Traditional Publishers Accepting Submissions for New Authors

Don’t Have Time to Read? Listen to this Traditional Publishers Accepting Submissions Instead!

Key Takeaways: Traditional Publishers Publishing Books of New Authors

• Traditional publishers take care of everything from editing your manuscript to making sure your book reaches bookstores and gets reviewed.
• Traditional publishers have friends in high places, such as bookstores, reviewers, and other book marketers. They can help promote your work.
• Some of the top traditional publishing companies that accept books from new authors are Chicago Review Press, Arsenal Pulp Press, Black & White Publishing, Chronicle Books, and Regal House.
• Submission Tips: Polish your manuscript, format it properly, use beta readers, craft a strong query letter, as well as follow submission guidelines

Introduction

You have a manuscript masterpiece and are wondering how to publish it. Hold on to your hat; this guide will be your publishing best friend. There are two paths to take in order to publish a book –the independent or self-publishing avenue and the trade publishing avenue.

In self-publishing, writers take complete control from writing to promotion. Traditional publishing is more simple, with more access to resources and potential readers. Also, the conventional market is more saturated.

According to data from 2022, the estimated total revenue (the amount of money earned) for the book publishing industry in the United States was $28.1 billion. It shows the value of traditional publishing. Further, for new authors, it is a major milestone if their work is published in contemporary ways.

In this guide, we will explore traditional publishing companies that accept submissions from new authors. We will also provide tips to make the process easier.

What Are Traditional Publishers?

Traditional publishers are companies that handle every step of publishing. They turn an unfinished manuscript into a book. In addition, they do promotions to attract a targeted audience. Here’s what they do:

• Traditional publishers choose which manuscripts to publish.
• Typically, they are experts in proofreading and copyediting. So, they suggest changes to improve the book.
• Traditional publishers are savvy in marketing a book. Their services include book advertisements, tours, interviews, and online promotions.
• Traditional publishers, such as bookstores, online retailers, and libraries, make sure the book is available in the market. However, as per the demand of the writer, they distribute globally.

Traditional Publishing vs Self-Publishing: Which is Better?

The publishing industry has transformed recently. Self-publishing has become more accessible and mainstream, and many authors have successfully self-published their books. On the contrary, traditional publishing holds prestige and credibility. Suppose you are a new writer. In that case, you can find it challenging to secure a book deal with conventional publishers.

Now, is it a good idea to take the traditional route, or should you go for self-publishing? It all depends on your personal goals and preferences as an author. Still, we can say that self-publishing is a better option since it gives you:

• More control over the book publishing process.
• Faster turnaround times.
• More significant royalty share.

Instead, you send your book to big publishing companies and hope they like it. You should publish your book whenever you want with self-publishing because then you get to make all the decisions, such as:

• What your book will look like?
• How much will it cost?
• How will you promote it?

The best part? You keep most of the money your book makes! Traditional publishing means you only get a small share of the profits, whereas you can earn much more through self-publishing.

Getting your book into big bookstores can be a hurdle if you self-publish. Nonetheless, with today’s technology, reaching readers is easier than ever, and many successful authors have started by self-publishing.

Benefits Traditional Publishing Companies for New Authors

Traditional publishing has been around forever, and for good reason! Here’s why it’s fantastic for new writers:

• Landing a deal with a big publisher is like a gold star for your book. People trust these traditional publishing companies, so it gives your work a big stamp of approval.
• Big publishers know all the right people in the book world – bookstores, reviewers, you name it. They can get your book into stores and in front of the readers who will love it.
• Traditional publishers have ninjas on staff – editors, designers, and marketers who know exactly how to turn your manuscript into a bestseller.
• Forget funding your book yourself! Traditional publishers cover editing and printing and even give you an advance (basically a chunk of cash upfront) so you can focus on writing, not finances.
• Big publishers have distribution networks that reach far and wide. Moreover, they can get your book into bookstores and online retailers all over the world!

Sure, traditional publishing isn’t perfect (you might make less money per book sold and have less control over the final product), but the benefits are hard to beat. It’s a great way to get support, exposure, and credibility as a new author.

Top Traditional Publishers Accepting Submissions

The most crucial factor in searching for top publishing companies is that they keep changing their submission rules, grow, shrink, or even close down. We try our best to share an updated list. However, you must check the websites of publishers you are interested in. Make sure they fit your genre and writing style.

Important Tips:

• Don’t submit to every publisher, as some don’t accept submissions directly from authors. So, you might need an agent.
• Personalize your submissions and choose traditional publishers who are a good match for your work. Also, don’t send your manuscript to publishers who don’t fit your genre because it wastes everyone’s time.

Now, let’s get started. Here are some publishers that accept manuscripts from new authors:

1. Chicago Review Press

Chicago Review Press is one of the oldest publishing houses in Chicago. They have published over two hundred titles last year. They put out books on all sorts of real-life topics, such as:

• Music, Film, Pop Culture
• History
• Feminism
• LGBTQ+ Interest
• True Crime
• Outdoor and Nature
• African American history and The Black experience
• Parenting
• Children’s and YA History, Science, Literature, and Art

The press needs to see a proposal that includes the following to consider your nonfiction book for publication:

• The Super Summary: What’s it all about in a nutshell?
• The More Extended Summary: Explain your book as well as why it’s interesting.
• The Word Count Guesstimate: How long do you think your book will be when it’s all finished?
• The “When Will It Be Done?” Guess: When do you think you’ll have the whole book written? Again, an estimate is totally cool.
• About You, The Author: Tell them a bit about yourself!
• A Sneak Peek: If you have the first three chapters written, include them!
• If your book has photos or artwork, describe them and explain how they’ll fit into the book.
• Tell them who you’re hoping will read your book. Is it for history buffs, dog lovers, or aspiring chefs?
• Is there a demand for this kind of book? Any info you have about the market for your book is helpful.
• Are there other similar books out there? If so, explain how yours is different and what makes it stand out!

Note: “They are no longer accepting new fiction proposals.”

2. Arsenal Pulp Press

Arsenal Pulp Press is a book publisher in Vancouver, Canada. Press print 400 titles in a year. Before submitting your book idea to Arsenal Pulp Press, check out their catalog first. They consider books in the following categories only:

• Literary Fiction and Nonfiction (Exclude Genre Fiction such as Mysteries, Thrillers, or Romance)
• Political and Sociological Studies
• Cultural Studies
• Regional Nonfiction, Particularly about British Columbia
• Graphic Novels and Graphic Nonfiction
• Youth Culture and Young Adult Literature
• Children’s Books Emphasizing Diversity

How to Submit Your Proposal?

Make sure your book is a good fit. Check their website in order to see if yours aligns with their interests. Also, follow their guidelines. Even if your book is excellent, it might not be the right kind of story for them. Don’t be discouraged!

Each submission must include:

• A synopsis of the work
• An outline for nonfiction chapter by chapter.
• A 50-page excerpt from the manuscript
• A marketing analysis

Please include sample illustrated pages from an attached illustrator for children’s picture books, as they cannot match authors with artists. Simultaneous submissions are okay, but you should inform them. Moreover, they prefer to receive submissions by email to submissions@arsenalpulp.com. They will try to respond within three to six months.

3. Black & White Publishing

Black & White Publishing is a leading Scottish press. This company was founded in 1999. As of 31 October 2019, they are no longer accepting submissions of unasked fiction manuscripts online. Moreover, they will re-open for submissions at specific intervals throughout the year. So, check out their social media pages for announcements of dates.

For nonfiction submissions, you can send a one-page proposal (think short and sweet) to submissions@blackandwhitepublishing.com.

Important info!

They only publish certain types of books. Therefore, do not forget to check the info to ensure your idea is a good match. Moreover, proposals outside these areas won’t be considered. They are happy to receive proposals for the following genres of nonfiction:

• Celebrity Memoirs
• Sportsbooks (with a particular focus on the UK and Ireland)
• Lifestyle, Humor, Gift, and Activity Books
• Food and Drink Titles
• Scottish Nonfiction
• IRISH Nonfiction
• Nature and Wild Places

Please Note: “They do not publish work written in languages other than English.”

Submission Guidelines

• Please include information about yourself and your background in a proposal.
• They need a summary of what your proposed book will cover. Also, keep this to one side of A4.
• They will contact you if they would like to explore your proposal further.
• Black & White Publishing keeps your submission confidential.
• They are still accepting fiction or nonfiction submissions from literary agents.

4. Chronicle Books

Chronicle Books publishes 90 books each year. Additionally, they publish a wide range of nonfiction books in categories such as:

• Cooking
• Fine Art
• Design
• Photography
• Pop Culture
• Fashion, Beauty
• Home Décor
• Personal Relationships

They also publish innovative new formats, such as interactive journals, decks, games, stationery, and much more.

Note: “They do not publish adult fiction.”

General Guidelines

• They only accept proposals by email at submissions@chroniclebooks.com.
• Attach your proposal as a Word or PDF (one file only, please!).
• They don’t open links and downloads for security reasons.
• It can take up to six months for them to review your proposal.

For more info, you can visit their website and read their guidelines.

5. Regal House

Regal House is an independent publishing company that publishes high-quality literature for adults, young adults, as well as middle-grade readers. Additionally, they work closely with their authors to produce the best books.

Currently, Regal House is looking for manuscripts in the genres such as:

• Literary Fiction
• Contemporary Fiction
• Historical Fiction
• Memoirs

Please Note: “Regal House accepts poetry submissions through its Terry J. Cox Poetry Award, which opens for submissions in November each year.”

To submit your work, please provide the following:

• A quick intro letter: This is your chance to introduce yourself and your story in a nutshell. Think of it like an elevator pitch for your book.
• One-page Summary: This is where you break down your whole story into a bite-sized chunk.
• The first chunk of your book: Send them either the first three chapters or the first fifty pages, whichever is longer.

6. Penguin Random House

Two very famous publishing companies, Penguin Group and Random House, joined forces in 2013 to create Penguin Random House. Also, they’ve published a ton of popular books. It includes over 100,000 ebooks!

Check out the steps to submit your book:

• The first step is usually to complete the manuscript or proposal. Proposals are common for nonfiction. However, you need to submit full manuscripts for fiction.
• Penguin Random House requires submissions through a literary agent.
• They are expanding open submission via programs such as the Berkley Open Submission Program. Also, an agent is usually necessary and advisable.
• The process of accepting a book can take hours, days, or weeks.

7. Joffe Books

Joffe Books is a leading UK independent publisher. Furthermore, they work closely with authors to develop exceptional commercial fiction and propel them to bestseller status.

Before you send your book, take a look at what they like to publish:

• Psychological Thrillers,
• Romance Novels
• Historical Fiction

Important Annoucement:

“Don’t send them books on nonfiction, young adult fiction, children’s books, or erotica.”

How to Get Published?

• Write an email to submissions@joffebooks.com
• Make sure your book is a complete story (minimum 60,000 words) and saved as a PDF or Word document (they prefer Word documents).
• Explain your story shortly in 3 paragraphs within the email. Also, mention what genre your book falls under (crime, romance, etc.).
• Briefly introduce yourself in 100 words or less within the email.
• In the subject line of your email, write “Submission” so they know it’s a book you’re sending.

8. Kensington Publishing Corp

Kensington Publishing Corp is a family-owned independent publisher known for its diverse offerings based in NYC. Readers can choose from over 300 fiction and nonfiction titles each year, spanning genres such as thrillers, romance, historical fiction, and cozy mysteries. They also publish true crime, westerns, science fiction, and even speculative fiction!

How to Submit Your Manuscript?

• Find the editor who best aligns with the genre of your book. A list of editors and their interests is available on the website, and you can submit your query directly to their email address.
• If an editor requests your manuscript, submit it as a double-spaced Word document in 12-point font with pagination. It should include your title as well as your name in the file.
• Due to the high submission volume, editors only respond to projects they’re interested in pursuing further.

Important Annoucement:

“Currently, they are not accepting submissions in Children’s, Middle Grade, Young Adult, or Poetry.”

9. Two Dollar Radio

Two Dollar Radio is a family business started in 2005. They curate a collection of bold, award-winning works that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

General Guidelines

Two Dollar Radio is open to submissions for completed manuscripts, but they ask authors to consider a few things before submitting:

• Make sure your work aligns with their previously published books (check their website for reference).
• They only accept full manuscripts, no excerpts or proposals.
• They accept submissions for out-of-print works from other publishers.
• You can submit your work electronically through Submittable: https://twodollarradio.submittable.com/

Important Point:

“Poetry submissions are currently not accepted.”

10. Split/Lip Press

Split/Lip Press is a publishing company that loves unique and interesting books. They publish fiction, nonfiction, and even a mix of the two. Also, the company has been around since 2014, finding and publishing great books for people to read.

Split/Lip Press publishes books, but they only accept submissions during certain times of the year:

• Short stories and flash fiction: January to March
• Chapbooks (short books): April to June (this year, they accept both fiction and nonfiction)
• Novels and novellas: July to September
• Essays, memoirs, and nonfiction books: October to December

To submit your book, you need to send the whole manuscript, not just a sample.

Important Point:

“They won’t accept books that promote racism, homophobia, or sexism.”

11. Acre

Acre is a publishing brand that’s part of the Cincinnati Review. They’re looking for novels, poems, and collections of short stories. Therefore, if you’re interested in submitting your work, you can find all the instructions on the website.

Acre Books likes to see your writing! Here’s the rundown:

• The company takes breaks for submissions in December and May-August. Right now (July 2nd), they aren’t accepting submissions, but they will be again from August 1st to November 30th and January 1st to April 30th.
• They accept novels, poems, and all sorts of nonfiction writing.

Important Announcement:

“If you are a new writer or a writer of different genres, they are waiting for you.”

12. Sunbury Press

Sunbury Press publishes a variety of nonfiction books, such as history, biographies, and memoirs. They are a growing publisher and get a lot of submissions (over 2,000 a year!). In addition, they only publish a small number (around 100) because they want to pick books that will be successful.

They’re looking for new stories in all sorts of categories, such as:

• History
• Mystery
• Humor

Guidelines:

• They prefer emails or online submissions.
• They won’t charge you to publish your book, but they only choose books they think will sell well.
• Once they accept your book, it usually takes six months to a year to get published.
• Your book can be a paperback, hardcover, or even an ebook!

13. AK Press

AK Press is a publishing company based in California that started in Scotland. They specialize in books about challenging authority and social change, such as activism, women’s rights, and philosophy.

Read the submission guidelines here to see how to send your work to them.

• They don’t accept unsolicited poetry, fiction (except for a specific series), or books that promote electoral politics.
• Accept electronic submissions (except for incarcerated writers).

How to submit your book proposal?

Gather these materials:

• Cover letter explaining why you wrote the book and why it’s a good fit for AK Press.
• Who your target audience is.
• A short summary (1-3 paragraphs) of your book.
• Whether you’re submitting to other publishers at the same time.
• Table of contents with chapter summaries.

14. Flashlight Press

Flashlight Press, founded in 2004, is a leading publisher of children’s books in the US. Also, they focus on stories that explore everyday social situations for kids, often with a touch of humor. If you have a children’s book that deals with universal themes and family or social experiences, then Flashlight Press might be the perfect fit for you!

What do they publish?

• Fictional children’s picture books
• Targeted at ages 4-8
• Under 1,000 words
• Focus on universal themes and family/social situations

How do I submit?

• Agents: Submit to agent.submission@flashlightpress.com
• Illustrators: Submit a few samples and your portfolio URL to artsubmissions@flashlightpress.com
• Authors and author/illustrators: Submit your manuscript to submissions@flashlightpress.com.

15. Shadow Mountain

Shadow Mountain is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, led by Dave Brown. They publish a variety of fiction and nonfiction books. This company especially enjoys middle-grade fantasy and clean romance.

Shadow Mountain accepts submissions only during specific times for un-agented authors:

• March 1-7
• June 1-7
• September 1-7
• December 1-7

Important Point:

“Shadow Mountain doesn’t accept science fiction, business/finance, family histories, poetry, children’s picture books, or self-published works.”

16. Beacon Press

Beacon Press publishes thought-provoking nonfiction books that challenge readers and tackle important issues. Also, they focus on topics like:

• Freedom of expression and thought
• Diversity, religious tolerance, and fighting racism
• Respecting differences in all aspects of life

Email a short summary (250 words) describing your book idea. That’s it! They’ll contact you if they want to see more.

17. Black Inc

Black Inc., an Australian publisher founded in 2000, is looking for your next great read! They publish both nonfiction and fiction, with a focus on:

• Nonfiction: Important new works on history, politics, biography, criticism, and current affairs.
• Fiction: Novels that open up new worlds and fresh perspectives.

Black Inc. only accepts submissions during the first week of each month. You can submit your manuscript electronically to submissions@blackincbooks during that window.

Important Point:

“They accept proposals from Australian writers.”

18. Shambhala Publications

Shambhala Publications is a publishing company based in Colorado, founded in 1969. The company publishes books on a variety of topics, such as parenting, cooking, psychology, creativity, and Buddhism.

Here are guidelines for writers:

• They don’t accept fiction (except children’s books), poetry, or some other categories.
• At least write a summary, chapter outline, short bio, and include 2 sample chapters.

19. Persea Books

Persea Books is an independent publishing house founded in 1975 by Michael and Karen Braziller. They are still the owners and lead the company today.

What kind of books does Persea publish?

Persea publishes a wide range of books that are interesting and thought-provoking. They include:

• Poetry
• Fiction (novels and short stories)
• Essays
• Memoirs (personal stories)
• Biographies (stories of someone’s life)
• Revived classics (bringing older books back to life)

Standout Feature:

“They also translate books from other languages so you can enjoy stories from all over the world.”

What to include?

• Briefly introduce yourself and your book.
• Share your writing experience and any publications you’ve had.
• Book Summary: Give a concise overview of your work.

Persea no longer accepts physical submissions. So you should send everything electronically to editorial@perseabooks.com

20. Jolly Fish Press

Jolly Fish Press, founded in 2011, publishes children’s books of all kinds, from silly picture books to more complex stories for middle graders. They were acquired by North Star Editions in 2016. Their books can be funny and lighthearted, but they also tackle more serious topics in a thoughtful way.

What do they publish?

Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction only, so no picture books or other genres.

When to submit?

• February-March
• June-July
• October-November

Submissions outside these windows will be deleted.

How to submit? Send your materials to submit@jollyfishpress.com.

Tips for Submitting Your Manuscript

Found your dream publisher? Awesome! Here’s what to do next to submit your manuscript like a pro:

Step 1. Polish Your Masterpiece

Edit & Proofread

Don’t let typos or grammar mistakes sink your ship! Get your manuscript sparkling clean by editing and proofreading. Consider hiring a professional editor for an extra polish.

Format Like a Boss

Publishers have book formatting preferences (font size, spacing, etc.). So, find their submission guidelines and follow them as they are. It shows you pay attention to detail.

Beta Readers to the Rescue

Get some fresh eyes on your work! Beta readers (writer friends, family) can give you honest feedback and help identify areas for improvement.

Step 2. Craft a Killer Query Letter

A query letter is your chance to make a great first impression. Therefore, Keep it concise, engaging, and professional. Moreover, do not forget to highlight your book, your background, and why this publisher is perfect for your work. Personalize it and show them you’ve done your research.

Step 3. Submission Time!

Each publisher has submission guidelines. So, please pay attention to how they want things sent (electronic submissions are standard), what to include (query letter, proposal, manuscript chapters, etc.), and any other details. It would be best to keep track of who you’ve submitted to and their responses.

Rejection is a Stepping Stone!

“It happens to the best! Even J.K. Rowling got rejected 12 times before Harry Potter found a home. Persistence is key. Learn from each rejection and keep going.”

Understanding Publishing Contracts

When you publish through a company, you need to sign a contract. This document is vital as it outlines the duties and rights of both you and the publisher.

Important Note:

“This information gives a high-level overview and is not legal advice. So, always consult a legal professional or agent when reviewing publishing contracts.”

What to Expect After Submission?

The waiting game starts now! Publishers get tons of submissions, so that responses can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Here’s a heads-up on what might happen:

• Some publishers might let you know they got your manuscript.
• They will do a quick check to see if it fits what they publish.
• If they like what they see in the first part, they might ask for the whole manuscript.

The Dream Email!

“If your book is a perfect fit, you might get a contract with details like advances (money you get upfront) and royalties (money you earn per book sold).”

 Rejection Reality Check:

Rejection is a part of the process, even for superstars! Here are some common reasons why your submission might not be a match:

• A weak query letter can make a great manuscript invisible.
• Sending your mystery to a romance publisher? That might not fly.
• Maybe there are typos, grammar glitches, or a story that needs some sprucing up.
• Not following the publisher’s submission guidelines can be a dealbreaker.

Conclusion

So, traditional publishing is great for new authors – editors, marketing, and the whole shebang! But yeah, it’s not exactly a quick process. The good news is there are services such as Authors Breeze that can help you get your book published much faster if that’s what you’re after.

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