October 2, 2025

Ten Manuscript Publishers Open to Direct Submissions in October 2025

This list focuses on ten publishers that we are excited about that are open to submissions this month. Some are only open for a short period of time, others will be open the whole month and beyond. At least four of these are presses we have not covered previously. Please note that if a publisher…

Skylight 47 Poetry: Now Seeking Submissions

Skylight 47 is a poetry journal produced in Galway, Ireland and printed newspaper style. The journal is affiliated with Galway’s Over the Edge reading series and supported by the Galway community (the Arts Council, Galway City Council, and Galway County Council). They accept submission from around the world. Recent issues of Skylight 47 are only…

Three Lessons From My First Podcast Tour

By Lory Widmer Hess I’m a writer, not a speaker. When I was in high school, an oral report was the assignment most likely to cause me to call in sick; now, though I have gotten over that total-panic reaction and become more at ease with talking in public, I still feel more comfortable with…

Fractured Mirror Publishing: Accepting Manuscript Submissions

Fractured Mirror Publishing is a small press founded in 2020. They focus on publishing novels that fall in the speculative fiction category. This includes, but is not limited to, the following genres: dystopian, fantasy, urban fantasy, and science fiction. You can get a good feel for what they are interested in by visiting their catalog…

Deep Hearts Jr.: Accepting Manuscript Queries

Deep Hearts YA, an imprint of Deep Desires Press, is launching a new sub-imprint called Deep Hearts Jr. Deep Hearts Jr. will focus on publishing middle grade (or MG) books for readers between the ages of 8-12.  They will be focusing mostly on publishing LGBTQ+ middle grade fiction, in all genres and sub-genres. The other…

Toplight Books: Accepting Book Proposals

Toplight Books is an imprint of McFarland & Company Inc. The books Toplight publishes focus on “helping readers improve their understanding of the body, mind and spirit. Toplight’s interests include uplifting and positive books about psychology and mindfulness, religious studies and spirituality, coping with chronic pain and chronic stress, and alternative health treatments, among other…

Exposit Books: Accepting Book Proposals

Exposit Books is an imprint of McFarland & Company Inc. Exposit books focuses on publishing work that focuses on a popular topics, like serial killers, and approaches that subject seriously. They encourage proposals for nonfiction manuscripts on a wide range of true crime subjects, including but not limited to: murder, serial killers, heists, robberies, abductions, kidnappings,…