54 Canadian publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts in September 2024
Now that you’ve written your novel, it’s time to pitch it to a local Canadian publisher! All of the publishers listed here are currently accepting manuscripts without a literary agent. I update this list at the start of every month so be sure to check back if you don’t find a publisher that suits your needs.
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. Bayeux Arts
Bayeux Arts entered the publishing world in 1994. They are committed to producing books of beauty that build bridges across cultures.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
2. Invisible
Invisible Publishing is a small "scrappy" producer of contemporary fiction, poetry and non-fiction with a focu on Canadian authors.
Genre: Literary fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
3. Arbeiter Ring Publishing
Arbeiter Ring Publishing Is a left-wing progressive publisher whose mission is to amplify writing from the left.
Genre: Literary fiction, poetry and non-fiction from Canadian authors.
Word count: Not stated.
4. Orbis Tertius Press
Orbis Tertius Press was founded in 2020 and is an independent Canadian publisher committed to publishing works that explore multiple perspectives.
Genre: Literary fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
5. Tradewind Books
Tradewind Books has been publishing books for children for over 20 years.
Genre: YA novels by Canadian authors.
Word count: Not stated.
6. Annick Press
Annick Press is a proudly independent children's publisher in Toronto, Canada.
Genre: Middle and YA fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
Word count: Not stated.
7. Tidewater Press
Tidewater Press publishes fiction and non-fiction that explores the individual and collective Canadian identity.
Genre: Literary fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
8. Theytus Books
Theytus Books publishes books by First Nations, Métis and Inuit authors.
Genre: Literary fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
9. Pulp Literature
Pulp Literature's motto is 'good books for the price of a beer'. They publish magazines of short stories and novels.
Genre: Most genres of fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
10. Nightwood Editions
Nightwood Editions' goal is to help readers explore high-quality work by emerging Canadian writers.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
11. Boulder Books
Boulder Books is an innovative Atlantic Canadian book publishing company, dedicated to high quality works that explore unrepresented parts of Canadian culture.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
12. New Star Books
New Star Books started in 1969 as a group of writers and editors publishing literary supplements. Today, they publish six to ten new titles a year.
Genre: Literary fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
13. Arsenal Pulp Press
Arsenal Pulp Press is a small publisher based in Vancouver.
Genre: Literary fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
14. Touchwood Editions
Touchwood Editions is a small team of creatives who opened doors back in 1984.
Genre: Literary fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
15. Extasy Books
Extasy Books is one of the oldest royalty paying digital publishers who offer a diverse catalogue and are interested in working with authors from all works of life.
Genre: All genres of romance.
Word count: 15,000 words and over.
16. Ekstasis Editions
Ekstasis Editions is a long-standing Canadian literary press who originally published poetry but has now branched out into fiction and criticism.
Genre: Literary fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
17. Castles in the Air Press
Castles in the Air Press is a boutique publisher focusing on e-books.
Genre: Adult and YA fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
18. Radiant Press
Radiant Press is committed to publishing exceptional books from authors in their home province of Saskatchewan and wider Canada.
Genre: Fiction and creative non-fiction written by Canadian authors.
Word count: Not stated.
19. Caitlin Press
Caitlin Press publishes work by Canadian authors, particularly those based in British Columbia.
Genre: Fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
Word count: Not stated.
20. Tundra Book Group
Tundra Book Group is Canada's oldest English children's book publisher. Please note They are currently only accepting manuscripts from underrepresented communities.
Genre: Middle grade and YA fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
21. Mawenzi House
Mawenzi House is dedicated to bringing readers fresh writing from Canada and across the world that reflects diversity, particular relating to Asia and Africa.
Genre: Fiction, poetry and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
22. Breakwater Books
Breakwater Books was established in 1973 to highlight the vibrant literary culture in Newfoundland and Labrador. Today, they welcome books from authors across Canada and overseas.
Genre: Literary fiction, commercial fiction, and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
23. Flanker Press
Flanker Press publishes general trade books with strong Newfoundland and Labrador content.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction with strong Newfoundland and Labrador content.
Word count: Not stated.
24. Kids Can Press
Kids Can Press is a Canadian-owned children's book publisher established in 1973.
Genre: Middle grade fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
25. Roseway (Fernwood Publishing)
Roseway publishes literary works relating to social injustices and struggles for democracy, liberation and sovereignty.
Genre: Fiction and creative non-fiction focusing on social injustices and liberation.
Word count: Not stated.
26. Moose House Publications
Moose House Publications was founded by author Brenda Thompson to publish material written in or about Nova Scotia.
Genre: Books about, or written in, rural Nova Scotia.
Word count: 50,000 words and above.
27. The Porcupine's Quill
The Porcupine's Quill is an artisanal publisher that values the art and craft of the book.
Genre: Literary fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction.
Word count: Novel length works only.
28. Coach House Books
Coach House Books publishes innovative fiction ad non-fiction.
Genre: Literary fiction, non-fiction and poetry.
Word count: Not stated.
29. Plumleaf Press
Plumleaf Press was created in 2015 as a passion project to create "books to linger over".
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction. They are particularly looking for books aimed at women and children.
Word count: Not stated.
30. Kegedonce Press
Kegedonce Press is an Indigenous publishing company from Neyaashiinigmiing and Owen Sound, Ontario.
Genre: Fiction and creative non-fiction from Indigenous authors in Canada.
Word count: Not stated.
31. Harlequin
Harlequin is a well-known romance publisher publishes over 60 novels every month.
Genre: Romance, romance and more romance!
Word count: Not stated.
32. Goose Lane
Goose Lane is based in New Brunswick and provides book lovers with a variety of great reads that inspire and spur conversations.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction from Canadian authors.
Word count: Not stated.
33. Freehand Books
Freehand Books publishes innovative works by Canadian authors.
Genre: Literary novels and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
34. EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing
EDGE publishes thought-provoking and well written science fiction and fantasy literature.
Genre: Adult science fiction and fantasy.
Word count: 75,000 to 100,000 words.
35. Comorant Books
Comorant Books is an independent publisher who has been around for over 20 years and publishes books by authors from across Canada.
Genre: Adult fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
36. Acorn Press
Acorn Press is proud to publish books about Price Edward Island, by Price Edward Islanders.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction written by Price Edward Islanders.
Word count: Not stated.
37. 8th House Publishing
8th House Publishing loves books that are modern, enduring, insightful and inventive.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
38. Common Deer Press
Common Deer Press publishes uncommon and well-written books for children and teenagers.
Genre: Middle grade and YA fiction that engages, entertains and inspires.
Word count: Not stated.
39. Second Story Press
Second Story Press is a feminist publisher who focuses on publishing Canadian authors.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction looking at the lives of girls and women, social justice and children's empowerments from Canadian authors.
Word count: Not stated.
40. Baraka Books
Baraka Books is an English-language publisher based in Quebec.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
41. Linda Leith Publishing
Linda Leith Publishing is based in Montreal and specialises in literary fiction and non-fiction.
Genre: Literary fiction and non-fiction from Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Word count: Not stated.
42. Eschia Books
Eschia Books publishes books that safeguard the history, aspirations and accomplishments of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction focusing on First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.
Word count: Not stated.
43. Turnstone Press
Turnstone Press is a literary publisher who publishes Canadian authors and landed immigrants.
Genre: Literary fiction and non-fiction. They publish a variety of literary mysteries, thrillers and speculative fiction under their Ravenstone imprint.
Word count: Not stated.
44. Biblioasis
Biblioasis is a literary publisher based in Windsor, Ontario.
Genre: Literary fiction, including short story collections, and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
45. Starlit Publishing
Starlit Publishing is an indie publisher which focuses on publishing science fiction and fantasy.
Genre: Progression fantasy or xianxia genres from Asian writers.
Word count: Not stated.
46. Gordon Hill Press
Gordon Hill Press is a publisher of innovative fiction and non-fiction.
Genre: Literary fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction.
Word count: Novel-length works.
47. Red Deer Press
Red Deer Press publishes upscale children's books, YA and adult fiction.
Genre: Middle grade and YA fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
48. Guernica Editions
Guernica Editions houses a variety of imprints focused on books written by Canadian and non-Canadian authors.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
49. NeWest Press
NeWest publishes literary works by established and emerging Canadian authors.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
50. ECW Press
ECW Press has published close to 1,000 books, including non-fiction, poetry and fiction.
Genre: Fiction, poetry and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
51. Dundurn Press
Dundurn Press is an independent Canadian-owned publisher of contemporary fiction and non-fiction.
Genre: Literary fiction and literary non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
52. DCB
DCB is an imprint of Comorant Books which publishes fiction and non-fiction for middle grade and young adult readers.
Genre: Middle grade and YA fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
53. The Brucedale Press
The Brucedale Press is the publishing division of Broad Horizons Books and was established in 1976.
Genre: Literary and historical works by Canadian authors with a focus on the Queen's Bush and Bruce Peninsula area of Ontario, Canada.
Word count: Not stated.
54. Wicked Ink Publishing
Wicked Ink is an independent publishing house that believes in the transformative power of words.
Genre: 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. Otherwise, take a look at my genre-specific list of publishers for romance, fantasy and science fiction.