24 UK publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts in September 2024
Now that you’ve written your novel, it’s time to pitch it to a 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. Bloodhound Books
Bloodhound Books is a leading publisher of commercial fiction. They take pride in working closely with their authors to create international bestselling books.
Genre: Crime & thriller, literary, romance and historical.
Word count: Over 60,000 words.
2. Linen Press
Linen Press is an independent publisher run by women, for women.
Genre: Literary fiction, top end contemporary fiction, memoir and biography.
Word count: Not stated.
3. Honno
Honno publishes stories by Welsh women writers. In order words, you must be a woman who was born in Wales or is residing in Wales.
Genre: All types of fiction that feature strong women and griping plots.
Word count: Not stated.
4. Legend Press
Legend Press is a London-based publisher who aims to produce books of the highest quality on a global platform.
Genre: Original fiction, crime thrillers and historical.
Word count: Not stated.
5. Fahrenheit Press
Fahrenheit Press is a London-based publisher who specialises in crime fiction.
Genre: Crime and thrillers.
Word count: Not stated.
6. Collective Ink
Collective Ink is a forward-looking publisher that welcomes unsolicited manuscripts.
Genre: Fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
7. Bookouture
Bookouture is a division of Hachette UK that publishes digital commercial fiction.
Genre: Commercial fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
8. Tiny Fox Press
Tiny Fox Press is in search of engaging stories needing a great home. They also boast a bearded dragon on their staff who leads a double life as a very tiny fox.
Genre: Fantasy, SciFi and YA.
Word count: Not stated.
9. Seren Books
Seren Books is a leading English language publisher in Wales. They publish books of international significance and enrich Wales' cultural identity.
Genre: Poetry collections. Currently, fiction submissions are closed.
Word count: Not stated.
10. Lantana
Lantana believes that all children deserve to see themselves in books they read.
Genre: Over 4,000 words.
Word count: Middle grade fiction.
11. Ayebia
Ayebia is a African and Caribbean publishing specialist.
Genre: Fiction and non-fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
12. Woodfield Publishing Ltd
Woodfield Publishing Ltd is an independent publishing company based in Southern England.
Genre: Military and historical fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
13. époque press
époque press is a Brighton-based independent publisher with connections to Dublin and New York.
Genre: Adult literary fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
14. Birlinn
Birlinn is an independent publishing house based in Edinburgh, Scotland. While they do accept direct submissions, they encourage you to seek a literary agent.
Genre: Literary and commercial fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
15. Peepal Tree Press
Peepal Tree Press aims to publish the best of international writing from the Caribbean, its diasporas and the UK.
Genre: Caribbean and Black British fiction, poetry and non-fiction.
Word count: Over 40,000 words.
16. Joffe Books
Joffe Books is one of the UK’s leading independent publishers of commercial fiction, especially crime and mystery.
Genre: While their favourite genres are crime and mystery they also accept women's fiction, fantasy, historical and romance.
Word count: Over 60,000 words.
17. HarperNorth
HarperNorth is a Manchester-based publisher who wants to connect northern writers to readers.
Genre: Adult fiction and non-fiction. They are not accepting fantasy right now.
Word count: Over 80,000 words.
18. HQ Creative Inclusion Lab
HQ Creative Inclusion Lab is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers led by June Sarpong. They accept submissions from underrepresented groups in the UK, including ethnic minority backgrounds, those who identify as working class and authors with disabilities.
Genre: Crime and thriller, psychological suspense, romance, historical, contemporary and family drama.
Word count: Not stated.
19. Mills & Boon
Mills & Boon is the number one publisher of romantic fiction in the UK. Every 10 seconds a new Mills & Boon book is sold within the UK.
Genre: Romance!
Word count: Varies by genre but most hover around 50,000 words.
20. 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.
Genre: Science fiction, fantasy and horror.
Word count: Not stated.
21. Canelo
Canelo was founded in 2015. They find the best commercial storytelling and brings it to the widest possible audience.
Genre: Various genres including saga, action, adventure, romance commercial women's fiction, crime and psychological thrillers.
Word count: Over 80,000 words.
22. Hera
Hera was launched in 2018 and their mission is "unashamedly commercial, always inclusive".
Genre: Crime and thriller, romance, saga and general fiction.
Word count: Over 80,000 words.
23. Northodox Press
Northodox Press publishes fiction from authors born in or currently living in Northern England.
Genre: Fiction.
Word count: Not stated.
24. Flame Tree Press
Flame Tree Press launched in 2018 and is the trade fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing.
Genre: Fantasy, science fiction, horror and supernatural.
Word count: 70,000 to 120,000 words.
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.