8 Australian romance publishers accepting manuscript submissions in January 2025

My worldwide list of romance publishers currently accepting unsolicited manuscripts can be found here.

Do you have a romance manuscript ready to go? Perhaps one of these Australian publishers who are currently accepting submissions will be the perfect match for your swoon-worthy novel. 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.

Don’t forget to check out my developmental editing services or pre-querying package 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. Pan Macmillan Australia

   Pan Macmillan Australia is committed to investing in Australian authors and publishes a variety of bestselling books.
   Genre: Fiction.
   Word count: Not stated.

2. Text Publishing

   Text Publishing is an independent Melbourne-based publisher of fiction and nonfiction. They accept submissions from citizens or residents of Australia and New Zealand.
   Genre: General fiction and nonfiction.
   Word count: 40,000-120,000 words.

3. Affirm Press

   Affirm Press is an independent Melbourne-based publisher dedicated to publishing Australian stories and ideas.
   Genre: All genres of fiction.
   Word count: Not stated.

4. Ventura Press

   Ventura Press is a Sydney-based independent publisher established in 2002.
   Genre: Fiction.
   Word count: 40,000-120,000 words.

5. JOAN Press

   JOAN Press is a new imprint from Allen & Unwin that publishes work pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and creating space for marginalized voices. JOAN seeks stories that find joy in resistance and humor in adversity.
   Genre: General adult fiction and nonfiction.
   Word count: Not stated.

6. Allen & Unwin

   Allen & Unwin are an Australian-owned and operated publisher. They were named 2023 Publisher of the Year and have won the title twelve times since 2000! They accept submissions every Friday during their The Friday Pitch sessions.
   Genre: Fiction. They are not currently interested in adult high fantasy, science fiction, or short stories.
   Word count: Full length works.

7. HQ

   HQ, a boutique division under HarperCollins, publishes a broad range of fiction.
   Genre: Adult fiction.
   Word count: At least 70,000 words.

8. Hot Tree Publishing

   Hot Tree Publishing, founded in 2015, focuses on a wide range of romance subgenres.
   Genre: M/F, M/M, and F/F romance across various subgenres.
   Word count: 50,000 words and above. Serials of 30,000-50,000 words are considered if completed.

Best of luck with your manuscript submissions! If you want to ensure your manuscript is in the best position to be accepted by a publisher check out my developmental editing services, pre-querying package or my free writing advice.