If you’re a fiction book writer who wants to publish his newly written book, check out this post. Below we’ve featured 9 top fiction book publishers in Canada.
1. NeWest Press (Edmonton, AB)
NeWest Press is a publisher in Edmonton, Alberta, that first opened their doors in 1977 and is a frequent contender at the Alberta Book Publishing Awards for Publisher of the Year. This publishing house accepts submissions for both fiction and non-fiction, and favors books written by authors from (or connected to) Western Canada.
NeWest Press is a highly reputed publisher, with their authors frequently winning or being shortlisted for writing awards at national and international levels. NeWest Press publishes around a dozen books each year, with titles including Playing Dead by Rudy Wiebe, and The Bone Cage by Angie Abdou. While they are currently open for submissions, they do not accept young adult or children’s books, and are currently not accepting poetry or thriller/mystery submissions. Learn about the manuscript submission process here.
2. Ronsdale Press (Vancouver, BC)
First founded in 1988, Ronsdale Press in Vancouver, BC, is a leading publishing house specializing in Canadian literature. They accept fiction and non-fiction, plus children’s books, as long as there is a connection to Canada. To date, their press house has published around 300 books, and typically chooses submissions that offer new, innovative insights exclusively from Canadian citizens or immigrants to Canada.
Fiction titles published by Ronsdale Press include The City in the Egg by Michel Tremblay, and Nicolette by Robert Zend. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re an established author, the editorial team at Ronsdale Press would be happy to read your manuscript. Before submitting, please browse their catalog to determine whether your manuscript would be a good fit. Typically, they do not accept romance, mystery, sci-fi, or fantasy genres. View their detailed submission guidelines here.
3. Turnstone Press (Winnipeg, MB)
Turnstone Press is a Canadian-based publisher of both fiction and non-fiction, plus poetry collections. Located in Winnipeg, MB, they frequently publish top-rated titles from talented authors. Works currently on their shelves include Once Removed by Andrew Unger, and King Jerry by David Arnason.
Turnstone Press also encourages manuscripts from writers of color, indigenous writers, and those with disabilities. They have an online submissions portal where you can upload your manuscript (first, review their catalog to ensure your book would be a good fit). Please submit your entire manuscript, and expect to hear from their team within 12-24 weeks. Their detailed submission guidelines are here.
4. Boulder Books (Portugal Cove-St Philip’s, NL)
Proudly independent and Canadian, Boulder Books is a publisher with headquarters in Portugal Cove-St Philip’s, Newfoundland, and a second location in Nova Scotia. Founded in 2002, Boulder Books specializes in fiction, field guides, and books of a historical nature. Many of their titles have won awards, including the Best Atlantic Published Book Award and the Newfoundland and Labrador Book Award.
Current titles published by Boulder Books include Death of a Lesser Man by Thomas Rendell Curran, and The Old Man is Me by Bruce Stagg. Boulder Books considers only manuscripts mailed to their office (please include a return envelope if you wish for your manuscript to be sent back to you. Manuscripts typically take three months to review – you can read the full submission guidelines here.
5. Talonbooks (Vancouver, BC)
Based in Vancouver, BC, Talonbooks strives to publish top-quality literary work from authors located all over Canada, as well as Canadian immigrants and minorities. They are determined to support authors throughout the duration of their literary careers, and currently have over 600 books in print.
To date, the diverse selection of books published via Talonbooks has received more than 300 awards. Current fiction titles include A Covenant of Salt by Martine Desjardins, and A Crossing of Hearts by Michel Tremblay. Fiction submissions are currently welcome – please note that submissions are not accepted for collections of short stories, self-help books, or children’s books. Detailed submission guidelines are available here.
6. At Bay Press (Winnipeg, MB)
Award-winning and independent, At Bay Press is a publisher based in Winnipeg, MB. They pride themselves on publishing original, thought-provoking work, and are a great publisher for new and undiscovered authors to break out and begin their careers. Fiction titles currently available include So Many Windings by Catherine Macdonald, and Signal Decay by Keith Cadieux.
At Bay Press exclusively publishes literary fiction and non-fiction, plus poetry. For fiction submissions, they accept literary mysteries, noir, thrillers, and will also accept sci-fi, fantasy, and graphic novel submissions, as long as they are top-quality. Review their submission requirements here.
7. Formac Publishing (Halifax, NS)
Formac Publishing in Halifax, NS, is a publisher specializing in content relating to Canada’s Maritime provinces, or works written by authors from or in Canada’s Maritime provinces. They publish a range of non-fiction, including cookbooks, travel guides, history books, biographies, and more. They also publish fiction, with current titles including A Changed Heart by May Agnes Fleming, and Broken Barrier by Grace Helen Mowat.
Formac is accepting new submissions – please familiarize yourself with their catalog to ensure your fiction submission is a good fit. Manuscripts for children’s chapter books and young adult fiction are also considered. Full submission guidelines are available here.
8. Anvil Press Publishers (Vancouver, BC)
Anvil Press Publishers opened in Vancouver, BC, in 1990. Starting out with two computers in a tiny office, they have since grown to become one of Canada’s leading publishers, and a specialist in contemporary, progressive Canadian literature. Their award-winning titles span fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
Fiction work from Anvil Press Publishers includes 10 Women by George Bowering, and Airborne Photo by Clint Burnham. Although not currently accepting submissions, Anvil Press publishes both well-known and undiscovered authors. View their detailed guidelines here.
9. Nimbus Publishing (Halifax, NS)
Nimbus Publishing in Halifax, NS, publishes over 50 titles annually in a diverse range of genres, including literary non-fiction, history, biographies, books with a local theme, fiction, and children’s picture books. Their fiction imprint, Vagrant Press, has published such titles as Relative Happiness by Lesley Crewe and Maclean by Allan Donaldson.
Nimbus Publishing is currently closed for submissions. Check this page to view their guidelines when submissions are once again open.