Top 34 Fiction Publishing Giants to Watch Out for in the Year 2024
Book aficionados and literature lovers agree on the best fiction publishing houses. Whether it's the influential portfolio, the readership, author diversity, book sales, or the ability to propel trends in the reading and film industry, these renowned publishers are often at the top of readers' lists. They offer a vast array of genres, from award-winning adult fiction to daring, fresh writing.
Seeking clarity on literary agency or independent publishing? Check out the following list of top publishers, including ones that still welcome submissions.
1. Penguin Random House
Proudly standing among the Big Five global publishers, Penguin Random House ignites a universal passion for reading by creating books for all to love. With headquarters in New York City and operations spanning six continents across 20 countries, the publishing house has over 300 different ventures under its umbrella, each creative and individually autonomous.
2. Hachette Book Group
A leading U.S. publisher, Hachette hosts numerous prestigious imprints, including children's books. Their housebooks have garnered numerous prizes, such as the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, Booker Prize, Nobel Peace Prize, and more.
3. Simon & Schuster
Famed for offering a wide range of literature in multiple languages (when presented through a literary agent), Simon & Schuster features broad genres—adult fiction, children's publishing, audio publishing, and beyond.
4. Harper Collins
Operating in 17 countries and publishing around 10,000 new titles every year in sixteen languages, HarperCollins is the second-largest consumer book publisher in the industry. Although they do not accept unsolicited submissions (with exceptions for their Heartdrum imprint), their extensive portfolio is worth exploring. More details can be found here.
5. Macmillan
An independent, pioneering, author-focused, and diverse global entity, Macmillan is part of the Big Five publishing world. Founded by two brothers who dreamt of creating a large tree from a small seed in 1843, Macmillan focuses on empowering authors and fostering their unique voices.
6. Europa Editions
Europa Editions is a dedicated publisher bridging cultural gaps by introducing vibrant, fresh voices to the UK and US markets. This independent pressure was instrumental in popularizing Elena Ferrante's literature in English.
7. Bonnier Books
Boasting 17 imprints and encompassing several publishing houses, book retailers, and other entities in Northern Europe, Bonnier Books' vision is that every book matters. Based in Sweden, the publishing house operates in Denmark, Norway, Finland, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
8. Allen & Unwin
Australia's leading independent fiction publisher, Allen & Unwin, has been awarded Publisher of the Year 14 times, with 12 of those victories since 2000. The innovative "Friday Pitch" submission system invites all manuscripts to be sent electronically.
9. Grove Atlantic
A publishing house with a catalog of boundary-pushing fiction setting the standard for American literature, Grove Atlantic prefers manuscripts submitted through a literary agent.
10. Orient Paperbacks
With a catalog covering themes such as Body, Mind & Spirit, and Self-Help, Orient Paperbacks is a division of Vision Books. Although they review submissions for up to 10-12 weeks, they require hard copies with author bio-data.
11. Verso
The largest independent radical publishing house in the English-speaking world, Verso has strict submission guidelines, and unsolicited fiction submissions are not entertained.
12. Haymarket Books
An American independent publisher, Haymarket Books specializes in books aimed at fostering social justice and economic equality while contributing to debates on civil rights, labor, and critical politics.
13. Leadstart
Leadstart is a leading Indian publishing house with a long list of honored authors, including winners of the Sahitya Akademi Award, Crossword Awards, Man Asian Literary Prize, various State Literary Awards, and The Padma Bhushan Award (India's third-highest civilian award).
14. Graywolf Press
A publisher devoted to observant editing, compelling design, and innovative promotion, Graywolf Press strives to represent diverse, underrepresented voices.
15. Seven Stories Press
From its inception in 1995, Seven Stories Press has published uncompromising works of fiction, poetry, political nonfiction, or hybrid combinations of the three.
16. Coffee House Press
Committed to creating space for artists and audiences to interact and expand the definition of literature, Coffee House Press welcomes submissions. Check the guidelines for the submission period.
17. Farrar, Straus and Giroux
An imprint of Macmillan, Farrar, Straus, and Giroux boasts a prestigious international list of literary fiction, including twenty-five Nobel Prizes in Literature and numerous National Book Awards and Pulitzer Prizes for authors such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Cormac McCarthy, and James Baldwin.
18. Soho Press
Publishing literary voices and strong authors, Soho Press focuses on novels with powerful narratives that offer unique perspectives on the world.
19. Harvard University Press
Founded in 1913, Harvard University Press has a portfolio focused on publishing general readership titles and titles targeted to scholarly and professional groups, featuring works from notable experts and new voices.
20. Dundurn Press
One of Canada's most significant and prominent publishers, Dundurn Press is dedicated to showcasing Canadian voices worldwide. Works in their portfolio have been recognized by the Scotiabank Giller Prize, Donner Prize, LAMBDA Literary Awards, and more.
21. Harvard Square Editions
Established by Harvard alumni, Harvard Square Editions publishes literary fiction of spiritual, social, and environmental value. Submissions are currently welcome.
22. Dzanc Books
Devoted to advanced writing, Dzanc Books promotes readership, literary workshops, and awards several Dzanc Prizes annually. Submissions outside the contest season are also accepted. Their portfolio includes award-winning writers such as Roy Kesey, Hesh Kestin, Laura van den Berg, and Henning Koch.
23. Melville House
Founded in 2001 to publish "Poetry After 9/11," Melville House has made a name for itself by contributing to the rediscovery of forgotten authors.
24. Copper Canyon Press
Standing since 1972, Copper Canyon Press is a champion of poetry, with a vast portfolio featuring Pulitzer Prize-winners, National Book Award-winners, and some of the most original contemporary poets and translators.
25. New Directions Books
Although submission is no longer accepted, short queries will receive a response.
26. Counterpoint Press
Counterpoint Press, created in 2007, is devoted to showcasing cutting-edge literary voices and is distributed by Penguin Random House. Manuscripts can only be submitted through a recognized literary agency.
27. Tramp Press
A publisher based in Ireland, Tramp Press focuses on distinctive literary voices and publishes internationally. Through their portfolio, authors have won Irish Book Awards, the International Dublin Literary Award, the Goldsmiths Prize, and more. Submissions are closed until late 2024.
28. Octopus Books
This small, independent poetry publishing house has been publishing annually since its inception.
29. Holland Park Press
Holland Park Press is committed to publishing literary fiction and poetry, seeking to introduce Dutch literature to the English-speaking market. Submissions are welcomed both in Dutch and English.
30. The Feminist Press
Dedicated to publishing works that can ignite social transformation, The Feminist Press distributes voice- and vision-driven stories in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and more. Submissions will open during the summer of 2024.
31. BOA Editions
BOA Editions is a non-profit publisher of poetry and fiction dedicated to supporting contemporary literature by showcasing unique literary voices. Keep an eye on their submissions section for details on the 23rd annual A. Poulin, Jr. Poetry Prize (August 1 - November 30, 2024) and other opportunities.
32. Bellevue Literary Press
Bellevue Literary Press focuses on publishing works at the intersection of art and science, with a particular focus on the social contract and consciousness.
33. Peirene Press
Founded in 2010, Peirene Press is an award-winning independent publisher looking to introduce new authors and great writers worldwide. With a diverse portfolio of 40 titles translated from seventeen languages and twenty countries, the publishing house continues to thrive.
34. Autumn House Press
Specializing in poetry and other fine literature, Autumn House Press supports contemporary voices that may be overlooked by other commercial publishers. Stay tuned for various literary contests on their submissions page.
Going Solo
If cutting ties with the quest for the perfect fiction book publisher doesn't stray you from your writing, you may consider self-publishing. By choosing the right platform and marketing tools, your work can easily reach a global audience. Here are steps to publish with our website in a few clicks:
- Register an account on our website. Refer to the Dashboard to start a new title—ebook, audiobook, or print.
- Add your book's files (e.g., manuscript, cover, and samples).
- Fill out the author's names.
- Enter the book's metadata and provide a detailed description.
- Define the book's price.
- Set your rights and publish date. Don't forget to set pre-orders if applicable.
- Choose the stores to which you want to distribute your book.
- Hit the "Publish" button.
While finding the right publisher can be time-consuming, it's essential for a rewarding publishing experience. If you haven't found the ideal match with your values and style, self-publishing may be an exciting alternative that allows you to manage your publishing process and earn royalties. Start publishing today!
- Penguin Random House, with its diverse offerings in various genres, could be the perfect fit for your lifestyle, especially if you enjoy exploratory home decor and gardening books, as it features ventures focusing on those topics as well.
- For those who appreciate a good book pairing with film adaptations and enjoy discussions on entertainment, HarperCollins' extensive portfolio in delivering award-winning adult fiction may tickle your fancy, providing lively debates on genre crossovers and artistic synergies.
