25 fantasy publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts in September 2024
You’ve written your fantasy novel and now it’s time to pitch it to a publisher! All of the publishers listed here are currently accepting manuscripts without a literary agent.
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. Dark Dragon Publishing
Dark Dragon Publishing is a small indie press located in Canada. They specialise in science fiction, fantasy and horror.
Genre: Dark fantasy, paranormal, historical, science fiction, and horror.
Word count: Not stated.
2. Literary Wanderlust
Literary Wanderlust are an independent traditional publisher who take pride in supporting their authors with quality editing and commercial covers.
Genre: YA and adult fantasy, paranormal fantasy and urban fantasy.
Word count: 60,000 to 100,000 words.
3. Blind Eye Books
Blind Eye Books publishes science fiction novels featuring LGBTQ protagonists.
Genre: Science fiction, fantasy, mystery and romance with LGBTQ protagonists.
Word count: 70,000 to 150,000 words..
4. Baen
Baen is an American publishing house specialising in science fiction and fantasy.
Genre: Science fiction and fantasy.
Word count: 100,000 to 130,000 words.
5. Black Rose Writing
Black Rose Writing is an indie publishing house that believes in developing a strong relationship with their authors. They are based in Texas.
Genre: Fantasy, paranormal and science fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
6. Future House Publishing
Future House Publishing focuses on publishing novels that embrace their core values of community, liberty and family. They strictly focus on "clean" and "family friendly" content. No smoochy smoochy fantasy novels for Future House Publishing!
Genre: Adult science fiction and fantasy.
Word count: 70,000 to 90,000 words.
7. Ink Smith
Ink Smith is a small independent publishing house who streamline their genres to best service their authors and their readers.
Genre: Adult and YA science fiction and fantasy in a variety of sub genres.
Word count: Not stated.
8. Flame Tree Fiction
Flame Tree Fiction is the author-led imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. They focus on speculative fiction.
Genre: Science fiction, fantasy, horror, suspense and supernatural.
Word count: 70,000 to 120,000 words.
9. Collective Ink (Cosmic Egg Books)
Cosmic Egg Books is the speculative imprint of Collective Ink. They look for books that will inspire, inform and illuminate their readers.
Genre: Science fiction, fantasy, horror and paranormal.
Word count: Not stated.
10. EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing
EDGE publishes thought-provoking and well written science fiction and fantasy literature.
Genre: Adult science fiction and fantasy. They are not interested in erotica, religious fiction, short stories, dark fantasy or poetry but they occasionally publish YA.
Word count: 75,000 to 100,000 words.
11. Arcadia
Arcadia is Quercus' imprint for science fiction, fantasy and horror. Arcadia started as Jo Fletcher Books in 2011 and was relaunched in 2023 as Arcadia, which combines the spirit of Jo Fletcher and another publishing house.
Genre: Science fiction, fantasy and horror.
Word count: Not stated.
12. Severed Press
Severed Press is an independent publisher of horror and science fiction. They are proud of the diversity of their authors.
Genre: LitRPG, apocalyptic, killer sea creatures and dinosaurs.
Word count: Minimum of 30,000 words.
13. Entangled Publishing
Entangled Publishing is an independent, women-owned publisher of romantic fiction. They have a variety of imprints focusing on specific genres under the romance banner, and release over 30 novels ever month. Their novels are distributed by Macmillan.
Genre: Single-title romantic fantasy, science fiction and paranormal. Connected books with series potential are welcome.
Word count: 70,000 to 120,000 words.
14. Bold Strokes Books
Bold Strokes Books is an LGBTQ+ publisher that strives to ensure their authors represent the cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints of our world.
Genre: Speculative fiction focusing on LGBTQ+ characters.
Word count: 75,000 to 100,000 words.
15. CamCat Books
CamCat Books is a publisher who wants to involve their authors in every step of the publishing process.
Genre: Fantasy and science fiction.
Word count: 80,000 to 125,000 words.
16. City Owl Press
City Owl Press is an indie publisher specialising in speculative fiction and romance.
Genre: Fantasy romance, paranormal romance, dark fantasy and urban fantasy.
Word count: 50,000 words and above.
17. Dancing Star Press
Dancing Star Press is a Michigan-based indie publisher specialising 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.
18. Reliquary Press
Reliquary Press is a publishing company by writers, for writers.
Genre: Fantasy, science fiction and horror. No vampires unless it's "extremely unique".
Word count: At least 60,000 words but 80,000 words and above are preferred.
19. Kensington Publishing Corp.
Kensington Publishing Corp. is an independent publisher based in New York City. They release over 300 titles per year in a range of popular genres.
Genre: Each editor has their preferences. Currently editors are accepting speculative fiction featuring compelling and clever protagonists and general fiction with a speculative or magical realism tilt.
Word count: Not stated.
20. Solaris Nova
Solaris Nova is a new imprint of the genre publisher Solaris.
Genre: Science fiction, fantasy or horror.
Word count: 70,000 to 150,000 words.
21. Creature Horror
Creature Horror is a Virginia-based publisher focusing on genres like feminist horror, dark speculative fiction and fantastical fiction.
Genre: Feminist horror, dark speculative fiction, women-driven thrillers, spooky fantastical fiction, literary fiction or genre-defying prose.
Word count: 20,000 to 90,000 words.
22. Blueberry Lane Books
Blueberry Lane Books are a novel and anthology publisher.
Genre: Novels that tend toward science fiction and fantasy, women's fiction and off-beat mysteries.
Word count: Not stated.
23. Aethon Books
Aethon Books is a publisher who exists for readers. They are passionate about publishing the next generation of fantasy and science fiction novels.
Genre: Fantasy and science fiction.
Word count: Novel length work.
24. Tell-tale Publishing
Tell-tale Publishing's fantasy imprint is Stargazer.
Genre: Urban and steampunk fantasy.
Word count: 65,000 to 110,000 words.
25. Brain Jar Press
Brain Jar Press is an Australian-based publisher specialising in shorter works of fantasy and science fiction.
Genre: Fantasy, science fiction, horror, crime and thriller fiction.
Word count: 4,000-60,000 words (chapbooks, novellas and short stories).
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, check out my science fiction publishers list or country-specific list of fantasy publishers in Australia and New Zealand.