42 UK publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts in January 2025
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 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.
Akan Books
Akan Books is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers led by June Sarpong, accepting submissions from underrepresented groups in the UK.
Genre: Literary and genre fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Roundfire Books (Collective Ink)
Roundfire Books is the general fiction imprint of Collective Ink.
Genre: General fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Rymour Books
Rymour Books is passionate about promoting Scottish Literature, history and culture.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Acair
Acair was founded in 1977 and is a registered Scottish charity that publishes Scottish Gaelic children's books and a range of titles in Scottish Gaelic and English.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction. Many of their titles relate to Scotland, history, nature and social issues.
Word count: Not stated.Wrecking Ball Press
Wrecking Ball Press is a UK-based publisher strives to publish literature that lasts.
Genre: Anything from a poem to a novel.
Word count: Not stated.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 nonfiction.
Word count: Over 40,000 words.Ayebia
Ayebia is an African and Caribbean publishing specialist.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Haus Publishing
Haus Publishing was founded in 2003 and is an independent publisher of politics, history, biography, memoir and travel writing.
Genre: Nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Tartarus Press
Tartarus Press publishes books within the strange/supernatural tradition.
Genre: Fiction.
Word count: 70,000 to 90,000 words.HarperNorth
HarperNorth is a Manchester-based publisher connecting northern writers to readers.
Genre: Adult fiction and nonfiction. They are not accepting fantasy currently.
Word count: Over 80,000 words.Birlinn
Birlinn is an independent publishing house based in Edinburgh, Scotland. They accept direct submissions but encourage seeking a literary agent.
Genre: Literary and commercial fiction.
Word count: Not stated.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.Amber Books
Amber Books is an independent illustrated nonfiction publisher based in London.
Genre: Nonfiction, including history, military and general reference.
Word count: Not stated.Honno
Honno is an independent co-operative press committed to bringing the world the best in Welsh women's writing.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction by women of Wales.
Word count: Not stated.Arcadia
Arcadia is Quercus' imprint for science fiction, fantasy and horror. It started as Jo Fletcher Books in 2011 and was relaunched in 2023.
Genre: Science fiction, fantasy and horror.
Word count: Not stated.BookLife Publishing
BookLife Publishing is a UK-based educational children’s book publisher wish over 3,000 titles published over the past decade.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction for children.
Word count: Not stated.Bookouture
Bookouture is a division of Hachette UK that publishes digital commercial fiction.
Genre: Commercial fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Candy Jar Books
Candy Jar Books is a small Cardiff-based publisher working to expand their business.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Canelo
Canelo was founded in 2015 to bring the best commercial storytelling to a wide audience.
Genre: Various, including saga, action, adventure, romance, commercial women's fiction, crime, and psychological thrillers.
Word count: Over 80,000 words.Carnegie Publishing
Carnegie Publishing began in 1984 and publishes town, city and county histories.
Genre: Nonfiction that is historical in subject matter.
Word count: Not stated.Cosmic Egg Books (Collective Ink)
Cosmic Egg Books is the speculative imprint of Collective Ink, seeking books that will inspire, inform and illuminate readers.
Genre: Science fiction, fantasy, horror and paranormal.
Word count: Not stated.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.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 fiction.
Word count: Over 60,000 words.Fahrenheit Press
Fahrenheit Press is a London-based publisher who specializes in crime fiction.
Genre: Crime and thrillers.
Word count: Not stated.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.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.Linen Press
Linen Press aims to fill the niche left by big publishes. They are looking beautifully written manuscripts which are relevant to women's lives.
Genre: Literary fiction, top end contemporary fiction, memoir, biography, short stories and poetry.
Word count: Not stated.Hera
Hera was launched in 2018 with the mission to be "unashamedly commercial, always inclusive".
Genre: Crime and thriller, romance, saga, and general fiction.
Word count: Over 80,000 words.Joffe Books
Joffe Books is one of the UK’s leading independent publishers of commercial fiction, especially crime and mystery.
Genre: Primarily crime and mystery but also accepts women's fiction, fantasy, historical, and romance.
Word count: Over 60,000 words.Lantana
Lantana believes that all children deserve to see themselves in books they read.
Genre: Middle grade fiction.
Word count: Over 4,000 words.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.Lodestone Books (Collective Ink)
Lodestone Books is the YA/NA imprint of Collective Ink.
Genre: YA/NA fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Mills & Boon
Mills & Boon is the leading romantic fiction publisher in the UK, with a book sold every 10 seconds.
Genre: Romance (modern, true love, medical, historical, intrigue, and romantic suspense).
Word count: Varies by genre, typically around 50,000 words.Northodox Press
Northodox Press publishes fiction from authors born in or currently living in Northern England.
Genre: Fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Our Street Books (Collective Ink)
Our Street Books is the children's imprint of Collective Ink.
Genre: Children's fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.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.Skylight Press
Skylight Press is a small publisher of quality esoteric, occult and literary books.
Genre: Nonfiction of historical interest or an emphasis on ecological and sustainable gardening.
Word count: Not stated.Telos Publishing
Telos Publishing is a small UK-based press established in 2000.
Genre: Nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.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.Top Hat Books (Collective Ink)
Top Hat Books is the historical fiction imprint of Collective Ink.
Genre: Historical fiction.
Word count: Not statedTroy Books
Troy Books was founded in 2008 as a small cottage industry in Cornwall.
Genre: Nonfiction focusing on witchcraft, folk magic, occult herbalism, etc.
Word count: Not stated.Woodfield Publishing Ltd
Woodfield Publishing Ltd is an independent publishing company based in Southern England.
Genre: Military and historical 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, pre-querying package or my free writing advice. Otherwise, take a look at my genre-specific list of publishers for romance, fantasy and science fiction.