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.

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.

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.

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Don’t miss out! Get a free consultation with our proofreading experts and discover how they can transform your manuscript.

Get the Best Proofreading Services”

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.

FAQS

What is a traditional publishing company?

A traditional publishing company is like a partner who helps you get your book out into the world. Further, they pay for all the important stuff, like editing to make your writing perfect, a fancy cover to grab attention, printing the book itself, advertising to get people interested, and getting your book into stores. In return for their help, they get some rights to your book and a small amount of money from each book sold.

What are the Big Five traditional publishing houses?

The Big Five refers to the five largest publishing houses in the world:

• Penguin Random House
• Hachette Livre
• HarperCollins
• Simon & Schuster
• Macmillan Publishers

These companies publish many bestselling books and have a broad reach in the industry.

How much does it cost to publish a book traditionally?

Traditionally, there is no upfront cost for the author. Additionally, the publisher covers all expenses in exchange for a share of the profits. You may even receive an advance payment on your royalties.

How do I find a traditional publisher?

There are two main paths:

Find a Literary Agent: Think of an agent like a salesperson for your book. They can’t guarantee a sale, but they’ll pitch your book to publishers, explain how great it is, and try to get you the best deal. However, most publishers won’t look at books directly from authors, so an agent is your best bet.

Try Publishers Yourself: Some publishers will accept manuscripts (fancy words for your whole book) directly from authors. This is less common, but it’s worth checking. If you go this route, find publishers that publish books similar to yours. Then, make sure you follow their exact instructions for submitting your work.