If you’re an author from Essex and are looking for book publishers in the county, below we’ve featured 3 top book publishers in Essex.
1. Miles Kelly
Miles Kelly is children’s book publisher, based in Thaxted, Essex. Established in 1996 by Jim Miles and Gerard Kelly, the company has focused on publishing children’s books that inspires, engages, and strikes the right chord among young readers. With more than 400 titles in print and hundreds of engaging eBooks, Miles Kelly has evolved as a leading children’s book publisher over the last couple of decades.
The company primarily publishes picture books and interactive non-fiction titles for 3 to 12-year olds. While the non-fiction titles are loaded with mind-boggling facts, the picture books feature dramatic photographs and specially commissioned artwork. Every book is minutely edited, strategically planned, and neatly designed so that every kid has something they can connect with.
Despite being headquartered in Essex, Miles Kelly has a global fan base. Their titles are devoured by kids from every corner of the globe in 48 languages and across 75+ countries. Within the last couple of years, they’ve published almost everything from encyclopaedias, dictionaries, fact books, quiz titles, fairy tale titles, bedtime tales, guidebooks, atlases, poetry books, and everything else in between. Among these diverse titles, the most popular ones are their 100 Fact Series and the iconic Playmat books that can be folded out into quirky objects.
Although the company doesn’t accept completed unsolicited manuscripts, they might consider your proposal if you send your CV along with details about past projects. These details can be either mailed here or posted to Submissions, Harding’s Barn, Bardfield End Green, Thaxted, Essex, CM6 3PX. You can also send samples of your artwork in the same address. For more information about their submission and publishing process, check out this FAQ page.
2. Apex Publishing
Based in Holland-on-Sea, Essex, Apex Publishing Limited is an independent publishing house that specializes in contemporary fiction and non-fiction titles. The company was founded in 2002 by a team of dedicated publishing professionals. Since then, they’ve worked with both newbie and seasoned authors for paperback titles and eBooks.
Over the last few years, this publishing house has published several memoirs, biographies, poetry books, children’s titles, and short story books across diverse domains. Some of their best works include Seems Like a Nice Boy by Mike Malyon, Just Jill by Jill Allen-King OBE and From Sixpences to Dollars by Johnny Texas.
Unlike other independent publishers, Apex Publishing doesn’t merely publish your work, but they also undertake the responsibility of promoting your books. They will distribute your book to reviewers, send review copies to local and national newspapers, approach bookshops across UK to arrange book signings, and initiate the necessary proceedings for local newspaper coverage.
Additionally, the company will also assist you in the book production process with typesetting, proof-reading, copyediting and a range of other additional services. You can check the full list of services on this page.
Since Apex Publishing is always looking to work with new talent, and you can submit your work any time by filling out this submission form.
Note that although the company doesn’t explicitly mention about paid plans on their website, it is best to clarify your doubts before sending your manuscript. Apex Publishing claims to offer multiple types of contracts which will only be initiated after your manuscript is shortlisted by the editors. You can contact them here for a more detailed insight into the publishing process.
3. Wallace Publishing
Based in Essex, England, Wallace Publishing is an independent publisher that publishes commercial and niche fiction titles across diverse genres. The company is based in Essex, England and it was initially established to assist newbie writers in promoting and publishing their works. Over the next couple of years, they changed their business outlook, and currently Wallace Publishing exclusively focuses on publishing eBook and paperback titles for both children and adults.
While the company is primarily fond of science fiction, fantasy, romance and poetry books, they are open to considering any other genre that aligns with their brand. Other accepted genres include crime fiction, historical fiction, social drama, young adult fiction, horror, children’s fiction, and charity books. From time to time, Wallace Publishing also publishes some selected anthologies, biographies, and other non-fiction books. Some of their best-selling titles include Taboo: My True Story by Thomas Piggot, Dublin Calling by Robert Sanasi and Dear Chronic Illness by Pippa Stacey.
The company doesn’t accept fan fiction, erotica, picture books for children, books that contain offensive content, and works that try to imitate existing franchises like the Harry Potter or Twilight series. They only accept completed manuscripts in English language. You may also send multiple manuscripts simultaneously if they fall under the same genre.
Wallace Publishing accepts unsolicited manuscripts as well as manuscripts represented by literary agents. However, since they are still a small company, they might take four to five months to respond to your manuscript.
As of now, Wallace Publishing is not accepting new titles. But you can keep checking this page for more information about their open submission period. If interested in self-publishing services, you can check this link.
I am Ruposhree, a regular happy-go-lucky girl with not-so-regular (read extraordinary) dreams. I love reading, obsessing over random TV series, dreaming of unrealistic vacations, and most importantly, trying my hand at writing. I want to believe that I somehow have a way with words and maybe one day I’ll manage to see and be everything that I ever dreamt of!