Are you an author who has penned a horror story?
Do you now want to publish your book?
One of the following 21 top horror publishers accepting submissions might just be the right publishing house for you and your manuscript.
1. Arkham House
In 1939, August Derleth and Donald Wandrei established their very own publishing house to preserve the gripping horror fictions of their beloved friend, H.P Lovecraft. Their venture was a massive success and 79 years down the line, this Wisconsin based company still manages to retain their position as a true connoisseur of macabre, mystery and horror fiction. Lovecraft’s ‘Outsider’ and John D. Harvey’s ‘The Cleansing’ are two among the hundreds of best-selling books from Arkham House. This platform specializes in pulp, weird, mystery and horror fiction. So if you have a couple of your best works to share, you can always drop your manuscripts here.
P.S- Arkham House only accepts manuscripts that are sent via post.
2. Light Unseen Media
If you’re looking to get your horror novel published by a prestigious US based publication- Light Unseen Media can be your go-to option. Based in Pepperell, Massachusetts, this publishing house was formed in 2006 by author Inanna Arthen. Arthen created this platform to disseminate vampire fiction that doesn’t just transcend the common stereotypes but also explores the diversity of imagination and demonstrates the infinite creative potential of the horror motif. Their books have diverse themes ranging from horror to mystery; vampire fictions to stories involving the human psyche. While the company has published hundreds of books, Un-Dead TV by Brad Middleton and Blood on the Bayou by David Burton are two top-rated novellas from their collection. Light Unseen Media is currently accepting manuscript queries in the areas of vampire fiction and non-fiction. For more details about the submission process, check this page.
3. Grove Atlantic
Based out of New York’s Greenwich Village, Grove Atlantic is a leading publisher of science fiction, horror, and fantasy titles. Some of their best horror titles include The Cellar by Minette Walters, Stevenson Under the Palm Trees by Alberto Manguel, and Pursuit by Joyce Carol Oates. The company was established in 1947, and since then they’ve expanded their reach via multiple imprints. Their existing imprints include, Grove Press, The Mysterious Press, Atlantic Monthly Press, and Black Cat. While Grove Atlantic doesn’t follow an open submission policy, they will consider your work if it is represented by a literary agent. For more information about the submission process, check this page.
4. Odyssey Books
Headquartered in Australia, Odyssey Books specializes in horror, dystopian fiction, fairy tales and fantasy titles. Since their inception, this company has produced hundreds of spine-chilling horror novels like Mr Ordinary Dons a Disguise by Benjamin Allmon and Nursing Fox by Jim Ditchfield. The company is currently open to submissions, and you can learn more about the detailed submission process here. Despite being a traditional publisher, Odyssey Books also offers hybrid publishing and self-publishing options. You can check this page for more information about their policies.
5. Rogue Phoenix Press
If you’re looking to publish your horror eBook, Rogue Phoenix Press might just be your top pick. The company was established in 2008 and over the last couple of years, they’ve published gripping genre fiction novels that are incredibly popular among readers of all ages. Rogue Phoenix Press is fond of tales with bold characters and unconventional story lines. Some of their recent releases include, The Secret Club by Greg Gildersleeve, Whispers Before Death by G.L Didaleusky, and Demon’s Song by Julie Boglisch. As of now, they are open to submissions in horror and paranormal fiction. For more details about their submission policy, check this page.
6. Black Bed Sheet Books
Black Bed Sheet Books was established by Nicholas Grabowsky back in 2008. Based in Norwalk, Grabowsky created this platform to support budding authors who still didn’t have a solid footing in the publishing industry. His independent venture soon grabbed some attention, and within the next few years the company had already published hundred books under horror, mystery and science fiction. Grabowsky’s efforts truly paid off and right now, award winning titles like Anthology of the living dead (by Forest J Ackerman) Blood Orchard (by SD Hintz) are credited to his name. Black Bed Sheet Books is currently welcoming submissions in horror, science fiction, urban fantasy, and fantasy. In order to initiate the process you’ll have to mail them with a query here. If they’re interested, they’ll definitely get back to you.
7. Curiosity Quills Press
As quirky as they sound, Curiosity Press is a US based publishing house that works with new age authors who are looking to publish their horror novels for the first time. They’ve been in business for the last 7 years and while they publish works covering diverse genres, Curiosity Press primarily specializes in paranormal fiction, psychological thrillers and your regular horror novels teeming with supernatural elements and spine chilling twists. The ‘Actuator Anthology’ and ‘A Taste of Honey and Death’ by Sharon Bayliss are some of their top rated horror/mystery novels. The company is currently open for submissions and their acquisitions editor, Andrew Buckley is open to submissions in urban fantasy with a tinge of horror. For more details about his requirements, check this page. Detailed submission guidelines can be found here. Note that since Curiosity Quills offers self-publishing options, you may need to pay a small fee to get your work published by them.
8. Dzanc Books
Fans of supernatural, thriller and gothic novels, Dzanc Books is small publishing house in Canada that first came to inception in 2006. While they work with a slew of different genres, some of their bestselling books fall under horror and gothic fiction. Top rated horror and mystery novels from the company include Darkansas by Jaret Middleton and The Lost Country by William Gray. Dzanc Books is currently open for submissions. So if you think your novel is bold and innovative enough to make the cut, check out their submission guidelines here.
9. Talos Press
If writing novels on zombies, apocalypse and paranormal activities is your forte; Talos Press can surely help you. This small, independent New York based publishing house was formed almost 5 years back. Although they haven’t published too many titles, their science fiction, horror and fantasy novels have been well received among readers. Goldblind Trilogy by Anna Stephens and Sleep over by H.G Wells are two leading horror novels from their platform. The platform is currently welcoming submissions on horror, fantasy and science fiction. Send your proposal with a copy of your CV, a short synopsis and a sample chapter of your book. If they’re interested, they’ll surely get back to you. Find more information about the submission guidelines here.
10. Severn House
Headquartered in London, Severn House is an independent publisher of crime, thriller, horror, fantasy and other genre fiction titles. The company was founded in 1974 and since then, they’ve published books across multiple formats including both hardback and eBooks. Severn House is always on the lookout for new titles that can thoroughly entertain readers. Some of their best horror titles include Lucifer’s Ark by Simon Clark, Blood Maidens by Barbara Hambly, and Ghost Music by Graham Masterton. While the company accepts new submissions, they will only consider your work when it is represented by a literary agent. Check this page for more information about their submission policy.
11. Severed Press
Established in 2008, Severed Press is an independent publishing house based in Australia. Although they’ve had humble beginnings, over the next few years, this platform earned an excellent reputation for their high quality content and commitment to both newcomers and reputed authors. Severed Press has a keen eye for talent and their list of authors include leading names like Tim Curran, David Achord and Jake Bible. While the platform specializes in horror fiction, you can also send in your sci-fi novellas here. They are especially interested in military horror and other fictional tales with apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic scenarios. To submit your work, you’ll have to write a short 200 word synopsis (elucidating the key points of your novel), attach your manuscript with the mail and finally send it to the official email address of the company. Check out this page for more details about their submission guidelines.
12. Polis Books
Polis Books is a New York based independent publishing house that specializes in horror, urban fantasy, supernatural, and science fiction. The company was established in 2013 to give new authors a chance and within just five years they’ve managed to create a niche audience of their own. ‘The Blue Kingfisher by Erica Wright’ and ‘Black Diamond Fall’ by Joseph Olshan; are two widely acclaimed gothic titles from the platform. Polis Books is currently accepting submissions in suspense, horror, fantasy and other related genres. To submit your work, you need to send a query letter, three sample chapters, and a short author bio. For more details about the submission policies, refer to this page.
13. Zumaya Publications
Based out of Austin, Texas, Zumaya Publications is a leading publisher of speculative fiction. The company was established in 2001, and since then they’ve published hundreds of titles across diverse genres. They publish both paperbacks and eBooks and are constantly looking work with new, talented authors. Zumaya has multiple imprints including Arcane, Boundless, Embraces, Enigma, Fabled Ink, Otherworlds, Thresholds, Yesterdays, and Eclectica. Since the Arcane imprint primarily focuses on fantasy and horror, your paranormal titles are most likely to be published under this imprint. Some of their best horror titles are An Ungoldy Child by Rachel Green, Footprints in the Snow: Tales of Haunted Russia by James L. Choron, and Megge of Bury Down by Rebecca Kightlinger. The company has a detailed submission policy and you can check this page for more information about it.
14. Angry Robot
Angry Robot is a UK based global publisher, driven to publish compelling novels in science fiction, horror, fantasy, supernatural fiction and every other genre that comes in between. This publishing house was launched in 2009, and over the next eight years they’ve published novels in both physical and eBook formats. While the press itself has won the Best Independent Press award in 2016; its published authors- Lauren Beukes and Ramez Naam, have also been awarded for their novels’ Zoo City’ and ‘Apex’. The platform is currently accepting submissions in ‘genre’ fiction that occasionally includes horror as a primary genre. While the company accepts full-length adult novels, they will only consider your work if it’s represented by a literary agent. Find out more details about their submission guidelines here.
15. Tartarus Press
Are you looking to get your works published by an award winning publishing house? In that case, Tartarus Press is definitely your best option. Founded in 1990, this British press publishes hardback and paperback editions of strange, supernatural and horror fiction. This company has published best-selling gothic novels like Robert Aikman’s ‘Sub Rosa’ and Arthur Machen’s ‘The 1890s Notebook’. They’ve also been lauded by The Guardian and Telegraph for their incredibly satisfying supernatural tales. As of now, Tartarus Press is accepting submissions for short stories (between 2,000 to 6,000 words), short fiction, and novels (between 75,000 to 1,20,000 words). Note that they do not accept violent horror fiction. So, if you’ve penned down a vampire or ghost fiction tale, make sure the cliched trappings of your work are at the bare minimum. For more information about their submission process, check this page.
16. Quirk Books
Headquartered in Philadelphia, Quirk Books is a small American press that works with the authors of horror, mystery and thriller novels. The company publishes only 25 books a year, and some of their popular titles include ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ by Seth Graham Smith and ‘The Last Policeman’ by Ben Winters. The platform is currently open for submissions and you can always contact them with your ideas. Check this page for more details about their submission guidelines and the specific requirements of their editors.
17. World Castle Publishing
World Castle is a multi-genre publishing house that has works with many different genres. While their primary focus remains on horror, gothic, post-apocalyptic fiction and mystery novellas; you can also send your works on other genres (if any). This Florida based company was formed by Karen Fuller as an attempt to support budding authors; and at this point, her venture seems to be absolutely successful. Some of the bestselling gothic titles from World Castle Publishers are ‘Trisomy XXi’ by G.A Minton and ‘The Monster Junkies’ by Erik Shein. The platform is currently accepting short fiction (within 14,999 words), novellas (within 39,999 words) and novels (within 100,000 words). For detailed information about the submission guidelines, check this page.
18. Triplicity Publishing
Established in 2012, Triplicity Publishing is a publishing house based out of Jacksonville, Florida. The company publishes titles across various genres like horror, paranormal, fantasy, and romance to name a few. Since the company operates in a family-oriented style, they give equal attention to every manuscript. Some of their best horror titles include Awakened by Fate by Lynn Lawler and A Night Claimed by Dominia Alexandra. They are currently accepting submissions in paranormal and horror fiction that deals with stories about vampires, ghosts, zombies, and other supernatural elements. For more details about the submission process, check this page.
19. Flame Tree Publishing
Flame Tree Publishing is one of the biggest publishers of horror and sci-fi novels in the UK. After all, can you ever go wrong with publishing house that has license arrangements with Tate and the Royal Academy of Arts? Headquartered in London, this company was founded in 1992, and the rest as we all know, is history. While Flame Tree Publishing specializes on a several different genres, horror fiction and gothic novella is their forte. ‘Chilling Short Ghost Stories’ and ‘Time Travel short stories’; are two of their best-selling horror novels. In 2018, they also came up with a completely new trade imprint for their horror, gothic and sci fi novels. Flame Tree Publishing is currently accepting submissions in horror, science fiction, fantasy and crime fiction. You can email your submission along with a short synopsis of your work, your CV and your full contact details. For more information about submissions, visit this page.
20. Cactus Moon Publications
While they don’t have too many titles credited to their name, Cactus Moon Publications is slowly carving out their very own niche in the horror publication industry. Based in Arizona, the company publishes horror fiction, post-apocalyptic fiction, thrillers and every other genre that’ll shake you to the core. ‘Epistle of the Damned’ by M. Lee Mendelson, is one of their highest selling horror novels. Right now, the company is looking for compelling horror manuscripts. So if you think your novel can make the cut, check out their submission guidelines here.
21. Sunbury Press Books
Located in Pennsylvania, Sunbury Press is a leading publisher of fiction and non-fiction titles. The company was established in 2004, and they publish around 70 titles annually. Top categories include history, biography, fiction, horror, and mystery. Sunbury Press also has multiple imprints namely, Milford House Press, Brown Posey Press, Hellbender Books, Ars Metaphysica, Distelfink Press, and Oxford Southern Press. If you are planning to send a horror title, it will be published under their Hellbender Books imprint. Some of the best-selling horror titles from Sunbury include Circle of Blood by Thomas Malafarina, Out of This World by Joanie Findle and The Cursed Man by Keith Rommel. Your work is more likely to be considered if you’ve written something on the lines of these featured novels. As of now, Sunbury Press is open to submissions for all their imprints and more details about the submission process can be found here.
Are you a horror publisher accepting submissions? Please introduce your organization in the comments box below.