5 Publishers Accepting Unsolicited Manuscripts from Writers - No Agent Needed

Updated 7/27/24

These publishers accept manuscripts directly from writers. As is the case with most publishers that don't require an agent, they have a narrow focus. But, if your work falls into the categories they publish, you will have a good chance of having your proposal read.

As always, go to the website, look at their other publications to see if yours will be a good fit, and follow all of their submission guidelines carefully. Guidelines can change!

If you are looking for publishers in specialized genres, click on these links.

4 Romance Publishers Looking for Writers - No Agent Needed

17 US Children's Book Publishers Accepting Manuscripts Directly From Writers

21 UK Children's Book Publishers Accepting Manuscripts Directly from Writers

7 Graphic Novel Publishers Accepting Manuscripts Directly From Writers

5 Horror and Dark Fiction Publishers Accepting Unsolicited Manuscripts

22 Cookbook and Nonfiction Publishers Accepting Unagented Manuscripts

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Kensington Publishing Corp.

Kensington Publishing Corp. is an independent, family-owned book publisher founded in 1974 and based in New York City. Known for the diversity of the authors and books it publishes, Kensington releases more than 300 fiction and non-fiction titles each year, providing readers with a range of popular genres such as thrillers, romance, historical fiction, cozy mysteries, and non-fiction, as well as true-crime, western, sci-fi, and speculative fiction titles. The house of New York Times bestselling authors, including Fern Michaels, Lisa Jackson, William W. Johnstone, Joanne Fluke, Mary Monroe, Dr. Jen Gunter, Ellen Marie Wiseman, and many others, its imprints include Kensington Books, Dafina, Zebra, Pinnacle, Kensington Cozies, John Scognamiglio Books, Citadel Press, Lyrical Press, and Erewhon Books.

Read submission guidelines HERE.

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Allworth Press

Allworth Press publishes business and self-help information for the general public and creative professionals.  They share distribution with Skyhorse Publishing, using W. W. Norton in the United States. Allworth Press titles are now distributed in Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, Southern Africa, the Philippines, Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Books from Allworth Press have been translated into many languages, including Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and Japanese. Allworth Press currently has 300 titles in print.

What they are looking for: Graphic Design, Business, Performing Arts, Interior Design, Art, Theater, Web Design, Book Arts, Photography, Crafts.

How to submit: Prospective authors should submit a book proposal that includes a query letter, synopsis (1-2 pages), annotated chapter outline, market analysis, sample chapter (or two), bio, and SASE.

Send all submissions to: submissions[at]skyhorsepublishing[dot]com. If they are interested, they will get back to you within 4-6 weeks

Read full guidelines HERE.

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Chicago Review Press

Academy Chicago Publishers is one of the oldest publishing houses in Chicago. They publish both fiction and nonfiction and have more than two hundred published titles on their list. Academy Chicago publishes about 60 new titles yearly under five imprints: Chicago Review Press, Lawrence Hill Books, Ball Publishing, Zephyr Press, and Academy Chicago. 

What they are looking for: Chicago Review Press publishes general nonfiction on a wide range of subjects including history, popular science, music, film, biography, autobiography, DIY, craft, and travel, as well as an award-winning line of children's activity books and young adult biographies. Lawrence Hill Books publishes nonfiction on topics of African American interest, progressive politics, Middle Eastern studies, and feminism. Ball Publishing specializes in gardening books, and Zephyr Press publishes professional development titles for teachers. Academy Chicago publishes memoirs, mysteries, and other exciting, new, and well-crafted fiction and nonfiction. 

How to submit: For non-fiction send:

• A brief synopsis of your proposed book in 1–2 paragraphs
• The estimated word count of the final manuscript
• The estimated completion date
• Author biography or resume specifying credentials and publication credits, where appropriate
• Approximate sales of previous books published, if any
• A complete table of contents and/or a complete outline of the proposed chapters
• 1–2 sample chapters

For children's activity books, include a few sample activities and list the others

• Any information regarding photographs or artwork for the book
• A description of the target audience and any information about the market
• A list of competing and comparable titles and how your book differs—be sure to tell us what makes your book unique

Please e-mail your proposal to frontdesk@chicagoreviewpress.com

Their turnaround time on reviewing proposals is about 4–6 weeks.

Read full guidelines HERE.

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Chronicle Books

Chronicle Books  "We're always looking for the new and unusual." Chronicle Books publishes 90 titles per year.

What they are looking for: Art and design, art, craft, graphic design, interior design, photography, food and drink, kids and teens, literature, lifestyle, pop culture. Chronicle Books publishes fiction and nonfiction books for children of all ages, as well as board books, decks, activity kits, and other unusual or novelty formats. No adult fiction.

How to submit: They review all proposals. However, they do not personally respond to unsolicited proposals unless they are interested in pursuing the project. Chronicle accepts submissions by mail or e-mail. See guidelines for children's books.

What to Include in Your Proposal:

• They currently accept submissions by email only, which can be sent to submissions@chroniclebooks.com.
• Please attach your proposal to your email as a single Word file or PDF, and keep the file under 5MB or less to ensure delivery. Outside links and downloads may not be opened due to security risks.
• Please allow six months for the editors to review a proposal.

Read full guidelines HERE.

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Arsenal Pulp Press

Arsenal Pulp Press is a book publisher in Vancouver, Canada with over 400 titles currently in print, which include literary fiction and nonfiction; books on social issues; gender studies; LGBTQ and diverse literature; graphic novels and non-fiction; cookbooks; alternative crafts; youth culture and young adult literature; visual arts; and books in translation. "We are interested in literature that engages and challenges readers, and which asks probing questions about the world around us." Read submission guidelines HERE.