Are you an author in the state of Oregon who has just finished writing a book and now need a publisher not too far from you?
One of the following 19 top book publishers in Oregon might be interested in receiving your manuscript for possible publication.
1. Hellgate Press
Hellgate Press was founded in 1997 in Ashland, Oregon. Although their main interest lies in military history and veteran memoirs, you will find plenty of writings that fit the standards of nonfiction adventure travel, as well as of historical and adventure fiction in their catalog. Their imprints were established for books which deserve to be published, but which don’t meet the requirements of their preferred genres. Therefore, Grid Press specializes in humorous fiction, elderly parent care, and in many more, while Paloma Books specializes in books for children, teenagers, and young adults. Currently, they only accept electronic submissions, which have to include a brief author bio and synopsis regarding your story. The average response time is 4 weeks.
2. Overcup Press
Founded in Portland, Oregon by Patrick McDonald, Overcup Press specializes in nonfiction, respectively in art, design, travel, literary nonfiction, and epicurean titles. At this time, regional US Northwest topics, contemporary arts and culture, music and travel are some of the subjects, which they are particularly interested in. However, they do not accept submissions for self-help books, religious books, fiction, and a few others. To send a query, you can find all the necessary information here.
3. Eraserhead Press
Eraserhead Press is an independent press in Portland, Oregon focusing on bizarro fiction and horror. Founded in 1999 by Rose O’Keefe, they aim to attract readers and writers with a taste for unusual and discomforting literature. They are currently closed to submissions, but they will accept works of bizarro fiction (20,000-100,000 words) with a good balance of plot and character between April 1 and June 30, 2020. Submissions can be emailed to eraserheadsubmissions@gmail.com. In the body of the email include an author bio and a three-five sentence summary. Attached to the email, include a full manuscript, along with a one-page synopsis. Eraserhead Press publishes under four imprints, respectively Deadite Press, Lazy Fascist Press, Fungasm Press, and The New Bizarro Author Series. To see when each of them is accepting submissions, access the Contact page.
4. Black Lyon Publishing
Black Lyon Publishing is a press focusing on nonfiction works and romance fiction. Established in January 2007 in Baker City, Oregon, they are open to all manuscripts, hoping to find talent that may slip through the cracks of larger New York City-based publishers, and are operated mostly by local writers and editors. Although their romance submissions are open again at the moment, they are more interested in expanding their 2020-2021 nonfiction catalog. Because of this, queries in the areas of spirituality & metaphysics, travel, and true crime are welcome, as long as your work is 45,000-85,000 words long. Submissions should be made to Queries@BlackLyonPublishing.com. The body of the email should contain the author name, the manuscript title, the book type, a word count, a 1-2 paragraph description of the work, the first three paragraphs, and a table of contents (the latter is required for nonfiction writings).
5. CALYX
CALYX is a non-profit press that publishes literature by and for women. Founded in 1976 in Corvallis, Oregon, CALYX puts out a twice-per-year literature journal, and starting in 1986, CALYX Books publishes a few books per year. CALYX is run by volunteers and prioritizes works by undiscovered writers. Poetry, essays, visual art, short fiction, interviews, and reviews are accepted between October 1st and December 31st of each year, but art and book reviews are accepted year-round. Online submissions are preferred via their online submissions manager, but submissions can be mailed as well.
6. Dark Regions Press
Dark Regions Press is a publisher in Portland, Oregon focusing on horror, fantasy, and science fiction works. Created in 1985 by Joe Morey, Dark Regions focuses on the dark arts, hoping to add to the literature of dark arts available and grow as a dark arts publisher. They have published hundreds of writers including Joyce Carol Oates, Stephen King, and Neil Gaiman. Dark Arts Press is currently closed to general writing submissions but occasionally opens for individual projects, and are still open to viewing portfolios. Interested writers can contact Dark Regions using the contact form on their website.
7. Forest Avenue Press
Forest Avenue Press is a publishing house in Portland, Oregon focusing on literary fiction. Founded in 2012 in Portland by Laura Stanfill, they prioritize storytelling and unique perspectives. Forest Avenue Press is also home to the Main Street Writers Movement, a group of writers and publishers who hope to assist writers in their publishing journey through transparency of the process, support underrepresented communities, and encourage readers to buy from and support indie booksellers. The 2020 submission period will be open between January 2nd and February 4th – their committee is looking for two novels that can be published in 2022, but they are not interested in nonfiction, novellas, poetry, or short story collections Submissions can be made through Forest Avenue Press’s Submittable profile.
8. Harvest House Publishers
Harvest House Publishers is a publishing house in Eugene, Oregon for Christian literature. Founded by Bob Hawking Sr in 1984, Harvest House strives to publish literature with a strong Christian voice to support readers that are suffering from emotional pain. Harvest House also has a children’s division called Harvest Kids that publishes for children up to age 12, and a line of spiritual resources especially for children 8 to 12. Harvest House Publishers does not currently accept unsolicited manuscripts, but they recommend working with Christian Manuscripts Submissions.
9. OSU Press
OSU Press is a university press that focuses on the history and culture of the Pacific Northwest, especially indigenous narratives. The OSU Press was founded in 1961, intended to publish scholarly works on natural science, and over the last 57 years has published almost 400 books. While they are not currently accepting unsolicited proposals or manuscripts for fiction works, they will accept a prospectus by mail or email. The prospectus should include a bio and the details of the manuscript, possible sources of outside funding in terms of publication, 1-2 sample chapters, as well as other information that is mentioned online.
10. Ooligan Press
Ooligan Press is an indie publisher in Portland founded in 2001 and staffed by the students of Portland State University. They primarily publish literary fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, young adult fiction, books about writing, publishing, and book production, and books on sustainable living practices. Ooligan Press only accepts digital submissions by email or by using Submittable.com. Query letters and proposal packages are only accepted if they are sent through Submittable. Because of this, no material sent via email will be read. Query letters should include the basic details on the manuscript, a brief author bio, the intended audience and expected market, and contact information.
11. Unsolicited Press
Based out of Portland, Oregon, Unsolicited Press is a publisher interested in writings that don’t have to fit the standards of the mainstream conglomerates. As all projects are different, they design individual editing, production, and marketing plans for every writer. Their preferred genres are creative nonfiction, poetry, and literary fiction – whether your work consists of novels, essay collections, short stories or memoirs, you can still send it to them, even if you don’t work with an agent. You will also have to include a query letter regardless of the genre. The full submission guidelines can be found here.
12. Beyond Words Publishing
Beyond Words Publishing is an independent publisher in Hillsboro, Oregon of New Age materials, including books, DVDs, and other personal products. Founded in 1983 as a publisher of photographic coffee table books, they then expanded into children’s books and in 2003, they found success with The Hidden Messages in Water by Dr. Masuro Emoto inspired them to focus on New Age literature and products. Beyond Words accepts both solicited and unsolicited work, either directly from authors, or from their agents. In terms of adult nonfiction, their interest lies in personal growth, spiritual enlightenment, transformation, and mind, body, spirit. However, they invite authors to submit adult spiritual fiction and oracle card decks as well. Proposals should also include a query email that contains information regarding the author and the work, a 1-2 minute video of yourself where you describe these aspects in short, a full manuscript (when it comes to fiction), and credentials. All submissions should be sent by mail.
13. Six Degrees Publishing Group
Six Degrees Publishing Group is a press in Portland, Oregon that focuses on both fiction and non-fiction aimed at personal improvement and inspiration. Founded in 2013, they are particularly interested in young adult fiction that can have an impact on society, including books on philosophy, spirituality, health, or environmental topics. Submissions must be made by email, and must include a bio, details on the manuscript status and editing, a synopsis of the book, and possible marketing leads including the intended audience and details on any existing following.
14. YesYes Books
YesYes Books is a press in Portland, Oregon focusing on poetry, fiction, and experimental art. They are looking for manuscripts with a strong voice and a compelling narrative, and have a history of publishing best-selling books by diverse authors. Some of the work they have published have won the American Book Award and the Lambda Award for Gay Poetry. Open reading periods for poetry and fiction are held from April 1st to May 15th. Work should be submitted through Submittable, and should include an excerpt up to 50 pages for fiction, or 48-120 numbered pages of poetry, along with a table of contents. A brief bio in the cover letter is not mandatory. YesYes Books charges a $22 reading fee per title submitted.
15. Wipf and Stock
Wipf and Stock is a press in Eugene, Oregon focusing on theological studies, philosophy, and history. Founded in 1995 by John Wipf and Jon Stock, they publish a wide variety of books with theological topics of various religious groups. Submissions are accepted by email to proposal@wipfandstock.com, and should include a copy of their proposal form, one sample chapter, your CV, and a letter from your dissertation advisor (naturally, the latter is only required for dissertations). The only imprint that does not accept unsolicited submissions at this time is Front Porch Republic Books.
16. Acorn Publishing
Acorn Publishing is a small press located in Medford, Oregon. The press was founded in 2015 by two authors, Holly Kammier and Jessica Therrien, who were unhappy with their own publishing experiences. They hoped to create a publishing company that gives the power of publishing back to the authors, in which authors keep all of the printing rights of their book, but still receive the support they need for the publishing and marketing process. Like traditional publishing, submissions are reviewed, and accepted or declined based on Acorn Publishing’s quality and style requirements. The publishing team goes through standard editing processes before printing. However, unlike traditional publishing, the author must pay a fee for their services, and then can keep the full profits. Submissions begin with a query letter, a synopsis, and the first three chapters of your work to acornpublishingLLC@gmail.com. They currently accept all genres, except horror and erotica.
17. Airlie Press
Airlie Press is a nonprofit poetry press founded in 2007 in Salem, Oregon. The board consists of six-eight members, each of whom shares responsibilities in the press management. New members may join through their submission and interview process, and, if accepted, must commit to a three-year term on the board. Due to its small audience and nonprofit status, Airlie Press focuses on author experience and exposure, with the majority of all profits going to reach a wider audience. For submission, a full volume of poetry must be submitted via Submittable. The volume should be 48-90 pages, and include a title page, a table of contents, and an acknowledgements page. The manuscript should not include identifying information such as name and contact information. Their open reading period is between June 3 and July 31 every year.
18. Ashland Creek Press
Ashland Creek Press is a boutique publisher, focusing exclusively on environmental and ecological issues. John Yunker and Midge Raymond founded the press in 2011 in Ashland, and the press has received a number of awards from Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and others. Ashland Creek Press is not currently accepting unsolicited manuscripts from authors, but still accepts queries from literary agents by email.
19. Octopus Books
Octopus Books is a small poetry press in Portland, publishing about four books of poetry each year. Zachary Schomburg and Mathias Svalina founded Octopus Books in 2006, focusing on new writers with original styles. Submissions are only accepted during the month of April, via Submittable.com. The manuscript must be at least 48 pages long to be considered. A reading fee of $15 is required, but that fee is refunded for paid members.
Do you know any other book publishers in Oregon? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!