33 dark fantasy publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts in November 2024
Congratulations on finishing your dark fantasy novel! Now it’s time to pitch it to a publisher. All of the publishers listed here are currently on the look out for manuscript submissions from authors without a literary agent. I’ve done my best to weed out any dodgy and vanity publishers from this list.
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.
Interlude Press
Interlude Press is a boutique publisher of award-winning LGBTQ+ fiction.
Genre: Well-crafted original novels featuring diverse casts with lead characters from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
Word count: 60,000 to 90,000 words.Hague Publishing
Hague Publishing is an independent Australian publisher of science fiction and fantasy. They publish work by Australian and New Zealand authors.
Genre: Science fiction and fantasy.
Word count: Not stated.Quill & Crow
Quill & Crow love all things odd and the macabre. They aim to work with authors to create something special.
Genre: Dark fiction, such as horror, historical and speculative.
Word count: 45,000 to 110,000 words.New Dawn Publishing
New Dawn Publishing is an independent publisher of speculative fiction based in Perth, Western Australia.
Genre: Speculative fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Pegasus Publishers
Pegasus Publishers have been publishing high-quality Christian books for over 25 years, offering traditional and hybrid contracts.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Evernight Publishing
Evernight is a popular indie publisher that prefers to publish popular tropes.
Genre: Romance in a variety of sub-genres.
Word count: 16,000 to 100,000 words.Partridge Island Publishing
Partridge Island Publishing is a small press located in New Brunswick.
Genre: Literary and commercial fiction.
Word count: Full-length novels and novellas.Torrey House Press
Torrey House Press publishes books focusing on environmental advocacy.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Launch Point Press
Launch Point Press is dedicated to publishing high-quality fiction books that center on the experiences of lesbian characters.
Genre: Fiction manuscripts where the main characters are lesbians.
Word count: 65,000 to 100,000 words.Storm Publishing
Storm Publishing believes in the power of storytelling to transport readers to other worlds.
Genre: Fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Decadent Publishing
Decadent Publishing is a romance fiction publisher. They are always looking for submissions for their main line as well as ongoing series and special calls.
Genre: Romance in a variety of sub-genres.
Word count: 15,000 words and over.Dark Peninsula Press
Dark Peninsula Press is an independent publisher of speculative fiction.
Genre: Speculative fiction, especially horror.
Word count: Varies by submission call.Penguin Random House New Zealand
Penguin Random House New Zealand celebrates writers, stories and ideas that entertain and inspire.
Genre: Adult fiction and nonfiction. Children's submissions are closed until 2025.
Word count: Around 80,000 words (guideline).Brain Jar Press
Brain Jar Press is a Brisbane-based publisher specialising in shorter works of fantasy and science fiction. Please note some of their submission calls are limited to Australian and New Zealand writers.
Genre: Fantasy, science fiction, horror, crime and thriller fiction.
Word count: 4,000-60,000 words (chapbooks, novellas and short stories)ECW Press
ECW Press has published close to 1,000 books, including nonfiction, poetry and fiction.
Genre: Fiction, poetry and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Sunbury Press
Sunbury Press is a rapidly growing publisher with six imprints.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Romance.ink
Romance.ink has been in business since 1991 and is the oldest web-based romance publisher.
Genre: Romance in a variety of sub-genres. They have an extensive list of things they are looking for and not looking for on their website.
Word count: Not stated.Siren-BookStrand
Siren-BookStrand is an ebook publisher with over 8,000 romance novels under their belt and over 700 authors writing for them.
Genre: Romance in a variety of sub-genres with ménage, M/M, and M/F (only if it includes BDSM) pairings.
Word count: 20,000 words and over.Ink Smith
Ink Smith is a small independent publishing house who streamline their genres to best serve their authors and readers.
Genre: Adult and YA science fiction and fantasy in a variety of sub-genres.
Word count: Not stated.Renaissance Press
Renaissance is a Canadian publisher who is dedicated to publishing novels from diverse Canadian voices.
Genre: Fiction, narrative nonfiction and memoirs.
Word count: Not stated.Kensington Publishing Corp.
Kensington Publishing Corp. is an independent publisher based in New York City, releasing over 300 titles per year in a range of popular genres.
Genre: Each editor has their preferences across various genres of fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Dancing Star Press
Dancing Star Press is a Michigan-based indie publisher specializing in speculative fiction.
Genre: Space opera, solar punk, dark fantasy, urban fantasy, fantasy based on non-Western cultures, optimistic futurism, poplar tesla, soft science fiction, and hard science fiction.
Word count: Novellas between 17,500 and 40,000 words.Ringwood Publishing
Ringwood Publishing is an independent Scottish publisher based in Glasgow.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction from Scottish authors or residents.
Word count: 50,000 words and above.Dreamspinner Publications
Dreamspinner Press focuses on gay male romance stories.
Genre: Romance in a variety of sub-genres. The main characters must end in a gay or all-male polyamorous relationship.
Word count: 18,000 words and over.Penguin Random House Australia
Penguin Random House Australia comprises an adult and children’s publishing division. They accept manuscripts from Australian and New Zealand residents or citizens.
Genre: Fiction.
Word count: Not stated.WildBlue Press
Wildblue Press was founded by two college friends who recognized that the publishing world was changing. They strive to create a unique and engaging process for authors.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Burial Books
Burial Books is primarily a horror and dark fantasy publisher.
Genre: Horror and dark fantasy.
Word count: 25,000 to 50,000 words.The Mad Duck Coalition
The Mad Duck Coalition ahs simple quackteria (yes, they do use that pun on their website): they want to see academic, radical or revolutionary writing!
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction, especially literary, genre, speculative and original.
Word count: Not stated.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.Severn House
Severn Press prides themselves in being the home of the very best genre fiction. Please note Severen House does not publish debut authors.
Genre: Fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Penmore Press
Penmore Press is an Arizona-based independent publisher.
Genre: Adult fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: 75,000 to 150,000 words.Dark Dragon Publishing
Dark Dragon Publishing is a small indie press located in Canada. They specialize in science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
Genre: Dark fantasy, paranormal, historical, science fiction, and horror.
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, pre-querying package or my free writing advice. Otherwise, check out my fantasy publishers list or my Australian romance publishers list.