If you’ve written a novel belonging to the chick lit genre and now want to approach a book publishing house about the possibility of getting it published, we’ve written this post especially for you.
Below you’ll find 19 top chick lit publishers accepting submissions. One of these might just be the right publisher for you and your story.
1. Bookouture
A digital only publisher, Bookouture is perfecting the art of publishing in 2018. Understanding that the way audiences consume literature is changing, Bookouture is one of the few publishers who prints only digital. Oliver Rhodes launched Bookouture after 12 years of experience in the publishing industry. Using his traditional knowledge, he created an unconventional concept which led to an agency that employs modern marketing, editing and promotional services to sell your book. Print-On-Demand runs are available and offered to the author if they require it. Their titles have been hugely successful because of their unique approach to books and authors. The company is currently seeking commercial fiction titles and chick lit is one of their accepted categories. You can read the submission guidelines here for more clarity about the submission process. Additionally, you can check this page more insight into their accepted genres. Once you’re familiar with the submission process and guidelines, use this online form to submit your manuscript.
2. Hachette Book Group
Hachette Book Group is a leading publisher of fiction, non-fiction, and educational titles. The company was founded in 2006 and it is currently headquartered in New York City. Every year, Hachette Book Group publishes 1400+ titles for adult readers, 300+ titles for young readers, and 700 audiobook titles. The company publishes chick lit titles under the category of fiction and some of their widely acclaimed books in this genre include Ms. Taken Identity by Dan Begley, The Star Attraction by Alison Sweeney and I’m with Stupid by Elaine Szewczyk. While Hachette Book Group doesn’t accept unsolicited submissions, they will consider your work if it is represented by a literary agent. You can find more details about their submission procedure on this page.
3. Unnamed Press
Founded in 2014, Unnamed Press is a LA based independent publisher of quality fiction and non-fiction titles. The company accepts chick lit titles under the broader category of fiction and some of their best works in this genre are Like a Bird by Fariha Roisin, and Silver Girl by Leslie Pietrzyk. Unlike many other chick lit publishers, Unnamed Press is especially interested in titles with diverse voices that deftly challenge the conventional binaries of life. The company accepts unsolicited submissions as well as unsolicited manuscript queries. Check this page for more details about the submission process.
4. Quirk Books
This small and exclusive press based in Philadelphia is ideal for new and struggling writers looking for a break. Publishing only 25 books a year, Quirk Books wants stories that cut through the clutter, enrich boring genres with surprising twists and create imaginative universes. Their books have become bestsellers and award winners in different genres such as young adult, mystery, middle grade, pop culture and women’s fiction. They are always open to new ideas, stories or crossover genres. If your story is in the chick lit genre with a dash of something different, send a query letter to one of their acquiring editors. As of now, their Editorial Director, Jhanteigh Kupihea is accepting fun, voice-y novels for women that focuses on female friendship and subverts conventional romantic comedy tropes. Jhanteigh, however, is only accepting submissions from authors recommended by an existing author of Quirk Books. Alternatively, she will also accept agented submissions. You can check out the detailed submission preferences on this page.
5. Boroughs Publishing Group
The traditional publishing house has a solid history of printing and publishing bestsellers and award winning romance novels. Keen to push the envelope and merge genres, Boroughs prints both digital and in traditional format. A romance fiction only publisher, Boroughs has no qualms about accepting other genres with an element of romance in them. An interesting aspect of Boroughs is if an author wants to know more or understand the process, they put them in touch with one of their previously published authors. Boroughs Publishing Group frowns upon the term ‘chick-lit’ and uses the women’s fiction genre to print stories under that category. Currently, they are acquiring women’s fiction and romance titles under the sub-genres of, young adult, LGBTQ, contemporary romance, historical, multicultural, urban fantasy, and others. Note that all Romance manuscripts sent to the publishing house should have a HEA (Happily Ever After). Unpublished authors need to submit a complete manuscript while previously published authors can submit the first 3 chapters. You can read all the guidelines on this page or use their online application form to submit your manuscript.
6. UrbanEdge Publishing
A small and traditional publisher located in Georgia, UrbanEdge Publishing is a minority women owned business. They have a self-publishing division but that is if you are interested in going down that route. The publisher is selective about the books and genres they chose. Presently they want stories in crime, chick-lit/romance, mystery, drama and self-help. Authors and writers are requested to send a query letter and 2-3 chapters of their manuscript. Once they receive and read the query letter they will ask you to send the complete manuscript. You can read the submission guidelines and contact details on this page.
7. Entangled Publishing
Another regular on our lists of publishers mainly due to their vast list of titles and year round acceptance of unsolicited submissions, Entangled is a great choice for new and upcoming authors. Around since 2011, Entangled has managed to expand to 13 imprints since then and has had its book appear in national bestselling lists. The modern publishing house prints 20-35 titles monthly in a digital first format and 4 per month in both print and digital formats. All of their imprints are based around romance such as Scandalous for historical romance, Teen Crave for sci-fi/fantasy/YA romance or Teen Crush for contemporary YA romance. If you are planning to submit chick lit, then your choice of imprint should be Lovestruck which deals with romantic comedy and fresh characters. Unpublished authors need to send a completed manuscript to be considered. Read the submission guidelines mentioned on this page and use the form to submit your manuscript.
8. Kensington Publishing
With a history spanning back to four and a half decades, Kensington Publishing is a NYC based publisher of general fiction, non-fiction, and scholarly titles. Being a mass-market publisher, the company publishes 600+ titles annually in hardback, paperback, and digital formats. Kensington Press accepts chick lit titles under the broader category of women’s fiction and some of their best works in this genre include Side Chick Nation by Aya de Leon, A Hustler’s Queen by Saundra, and Black Gangster by Donald Goines. The company is currently accepting manuscript queries, and you can send your queries for Chick-lit titles to Editor-in-Chief John Scognamiglio, Editorial Director Alicia Condon, Editorial Director Wendy McCurdy, or Assistant Editor Elizabeth May. Note that you can send your queries to only one of these Editors via email. For more details about the submission process, check this page.
9. Diversion Books
Formed in 2010 in New York, Diversion Books is looking to bring forward new voices and rekindling older talents. Using their platform to provide marketing, editorial, promotional and distribution services to authors to create the complete package, Diversion wishes to print 50 titles in fiction and non-fiction annually. Their genres cover a wide range of topics such as history, crime, memoirs, women’s fiction, romance, mystery, thriller and fantasy fiction. Their digital imprint EverAfter handles the romance manuscripts. If you are keen to submit women’s fiction or romance, you can find the submission guidelines here. Note that Diversion Books only accepts manuscripts represented by a literary agent. Also, since they are a Full-service Publishing Company you may have to pay a small fee to get your work published.
10. Literary Wanderlust
Literary Wanderlust was established in 2014 to help budding authors showcase their ground-breaking content. Six years down the line, they are still going strong with a growing list of authors and an equally large number of readers. Literary Wanderlust publishes titles in both print and digital format, and women’s fiction is one of their popular categories. Some of the best titles in this genre include Crisis Desserted by Katherine Laurin, Past Presence by Nicole Bross, and Dirty Cooking by Carly Mercedes. As of now, Literary Wanderlust is open to submissions in women’s fiction and you can send your manuscripts to Editor Julie Paris. Manuscripts can be submitted on this page. For more details about the submission process, check this link.
11. Soul Mate Publishing
Deborah Gilbert launched Soul Mate Publishing in 2011 after a career as an English high school teacher. She has in depth knowledge of the language and its nuances which enables her to collaborate creatively with writers and authors. Bringing together an all women team at Soul Mate, Deborah has experienced editors and writers at her side to encourage and support new and previously unpublished authors. They have printed a vast number of genres such as new adult, paranormal, coming of age, time travel, comedy, urban fantasy, mystery, young adult, women’s fiction, chick lit and suspense. You will have to read the submission guidelines mentioned here and then contact an acquiring editor. As of now, their Acquisitions Editor, Caroline Tolley is actively seeking Chick lit titles.
12. Tule Publishing
Started by Jane Porter, Tule Publishing Group is one of the most successful and popular digital first publishers in US. A small and independent publishing house, Tule looks for a consistent yet creative writing style that can engage readers on a universal level. Stories with powerful female characters, impactful narration and an edgy tone are appreciated. They have 7 imprints, each dedicated to a particular style or genre. Your chick-lit/women’s fiction title may be perfect for their American Heart and Tule Romance Imprints. Among them, their American Heart Imprint is still accepting submissions for the 2022 Editorial Calendar. Note that while the company is open to submissions in Women’s Fiction, they are only accepting a limited number of titles in this category. For more details about the submission process, check this page.
13. The Wild Rose Press
A stellar publisher of romance, women’s fiction and fiction since 9 years, The Wild Rose Press has garnered a steady audience with its titles. Faithful readers across the country look forward to their books which cover numerous genres and styles such as western romance, contemporary romance, women’s fiction, chick lit, thriller, young adult, time travel, LGBTQ and holiday. They often include chick lit under women’s fiction. Their stories are set in multiple genres at a time if need be such as western historical romance or cowboy romance, so don’t worry about coloring outside the lines. Read their requirements carefully for their various imprints and find the contact details listed on this page.
14. HarperCollins Publishers
Headquartered in New York, HarperCollins Publishers is the second-largest consumer publisher across the globe. The company operates in 17 countries and they currently have more than 120 branded imprints. HarperCollins Publishers publishes 10,000+ titles annually across diverse genres like fiction, mystery, romance, and history to name a few. Women’s fiction and chick lit titles are published under the broader genre of fiction. Some notable titles in this category include Home Truths by Susan Lewis, The Lemon Sisters by Jill Shalvis, and The Widow of Ballarat by Darry Fraser. While HaperCollins Publishers doesn’t accept unsolicited manuscripts, they will consider your work if it is represented by a literary agent. Check this page for more information about the submission process.
15. Conscious & Responsible Press
Conscious & Responsible Press is an independent publisher of fiction and non-Fiction titles. Established in 2006, the company is always looking to publish quality titles in fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. In fiction, they accept all genres including women’s fiction and chick lit. The company is constantly looking to work with talented authors whose works they can refine and promote. Some of their most remarkable works in women’s fiction and chick lit include Talismans by Sybil Baker and Made By Mary by Laura Catherine Brown. As of now, Conscious & Responsible Press is open to submissions and you can send your Chick-Lit titles for their $1000 Fiction Book Award (ends on October 2020) and/or the Full Length Open Contest (ends on January 1, 2021). For more details about the submission process, check this page.
16. Black & White Publishing
This Scottish Press is majorly popular and successful in UK and Ireland. It’s eclectic list of titles and authors have enabled it to become an important publisher in the game. Launched in 1999, Black & White has had over 300 books in print. They moved into the e-book business eventually to capture the digital market and have found success with their talented authors and writers. They also run a children’s imprint called Itchy Coo which has won several awards for its titles and books. They only accept virtual submissions in the genres of women’s fiction (including chick lit, romance and saga), children’s fiction and young adult. You can read the instructions specified here before sending in your manuscript. Note that for fiction submissions, Black & White Publishing will only consider works represented by a literary agent.
17. Penguin Random House
Established in 1 July 2013, Penguin Random House has offices in 20 countries across five continents. The company is headquartered in New York City, and over the years they’ve published almost all genres in both fiction and non-fiction. The Bride Test by Helen Hoang, The Winter Bride by Anne Gracie, and America’s Sweetheart by Jessica Limon are some of their best chick lit titles. Although Penguin Random House doesn’t accept unsolicited manuscripts, they will consider your work if it is represented by a literary agent. You can check this page for more details about the submission process.
18. Curiosity Quills Press
Established 2011, Curiosity Quills Press publishes fiction titles across all sub-genres and themes. They are especially interested in unique Women’s Fiction titles with tightly-knit plots and bold narrative voices. Curiosity Quills Press is currently accepting submissions in adult, young adult, and new adult, and women’s fiction/contemporary romance are two of their favored genres. For more details about the submission process, check this page. You can send your submissions via this form.
19. Freehand Books
Freehand Books was established in 2007 as imprint of Broadview Press and in 2016, they became a completely independent publisher. The company is located in Calgary, Canada, and Chick-Lit is one of the many genres they publish. Some of their best-selling titles in this genre are If Sylvie had Nine Lives by Leona Theis and This Has Nothing to Do With You by Lauren Carter. Freehand Books is currently open to submissions and you can send the first 40 pages of your manuscript with a brief cover letter, an author bio, your contact details, and a short marketing analysis of your book. Detailed submission guidelines can be found on this page.
Do you know of any other chick lit publishers accepting submissions? Please tell us more in the comments box below!
Shikha Pandey is a creative, content and script writer based in Mumbai, India.