6 romance publishers accepting manuscript submissions in September 2024 (Australia)
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 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 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.
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 romance submissions.
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 who have a passion for writing and who plan on writing more than one book.
Genre: Romance.
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. Hot Tree Publishing
Hot Tree Publishing opened its doors in 2025 and focuses on a wide range of romance sub-genres. Please note their website is currently under maintenance so may be hard to navigate.
Who: Anyone.
Genre: M/F, M/M and F/F romance in a range of subgenres.
Word count: 50,000 words and above. Serials of 30,000-50,000 words will be considered if the serial is already completed.
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.
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.
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 or my free writing advice.