If you’re looking for a selection of the best book publishers in New England, below we’ve featured 18 for your consideration.
1. Charlesbridge
A children’s book publisher based in Watertown, Massachusetts, Charlesbridge produces works which nurture the imagination of young people, while also providing them with facts.
Their backlist is divided into numerous categories – in terms of children’s books, you can find anything from ages 0-3 to young adult books. Fiction and nonfiction for teenagers are also available. Luckily, they have an adult section as well, where you can choose between humor, art, puzzle books, cookbooks, coffee table books, and nonfiction. “A Long Pitch Home”, by Natalie Dias Lorenzi, and “Two-Bite Cupcakes”, by Viola Goren are just two titles worth checking out.
They are currently open to unsolicited submissions, so, if you’re interested in working with them, you should check out their guidelines here. Remember that all manuscripts have to be sent via email.
2. Tupelo Press
Tupelo Press is a literary press and a nonprofit company located in North Adams, Massachusetts. Founded in 1999, Tupelo is looking to produce unique books of creative nonfiction, poetry, and literary fiction.
To get an idea of what they like, you might want to check out some of their most recent titles – “Arrows”, by Dan Beachy-Quick, “The Nail in the Tree”, by Carol Ann Davis, and “The Age of Discovery”, by Alan Michael Parker are just three examples.
Luckily, they are currently open for nonfiction submissions. If you want to send them a memoir or a literary nonfiction manuscript, make sure to send your complete work. You can do so either online or via postal mail – more information can be found here. To ask about fiction submissions, you can reach them at contact@tupelopress.org.
3. Storey Publishing
Regardless of the skills you wish to learn, Storey Publishing’s backlist can definitely help you achieve your goal. Named Storey Communications after John and Martha Storey purchased it in 1983, the company soon became a respectable source of practical information. It is currently based in North Adams, Massachusetts.
As they are avid nonfiction fans, their most recent releases include “The Love Life of Birds”, by Laura Erickson, “American Axe”, by Brett McLeod, and “High-Vibe Feng Shui”, by Ashley Cantley. Poetry, picture books, and fiction are not of interest to them.
If you would like to submit your work here, make sure to include a letter of introduction, a short description of your concept, and a table of contents, to name a few requirements. Before doing so, though, you should certainly read their guidelines.
4. Lyon Press
Based in Guilford, Connecticut, Lyon Press is an imprint founded by Nick Lyons around 40 years ago. Their undying interest in books about animals, hunting, American history, military history, sports, nature, and fishing is what they’re known for.
Their website features numerous categories, among which we can name fiction, biography & autobiography, history, and travel. To become familiar with their backlist, you should definitely check out “Inside the Star Wars Empire”, by Bill Kimberlin, “Accidental Adventures: Alaska”, by Chris Lundgren, and “Dr. Mary Walker’s Civil War”, by Theresa Kaminski.
If you want to send them your manuscript, don’t forget to include a book description, a table of contents, and a market analysis, to name a few requirements. You can learn more here.
5. Move Books
Move Books is a publisher focused on reaching a young male audience, as their main goal is that of instilling a passion for reading in the future generations of men. They are based in Beacon Falls, Connecticut.
Some of the titles they’re about to release are “Follow the River”, by Paul Greci, “Hum”, by William Thomas, and “The Lost Tribes – Trials”, by C. Taylor-Butler. If you want to learn more about what they like, you should look these up.
At present, their interest lies in middle grade books for ages 8-12, particularly in books which have male main characters. Secondary characters who are depicted as female are also desired. Before sending them your work, make sure to read their submission guidelines.
6. Yale University Press
Established by George Parmly Day in 1908, Yale University Press has headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut, and in London, UK.
The topics featured on their website are rather varied, and they include business, biography, literary studies, history, economics, and law. “Mescaline – A Global History of the First Psychedelic”, by Mike Jay, “Willful”, by Richard Robb, and “Miyazaki World”, by Susan Napier are just three titles on their backlist.
Luckily, they are currently open to submissions. If you want to send them your work, make sure to only choose one appropriate editor and to also send a cover letter, your CV, and a prospectus. The full guidelines are available here.
7. Wesleyan University Press
Based in Middletown, Connecticut, Wesleyan University Press was established in 1957, and they publish around 20 new titles each year. They are renowned for their passion for the arts, music, dance, and poetry.
“Now It’s Dark”, by Peter Gizzi, “A Forest of Names”, by Ian Boyden, and “Genre Publics”, by Emma Baulch are three of their most recent publications. Since the main goal of the press is that of promoting exceptional works that could make history, you should expect a high standard when it comes to their preferences.
They are currently open to submissions for dance and music manuscripts, but also for HartfordBooks – if you want to collaborate with them, make sure to send a cover letter, your CV, 1-2 sample chapters, and a table of contents, to mention a few requirements. You can find out more here.
8. Bauhan Publishing
Bauhan Publishing is based in St, Peterborough, New Hampshire, and it came to life when William L. Bauhan acquired the Richard R. Smith Inc. publishing company in 1959.
Interested in both fiction and nonfiction, the Bauhan team is mainly looking for New England regional works on topics related to art, poetry, nature studies, history, and earth/spirit sustainability. “The Story So Far”, by Jane Eklund, and “Museum of Islands”, by Gary Margolis are just two titles worth checking out.
Unfortunately, their submissions page is currently unavailable, but you can always request more information using the details displayed here.
9. Hobblebush Books
An independent press, Hobblebush Books is located in Concord, New Hampshire. They are passionate about books which can bring change to the world, and they only work with environmentally-friendly printing companies.
In terms of genres, they are interested in both fiction and nonfiction – short story series, memoir, and poetry are just a few categories featured on their website. To learn more about what they like, check out “You & Me”, by Dan Szczesny, and “That Reminds Me of a Funny Story”, by Rebecca Rule.
Since they don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts, you will have to send them a query if you want to work with them. You can read more about their guidelines here.
10. Sophia Institute Press
Located in Manchester, New Hampshire, Sophia Institute Press is dedicated to the publication of works about the Gospel of Christ, in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church teachings.
They feature apologetics, marriage & family life, spiritual growth, and saints & angels on their website, to name a few topics. “Discernment of Spirits in Marriage”, by Fr. Timothy Gallagher, and “The Road to Spiritual Fitness” by Danny Abramowicz are just two titles on their backlist.
The Sophia Institute Press does not accept unsolicited manuscripts, so, if you’d like to work with them, you can send your book idea at submissions@sophiainstitute.com. Their genres of choice are philosophy, theology, and spirituality. Learn more here.
11. Trafalgar Square Books
A small publishing company based in North Pomfret, Vermont, Trafalgar Square Books was founded in the early 1970s by Caroline and Ted Robbins. They are renowned for their titles on equestrian sport and horses, and for their craft books.
Some of the topics featured on their website are sewing, knitting, mosaics, and babies & children. “Cutest Ever Toddler Knits”, by Val Pierce, “Crochet for the Kitchen”, by Tove Fevang, and “Favorite Rag Rugs”, by Tina Ignell are three titles that could help you learn what type of books they’re interested in.
Do you want to collaborate with them? Then feel free to reach them here, by clicking “SUBMISSION INQUIRIES”.
12. Chelsea Green Publishing
Located in White River Junction, Vermont, Chelsea Green Publishing was established in 1984, and it is a top publisher of sustainable living books. They have earned prizes such as the John Burroughs Medal and 800 CEO Read Business Book of the Year Award.
The categories featured on the company’s website are farming & homesteading, business, nature & environment, and gardening, to give a few examples. To see what they like, you should definitely check out “Wildcrafted Fermentation”, by Pascal Baudar, and “A Small Farm Future”, by Chris Smaje.
Since they are open to submissions, you can send them a query or a proposal right after consulting the full guidelines. Also, keep in mind that they don’t publish poetry, novels, or children’s books.
13. Green Writers Press
Green Writers Press is a global publisher which aims to contribute to a better, sustainable future. It was established by Dede Cummings, and it is located in Brattleboro, Vermont.
The genres featured on their backlist are fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children’s books. “Dancing with Langston”, by Sharyn Skeeter, “Victoria Falls”, by James Hornor, and “Drunk in the Woods”, by Tony Whedon are three of their already published titles.
If you want to work with them, check out their submission guidelines first – they are interested in environmental essays, children’s picture books, short story collections, and in a few other genres.
14. Ripple Grove Press
Based in Shelburne, Vermont, Ripple Grove Press is a children’s picture book publisher which aims to promote the works of the most gifted authors.
Their backlist includes several beautifully-written titles, among which we can name “A Girl Named October”, written by Zakieh A. Mohammed and illustrated by Andrea Tripke, “Seb and the Sun”, by Jami Bigot, and “The Full House and the Empty House”, by LK James.
Although their open reading period for submissions is over, you can still check their page for updates. Keep in mind that their main interest lies in books for children aged 2-8.
15. Islandport Press
Founded in 2000 by Dean Lunt, Islandport Press is an award-winning publisher located in Yarmouth, Maine.
Although they are mainly interested in nonfiction, they also publish children’s books (such as middle grade and young adult works) and fiction. When it comes to the latter, humor, mystery, and food are of interest, among other genres. To become familiar with their preferences, you should check out the upcoming title “True North”, by Kathryn Olmstead, and “Chowder Rules”, written by Anna Crowley Redding and illustrated by Vita Lane.
If you want to submit an adult book manuscript, make sure to include your bio, a cover letter, relevant marketing information, and publicity/social media contacts. Learn more about the guidelines here.
16. Cider Mill Press
Cider Mill Press is a publisher based in Kennebunkport, Maine. They specialize in humorous parodies, cookbooks, children’s books, and in books about spirits and wine, to name a few genres.
To learn more about their interests, you can check out some of their bestsellers – “The Essential New York Times Book of Cocktails”, by Steve Reddicliffe, “Savor”, by Kimberly Stevens, and “Soup”, by Derek Bissonnette are just three of the high-quality titles on their backlist.
Although they don’t accept fiction manuscripts at present, you can still send them your nonfiction manuscript. To learn more about the guidelines, click here.
17. Just Write Books LLC
Located in Topsham, Maine, Just Write Books is an independent publisher that only collaborates with Maine authors.
In terms of genres, they prefer fiction, nonfiction, poetry, anthologies, self-help, historical fiction, and business, to give a few examples. “A Daughter Of Francis Martin”, by Virginia Chute, “Black Islands: History As Poetry”, by Robert M. Chute, and “Lewis and the Lighthouse”, by Bill McKibben are three of their best titles.
Would you be interested in collaborating with them? If so, feel free to reach them here.
18. Tilbury House Publishers
Founded approximately 40 years ago, Tilbury House Publishers is a company based in Thomaston, Maine.
Their range of preferences is rather wide, as their backlist includes both children’s books and adult books. When it comes to adult books, you will find multicultural, Native American, and global empathy among the categories featured on their website. Adult books vary from fiction & essays to science, nature & environment. “How To Audition On Camera”, by Sharon Bialy, and “Bill Moss”, by Marilyn Moss are just two titles worth checking out.
They are open to submissions, and all manuscripts should be sent via mail. To learn more, click here.
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