The 9 Best Independent Publishers in the US
Are you shopping around for a book publisher?
Many of you have asked us about our favorite independent publishers. While we can’t share every single small press that we love in one list (that number is always expanding), we will start with our perennial favorites.
Benefits of Working With an Independent Publisher
Before we list our favorite indie publishers, let’s discuss why you may choose one.
No doubt you've heard of the Big 5 publishers, which are Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin Random House, and Simon and Schuster. While many authors dream of getting a book deal with one of these popular publishers, the competition is stiff and it's difficult to get their attention. Before you can even be considered, you'll need to secure a literary agent because none of the Big 5 accepts unsolicited submissions. (Some of the top publishers may have imprints that periodically accept direct submissions from unrepresented authors.) This makes it next to impossible for unagented authors to get a book deal.
But even if you do have an agent who can shop around your manuscript, a Big 5 publisher may not be the best option. This is particularly true if your book is experimental in nature. Big 5 publishers are more likely to accept a manuscript based on its perceived saleability. Indie publishers take more chances.
An independent publisher can be a great option for any author, and at any career stage. First of all, getting published by a small press is a lot easier. Secondly, many indie publishers accept unagented submissions. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, indie publishers offer a more hands-on experience to authors. You can build a stronger and closer relationship with your small press publisher than you could ever hope to do with a Big 5. These are just a few of the reasons why indie publishers rock. If you’re not getting much traction with the bigger names, consider going smaller.
Learn more about why you should consider an independent publisher here.
Now, let’s take a look at some of our faves in small press publishing.
Here are two more independent publishers to consider for your manuscript. Subscribe to receive this extra resource.
1. Europa Editions
Founded in 2005, the award-winning, New York-based Europa Editions is a top independent publisher to consider if you write high-end mystery, noir, literary fiction, or narrative non-fiction. A commitment to quality sets Europa Editions apart from other independent publishers. Every book in its catalog meets exacting editorial standards, and many have become New York Times’ Bestsellers. The catalog also reflects Europa Editions' mission to create meaningful dialogue between cultures. Manuscripts are chosen for publication not just for their entertainment value but also for their capacity to enlighten the reader.
Book genres published by Europa Editions: Literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, high-end mystery and noir
Book titles published by Europa Editions: The Elegance of the Hedgehog (Muriel Barbery), Old Filth (Jane Gardam), My Brilliant Friend (Elena Ferrante)
No. of titles published each year: 35
Does Europa Editions accept un-agented submissions? No
2. New Directions
New Directions was founded in 1936 by then-Harvard sophomore James Laughlin after receiving career advice from the notable 20th-century writer Ezra Pound. Pound's nudge to “do something useful” resulted in New Directions, an independent book publishing company based out of New York City. Since its inception, New Directions has published many important literary works, including Jorge Luis Borges' Labyrinths and The Cantos, an incomplete poem by Ezra Pound. It also has the distinction of being the first American publisher of Henry Miller, Vladimir Nabokov, and Jorge Luis Borges.
Type of books New Directions publish: Literary fiction, poetry, memoir, nonfiction
Book titles New Directions has published: Siddhartha (Hermann Hesse), The Glass Menagerie (Tennessee Williams), The Factory (Hiroko Oyamada, David Boyd)
No. of titles published each year: 30
Does New Directions accept unagented submissions? No
3. Mango Publishing
Started in 2014, Mango Publishing is a fresh, new independent publisher based out of Miami, FL. It publishes books in various genres, including children, young adult, poetry fiction, and nonfiction. Book topics also widely from de-cluttering to personal growth to LGBTQIA. Mango Publishing seeks stories that are told from a unique perspective.
Book genres published by Mango Publishing: Children, young adult, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, science, self-help
Book titles published by Mango Publishing: The Book Lover’s Guide to Wine (Patrick Alexander), Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers (Sarah Zeff Geber), The Atlantropa Articles (Cody Franklin)
No. of titles published each year: 100+
Does Mango Publishing accept unagented submissions? No
4. Graywolf Press
Graywolf Press is a distinguished nonprofit publisher that accepts fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. It also accepts works that don't neatly fall in traditional genres. Founded in 1974 and based out of Minneapolis, MN, Graywolf Press publishes between 30 to 35 books annually from American and international authors. Many of the books published by Graywolf Press have received literary awards, including the Nobel Prize for Literature, the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, and the National Book Award.
While Graywolf Press does not routinely accept unsolicited manuscripts, two exceptions apply. Graywolf Press periodically opens submissions from unrepresented authors. It also runs an annual contest, “The Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize.” This contest awards a previously unpublished nonfiction writer with a monetary advance and book publication. Learn more about the Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize here.
Book genres published by Graywolf Press: Literary fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoirs, short story collections
Book titles published by Graywolf Press: Life on Mars (Tracy K. Smith), Milkman (Anna Burns), I Am Not Sidney Poitier (Percival Everett)
No. of titles published each year: 30 - 35
Does Graywolf Press accept unagented submissions? No, but it does run an annual contest for previously unpublished, nonfiction authors
5. Melville House
Brooklyn-based independent publisher Melville House was founded in 2001. In the last 20 years since it started, Melville House has published many distinguished literary titles, including works from two Nobel Prize winners, Imre Kertesz and Heinrich Boll. Melville House has carved a name for itself by publishing politically progressive reports as well as other genres, including poetry and literary fiction.
Book genres published by Melville House: Literary fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoirs, short story collections
Book titles published by Melville House: Who Killed Daniel Pearl? (Bernard-Henri Levy), Torture Taxi (Trevor Paglen and A.C. Thompson), Every Man Dies Alone (Hans Fallada)
No. of titles published each year: 60
Does Melville House accept unagented submissions? No
6. Akashic Books
Founded in 1997, Brooklyn-based Akashic Books publishes political nonfiction and urban literary fiction. It caters to those authors who either haven't been able to break through the mainstream or have no desire to team up with the big-name publishers. That said, you still need a literary agent to pitch your book because Akashic Books does not accept unsolicited submissions.
Book genres published by Akashic Books: Autobiography and memoir, LGBTQ, literary fiction, political, pop culture
Book titles published by Akashic Books: Go the F**k to Sleep (Adam Mansbach), The Freedom Artist (Ben Okri), A Tall History of Sugar (Curdella Forbes)
No. of titles published each year: 25 - 30
Does Akashic Books accept unagented submissions? No for print, yes for the flash fiction web series
7. Algonquin Books
Algonquin Books is actually an imprint of Workman Publishing Company, one of the largest U.S. indie publishers. It was founded in 1983 to publish fiction and nonfiction by previously unpublished young authors, mostly from the South. It was acquired by Workman Publishing six years later, in 1989. Now, with offices in NYC and Chapel Hill, NC, Algonquin Books is a well-respected small publisher with many bestselling titles.
Book genres published by Algonquin Books: Literary fiction, nonfiction
Book titles published by Algonquin Books: Water for Elephants (Sara Gruen), A Reliable Wife (Robert Goolrick), The Art Forger (B. A. Shapiro)
No. of titles published each year: 30
Does Algonquin Books accept unagented submissions? No, but other imprints from Workman Publishing Company may
8. Catapult
Catapult is a small press, launched in 2015, that seeks to publish unique and emotional stories from both new and established authors. In addition to publishing books, Catapult also operates a daily online magazine. and teaches online writing classes.
Book genres published by Catapult: Fiction, narrative nonfiction
Book titles published by Catapult: What Happens at Night (Peter Cameron), Neon in Daylight (Hermione Hoby), Black Card (Chris L. Terry)
No. of titles published each year: 15
Does Catapult accept unagented submissions? Yes
9. Kensington Publishing Corp
Kensington Publishing Corp was founded in 1974. While it may be a small press, Kensington Publishing Corp has big goals. Each year through its diverse imprints, Kensington Publishing Corp publishes over 500 fiction and nonfiction titles. It. publishes a wide range of genres, from westerns to romance, aiming to publish “the books that America wants to read.”
Book genres published by Kensington Publishing Corp: African-American literature, fantasy, fiction, nonfiction, romance, sci-fi, thrillers, true crime, westerns
Book titles published by Kensington Publishing Corp: Love Lettering (Kate Clayborn), The Orphan Collector (Ellen Marie Wiseman), Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Joanne Fluke)
No. of titles published each year: 500
Does Kensington Publishing Corp accept unagented submissions? Yes
Stop! Is Your Manuscript Ready for Submission?
Before submitting to an independent publisher or querying an agent, check out the essential resources:
Here are two more independent publishers to consider for your manuscript. Subscribe to receive this extra resource.
