We generally only review presses that accept work without geographic limitations on who can submit, but this list includes many publishers who do have geographic requirements. We have never fully reviewed most of these presses because of their geographic limitations, but they are still good presses.
Most of the presses on this list accept work from writers with a specific geographic region or nationality, some have very strict limitations, and others are more lenient.
All of the publishers on this list primarily publish authors from the country they are based in by a wide margin, even if they don’t have formal guidelines that state this. We created this list in 2019 as a reference point for writers, and have received a lot of positive feedback and support in terms of updating it.
This list is organized by region. It only covers a limited number of countries at this time. If this article continues to do well, we will keep expanding the list and include more countries/regions in the future.
Currently, this list only covers the US, Canada, Oceania, the UK, Ireland, and Asia, but we are hoping for that to change.
Not all of the publishers on this list are currently open to unagented submissions, but most are.
I’ve done basic research about the publishers, but I haven’t done in-depth research as I do for a full review, so keep that in mind.
If you know of a press to add to this list, please send me an email at support@authorspubish.com.
United States
Red Adept Publishing
This multi-genre small press has managed to end up with a number of books on the New York Times Bestseller list. They are only open to submissions by US citizens.
Epicenter Press
Founded in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1988, Epicenter Press, Inc. is a regional press publishing nonfiction books about Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.
Hub City Press
A respected press with great distribution. They publish books of literary fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, regional nonfiction, nature, and art. They only publish work for adults. They accept non-agented submissions during 2-3 open reading periods a year. According to their website, “Hub City publishes writers living in or from the South. What’s the South? A complicated issue, to say the least, but the short answer for our purposes: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia. At the same time, we’re interested in boundaries, borders, and in-betweens, so if you want to make a case for a state not listed here, we’ll take a look.” They are open for short stories from South Carolina and Mississippi writers till 28th February, as well as novels from South Carolina writers (no deadline given).
Texas Review Press
They have a number of reading periods a year, some are paid contests, some are free, some are focused on nonfiction (regional and otherwise) and others on poetry. Some of these contests have no geographic restrictions. Each year they read for The Sabine Series in Literature, which highlights work by authors born in or working in Eastern Texas and/or Louisiana. There is no reading fee but their is a strict submission cap of 300. They open to submissions April 1st. You can learn more about it here. They also open their general reading submission period for nonfiction and poetry on April 1st, again with a submission cap of 300, see here.
University of Georgia Press
They do not have strict geographic guidelines, but much of what they publish is about Georgia and the American South. Although they also publish on a number of other subjects. They only accept nonfiction through general submissions, all submissions of fiction must be made through their contests, which have a fee attached.
Heyday Press
Heyday is an established independent and nonprofit publisher that focuses on California and the American West. They publish nonfiction books that explore history, celebrate Native cultural renewal, fight injustice, and honor nature. They only publish limited fiction under their roundhouse imprint which very much prioritizes Native voices. You can learn more about that imprint here.
NDSU Press
NDSU Press exists primarily to stimulate and coordinate interdisciplinary regional scholarship. These regions include the state of North Dakota, the Red River Valley, the plains of North America (comprising both the Great Plains of the United States and the prairies of Canada), and comparable regions of other continents. They will reopen on 1st May for submissions.
Amble Press
This press which focuses on publishing work by queer writers from underrepresented backgrounds, doesn’t officially state on their website that they don’t accept international submissions but several of our international subscribers have been informed otherwise, so I’ve added them to this list.
Sasquatch Books
They publish “visual nonfiction by gifted writers, artists, chefs, naturalists, and thought leaders whose work reflects the adventurous, creative, DIY spirit of the PNW (the Pacific Northwest)”. The Pacific Northwest, unlike other regions, involves both the US and Canada. They don’t say anything about not allowing Canadians to submit as long as the work reflects the region. They have good distribution.
Little Bigfoot
An imprint of Sasquatch books focused on publishing for children, the guidelines for submissions are on the same page, but further down.
Gray and Company
They only publish nonfiction books about Cleveland, Northeast Ohio, and Ohio.
Forest Avenue Press
This Portland based press publishes fiction and the occasional memoir. They only allow submissions from U.S. residents. They have one reading period per year.
The University of Arizona Press
The premier publisher of academic, regional, and literary works in the state of Arizona is open to direct submissions. They are open to international authors but much of what they publish is focused on the region.
Bottom Dog Press
A small press that mostly publishes working class literature and Appalachian Literature. They don’t have any official geographic guidelines but focus on publishing regional work.
White Stag Publishing
White Stag Publishing accepts for full length manuscripts “Poetry, Prose / Fiction, Non-Fiction, Hybrid Work, & Ritual Projects in the scope of our thematic elements, which include alchemy & the occult with intersections of science & magick, witchcraft & activism, mysticism & spirituality, & / or the supranatural”. They are only open to submissions from US residents. They are closed to submissions at the time of this update, but plan to reopen on October 1st, 2026.
Cornerstone Press
Cornerstone Press is a traditional press in that it doesn’t charge its authors, but they are an unusual press in that it is run by students at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. You can learn more about the press and how it is run, here. They generally focus on publishing emerging regional authors from the Midwest, but they will consider all original, well-written, and polished submissions from authors, which is why we have reviewed the press.
Loblolly Press
Loblolly Press is seeking submissions that embody a profound sense of place, particularly focusing on the Southern and Appalachian regions. They say the work they publish “uplifts queer, BIPOC, elder, and rural voices from the American South.” They are based in Asheville, NC, and they prioritize writers and submissions from Asheville and the surrounding area, but are open to submissions from authors throughout the US. They are current closed to submissions. Their website says they will re-open for submissions in late 2026.
Filter Press
A regional press that is focused on Colorado history, aimed at both the fiction and non-fiction market, most of what they publish is for educational or museum sales. Work must fit within their existing catalogue.
Cave Hollow Press
They publish contemporary, literary, or mystery fiction from Missouri and Midwest based authors. They are currently closed to submissions.
Torrey House Press
They are interested in well-crafted work with environmental, natural history, or natural landscape themes, and writing which explores the value of well-managed public lands and the transformative power of wilderness focusing on the American West.
Agate Publishing
They are open to proposals for nonfiction on Midwestern topics or by Midwestern authors, for their Midway imprint. They are open to submissions on other topics by authors based outside the Midwest for other imprints.
The Globe Pequot
The Globe Pequot imprint of The Globe Pequot Publishing Group. The imprint focuses on publishing “New England history, cooking, traveling, architecture, gardening, entertainment, and anything that celebrates New England and travel.” You can see their submission information here.
Down East Books
Down East Books was the book publishing division of Down East magazine and is now an imprint of he Globe Pequot Publishing Group. They are very much still actively publishing books focused on Maine. You can see their submission information here.
Pineapple Press
Founded in 1982, Pineapple Press has always focused on publishing books about “the real Florida”. They have published books on gardening, nature, art, folklore, history, travel, children’s and fiction, all focused on Florida. They are now an imprint of he Globe Pequot Publishing Group. You can see their submission information here.
Sea Crow Press
Their motto is “Stories Rooted In Place • Writing That Moves The World”. This small press based in Cape Cod, Massachusetts focuses on publishing fiction, nonfiction, and poetry with a clear focus on eco-literature, regional writing, and climate-aware storytelling. It is a woman-owned press, and you can see their full masthead by scrolling down here. We have reviewed the press as a whole, because they are open to international work alongside regional work.
Canada
Anansi Press
A wonderful Canadian press focusing on publishing a wide range of literary works. They accept work by Canadian citizens or residents, or Indigenous Peoples from Turtle Island and around the world who are eligible to hold Canadian citizenship. If you are based in Toronto, they have a wonderful bookstore, that only sells the books they publish, which is a great way to get a feel for what they are interested in.
Groundwood Books
My favorite Canadian children’s book publisher, and an imprint of Anansi Press, they are open to children’s nonfiction, and novel-length fiction as well as picture books. They have two open reading periods a year.
Brick Books
An established and respected Canadian publisher, they are open only to submissions from Canadians. They generally have only one submission period a year. To learn more about submitting to them, go here. Submissions are open until 31st May.
Ekstasis Editions
A Canadian publisher of poetry manuscripts. They have been around since 1982. They usually consider submissions from Canadians only. To read their submission guidelines, go here.
DarkWinter Press
This small Canadian press publishes novellas, novel-length manuscripts (85 000 words or less), short story collections, and poetry collections “with a twist. We do not publish creative non-fiction”. They are reopening to submissions only from Canadian writers in March 2026.
Palimpsest Press
They only publish Canadian authors. They are open to submissions from authors who identify as BIPOC, Deaf, or Disabled, all year round. They accept submissions from authors who do not identify as BIPOC, Deaf or Disabled from February 1st through March 31st. They publish poetry and other literary genres.
Red Deer Press
A respected and established publisher of children’s books. They used to be open to submissions from outside of Canada, but they’ve recently limited their perimeters to only “encourage” Canadian authors, and they are now only open to submissions via post.
The University of Calgary Press
They accept a wide range of nonfiction from Canadian and international authors. They also accept literary work from Canadian citizens and permanent residents. They have four main imprints.
Second Story Press
This Canadian feminist press considers submissions in a wide range of genres, from Canadian authors. They occasionally publish non-Canadians, but this is very much the exception.
Caitlin Press
Caitlin Press is a British Columbia based literary press. They only publish authors from Canada, the majority being BC-based.
Dagger Editions
Caitlin Press’s new imprint focuses on publishing literary fiction, nonfiction and poetry by and about queer women (those who identify as queer women, including trans women or trans men, or anyone who includes this in their personal history)
Touchwood
They only publish Canadian writers, with a strong preference for writers based in western Canada. They publish a wide variety of nonfiction as well as literary fiction and memoir.
Invisible Publishing
Invisible Publishing publishes literary fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction by Canadians.
Coach House Books
Coach House Books is one of the largest publishers in Canada. They are a wonderful press that primarily publishes Canadian authors. They publish poetry, literary fiction, and select nonfiction; they’re not accepting drama currently.
Cormorant Books
Cormorant Books publishes literary fiction, literary nonfiction, and poetry. They are only open to Canadian authors. They are currently only open to submissions of adult fiction and nonfiction.
DCB Young Readers
The children’s and young adult imprint of Cormorant. They are only open to submissions of middle grade fiction and nonfiction, and young adult fiction and nonfiction currently. They are only open to Canadian authors.
Dundurn Press
One of the largest Canadian presses. They publish a variety of fiction and nonfiction. They prioritize Canadian writers.
ECW Press
They are only open to fiction and poetry books submitted by Canadians; there are no citizenship restrictions on writers submitting nonfiction.
Freehand Books
A Canadian press that started out as as an imprint but is now independent. They publish literary fiction, literary nonfiction, memoir and graphic literature. They have good distribution.
Ronsdale Press
A literary house that publishes a wide variety of work including children’s books. They accept work only from Canadian citizens or landed immigrants to Canada.
NeWest Press
NeWest publishes outstanding literary works by established and emerging Canadian authors at the rate of 10-12 books a year. They are especially interested in publishing books by Western Canadian authors or which explore Western Canadian themes. They have good distribution.
Talonbooks
They publish work of significant literary or cultural importance by Canadian authors. They are no longer accepting fiction submissions.
Wolsak and Wynn
At the very start of their guidelines they state: “We are a Canadian press dedicated to publishing clear, passionate Canadian voices. As such, we publish very few non-Canadians. However, we encourage Canadian authors of diverse backgrounds and communities to submit.” Their books are well edited and beautifully printed. They accept mailed submissions only during open reading periods.
Turnstone Press
They are only open to specific fiction genres, nonfiction, and poetry. Please see their submission page for details. Authors must be based in Canada. They are currently particularly interested in Environmentally Aware Literary Fiction and Winter-themed Literary Fiction for this imprint.
Ravenstone
Turnstone Press’s imprint Ravenstone focuses on publish literary mysteries, thrillers, noir, speculative fiction, and urban fantasy as well as CliFi (Climate fiction). Their guidelines are here, and authors must be based in Canada.
Baraka Books
Baraka Books is a Quebec-based English-language book publisher specializing in creative and political nonfiction, history and historical fiction, and fiction. They also have a translation imprint.
Véhicule Press
They primarily publish Canadian authors. At the time of this update they are only open to submissions of nonfiction.
At Bay Press
At Bay Press is a respected literary publisher of fiction and nonfiction, including poetry. They do publish “literary mysteries, thrillers, and noir and are interested in quality submissions in the science fiction, fantasy and graphic novel genres as well”. They publish very few books a year. They are also currently open to submissions for “From the Heart” series. The focus of this series is to publish shorter work. For this series are accepting short poetry collections (minimum 5 poems, maximum 10 poems per manuscript), literary short fiction stories, genre fiction short stories, non-fiction short works, short essays, graphic novellas etc.
Nightwood Editions
Nightwood Editions publishes poetry and fiction by writers across Canada, as well as nonfiction about Canadian writing.
Random House Canada
The Canadian arm of Random House changed their submission policy have opened their policy exclusively to LGBTQIA2S+ and BIPOC writers, as well as those from other traditionally underrepresented communities. They are particularly looking for “High quality commercial fiction in the following genres: literary, romance, speculative fiction, historical fiction, and mystery. Please note that we do not currently accept screenplays, stage plays, young adult fiction, children’s fiction, or picture book queries. All non-fiction submissions must be submitted via a literary agent.” They are open to submissions internationally, but prioritize Canadian writers. They sometimes pause to submissions but appear to be open to submissions at this time.
Tundra Books, Swift Water, Puffin Canada, Penguin Teen Canada
These children and teen focused Canadian imprints are open to direct submissions by underrepresented authors and illustrators only. Authors need not be Canadian.
Orca Book Publishers
This respected small press publishes books for children. They now have two submission periods a year. They close to submissions for the first reading period on February 28th, 2026.
Lorimer
They publish a large range of nonfiction by and for Canadians, including, Canadian history, regional nature guides, biographies of Canadians.
Lorimer Children & Teens
This Canadian small press has very specific guidelines for the submissions they are accepting. They publish fiction and nonfiction aimed at younger readers.
Harbour Publishing
This respected BC based Canadian publisher mostly focuses on topics pertaining to the Pacific Northwest, including fiction and nonfiction.
Annick Press
They are open to submissions from authors based elsewhere, which is why we’ve done a full review of them, but most of what they publish is by Canadian authors. They publish a wide range of books for Children and teens.
Acorn Press
They open their submission guidelines by saying, “We are committed to publishing works that reflect the culture, history, and stories of Prince Edward Island and the Atlantic Canadian experience”. They are established in that context and have good distribution in Atlantic Canada. Please do not submit to them any work based outside that region. Read their guidelines carefully before submitting.
UK, Ireland
Dahlia Books
This is a small UK-based press, and they are only only interested in short fiction and short stories when presented as a collection from a UK-based writer. They are currently closed to submissions.
Tramp Press
Tramp is a literary press based out of Ireland that has great distribution. Within Ireland they are distributed by Gill & Macmillan. Throughout the rest of the world they are distributed by Macmillan. They only accept submissions from Irish authors living in Ireland.
Sandycove
They are an imprint of Penguin Random House Ireland that consider manuscripts and proposals in all genres.
Four Courts Press
An Irish academic press. They ask that potential authors reach out for details first.
Floris Books
A publisher of specialized nonfiction and children’s books. They state on their website: “The only submissions we are currently accepting are non-fiction for the Steiner-Waldorf and anthroposophic community and children’s books from the Scottish BPOC Writers Network.”
Acair Books
They publish books in Scottish, Gaelic and English. Many of their titles are related to Scotland, history, nature and social issues.
Gill Books
One of Ireland’s leading publishers of content in terms of both the Primary and Secondary schools market, but they also publish nonfiction for adults. They accept proposals for adult nonfiction and children’s books.
Black & White Publishing
This established Scottish publisher is open to a variety of nonfiction submissions, some not bound by geography, but they are also particularly interested in sports books focused on the UK and Ireland and Scottish and Irish nonfiction.
Northodox Press
They only allow submissions from authors born in or living in the Northern England. They publish fiction, and reopen to submissions in late 2026.
The Liffey Press
The Liffey Press publishes a wide range of Irish-focused, nonfiction titles in social policy, arts and literature, current events, biography, psychology, history, sports, politics, education and related fields.
Carcanet
A UK-based publisher of poetry. They have one to two reading periods a year with specific limitations. They have yet to announce their 2026 submission period.
Nine Arches Press
This small UK based poetry publisher doesn’t have strict geographic guidelines but if you are an international author, you must have a track record or a small audience in the UK to be seriously considered by them. They plan to reopen to submissions in August 2026.
Broken Sleep Books
A UK-based company that publishes contemporary poetry and prose of a more experimental slant. They have four open reading periods a year each with different parameters.
Green Bottle Press
A small UK press. They have no strict geographic restrictions but state “if you are submitting from outside the UK or Ireland, please consider if you have any friends or fans of your work in these islands. If you live in the US for example, you should have a strong network of readers here, otherwise it will be very hard to sell your work. It would be better for you to seek publication in your own country.” They are currently closed to submissions.
Luath Press
This Scottish press doesn’t have strict geographic guidelines, but as you can see for their catalog here, a lot of what they publish is focused on the region they are based in. Please read their guidelines carefully before submitting.
Asia
Epigram Books
They are an independent publisher established in 2011, with imprints in Singapore and London. They say “We are keen to read and publish new writing by Singaporean authors and authors writing about Singapore.” So they don’t have strict geographic guidelines but a specific geographic focus.
Penguin Random House Southeast Asia
Though this imprint of this big five publisher is technically open to submissions from authors everywhere, they would prioritize Southeast Asian authors.
Manohar
A scholarly publisher focused on the social sciences, Manohar is based in India, and the books they publish primarily focus on India and South Asia.
Earnshaw Books
Earnshaw Books is actively seeking new manuscripts of all sorts, particularly historical fiction, young adult fiction, China-related topics, and Chinese language learning-related books and materials.
Silkworm Books
They focus on publishing work about Southeast Asia in the humanities and social sciences. They are particularly interested in history, political science, anthropology, sociology, environmental studies, religious studies, art, and literature. They publish work in English and Thai. They are based out of Chiang Mai.
Monsoon Books
Founded in Singapore, they are now based in the UK. They don’t have strict geographic guidelines but they want books with Asian, particularly Southeast Asian, themes.
Adarna House
This established press based in the Philippines is committed to promoting culture and languages is support of Filipino artistry and talent. They are open to submissions from Filipinos 18 years or older, based anywhere in the world. There is no limit to the number of pitches one may submit. Submissions may be in Filipino or English or come with a Filipino or English translation.
Oceania
Hachette Australia
Hachette is only open to direct submissions from residents of Australia or NZ.
Penguin Random House Australia
A big five publisher. They are only open to submissions from Australians. They are currently only open to submissions from children’s book authors.
Black Inc.
This established and award-winning Australian press has imprints that focus on nonfiction. They accept work from Australian writers only.
Te Herenga Waka University Press
New Zealand’s leading publisher of new fiction and poetry, and a scholarly publisher specializing in NZ history, biography and essays. Submissions are restricted to people who live in or are strongly connected with Aotearoa New Zealand.
AIATSIS
A publisher of scholarly and general books, including children’s books focused on the unique heritage and diverse lives of Australia’s first peoples by Australia’s first people. They have this helpful guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Ginninderra Press
A small press that focuses on publishing quality nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. They do not accept work from writers who live outside Australia. They are closed to submissions at the time of this update.
Text Publishing
An established and respected publisher of fiction and nonfiction, including middle grade and young adult. Submissions should be from citizens or residents of Australia and/or New Zealand.
Fremantle Press
Fremantle Press accepts submissions of unsolicited manuscripts from authors of Western Australian origin or whose main place of residence is Western Australia, or non-Western Australian authors whose work has a strong Western Australian focus. They publish nonfiction, fiction and narrative nonfiction, poetry, and books for children and young adults. They also run the Fogarty Literary Award for manuscripts by young West Australian writers, which has a prize of AUD20,000.
Giramondo
Giramondo doesn’t have any strict guidelines in terms of geography, but they do appear to have a track record of publishing primarily writers from Australia and New Zealand, so I have placed them here. They publish quality poetry, nonfiction, and fiction. They close to submissions on February 28th, 2026.
Wakefield Press
They publish a wide variety of work and are only not open to children’s picture book submissions. They do not state strict geographic guidelines but they mostly publish work by Australian authors.
Melbourne University Publishing
They accept unsolicited submissions of nonfiction work.
Auckland University Press
They are open to brief proposals that fit into the larger context of what they are currently publishing. You can review what they are interested in by spending some time with their catalog here. They say “We seek out New Zealand’s best scholarly and creative work to develop award-winning books for readers across Aotearoa and around the world.”
Emily Harstone is the author of many popular books, including The Authors Publish Guide to Manuscript Submissions, Submit, Publish, Repeat, and The 2025 Guide to Manuscript Publishers. She regularly teaches three acclaimed courses on writing and publishing at The Writer’s Workshop at Authors Publish. You can follow her on Facebook here.
