List of Reviewers for Traditionally Published Books

Updated 4/17/21

Below is a list of reviewers who exclusively review works that have been published by publishing houses (large and small).

If you have published through a large (or small) publisher, why would you need to contact reviewers? Shouldn't your publisher take care of that?

And if you have self-published, or are considering self-publishing, why you would need a list of reviewers who only review books published through traditional houses?

The answer is:

1) Even if you have self-published a book, you may have published short stories in literary magazines. If you decide to sell your published stories on Amazon (and I hope you consider doing that because it's a good way to get readers), they will need reviews, and

2) Publishers do the bare minimum - if anything - to secure reviews.

No matter how you publish, it's up to you to find reviewers.

Many of the reviewers on this list have heavily trafficked sites, and they cross post their reviews on other sites, which means even one well-placed review can reach a broad audience. Most will accept ebooks and/or PDF files, which cuts down on shipping costs. (Make sure you have a PDF file as well as a mobi file of your book to send to reviewers.)

As always, read review guidelines carefully, and follow them.

Related posts: Top 5 Online Resources for Short Story Markets

List of Online Reviewers Who Accept Self-Published Books

Top 12 Sites for Finding Reviewers

Website	Review Policy	Contact	Where Posted	Genres
A Book Geek	http://abookgeek-llm.blogspot.com /p/review-policy.html Accepts ARCs, ebooks	abookgeek @gmail.com	Website Goodreads	Literary fiction, historical fiction, classics, urban fantasy, science fiction, dystopian, fantasy, some Young Adult
A Bookish Libraria Deborah Jessica Catherine	http://abookishlibraria.blogspot. com/p/credits.html Accepts ARCs and books some Kindle	jessicamagill @gmail.com thebookish dame @aol.com	Website	Many genres
Alison's Book Marks	SITE CLOSED	APSkap @comcast.net	Website Amazon Goodreads Get Glue Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google+	Literary fiction, historical fiction, memoirs, biographies, fantasy, mysteries, series, YA, MG, and graphic novels
All Things Urban Fantasy	http://allthingsuf.com/review-policy Accepts print, PDF, EPUB, MOBI, and audiobooks	Contact @AllThingsUF. com Also online form	Website Amazon Goodreads Twitter	Urban Fantasy Paranormal Romance Paranormal YA Speculative Fiction (Dystopian, Steampunk)
A Lovely Bookshelf	http://www.lovelybookshelf.com/review-policy-contact	monika.lovelybookshelf @gmail.com	Website	Literary fiction surreal / magical realism fiction contemporary fiction (including women's fiction) short stories memoirs sci-fi a wide variety of non-fiction (especially parenting, faith, or classical music) children's titles
Batch of Books	NOT ACCEPTING NEW REQUESTS	reviewkidsbooks @gmail.com	Website	Children's books to age 18
Bibliophile By the Sea	NOT ACCEPTING NEW REQUESTS	bibliophilebythesea @gmail.com	Website Goodreads, Amazon	Literary Fiction Contemporary Fiction Historical Fiction Mystery/ Suspense/ Psychological Fiction/ Coming of Age Memoirs Cookbooks Childrens Books (ages 0-7)
Book 'Em with The Hodgenator!	http://bookemadventures.blogspot. com/p/review-policy.html Print and ebooks Hosts blog tours, interviews, and giveaways	bookemadventures @gmail.com	Website, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook, Shelfari, Pinterest, Twitter, and Tumblr	Children's, tween, and YA novels
Bookish Bella Bella	SITE IS CLOSED	bellaleeheart @gmail.com	Website Facebook and Twitter	Fantasy, Contemporary Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Sci-fi and Young Adult
Books, Bones & Buffy Tammy	http://booksbonesbuffy.com/ about/ Posts interviews, and giveaways	Online form	Website	Adult and young adult fantasy, science fiction, horror, and literary fiction
Buried By Books Amber	http://buriedbybooks.blogspot.com /p/review-policy-and- contact-info.html Accepts print and ebooks	buriedbybooks @gmail.com	Website Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble	Historical romance, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, erotic fiction, category fiction, mysteries and the occasional cookbook or other non-fiction title
Call Me Crazy YA Reviews Katie	WEBSITE CLOSED	callmecrazyreviews @rocketmail.com	Website, Amazon, Goodreads, B&N	YA, NA, Middle grade
Civilian Reader UK	http://civilian-reader.blogspot.com /p/about-cr.html	civilian.reader @hotmail.co.uk	Website	Sci-fi, fantasy and American political/ crime thrillers
Compass Book Ratings 12 reviewers	http://www.compassbookratings. com/contact-us/publishers- and-authors/	Online form Submissions through publicist only	Website	Many genres
Curiosity Killed the Bookworm Ellie UK	NOT ACCEPTING NEW SUBMISSIONS	http://www.curiositykilledthe bookworm. net/p/contact-me.html	Website	Young adult, urban fantasy, mythology, chick-lit, science fiction, translated works and narrative non-fiction
Esther's Ever After	NOT ACCEPTING NEW SUBMISSIONS	everafteresther.reviews @gmail,com	Website	YA
Falcata Times	http://falcatatimes.blogspot.com/ Scroll down left column for policy	http://kontactr.com/user/ drosdelnoch	Website	Horror, Urban Fantasy, True Crime, Historical Fiction and others
Feeling a Little Bookish Meaghan	http://bookworm-meags222.blogspot.com/p/my- review-policy.html Does interviews, and hosts giveaways	meaghan.nicolaiff @gmail.com	Website	Adult fiction and literature, and YA novels
Good Books and Good Wine	http://goodbooksandgoodwine. com/review-policy Accepts print and Kindle Does interviews, and hosts giveaways	goodbooksandgoodwine @gmail.com	Website Goodreads and Amazon	YA and Middle Grade
Happy Indulgence	NOT ACCEPTING NEW SUBMISSIONS	happyindulgence @gmail.com	Website Goodreads and Amazon	YA, New Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Romance, Contemporary, Dystopia, Fiction
In the Forest of Stories Memory Canada	NOT ACCEPTING NEW REQUESTS	xicanti @gmail.com	Website	Fantasy. Science fiction. Horror. Romance. Historical fiction. Queer fiction, comics, and young adult fiction across all genres
Jenuine Cupcakes	NOT ACCEPTING NEW REQUESTS	jenuinecupcakes @gmail.com	Website Goodreads NetGalley Edelweiss Booklikes Tumblr Barnes & Noble Amazon IndieBound and YA Books Central	YA fiction
Kal-El the BookGeek Beauty	WEBSITE CLOSED	bookgeekbeauty003 @gmail.com	Website, Amazon and Goodreads	NA, YA, PR, UF, Chick Lit, Dystopian, and some Erotica
La Femme Readers	http://lafemmereaders.blogspot. com/p/reviewpromoting-policy.html Print and Kindle	lafemmereaders @yahoo.com	Website, Amazon and Goodreads	YA
Mermaid With A Book Singapore	https://mermaidwithabook.blogspot.com /p/review-policy.html	gohsherlyn @yahoo.com,sg	Website	YA
My Bookish Ways Kristin 15,000 pageviews per month	CLOSED	mybookishways @yahoo.com	Website	Urban fantasy, fantasy, mystery, sci-fi, horror, and thrillers
Mysteries and My Musings	http://mysterysuspence.blogspot.com /p/review-policy.html	mysterysuspense1 @gmail.com	Website	Mystery/ suspense fiction
Neth Space	http://nethspace.blogspot.com /2006/10/blog-post.htmll Accepts print and ebooks	nethspace @gmail.com	Website	Sci-fi, Fantasy
Rex Robot Reviews	http://www.rexrobotreviews. com/p/review-policy.html Accepts ARCs, bound copies and ebooks Participates in ARC Tours, Author Interviews, Blog Tours, Giveaways & Guest Posts SITE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED	rexreadingrobot @gmail.com	Website, Amazon and Goodreads	Fantasy (Urban, Dark) Steampunk (All) Young Adult (Dystopia, Contemporary, Paranormal) Romance (Paranormal, Historical, Suspense) Horror Mystery
Romance Book Scene	SITE CLOSED	submissions @romancebookscene.com	Website	Romance
Tales of the Ravenous Reader Nancy	http://www.lushbudgetproduction .com/p/about-me.html Print and ebooks SITE NOT UPDATED	curlyshoe @gmail.com	Website	YA
That Artsy Reader Girl	http://www.thatartsyreadergirl.com/ policies-disclaimers/ Kindle (mobi) files, bound books, and audiobooks	JanaSparkles @yahoo.com	Website Goodreads	YA (any and all, but especially contemporary romance),  adult fiction, chick lit, romance (historical, paranormal, contemporary, dystopian,  etc.), mystery/ suspense, children's
The Booka holic	http://the-bookaholic.blogspot.com/p /review-policy.html	miss.pixie08 @gmail.com	Website Goodreads and elsewhere if requested	YA Paranormal Romance Fantasy (modern/ urban) Dystopian Horror Historical Fiction
The Book Swarm	SITE CLOSED	thebookswarm @gmail.com and online form	Website	YA novels, science fiction/ fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal and romance, mystery, travel
The Most Happy Reader	http://themosthappyreader. blogspot.com/p/review-policy.html Accepts print and ebooks (PDF or Kindle for Mac format)	mosthappyreader @gmail.com	Website Amazon Goodreads B&N	Historical fiction, general fiction and non-fiction
The Qwillery	http://qwillery.blogspot.com/p/ review-policy-contact.html	Online Form	Website	Speculative fiction: urban fantasy, paranormal romance, historical fantasy, science fiction, including science fiction romance, steampunk, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction
The Realm of Books Katerina	http://therealmof-books.blogspot.com/p/review-policy _5.html Prefers print	katthorson1@gmail.com	Website	Teen and YA, Sci-fi, paranormal romance
Uncorked Thoughts Leah UK	SITE CLOSED	Online Form	Website Goodreads Amazon (if requested) Twitter Facebook	Fantasy/ Urban Fantasy Paranormal/ Paranormal Romance Sci-fi Dystopia Mythological Young Adult Crime Steampunk
Dark Faerie Tales Also does interviews	SITE CLOSED	darkfaerietales @gmail,com	Website	Young Adult Urban Fantasy Steampunk Science Fiction/Fantasy Paranormal Romance Graphic Novels Horror Romantic Suspense Contemporary & Historical Romance Suspense/ Thrillers
Parajunkees View	SITE CLOSED	http://www.parajunkee.com /author-info/review-request/	Website, Amazon	Paranormal Romance Contemporary Romance Urban Fantasy Dark Fantasy YA Paranormal YA Romance Science Fiction Fantasy Horror
Eloquent Reads	http://www.theeloquentpage.co.uk /review-policy-2/	admin @theeloquentpage.co.uk	Website	Horror, fantasy, science fiction, historical and thrillers, but is happy to give any genre fiction a go.
Fantasy Cafe	http://www.fantasybookcafe.com /review-policy/	kristen AT fantasybookcafe dot com	Website	Fantasy and scifi
Mithril Wisdom	WEBSITE CLOSED	mithrilwisdom@gmail.com	Website	Fantasy, Steampunk
SF Signal	http://www.sfsignal.com/submissions-2/	submissions AT sfsignal DOT com	Website	Scifi
Violin in a Void	https://violininavoid.wordpress.com/ about-me/	violininavoid[at]gmail [dot]com	Website	Sci fi, fantasy, horror, magical realism
Omphalos' Book Reviews	http://blog.omphalosbookreviews.com/? page_id=7	omphalos @jacurutu.com	Website and elsewhere	Speculative Fiction
Rabid Reads	http://rabidreads.ca/policies/review-policy SITE NOT UPDATED	http://rabidreads.ca/contact /review-request	Website Amazon, GoodReads, Booklikes, Twitter, Facebook and Google+	Paranormal Romance; Urban Fantasy; New Adult; Young Adult; Werewolf; Fantasy; Steampunk Science Fiction Historical Romance; Erotica
Read, Breathe, Relax	SITE CLOSED	lisa @readbreatherelax.com	Website Amazon Goodreads Twitter Facebook Pinterest Huffington Post	YA contemporary, fantasy, science fiction and every sub-genre there is
RT Book Reviews Magazine Send request well in advance of publication date	SITE CLOSED	ReviewQuery @RTBookReviews.com	RT Magazine	Wide variety of genres
S. Krishna's Books	SITE CLOSED	skrishna [at] skrishnasbooks [dot] com	Websites (S. Krishna’s Books, Book Riot, Panels, and the MindHut)	South Asian Fiction, or books by South Asian authors Contemporary Fiction Literary Fiction Multicultural/ Ethnic Fiction Historical Fiction Women’s Fiction Mysteries/ Suspense Fiction Memoirs Travelogues Cookbooks & Foodie Memoirs/Non-Fiction Historical Non-Fiction Science, Space & NASA Non-Fiction Non-Fiction about Art & Archaeology Dystopian Fiction Graphic Novels/Memoirs Teen/YA (Paranormal & Dystopian)
SF Reviews	http://sfreviews.net/	tmw [at] sfreviews [dot] net	Website	Science Fiction and Fantasy
Shae Has Left the Room	WEBSITE CLOSED	shaelitblog [at] gmail.com	Website Goodreads Librarything	YA and MG Mystery Dystopian Fantasy Post-apocalyptic Sci-fi Historical Offbeat paranormal
Tangent	https://tangentonline.com/contact-us/	tangent.dt1@gmail.com	Website	Short scifi and fantasy in pro-paying markets (6 cents a word)
The Adventures of Cecelia Bedelia	http://ceceliabedelia.blogspot.com/2010/04 /about.html	Contact page	Website	YA, middle grade, fantasy, sci-fi, and children’s fiction regularly, with the occasional foray into travel and food lit in non-fiction
Bibliotrophic Also does interviews	NO LONGER ACCEPTING REQUESTS	bibliotropic.reviews @gmail.com	Website Amazon, GoodReads	Scifi, Fantasy, Speculative Fiction
Books, Bones and Buffy	http://booksbonesbuffy.com/about/	Online form	Website	Scifi, Fantasy, Horror
Thirst for Fiction	NO LONGER ACCEPTING REQUESTS	mail @thirstforfiction.com	Website GoodReads	YA/teen fantasy, horror, contemporary, dystopian, sci-fi, action/thriller, crime, and coming-of-age books
LEC Book Reviews	WEBSITE CLOSED	info@lecbookreviews.com	Website	Fantasy, science fiction, steampunk, horror, urban fantasy (some - not paranormal)
One Chapter More Max Edwards is the editor of the British Fantasy Society’s Journal.	WEBSITE CLOSED	maxDOToscarDOTedwardsAT gmailDOTcom	Website	Speculative Fiction
Stacked	http://stackedbooks.org/review-policy	kellybjensen [at] gmail [dot] com kimberlymfrancisco [at] gmail [dot] com	Website Goodreads	Adult, Young Adult, and Middle Grade: realistic fiction, science fiction, fantasy, dystopian, coming-of-age, mystery/thriller, historical fiction, and romance are favorites. Adult and Young Adult Non-Fiction: contemporary issues, social issues, psychology, cook books, history books that tell about lesser-known events or that put a new twist on well-known events, memoirs or biographies
The Agony Column Offers written and audio content updated at least five days a week.	http://www.bookotron.com/agony/Admin/ Contact_Us.html	Contact page	Website NPR	Everything
Far Beyond Reality Stefan Raets' reviews regularly appear on www.tor.com	http://farbeyondreality.com/about/	farbeyondrealityblog AT gmail DOT com	Website Tor.com	Science fiction and fantasy
Urban Girl Review	SITE CLOSED	Online form	Website	Urban Fantasy Adult Paranormal Romance Contemporary Romance Historical Romance Romantic Suspense
Jenn's Bookshelves	https://www.facebook.com/JennBookshelves/	jennsbookshelf@gmail.com	Website	Wide variety of genres
The Mile Long Bookshelf Amber	CLOSED TO REQUESTS	themilelongbook-shelf@hotmail.co.uk	Website	YA and NA
Emilie's Book World	CLOSED TO REQUESTS	emiliebookworld@gmail.com	Website Goodreads and elsewhere on request	YA
My Reading Corner Karen UK	http://www.myreadingcorner.co.uk/review-policy	kaydee173 (at) hotmail (dot) com	Website Goodreads Amazon UK Waterstones' online site, Netgalley.com, Librarything Real Readers and Newbooks magazine	Crime (although I'm not so keen on 'Scandi-crime'), mystery, thriller and psychological suspense, women's contemporary fiction, 'chic-lit'/light romance, some historical fiction (including dual time frame) along with well written YA fiction No scifi/fantasy
YA Books Central Promotion and review site	http://www.yabookscentral.com/	credwine@ yabookscentral.com	Website	YA
Unshelfish	WEBSITE CLOSED	Contact us form	Website Amazon, GoodReads, LibraryThing, Barnes & Noble, and Shelfari	Coming-of-Age stories Early readers First readers Historical Fiction (any place, any time), Women’s Fiction
Raven Haired Girl Raven	WEBSITE CLOSED	Contact us form	Website Amazon, GoodReads, LibraryThing, Barnes & Noble, and Shelfari	All genres
Leia Writing Leia South Africa	WEBSITE CLOSED	leiawriting @gmail.com	Website	Speculative fiction
Allison’s Book Bag	CLOSED TO REQUESTS	ahunter_nfATyahooDOTcom	Website Book Blogs, Facebook, Good Reads, JacketFlap, and Networked Blogs	Picture books, MG and YA
Feelin’ Bookish	CLOSED TO REQUESTS	Contact form	Website	YA, dystopian, chick-lit, graphic novels, historical fiction, romance, sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal
The Best Books Ever	http://www.thebestbooksever.com/p/review-policy.html	oneminutebooks@gmail.com	Website	Paranormal, fantasy, horror, gothic, historical, science fiction, dystopian
Silk & Serif	http://silk-serif.com/?page_id=19	Contact form	Website	Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance and YA novels
The LitWit Reads	http://www.litwitreads.blogspot.com/p /review-policy.html	emilyjo2018@gmail.com	Website	YA
Billbrarian	WEBSITE CLOSED (Still active on Twitter)	billbrarian2015 at gmail dot com	Website	Picture books, middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, and adult fiction
Serendipity Reviews UK	http://www.serendipityreviews.co.uk /p/my-review-policy.html SITE NOT UPDATED	vivienne_dacosta@ hotmail.com	Website	Most genres, especially YA, paranormal and contemporary
Jenn's Bookshelves	WEBSITE CLOSED	jennsbookshelf@gmail.com	Website	literary fiction, mainstream, women’s fiction, suspense/thriller, horror and YA
*20 Something Reads	WEBSITE CLOSED	The Book Report 250 West 57th Street Suite 1228 New York, NY 10107 (no ebook submissions)	The Book Report Network is comprised of 6 other online book review and author feature sites. On the Web: www.Bookreporter.com www.ReadingGroup Guides.com www.FaithfulReader.com www.AuthorsOnThe Web.com www.Teenreads.com (for teens ages 12-17) www.Kidsreads.com (for kids ages 6-12) www.GraphicNovel Reporter.com	Contemporary fiction, historical fiction, debut authors, mysteries, thrillers, some fantasy/science fiction and some romance. Also nonfiction, newsworthy books, biographies and memoirs.
Book Browse	https://www.bookbrowse.com/information /index.cfm /fuseaction /editorial_submissions	https://www.bookbrowse.com /book_submission/	Website (Site receives 200K visitors a month)	Novels Romance Historical Fiction Mysteries/Thrillers Short stories Books for young adults Biographies Narrative history, science
Compass Book Ratings	http://www.compassbookratings.com/ contact-us/publishers-and-authors/	Form on contact page	Website (Site receives 5K visitors a month)	Not specified
All About Romance	https://allaboutromance.com/aar-contact/	blytheaar@gmail.com All About Romance Blythe Barnhill 4532 S. Jebel Way Centennial, CO 80015	Website (Site receives 90K visitors a month)	Romance
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2 New Agents with Established Agencies Looking for Clients

Here are two new agents looking to build their client lists. Genevieve Nine's agency, Andrea Hurst, is well regarded in the industry. (NOTE: Genevieve Nine is retired.) Valerie Noble works for one of the few Canadian agencies. 

I am a fan of new agents. They are hard-working, enthusiastic, and energetic. And they love their clients. These are essential qualities for pitching to an editor.

____________________

Genevieve Nine of Andrea Hurst & Associates

(NOTE: Genevieve Nine is retired.)

About Genevieve Nine: Genevieve joined Andrea Hurst Literary Management as an intern in 2012. She has a background in professional editing and gets great satisfaction from developing authors. She’s a Creative Writing MFA candidate at the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts, holds a Certificate in Children’s Writing from the University of Washington, and graduated with honors and a B.A. from the USC School of Cinema & Television. When not reading or writing, Genevieve enjoys watching her Sherlock DVDs, planning future travels, and embarking on culinary adventures. She and her husband live in Seattle with their two naughty cats, Selkie and Napoleon. Follow Genevieve on Twitter @GenevieveNine.

What she is looking for: Within young adult and middle grade, she’s looking to acquire:

• Fantasy (open to all subgenres except game-related) 
• Science Fiction 
• Mystery 
• Historical Fiction Retellings (classics, fairy/folk tale, myth) 
• Contemporary Realism (especially with elements of humor)

She also represents the following adult and new adult categories:

• Mystery (detective/PI, amateur, cozy, historical, comic, caper)
• Thriller (supernatural, historical, disaster, ecological)
• Gothic/Hauntings/Quiet Horror
• Historical Fiction
• Retellings (classics, fairy/folk tale, myth)
• Romantic Comedy
• Magical Realism
• Food Memoir
• Travelogue/Travel Memoir

She is not seeking:

• Hard SF/Military SF/Space Opera
• Graphic Horror
• Erotica
• Religious Fiction/Nonfiction
• Short Stories

How to submit: querygenevieve@andreahurst.com. Email queries only. ŸNo attachments. ŸInclude “Query: Book Title” in the email’s subject line. ŸPaste the first ten pages of manuscript below your query. ŸPlease state if manuscript has been previously self-published. ŸPlease state if query is a multiple submission and inform Genevieve if the project becomes no longer available for representation.

____________________

Valerie Noble of Donaghy Literary Group

About Valerie: Valerie Noble is an Associate Agent at Donaghy Literary Group. While studying chemistry at California State University, Long Beach, Valerie mastered the art of doing proper research, particularly for technical writing. Her love of science and reading merged when she began penning her first novel in the midst of her studies. In true scientific fashion, Valerie researched all there was to know about publishing. She connected with agents, editors, and other writers, and interned for Jessica Sinsheimer of Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency.

An education is never finished and Valerie continues to cultivate relationships and hopes to use her knowledge and skills in finding fresh new voices for Donaghy Literary Group.

What she is looking for: Valerie is seeking Young Adult, and New Adult — in the following areas:

• Science Fiction YA/NA
• Fantasy YA/NA
• Historical Fantasy YA/NA
• Historical Fiction YA/NA

Valerie loves YA/NA science fiction and fantasy (think Kristin Cashore and Suzanne Collins) but reads everything under the sun. For her, it’s more about the writing and less about the genre. In saying that, Valerie is generally not interested in romance or paranormal.

How to submit: Electronic Submissions only. Send the query letter, 1-2 page synopsis and the first 10 pages of manuscript — all in body of email, no attachments. Send to query(at)donaghyliterary(dot)com.

10 Bestsellers That Began as Self-Published Books

There is much to be said for self-publishing, especially if you have spent a year or ten (see Michael J. Sullivan below) trying to get publishing houses interested in your work.

If you self-publish, and do a proper job of marketing, your book may not only achieve success in its own right, but may be picked up by a major publishing house. (Ironically, it may even be published by one of the houses that has previously sent you a rejection slip.)

All of these books have one thing in common - their authors did not simply publish and then lean back and enjoy their success. They marketed, pitched, and sold the heck out of their books.

And they continued to write.

Here are a few best-selling books whose authors did not give up on them.

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Eragon is a young adult fantasy series written by Christopher Paolini, who began writing it at the age of 15. Paolini's parents published the book (they owned a small press), after which Paolini spent a year traveling around the United States promoting his novel. The book was discovered by Carl Hiaasen, who got it re-published by Alfred A. Knopf. The re-published version was released on August 26, 2003. Eragon was an instant hit, selling over a million copies within the first five months. The series has sold 33.5 million copies worldwide.

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What American household does not have a copy of The Joy of Cooking in its kitchen? The Joy of Cooking was privately published in 1931 by Irma S. Rombauer, a homemaker in St. Louis, Missouri. Initially, Rombauer had 3,000 copies printed by A.C. Clayton, a company which had printed labels for St. Louis shoe companies and for Listerine, but never a book. In 1936, the book was picked up by a commercial printing house, the Bobbs-Merrill Company. Since then, over 18 million copies have been sold.

_________________________

Rich Dad Poor Dad is a financial advice book written by American businessman, author and investor Robert Kiyosaki. In keeping with Kiyosaki's ideas that ownership of high value assets that produce cash flow is the key to wealth, rather than being an employee, he self-published the book in 1997. In spite of containing "much wrong advice, much bad advice, some dangerous advice, and virtually no good advice" (John T. Reed) Rich Dad Poor Dad has sold over 26 million copies.

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No Thanks is a 1935 collection of poetry by one of America's most famous poets, e.e. cummings. After being rejected by publishers, Cummings self-published the collection with the help of his mother. With typical panache, the poet dedicated the aptly titled No Thanks to the fourteen publishing houses which had turned the collection down. Forsaking printing conventions - as well as those who employ them - No Thanks is bound at the top, like a stenographer's pad, rather than on the left. The volume was later published by W.W. Norton and Company.

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Marcel Proust's epic novel Remembrance of Times Past (A la Recherche du Temps Perdu) has been called "the most respected novel of the twentieth century." Proust began writing what ultimately became seven novels in 1909. As is so often the case with anything unconventional, the work was repeatedly rejected by publishing houses. In one particularly devastating rejection, Alfred Humbolt, head of Ollendorf Publishing Company, wrote: "I may be as thick as two planks but I can’t understand how a gentleman can take thirty pages to describe how he tosses and turns in his bed before going off to sleep." Rather than give up, Proust paid the Grasset Publishing House for the publication of the first volume, Swann's Way. Since its original print run of 1000, millions of copies have been sold. Keeping up with the times (no pun intended), Remembrance of Times Past was turned into a comic book in 1998. Unlike the original novel, the graphic novel had no problem finding a publisher. (NYT)

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One of the most beloved children's books of all time, The Tale of Peter Rabbit, was originally self-published by Beatrix Potter in 1901. After receiving rejection letters from publishers for a story she had made up to entertain a sick boy, Potter, a 35-year-old writer and illustrator, took matters into her own hands and printed 250 copies of the book. Within a year, it was picked up by one of the publishers that had turned it down, F. Warne & Co, which almost immediately sold 20,000 copies. However, Potter's adventure with self-publishing did not stop there. When Warne insisted on cutting parts of the Tailor of Gloucester, Potter turned around and printed 500 copies herself. Over two million Beatrix Potter books are sold each year.

____________________________

Wayne Dyer originally self-published his self-help book, Your Erroneous Zones, with a print run of 4,500 copies. He then spent the next year traveling across the country, publicizing his book on TV shows. (You could still do that in the 1970s.) It eventually became one of the top-selling books of all time, with an estimated 35 million copies sold. The book spent 64 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. 

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What Color Is Your Parachute?, a job-hunting guide by Richard N. Bolles, has been on the New York Times best-seller list periodically for more than a decade. Bolles self-published the book in 1970. Since then the book has seen almost yearly updates with more than 10 million copies sold. (Even I own a copy.)

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The Celestine Prophecy was self-published by James Redfield after being repeatedly rejected by publishers. He sold 100,000 copies of the novel out of the trunk of his Honda before Warner Books agreed to publish it. In spite of drawing fire for its historical absurdities (Mayas in Peru, writing in Aramaic?), the book has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.

___________________________

After 10 years of rejections, Michael J. Sullivan quit writing altogether. Then, one day, he sat down and wrote the Riyria Revelation fantasy series. He still couldn't find a publisher, so Sullivan self-published through Ridan Publishing, a company started by his wife. His sales were so impressive that he re-solicited mainstream publishers, and this time received several offers. The Riyria Revelations has now been translated into fourteen languages. In 2012 io9 named him one of the "Most Successful Self-Published Sci-Fi and Fantasy Authors."

2 Agents from Reputable Agencies Looking for Writers

Updated 4/15/21

Here are two agents from reputable agencies actively building their client lists. Mark Gottlieb (Trident) is looking for Science Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult, Comics, Graphic novels, Historical, History, Horror, Literary, Middle Grade, Mystery, Thrillers and New adult. He is also seeking nonfiction. Soumeya Bendimerad Roberts (HSG) is actively seeking to represent literary fiction, upmarket/book club fiction, and select young-adult and middle grade as well as nonfiction.

As always, check the agency website's submission requirements before querying. Submission requirements often change, and agents can switch agencies or change the genres they represent.

If these agents don't suit your needs, there is a comprehensive list of dozens of agents expanding their client lists here: Agents Seeking Clients.

___________________

Mark Gottlieb of Trident Media Group

Note: In 2018, the Association of Authors' Representatives recommended that Mark Gottlieb be expelled from the AAR due to an ethics violation. 

About Mark: From an early age, Mark showed a passionate interest in his father’s work, his founding of Trident with Dan Strone, and the growth of the company. This focus on publishing continued at Emerson College, where Mark was a founding member of the Publishing Club, subsequently overseeing its first publication under the Wilde Press imprint. After graduating Emerson with a degree in writing, literature and publishing, Mark began his career as an assistant to the Vice President of the Berkley imprint at Penguin, working with leading editors at the firm.

Mark’s first position at Trident was in the foreign rights department, assisting the department’s agents in selling the books of clients around the world. Mark next became audio rights agent. Since Mark has managed the audio rights business, the annual sales volume has doubled. Now while continuing to head up audio rights, Mark is building his own client list of writers. "I am excited to work directly with authors that I bring to Trident, helping to manage and grow their careers with all of the unique resources that are available to me at Trident."

What  he is looking for: In fiction, he is looking for Science Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult, Comics, Graphic novels, Historical, History, Horror, Literary, Middle Grade, Mystery, Thrillers and New adult.

In nonfiction, he is looking for Arts, Cinema, Photography, Biography, Memoir, Self-help, Sports, Travel, World cultures, True crime, Mind/Body/Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Politics, Current affairs, Pop culture, Entertainment, Relationships, Family, Science, Technology.

How to submit: Use the online submission form here. Make sure you direct your inquiry to Mark.

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Soumeya Bendimerad Roberts of Hannigan Salky Getzler Agency

About Soumeya: Soumeya Bendimerad joined HSG after working as an agent with Writers House. Prior to that she was with the Susan Golomb Literary Agency, where she was an agent and the director of foreign rights. She was a literary scout at Sanford Greenburger Associates and an associate editor at MacAdam/Cage Publishing. She is from the San Francisco Bay Area.

What she is looking for: Soumeya represents award-winning and best-selling authors in literary and upmarket fiction, narrative non-fiction, and memoir. She also represents a curated list across creative fields including design, craft, and lifestyle by makers such as Darryl Cheng, Rachel Corry, Luke Pyenson and Alex Bleeker, and Tuft the World. She is seeking new voices in fiction and narrative nonfiction, especially stories about dynamic relationships between complex but sympathetic characters; families, siblings, and motherhood; social commentary; unconventional settings and subcultures; our relationship with land, nature, and animals; and controlled experiments with form. She is particularly, but not exclusively, interested in work that investigates or reflects on the post-colonial world, marginalized and liminal spaces, and narratives by people of color. In non-fiction, she is primarily looking for idea-driven or voice-forward memoirs, personal essay collections, and narrative non-fiction of all stripes. Soumeya is not looking for fantasy, science fiction, religious books, commercial romance, middle grade, young adult, or picture books.

How to submit: Use her submission form HERE.

18 Cookbook (and Nonfiction) Publishers Accepting Unagented Manuscripts

Updated 9/18/24

Who doesn't enjoy devouring a good cookbook? Especially one that flaunts mouth-watering photos, and waxes philosophical about the complex relationship between salt, sugar and leavening, explores the physics of meringue, or - and this is a clincher - chronicles how a disaster becomes the perfect method of baking brownies. (Turn off the oven before they are done, then rebake later!) And, honestly, who isn't stirred by a pie chart!

Here are 18 cookbook publishers welcoming proposals from authors - no agent needed! And, as an added bonus, many of these publishers also accept nonfiction in other categories. (Remember, non-fiction publishers want proposals, not manuscripts.) Make sure to read the full submission guidelines before you submit.

Now go out and get cookin'!

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Acadian House began in 1979 as a regional book publisher specializing primarily in Louisiana-related titles, with particular emphasis on the state’s history, food and culture.

Submissions: Send query letter summarizing the content of your book. The letter should also provide biographical data on you as an author, including educational background, experience in writing, qualifications to write the manuscript you hope to submit, and other information that establishes a connection between you and the subject of the manuscript. A description of the audience for the book is also welcome in this letter. You will be contacted if the editor is interested. Snail mail only. Read full guidelines here.

Storey Books is an imprint of Workman Publishing Company. Founded in 1968, Workman is an independent publisher of adult and juvenile trade books. The mission of Storey Publishing is to serve our customers by publishing practical information that encourages personal independence in harmony with the environment. The books we select to carry out this mission include nonfiction titles for adults and children on gardening, home reference, crafts, cooking, beer & wine, nature, raising animals, horses, building, farming, homesteading, and mind/body/spirit. 

Submissions: Please send a proposal including: a cover letter giving a short description of the project and what materials are included in the package, a proposal, which includes an outline, introduction, art list, and sample text/chapters, sample illustrations or photographs (duplicates, not originals), and a comparison to similar books, author biography and credentials. Read full guidelines here.

Grub Street (UK) publishes cookbooks and books on military aviation history. A number of their cookbooks have won prizes over the years.

 

Submissions: For cookbook submissions please email the following to: food@grubstreet.co.uk

• Contents page
• Up to 10 sample recipes
• Brief Author Biography

Read full guidelines here.

Camino Books specializes in non-fiction books with a focus on the Middle Atlantic states. They currently publish about 6 to 10 books per year, and are always looking for new material and projects.

Submissions: Your proposal should include: a description of the subject of your book, as well as its format and length, an outline of the book or a sample table of contents, a sample chapter or two, your qualifications, the audience you hope to reach, your ideas for publicity and promotion. Read full guidelines here.

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

Submissions: Your proposal should include: a one-page cover letter giving a brief description of the project, why you think Chronicle should publish it, what's included in the package, and your contact information, a market analysis, SASE. Electronic submissions preferred. Read full guidelines here.

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Fair Winds Press publishes instructional books in a range of categories, including lifestyle, cooking, health and body, self-help, spirituality, and history. It is owned by the Quarto Publishing Group.

Submissions: Book queries are usually around five pages and must include: a paragraph introducing yourself, a paragraph offering an overview of the proposed idea/concept, a book outline or table of contents, your ideas for the type of visual materials to accompany the text, and marketability information. Read full guidelines here.

Gibbs Smith is a Utah-based publishing house focusing on social studies textbooks and digital materials for schools, special interest publishing, and cookbooks. They are a mid-sized house, publishing 60 new books a year.

Submissions: Please send a proposal, including: a description of the subject; an analysis of the market and the author’s qualifications for writing the book as well as how the author is going to help sell and promote the book, including on‐line presence and outreach; an outline of contents; and sample writing. If photographs or illustrations are a major component, attach a PDF or jpegs showing samples. Maximum size of attachments is 3 MB. Electronic submissions only. Read full guidelines here.

Victory Belt Publishing was founded in 2006 by New York Times bestselling author Erich Krauss. Their focus is Ketogenic and Paleo diets, as well as health and wellness books. Their titles are distributed by Penguin Random House. 

Submissions: Victory Belt Publishing only accepts book proposals in PDF format. In the proposal, please include a Table of Contents, a sample of the material (10-20 of the most compelling pages, 5-10 recipes, photos/graphs/charts/illustrations, a sample chapter, etc) and the unique selling proposition of your title. In addition, provide a letter that details the concept of your book, the intended size/scope, your target readership, and your personal website/blog and social media channels. Read full guidelines here.

The Harvard Common Press is a publisher of quality trade books specializing in cookbooks and parenting/childcare books. (Now owned by Quarto.)

Submissions: Authors interested in publishing with The Harvard Common Press are encouraged to submit a full proposal, including: a chapter-by-chapter outline of the proposed book, an introduction and a sample chapter (for cookbooks, please include a recipe list), a résumé or brief personal history, any current or planned marketing and sales platforms you may have, an evaluation of competitive titles and how they relate to the proposed book. Read full guidelines here.

Pelican Publishing Company is a medium-sized company with a backlist of over 2,500 titles and thirty new titles produced yearly. As a general trade publisher, Pelican is presently the largest independent trade book publisher in the South.

Submissions: "We look for a concise synopsis/outline and a topic with a clear sales hook and audience. The author should present a strong case as to why we should take on the book and who would buy it." Read full guidelines here.

Sasquatch Books is one of the country’s leading independent publishers, known for its innovative and eclectic list of nonfiction books featuring authors such as Nancy Pearl, Lynda Barry, and Art Wolfe, and top-selling titles in food & wine, travel, and gardening.

Submissions: Send a query letter, proposal, or a complete manuscript, along with information about you as an author, by email. For submission details go here.

Seaside Publishing is an imprint of the University Press of Florida with a regional focus.

Submissions:  To submit a manuscript, please send a one-page letter of inquiry to, submission@upress.ufl.edu, to determine the University Press of Florida's interest in your project. Please include your full postal address.

If the Press would like to pursue your manuscript, you will receive a Manuscript Information Sheet from the acquiring editor you would be working with. When asked, you should fill out the Manuscript Information Sheet and submit it along with your completed manuscript. Please allow 3-4 weeks for review of either proposals or full manuscripts. Read instructions here.

Sourcebooks, Inc. is an independent publisher located in Naperville, Illinois. The company publishes books, ebooks, and digital products in most consumer categories, including college guides, memoir, children's books, young adult, fiction, romance, and reference books. Sourcebooks publishes over 300 titles a year and boasts many bestsellers.

Submissions: Please send a proposal with a brief synopsis in 1-2 paragraphs, author bio or resume specifying credentials and publication credits, if any, a complete table of contents, plus estimated length of manuscript in words and pages, two to three sample chapters (not the first), a description of the target audience, one page/paragraph on your book's unique advantages, a list of competing or comparable titles and how your book differs. Electronic submissions only. Read full guidelines here.

Square One specializes in books on cooking, parenting, business/personal finance, self-help, history, and memoir among others. Square One has been named one of the top ten fastest-growing indie book publishers in North America by Publishers Weekly for six years in a row.

Submissions: When submitting your manuscript proposal, please include the following items: a cover letter explaining the concept of your book, why you wrote it, and its intended audience, a detailed table of contents, a brief overview of the book, biographical information about you and any coauthors or illustrators, a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). Snail mail only. Read full guidelines here.

Nourish is an imprint of Watkins Publishing (UK). They are looking for titles that have a clearly identifiable, international market, as well as having an original and crystal clear concept. Their titles are distributed through Random House. Their website includes recipes! Submissions: Book queries are usually around 10 pages, and must contain the following information: A short author biography. This will include: Your credentials for writing a book on this particular topic; Details of any published or self-published books you have authored; Your proposal (1–2 pages max). This will outline: Your subject matter; Your audience; The main competition for the book; The individual qualities of the book that will make it stand out in the market; A sample chapter or excerpt (10 pages max). If possible, please include a table of contents within your sample chapter. Read full guidelines here.

Surrey Books is focused on food, nutrition, and entertaining. It was acquired by Agate in 2006. In addition to conventional cookbooks, Surrey also publishes specialized cookbooks focusing on gluten-free, vegan, and diabetes cooking.

Submissions: Agate is considering submissions in the general areas of food, cooking, and nutrition-related nonfiction, for its Surrey imprint. Email query. (Do not send full proposal.) Scroll down for instructions here.

Tuttle specializes in Asian cultures. They currently have a backlist of over 6,000 titles and publish 150 new titles per year. Tuttle is a part of the Periplus publishing family.

Submissions: Unlike most large publishing houses, Tuttle offers a hands-on approach, working closely with individual authors. Please submit a complete proposal by email or snail mail. Electronic submissions are preferred. Please note that Tuttle publishes Asian cuisine cookbooks. Read full guidelines here.

Page Street Publishing is an editorially-driven, diverse and independent publishing operation, complemented by distribution through Macmillan, a Big Five publisher with a strong corporate sales force. They have sales channels open to all the major book outlets, as well as mass merchandisers like Target, and special sales accounts such as West Elm, Crate & Barrel, and occasionally QVC, Nordstrom, Williams-Sonoma, Whole Foods, Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie.

Submissions: They are seeking vegan, paleo, gluten free, baking, and general cooking. Submission guidelines are here.