19 Publishers Accepting Memoirs - No agent needed

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Updated 7/27/23

I have often said that memoir is the highest form of fiction. By that, I'm not encouraging memoirists to make things up. I am simply reminding writers that a good memoir must read like fiction, but it must also be honest.

Honesty lies at the heart of every memoir. The author must adhere to the truth (allowing for the fact that there are different ways of interpreting it). Memoirists who lie to themselves, who sugarcoat, self-censor, exaggerate, or in any way compromise the integrity of their stories not only do a disservice to themselves but to us. The reason we enjoy reading memoirs is to gain insight, and to better understand the human condition.

Do not be afraid to tell the truth if you are writing a memoir. Don't hold back. And when you are finished writing your life, go get it published. Here are twenty publishers who can help you do that - no agent required.

For a list of over 150 publishers that accept submissions from writers - no agent required see Publishers Accepting Unagented Manuscripts.

Note: Some of these publishers have submission periods. Read their submission requirements carefully.
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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. Seeking: Nonfiction, memoirs, mysteries, fiction, history, popular science, music, film, biography, autobiography, DIY, craft, and travel, as well as children's activity books and young adult biographies. Read submission guidelines here.

Baobab Press is currently considering completed manuscripts in all genres. They publish nonfiction (including memoir), fiction, poetry, comics, and picture books. (No MG or YA). "We like risk. We like invention. More importantly, we look for a quality of thought that adds depth to a writer's concerns. And although it is not an official requirement, we tend to select literary work with a strong sense of place at its core. Ultimately, our goal is to publish work that resonates in the contemporary climate and that will continue to resonate in years to come. We believe that that this goal and the goal of staying financially viable are one in the same." Read submission guidelines here.

Black & White Publishing is an established Scottish press. They publish nonfiction and fiction in a variety of genres. Seeking: Commercial women’s fiction, especially chick lit, saga and romance, crime and psychological thrillers, contemporary YA and New Adult crossover books, children’s fiction. In nonfiction: memoirs, sport (UK and Ireland in particular), humor, food and drink, activity books. Read submission guidelines here. See submission periods.

BLF Press is open to various types of literary work. They are especially interested in work that centers women of color and same gender loving women. Their preferred genres are short fiction, literary fiction, memoir, and creative non-fiction. Prose (fiction and non-fiction) manuscripts should be from 40,000-80,000 words; poetry collections should be at least 50 pages.  If your work is under serious consideration elsewhere, please wait until you've received a decision before submitting it here. They ask for limited print and electronic rights. Read submission guidelines HERE. See submission periods.

Bywater Books is looking for well-written commercial fiction targeted to lesbian readers. They are especially interested the following fiction and non-fiction categories: Romance, Mystery, Action/Thriller, Science-fiction/Fantasy, Eco-fiction, Young Adult/New Adult, General Fiction, Cross-genre, Memoir, Essay, and Autobiography/Biography. They do not publish poetry or erotica. Read submission guidelines HERE. No simultaneous submissions.

Coffeetown Press publishes nonfiction—including memoir—literary fiction, and historical fiction. They prefer the word count to be between 70,000 and 100,000, but books between 50,000 and 70,000 words will still be considered. Most of their memoirs concern growing up in other cultures or have a strong theme that will appeal to a specific audience. Read submission guidelines HERE.

Delphinium Books publishes literary fiction and non-fiction, including memoir. They only accept completed manuscripts. They do not make offers on spec. They prefer submissions with a minimum of 50,000 words. "Modest advance." Read their submission guidelines HERE.

Epicenter Press publishes nonfiction and fiction submissions that relate to Alaska and the Pacific Northwest: biography & memoir, history, humor, life in the North, Native American culture, true crime. "We seek well-written, fast-paced, absorbing, compelling, and entertaining nonfiction including memoir and fiction manuscripts. We currently do not publish poetry, young adult or children’s titles." Read their full submission guidelines HERE. 

Honno publishes Welsh women writers – for the purposes of submission to Honno this means that you must be a woman born in Wales or resident in Wales at the time of submission. Honno also publishes titles of exceptional interest to women within Wales from writers who may not meet the first two criteria i.e. that they are female and that they are of Welsh birth or residence. They publish full length works of fiction and non-fiction for adults (manuscripts of between 60,000 and 120,000 words). Honno is open to all genres of fiction and is particularly interested in increasing the number of literary fiction, crime/thriller, commercial women’s fiction, science fiction and fantasy titles it publishes. Honno is also building a list of non-fiction works to include biography (untold tales of remarkable Welsh women, places and industries), memoir, nature and travel writing. Read guidelines HERE. See submission periods.

Kaya Press is a publisher of Asian and Pacific Islander diasporic writers in the United States. Their diverse list of titles includes experimental poetry, noir fiction, film memoir, avant-garde art, performance pieces, and “lost” novels. How to submit: Send your manuscript in electronic format. Files must be sent in a Word document or as a PDF. They will only accept works related to the Asian diaspora. Read full guidelines HERE.

Madrona Books welcomes submissions of booklength manuscripts. "We’re best suited for authors working within the genres of literary fiction, memoir, longform ecological and adventure journalism, and select place-based genre fiction. Irrespective of genre, all authors with ambitious, emotionally nuanced manuscripts are encouraged to submit." Terms: Madrona authors would be paid: 20% of all net dollar receipts on the book’s first $10,000, 35% on the next $10,000, 50% on net dollar receipts thereafter. Read submission guidelines HERE.

Persea Books is an independent, literary publishing house founded in 1975 by Michael Braziller and Karen Braziller, who still own and direct the company. Genres: Poetry, fiction, essays, memoir, biography, titles of Jewish and Middle Eastern interest, women's studies, American Indian folklore, and YA. Response time: Eight weeks for proposals and 12 weeks for requested manuscript. Submissions: Queries should include a cover letter, author background and publication history, a synopsis of the proposed work, and a sample chapter. Send queries and manuscripts to info@perseabooks.com or to the appropriate editor (Fiction or Nonfiction), Persea Books, 277 Broadway, Suite 708, New York, NY 10007. Read their submission guidelines here.

Rio Nuevo Publishers focuses exclusively on the American West. Their list of publications includes 69 back titles and 13 new titles. Seeking: American West arts and crafts, cooking, history, gardening, memoir, Native America, nature, spirituality, and travel. Read their submission guidelines.

Riverdale/Magnus is the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) imprint of Riverdale Avenue Books. They are actively looking for titles, both fiction and nonfiction, in a wide variety of areas, including popular culture, entertainment, biography/memoir, self-help, spirituality, and current affairs, among others. Read submission guidelines HERE.

Roseway Publishing publishes works of fiction, creative non-fiction, memoirs, biographies and other literary writing that reflects our interest in social justice issues. "We publish primarily for an adult audience, but have occasionally published young adult material as well. We tend not to publish children’s books or poetry." Read their submission guidelines HERE.

Schaffner Press publishes: Fiction: literary adult fiction, short fiction collection, historical with socially relevant content, crime fiction. Non-fiction–memoir, autobiography, biography. Journalistic Expose or Narrative, True Crime, Art, Culture, pop culture, World History, current events, science, arts and letters, US history, military history music, are some of the preferred categories. No Children’s or Young Adult fiction or non-fiction. No science fiction, romance, or fantasy. Length: Manuscripts must be between 60,000 – 100,000 words. Read their submission guidelines HERE.

Golden Storyline Books publishes trade, industry, academic and non-fiction. The publication and editorial team are always open to receiving submissions for proposed books in the following genres: Mystery/Thriller, Crime Fiction, Sci-fi/ Fantasy, Young Adult, Woman’s Fiction, Historical Fiction and Suspense/ Psychological. We are pleased to receive proposals in the genres: Humanities and Social Sciences, Lifestyle/ Culture, Current Events, Memoir and the Arts. Read their submission guidelines here.

Sourcebooks publishes adult nonfiction. Genres: Memoir, history, college reference and study aids, entertainment, general self-help/psychology, business, parenting and special needs parenting, health and beauty, reference, education, biography, love and relationships, gift books and women's issues.  Read nonfiction guidelines here.

Three Rooms Press is a New York-based independent publisher inspired by dada, punk, and passion. Founded twenty-five years ago by editors Peter Carlaftes and Kat Georges, Three Rooms Press serves as a leading independent publisher of cut-the-edge creative, including fiction, memoir, poetry translations, drama and art. In addition, Three Rooms Press produces and promotes a variety of literary and cultural events worldwide, including readings, plays, workshops and concerts. Three Rooms Press books are distributed by PGW / Ingram. Read guidelines here.