9 fantasy publishers accepting manuscript submissions in September (Australia)
My worldwide list of fantasy publishers can be found here, while my science fiction publishers list is located here.
An all too common experience for Australian fantasy writers is looking for a publisher, only to see the "we are not currently accepting fantasy novels" in the fine print. Thankfully, many publishers do accept fantasy submissions, so if you have a fantasy manuscript ready to go, then this list is for you!
While all the publishers listed below are Australian, many will accept manuscripts from overseas writers and all but one accepts submissions from our writer friends over in New Zealand. I also update this list every month so please subscribe to my newsletter if you'd like to be notified of the latest Australian publishers accepting fantasy submissions.
Don’t forget to check out my developmental editing services if you want to make sure your novel is in top shape before you sent it to a publisher for consideration. I offer a variety of services to suit all budgets, from writers looking for the standard developmental editing experience to those seeking high-level feedback and a quick turnaround time.
1. Pantera Press
Pantera Press is passionate about great storytelling and publishing books by Australian authors who write for popular audiences.
Who: Australian and New Zealand authors.
Genre: Standalone fantasy manuscripts. Pantera Press does not accept fantasy series or science fiction.
Word count: Word count will vary between genres, but usually 70,000-90,000 words.
2. JOAN Press
JOAN Press is a new publishing imprint from Allen & Urwin that publishes work that pushes boundaries, challenges norms and creates spaces for voices that for too long have been pushed to the margins. JOAN is seeking stories that find joy in resistance and laughs in the face of oppression and despair.
Who: Anyone.
Genre: General adult fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
3. Affirm Press
Affirm Press is an independent Melbourne-based publisher dedicated to publishing Australian stories and ideas.
Who: Australian authors or authors based in Australia.
Genre: All genres of fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
4. Aurealis
Aurealis is Australia's most successful science fiction and fantasy magazine.
Who: Australian and New Zealand writers.
Genre: Fantasy, science fiction or horror short stories.
Word count: 2,000-8,000 words.
5. Pan Macmillan Australia
Pan Macmillan Australia is committed to investing in Australian authors and publishes a variety of bestselling books.
Who: Anyone.
Genre: Any genre of fiction. While they don’t list fantasy as a genre they're particularly interested in at this time, they still accept fantasy and science submissions.
Word count: Not stated.
Best of luck with your manuscript submissions! If you want to ensure your manuscript is in the best position to be accepted, check out my developmental editing services or my free writing advice.
6. Penguin Random House Australia
Penguin Random House Australia comprises an adult and children’s publishing division. The guidelines below are for the adult division.
Who: Australian and New Zealand residents.
Genre: Any genre of fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
7. HQ
HQ is a boutique publishing division under HarperCollins and publishes a wide range of fiction.
Who: Anyone.
Genre: Adult fiction.
Word count: At least 70,000 words.
8. Text Publishing
Text Publishing is an independent Melbourne-based publisher of fiction and non-fiction.
Who: Citizens or residents of Australia and New Zealand.
Genre: General fiction.
Word count: 40,000-120,000 words.
9. New Dawn Publishing
New Dawn Publishing is an independent publisher of speculative fiction based in Perth, Western Australia.
Who: Anyone
Genre: Speculative fiction
Word count: Not stated
Best of luck with your manuscript submissions! If you want to ensure your manuscript is in the best position to be accepted, check out my developmental editing services or my free writing advice.