Getting a book published might be difficult, but we’re here to help make it easier. Here are 10 top Christian romance novel publishers you should check out!
1. Barbour Books
Barbour Books was founded by Hugh Barbour in 1981 in Ohio and is now one of the largest, completely independent Christian publishing houses in the United States. They publish everything from bibles and devotionals to children’s books, nonfiction, and fiction titles. Their Christian romance selection includes such titles as Behind Love’s Wall by Carrie Fancett Pagels and The Blizzard Bride by Susanne Dietze.
Barbour Books only accepts manuscripts through literary agents. You can see whether your manuscript fits their catalog by reviewing their guidelines and mission statement. You can also contact them with any specific questions you have about them or their publications.
2. Bethany House
Originally founded in 1966 in Minnesota, Bethany House became an imprint of Baker Publishing in 2003 and publishes fiction titles concerned with historical and contemporary romance, Amish fiction, romantic suspense, as well as academic, nonfiction and self-help books. Their Christian romance collection is the largest of their fiction catalog, including titles such as The Deadly Shallows by Dani Pettrey and A Time to Bloom by Lauraine Snelling.
Unfortunately, none of the imprints of Baker Publishing accept unsolicited manuscripts, so if you’d like to publish with them, you’ll have to go through a literary agent or Christian Book Proposals. Run by the Evangelical Christian Publishers’ Association, Christian Book Proposals serves as a liaison between aspiring authors and publishing houses without the need for a literary book agent. If you’d like to contact Bethany House with any other questions or information, you can do so using their online contact form here.
3. Abingdon Press
An imprint of The United Methodist Publishing House, Abingdon Press was originally founded in Memphis, Tennessee in the early 1920s. They publish about nearly every aspect of Christian life, from bibles and Christian living to children’s books and contemporary fiction. They have a healthy selection of Christian romance, including titles such as Be My Valentino by Sandra D. Bricker and A Promise of Grace by Lynette Sowell.
Unfortunately, Abingdon Press does not accept unsolicited fiction manuscript submissions, working instead with professional literary agents. They do accept nonfiction submissions, though, which you can find guidelines for at this page. Contact them by email if you want to find out more about how to submit a fiction manuscript or have any other questions.
4. Kregal Publications
Founded in 1909 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kregal Publications is one of the biggest names in Christian publishing in the USA. Everything they publish, from Bibles and Christian living manuals to fiction, ministry, and church history texts, focuses on preaching a solid relationship with God, Christ, and his message of love and peace on Earth. Their Christian romance collection includes both historical and contemporary titles, such as Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill and Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong.
While Kregal does not accept author submissions directly, they do work with liaison companies such as The Writer’s Edge and Christian Manuscript Submissions to source new authors and works. Check out their guidelines and related links here. For any other question or information, contact them at their home office using any of the information found on this page.
5. Dove Christian Publishers
Established in 1998 in Maryland, Dove Christian Publishers publishes books which promote their five core values: glorifying God, integrity, respect, service, and quality. Their titles include poetry, devotionals, children’s books, ex-offender ministry, and fiction. Their Christian romance collection consists of contemporary romance such as Thanksgiving Blessing by Rebecca March and The Beauty of Summer by Louis N. Jones.
Dove Christian Publishers actively accepts new manuscripts from new authors. If you think you have a manuscript they might be interested in, check their submissions requirements here before submitting. You can always contact them if you have any other questions or need more information.
6. Moody Publishers
Moody Publishers was founded by D.L. Moody in 1894. Headquartered in Chicago, Moody Publishers specialize in books on Christian living, bible study, children’s books, as well as adult Christian-themed fiction and nonfiction. Their fiction collection includes historical Christian romance, such as In the Field of Grace by Tessa Afshar and Port Royal by Linda Chaikin.
Unfortunately, Moody Publishers only accepts manuscripts via a literary agent or specific request. You can find all their guidelines at this page. If you need to contact them about any other information, you can find the correct department at this page.
7. Harvest House Publishers
Founded by Bob Hawkins Sr, Harvest House Publishers in Oregon has been publishing Christian-based literature since 1974. Now owned by his son Bob Hawkins Jr, Harvest House continues to expand and includes fiction, nonfiction, children’s, lifestyle, and bible study titles. Their Christian romance selection, including Sophie’s Heart by Lori Wick and Phoebe’s Gift by Jerry S. Eicher, grows more prolific each year.
While Harvest House does not accept manuscripts submitted to them directly, they do accept them from literary agents and other liaison outlets. You can read about how to get Harvest House to consider your proposal at this page. Contact them for any other questions about their books or authors.
8. New Hope Publishers
Founded in 1985 in Birmingham, Alabama, New Hope Publishers is now the Christian imprint of Iron Stream Media. They’ve published over 200 titles promoting Christian life and ministry, including books on Christian living, prayer, leadership, as well as fiction categories such as historical fiction and suspense. Their Christian romance collection is slowly growing, with multiple titles by Jennifer Slattery, such as Beyond I Do and Restoring Love.
New Hope Publishers takes submissions directly from authors, as long as they follow the guidelines set out on this page. You can also contact them directly to answer any other questions or if you need any other information.
9. Tyndale House Publishers
Tyndale House Publishers was founded by Kenneth Taylor in 1962 in Carol Stream, Illinois with one simple mission: to spread the word of God to any who are capable of listening. They publish books in all sorts of categories, from bibles and bible study resources to Christian living and other nonfiction. Their Christian romance collection contains contemporary romance, historical romance, and romance suspense, including such titles as Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe and In a Far-Off Land by Stephanie Landsem.
While Tyndale also does not accept unsolicited or self-published manuscripts, they do accept them from literary agents and Christian Manuscript Submissions. If you want to find out more about what kinds of manuscripts they might be interested in publishing, or just have other questions or need more information, use their online contact form.
10. Whitaker House
Founded in 1970 by Robert Whitaker, Whitaker House is a Christian publishing company located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All books published by Whitaker House aim to preach Christian living and values to others, whether that be through nonfiction and self-help texts or children’s books and fiction titles. They publish both contemporary and historical Christian romance, including such titles as Feels like Heaven by Vanessa Miller and Her Rebel Heart by Sharlene MacLaren.
While Whitaker House only accepts manuscripts from literary agents or when requested directly from an author, they have published a useful submissions guideline document to help make your manuscript more likely to be accepted. If you want to speak to someone directly, contact them using any of the methods at this page.