-breaking forms of literary fiction and non-fiction
Word count: Not stated.
2. 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.
Word count: Full length works.
3. Theytus Books
Theytus Books publishes books by First Nations, Métis and Inuit authors.
Genre: Literary fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
4. Unsolicited Press
Unsolicited Press is a no-frills, kick-ass small press that works for the author, not for the dollar.
Genre: Literary novels, poetry, novellas, short story collections, memoirs and non-fiction. Please note there is a small submission fee, which is currently US$5.
Word count: Not stated.
5. Red Hen Press
Red Hen Press is an independent, non-profit press.
Genre: Novels, memoirs, creative non-fiction and poetry collections.
Word count: Not stated.
6. Freehand Books
Freehand Books publishes innovative works by Canadian authors.
Genre: Literary novels and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
7. Biblioasis
Biblioasis is a literary press based in Windsor, Ontario.
Genre: Literary fiction, short fiction collections and poetry.
Word count: Not stated.
8. Linda Leith Publishing
Linda Leith Publishing is based in Montreal and specialises in literary fiction and non-fiction.
Genre: Literary fiction and non-fiction from Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Word count: Not stated.
9. Launch Point Press
Launch Point Press is dedicated to publishing high-quality fiction books that center on the experiences of lesbian characters.
Genre: Fiction manuscripts where the main characters are lesbians.
Word count: 65,000 to 100,000 words.
10. Cormorant Books
Cormorant Books is an independent literary publisher based in Canada. They only accept submissions from Canadian authors.
Genre: Adult fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
11. Arsenal Pulp Press
Arsenal Pulp Press is a small Vancouver-based based publisher.
Genre: Literary fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
12. Radiant Press
Radiant Press is committed to publishing exceptional books from authors in their home province of Saskatchewan and wider Canada.
Genre: Fiction and creative non-fiction written by Canadian authors.
Word count: Not stated.
13. Pulp Literature
Pulp Literature's motto is 'good books for the price of a beer'. They publish magazines of short stories and novels.
Genre: Most genres of fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
14. Black Rose Writing
Black Rose Writing is a Texas-based publisher who strongly believes in developing a personal relationship with their authors.
Genre: Literary fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
15. Radial Books
Radial Books is an independent publisher who specialises in contemporary poetry and fiction.
Genre: Literary fiction or poetry.
Word count: Not stated.
16. Bancroft Press
Bancroft Press is a publisher without a niche! They publish titles they're passionate about.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
17. WTAW Press
WTAW Press strives to publish exceptional, enduring literary books.
Genre: Full-length books of prose.
Word count: Not stated.
18. New Star Books
New Star Books started in 1969 and is based in Vancouver.
Genre: Literary fiction and literary non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
19. Split/Lip Press
Split/Lip Press is dedicated to publishing boundary-breaking literature.
Genre: Essay, memoir and non-fiction hybrid manuscripts.
Word count: Not stated.
20. Beacon Publishing Group
Beacon Publishing Group is based in New York.
Genre: All genres of fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
21. NeWest Press
NeWest publishes literary works by established and emerging Canadian authors.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
22. Baobab Press
Baobab Press strives to discover, cultivate, and nurture authors working in all genres.
Genre: Fiction and creative non-fiction. They charge a $15 fee for fiction submissions.
Word count: 125 to 400 pages.
23. Nightwood Editions
Nightwood Editions' goal is to help readers explore high-quality work by emerging Canadian writers.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
24. C&R Press
C&R began as a small press in 2006. They are always on the lookout for talented authors and poets whose work they can refine, publish and promote.
Genre: Fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
Word count: Not stated.
25. Linen Press
Linen Press aims to fill the niche left by big publishes. They are looking beautifully written manuscripts which are relevant to women's lives.
Genre: Literary fiction, top end contemporary fiction, memoir, biography, short stories and poetry.
Word count: Not stated.
26. Deep Vellum
Deep Vellum was founded in 2013 in Dallas, Texas. Their mission is to bring the world into conversation through literature.
Genre: Literary fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
27. Ara Pacis Publishers
Ara Pacis is a print-on-demand traditional publisher.
Genre: Literary fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
28. Caitlin Press
Caitlin Press publishes work by Canadian authors, particularly those based in British Columbia.
Genre: Fiction, non-fiction and poetry
Word count: Not stated.
29. Ↄalamari Arↄhive
Ↄalamari Arↄhive is a boutique library of literature, art and music.
Genre: Fiction.
Word count: Full-length books.
30. Celtic Cat Publishing
Celtic Cat Publishing is an award-winning independent publisher established in 1995.
Genre: Novels, poetry and work of East Tennessee regional interest
Word count: Not stated.
31. 8th House Publishing
8th House Publishing loves books that are modern, enduring, insightful and inventive.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
32. April Gloaming
April Gloaming is a nonprofit independent press based in Nashville, Tennessee.
Genre: Fiction and creative non-fiction.
Word count: At least 70,000 words for fiction.
33. Finishing Press Line
Finishing Line Press is an award-winning small press based in Kentucky, USA.
Please note they charge a reading fee in all months except November.
Genre: Fiction, non-fiction poetry and chapbooks.
Word count: Not stated.
34. Orbis Tertius Press
Orbis Tertius Press was founded in 2020 and is an independent Canadian publisher committed to publishing works that explore multiple perspectives.
Genre: Literary fiction.
35. Breakwater Books
Breakwater Books was established in 1973 to highlight the vibrant literary culture in Newfoundland and Labrador. Today, they welcome books from authors across Canada and overseas.
Genre: Literary fiction, commercial fiction, and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
36. 2Leaf Press
2Leaf Press is a Florida-based publisher whose mission is to publish multigenerational and multicultural writers.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction that address history, politics, cultural and contemporary issues.
37. Coach House Books
Coach House Books publishes innovative fiction and non-fiction. They publish primarily Canadian authors.
Genre: Poetry, literary fiction and drama.
Word count: Not stated.
38. Frontenac House
Frontenac House is an independent publishing house in Alberta, Canada.
Genre: Mostly poetry but they also consider fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
39. Orison Books
Orison Books seeks to publish spiritually-engaged literature. Please note general fiction submissions are accepted only during October.
Genre: Poetry, fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
40. Partridge Island Publishing
Partridge Island Publishing is a small press located in New Brunswick.
Genre: Literary and commercial fiction.
Word count: Full-length novels and novellas.
41. Plough Books
Plough Books aims to address urgent questions of today with thoughtfulness and boldness.
Genre: Fiction, non-fiction and memoir.
Word count: Not stated.
42. Codhill Press
Codhill Press offers books that aid the "serious seeker".
Genre: Works of spiritual, literary and poetic thought.
Word count: Not stated.
43. Black Mountain Press
Black Mountain Press is (shockingly!) located near the Black Mountains. They strive to publish works that aspire to a higher ideal, especially from first-time authors.
Genre: Novels, memoir and poetry.
Word count: Not stated.
44. Invisible
Invisible Publishing is a small "scrappy" producer of contemporary fiction, poetry and non-fiction with a focus on Canadian authors.
Genre: Contemporary literary fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.
45. Black Heron Press
Black Heron Press is a literary press located in Seattle, Washington.
Genre: Literary fiction. Please note they want you to mail your manuscript to them.
Word count: Not stated.
46. Guernica Editions
Guernica Editions houses a variety of imprints focused on books written by Canadian and non-Canadian authors.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
47. Mansfield Press
Mansfield Press publishes exciting, challenging and adventurous literature. Please note they are unlikely to publish authors without a track history of publishing previous novels, magazines of literary journals.
Genre: Literary fiction, poetry and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
48. Little Red Tree Publishing
Little Red Tree Publishing's motto is "Delight, Entertain and Educate".
Genre: Fiction and creative non-fiction.
Word count: Full-length novels.
49. Ekstasis Editions
Ekstasis Editions is a long-standing Canadian literary press who originally published poetry but has now branched out into fiction and criticism.
Genre: Literary fiction.
50. ECW Press
ECW Press has published close to 1,000 books, including non-fiction, poetry and fiction.
Genre: Fiction, poetry and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
51. Dundurn Press
Dundurn Press is an independent Canadian-owned publisher of contemporary fiction and non-fiction.
Genre: Literary fiction and literary non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
52. Saqi
Saqi Books is a leading independent publishing house of trade and academic books on the Middle East and North Africa.
Genre: Bold non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
53. Seren Books
Seren Books is a leading English language publisher in Wales. They publish books of international significance and enrich Wales' cultural identity.
Genre: Poetry collections. Currently, fiction submissions are closed.
Word count: Not stated.
54. Thistledown Press
Thistledown Press began as a press for Prairie writers in Saskatchewan in 1975 but now publishes novels from writers across Canada.
Genre: Literary fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry.
Word count: Not stated.
55. University of Alberta Press
University of Alberta Press publishes literary works by Canadian citizens and landed immigrants.
Genre: Poetry, creative and trade nonfiction, and short fiction
Word count: Not stated.
56. Gordon Hill Press
Gordon Hill Press is a publisher of innovative fiction and non-fiction.
Genre: Literary fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction.
Word count: Novel-length works.
57. Turnstone Press
Turnstone Press publishes books by Canadian authors and landed immigrants.
Genre: Literary fiction and literary non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
58. 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.
59. Goose Lane
Goose Lane is based in New Brunswick and provides book lovers with a variety of great reads that inspire and spur conversations.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction from Canadian authors.
Word count: Not stated.
60. Black Lawrence Press
Black Lawrence Press is an independent publisher of contemporary poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction.
Genre: Novels, poetry and prose collections. Please note they accept different genres at different times throughout the year.
Word count: Not stated.
61. New Letters
New Letters founded in Kansas City to publish the best literary writing, wherever it might be found.
Genre: Novellas, short stories and poetry. It seems they charge for submissions if you are not a subscriber with them.
Word count: No more than 30,000 words.
62. University of Nevada Press
University of Nevada Press was founded in 1961 and publishes works that advance scholarly research and contribute to the understanding of regional history and culture.
Genre: Literary fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
63. Wrecking Ball Press
Wrecking Ball Press is a UK-based publisher strives to publish literature that lasts.
Genre: Anything from a poem to a novel.
Word count: Not stated.
64. Open Books
Open Books started in 2007 and publishes high-quality books in eBook formats.
Genre: Literary fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
65. The Porcupine's Quill
The Porcupine's Quill is an artisanal publisher that values the art and craft of the book.
Genre: Literary fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction.
Word count: Novel length works only.
66. Anvil Press
Anvil Press started in 1990 and publishes novels from Canadian authors.
Genre: Literary fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
67. Bloodhound Books
Bloodhound Books is a leading publisher of commercial fiction. They take pride in working closely with their authors to create international bestselling books.
Genre: Crime & thriller, literary, romance and historical fiction.
Word count: Over 60,000 words.
68. Plumleaf Press
Plumleaf Press was created in 2015 as a passion project to create "books to linger over".
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction. They are particularly looking for books aimed at women and children.
Word count: Not stated.
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.