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 doesn’t have a specific submission window they can close at any time, and publishers that use Submittable can close at any point because of submission caps (although these publishers generally reopen to submissions at the end of the month).
If a publisher has closed to submissions unexpectedly, please send us an email at support@authorspublish.com.
Please read the full review, which we link to in the publish name, and carefully consider fit before submitting work. I can not stress enough that you should only submit to presses that are a good fit for your work, and that you should carefully read and follow submissions guidelines before submitting that work. Over the past year we had several presses ask to be de-listed because they were deluged by submissions, even after moving to this format. Still more presses have had to temporarily close to submissions because of an influx of inappropriate submissions.
Carina Press
Carina Press is Harlequin’s digital-first adult fiction imprint, publishing first in digital, and then depending on the numbers releasing audio and print versions as well. Unlike most of Harlequin’s imprints they don’t just focus on romance, although they are open to all subgenres of romance, including contemporary, paranormal, LGBTQ+, and science fiction. They also publish mysteries of all flavors—from cozies to thrillers, with and without romantic elements. They are also open to previously published work, both self published and traditionally published, as long as you are also submitting new work. You have to scroll down to the bottom of their Submittable to see the details for how to submit previously published work. Carina has a whole separate Submittable that is not part of Harlequin’s main Submittable page.
Hurst
Hurst is a UK-based independent publisher that was founded in 1969. They only publish nonfiction and the core of their list focuses on “African Studies, Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies, South Asian Studies, History, War & Conflict, and International Relations.” Nonfiction work outside of those areas of study are not a good fit for them. You can spend more time with their catalogue here. It is very easy to get a feel for what they publish, and what they do not.
Prometheus Books
Prometheus Books is an established publisher of what they like to call “intelligent non-fiction”. They specialize in publishing non-fiction books that fall into the following categories: popular science, philosophy, atheism, humanism, and critical thinking.
Alcove Press
Alcove Press is an imprint of the established publisher Crooked Lane. Alcove Press published their first book in September 2020. Alcove Press is focused on publishing upmarket Book Club fiction that “explores family, friendship, and community”. They are actively trying to publish debut authors as well as established ones. You can see the books they’ve published so far here. You can learn more about their launch in this Publishers Weekly article.
Changeling Press
Changeling Press is an eBook Publisher that only publishes Romance fiction with high heat levels which is targeted at a female audience that is over 18. However, within that genre they publish many subgenres including: “Contemporary, Paranormal, and Sci-Fi Women’s Fiction Romance, high heat level: Action Adventure, Suspense, MC Romance, Medical Romance, Rock Star Romance, Romantic Comedy, Dark Comedy, Dark Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Sorcery and Witchcraft, Cyber-Punk, Reverse Harem, LGBTQA+, Mpreg, Steampunk, Werewolves, Shifters, and Vampires.”
Tenebrous Press
Tenebrous Press is a publisher of “New Weird Horror, and New weird SF&F, and other dark and strange genre mashups.” They published their first book in 2021. You can find out more about the editors here. Tenebrous is open to submissions of novellas, novels, collections, gamebooks, graphic novels, mixed projects, nonfiction, and “weird unknown other things” in November and December.
Exposit Books
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, missing persons, con artists, hoaxes, deceptions, organized crime and espionage. They also welcome proposals for books about sexuality, the paranormal, cryptozoology, death, gravehunting, and forteana.
Toplight Books
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 topics. We strive to offer a wide array of well-researched, original and inspiring books that explore both personal and planetary well-being. Toplight’s authors, through their ideas and writing, seek to make a difference in lives and communities (and even the world).”
Severn River Publishing
Severn River Publishing “was founded by military veterans and family members who shared a love of story.” They were founded in 2018, and initially focused on publishing thrillers and mysteries. Now they publish a lot of historical fiction as well, primarily focused on the military and set during WWII (although there are exceptions). They also publish work in the action & adventure genre. They are now open to submissions in the romance and science fiction and fantasy genres as well. They are open to submissions till the 15th of November 2025.
Fractured Mirror
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. They are open to submissions till December 2025.
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.
