If you’ve written a novel about a female protagonist that is on the edge of finding herself, or about to undergo personal transformation and your story captures her various emotions in the process, then you’ve most likely written a piece of women’s fiction.
If you now need a book publisher with expertise of publishing books in this particular genre, one of the following 18 top publishers looking for women’s fiction may be interested in receiving your manuscript.
1. Black Opal Books
Few publishers understand the value of the written word. Black Opal Books in Oregon is one of them. Created in 2010 to offer authors better royalties and a stimulating environment to write in, Black Opal Books is a boutique press. Amateur or debut authors have to try relentlessly and receive multiple rejections from publishers who don’t even bother reading their manuscripts. This publisher is committed to receiving and reading manuscripts from new and fresh authors. Printing both eBook and traditional formats, they are currently seeking women’s fiction, young adult, non-fiction, thriller and mysteries. Read the submission guidelines carefully before sending your manuscript and query letter. Use their online submission form to upload your documents.
2. The Wild Rose Press
A small and boutique press with a focus on fiction, The Wild Rose Press is a traditional publisher. A strongly knit team of experienced editors and professionals, they have been finding and supporting authors since 12 years. While their forte is romance and erotica, they consistently print and want women’s’ fiction, mystery, thriller, westerns, paranormal and women’s fiction. Previous bestsellers include genres such as holiday, travel, historical fiction and LGBTQ. Writers and authors can find the extensive submission guidelines here. You can send your query electronically to this address.
3. Clover Valley Press
Charlene Brown launched Clover Valley Press in 2007 to give female authors a chance to get published. Fiction written by women for women is often not offered a platform or the same chances men are. Clover Valley tries to level the field by encouraging and supporting female writers and authors. Charlene is also an editor and will work in close creative collaboration with the authors to finish the book. Based in Duluth, they are currently accepting submissions for 2019. If you’re a female writer of women’s fiction or non-fiction, you can send a book synopsis, your resume/bio and at least 1 sample chapter. You can submit all those documents electronically to this address. Please note that your manuscript must be written in Microsoft Word.
4. Unnamed Press
An edgy, independent publisher based in Los Angeles, Unnamed Press is keen to break barriers. Printing unheard voices and fresh new takes on existing genres, they are always in the search of new and disruptive authors. Unlike traditional or big publishers, they don’t have any restrictions or limitations in the genres they like. If you are a writer with a story worth telling then this quirky and inimitable publisher is interested. Previous books and titles include women’s fiction, memoirs, life altering experiences, fiction, suspense, thriller, and humor. Send a query letter to them via email.
5. The Story Plant
Lou Aronica and Peter Miller launched The Story Plant in 2008 to find, develop and print high quality fiction. Both the founders are writers and novelists which puts them in an empathizing position with the writers. Young or debut writers can expect a partnership that will foster a higher level of writing and success. Lou and Peter are not just interested in finding a bestseller but also helping amateur writers hone their craft and skill Based in Lanham, Story Plant welcomes all genres of fiction written with a fresh eye and angle. You can submit a query letter to Lou via email.
6. Leapfrog Press
Big publishers often ignore a good story because it may not be a bestseller. Leapfrog Press actively reaches out to find and print effective stories with memorable character arcs since 1993. Amateur writers in need of guidance and support are also welcomed in the Fredonia based press. A small dedicated team of publishing professionals will come together and work to edit, proofread, design and market your book. As a writer, you just need to focus on writing and leave the rest to Leapfrog. They give you a safe space to write and polish your talent. They are currently interested in women’s fiction, adult fiction, and non-fiction. Use their online submission form to send your query letter and manuscript.
7. Freehand Books
Formed in 2007 as an imprint of the Broadview Press, Freehand Books is Canada’s leading fiction publisher. It has created a unique and formidable legacy with its bestselling authors and writers. In 2016, the company separated from Broadview and became an independent publisher. While words and stories are what make a book, Freehand Books will offer you a beautifully designed and edited novel. They are currently only accepting Canadian authors and writers. The publisher is seeking fiction, non-fiction, LGBTQ fiction and women’s fiction. You can send your query via mail after reading the instructions here.
8. Divertir Publishing
Based in Salem, Divertir is a small and independent publisher. Merging traditional methods with modern technology, they are finding new, debut writers and lending them a helping hand. Kenneth Tupper launched the company in 2009 to avoid writers fall into the traps of vanity or hybrid presses and publishers after a bad experience trying to get published. Most writers who want to become authors may not be prepared for a whole novel or book so Divertir encourages short stories. These become like a teaser of that author’s style and story writing and they can then go on to write a complete novel. They want fiction, mystery, women’s fiction, romance and science fiction. You can find the submission guidelines here and send a query letter via email.
9. C & R Press
Small independent publishers like C&R do a lot for the author and writer community. They are the first ones to pick distinctive, offbeat works that may not be accepted by big and traditional publishing houses. Using new media and print formats to keep literature alive, C&R is pushing the literary envelope. Welcoming every genre that is innovative and thought provoking, they are particularly interested in fiction, memoirs, poetry and chapbooks. Amateur writers and authors should consider using their Submittable form to send your manuscript.
10. Boroughs Publishing Group
Always in search of a good story, Boroughs Publishing Group is a romance and women’s fiction publisher. New writers with simple stories and memorable characters are preferred. Boroughs has an enviable title list of fantasy fiction, supernatural, young adult romance, new adult, historical romance and LGBTQ. Boroughs Publishing Group is a solid and commendable publisher for any writer. The publisher allows the writers freedom and leeway to work around their genre the way they choose without worrying about their demands. They publish both print and digital formats of their books. Read the submission guidelines carefully before sending a query letter. You can use this email address or their online form.
11. Belle Books
Seven writers decided to get together and put their knowledge to use and become a publisher. That’s how Belle Books was launched in 1999 with a niche in Southern fiction. It has expanded its interests since then and added 2 imprints- Bell Bridge and ImaJinn Books. With 70 titles annually, Belle publishes fiction, romance, fantasy, science fiction, women’s fiction and mystery. As writers, they are fully aware of the challenges and obstacles faced by authors and offer help and guidance when needed. Find the submissions and contact details listed on this page.
12. Melange Books
An independent, traditional publisher, Melange Books has something for everybody. Catering to every kind of taste and need from the basic to the weird, you can find books in fiction, science fiction, romance, fantasy, shape shifters and vampires, LGBTQ and women’s fiction. They are currently interested in all those genres in novels and novellas. Writers and authors can find the submission guidelines mentioned here clearly. Send a query letter via email after reading them.
13. Diversion Books
From 2010, Diversion Books has changed the face of publishing. Located in New York, they publish 50 titles annually. A small and dedicated team of editors want to take writers and authors through the process of changing their words into a fully formed novel. Expect complete editing, designing, proofreading, marketing and promotional services from this royalty paying publisher. They are interested in fiction, non-fiction, biographies and women’s fiction. You can send a query letter and 3 sample chapters along with any marketing information via email. Please paste everything in the body of the email and don’t send any attachments.
14. Tule Publishing
A commercial and independent publisher, Tule Publishing was established in 2015 by Jane Porter. Printing strong stories with impactful characters, they have 6 imprints. Each imprint has a specific focus and you can choose which one to submit once you know your genre. You can find the submission guidelines and which imprints are currently accepting queries. They are seeking romance, women’s fiction, holiday, contemporary fiction and romance. Tule is a digital first publisher and wants to offer stories in an e-book format globally which can benefit new authors by giving them exposure.
15. City Lights Press
A modern and unconventional publisher, City Lights Press is based in Las Vegas. Fighting for the rights of authors, this boutique company offers one of the best royalty rates in the country. New, unpublished authors can expect to be noticed without the assistance of an agent or reference which is rare in the industry. Working with a small press, authors and writers can have a say in the design and marketing process. Presently they want fiction, contemporary fiction, women’s fiction and young adult. You can use this link to submit your query.
16. Amphorae Publishing Group
Formed by merging 3 imprints in 2014, Amphorae Publishing Group is a woman and veteran owned company. The team has decades of publishing experience between them in fields such as editing, proofreading, marketing and promotions. As writers or female authors, you can’t expect a much better publisher than Amphorae. Their smart eye for distinctive writing and stories are the reason behind the many bestsellers on their list. Located in Saint Louis, they have a strict review process and all manuscripts need to pass two readings. They want fiction, women’s fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, crime, thriller, LGBTQ, humor, science fiction and fantasy. Please follow the instructions mentioned here and use this form to send your query.
17. Curiosity Quills Press
Curiosity Quills Press is trying to alter the way readers and audiences view stories and books. Using new and alternate media, they are offering readers an escape with engaging stories and fresh voices by new authors. Unafraid to discuss the raw and rude truths about contracts and payments, they are very firm and transparent about their payment terms. It is a blessing in disguise for authors who have no experience at dealing with these things. They are interested in women’s fiction, fiction, fantasy, science fiction, young adult, contemporary romance and mystery. Find the submission guidelines listed on this page. Use their extensive online form to submit a query.
18. Genesis Press
The largest African-American press in US, Genesis Press was created in 1993. A great initiative started to use culture and tradition to give the neglected voices an opportunity to share their story. It is located in Columbus. Stories written by African-American authors about African-American people and aimed at the same people, it teaches a writer the power their words and characters can have. Genesis publishes various genres such as romance, fiction, mystery, suspense, young romance and non-fiction. Writers and women of color are encouraged to submit their stories and ideas. Read the submission guidelines here and submit a query. They request you allow up to 6 months for a response since they receive numerous submissions.
Do you know any other publishers looking for women’s fiction? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!
Shikha Pandey is a creative, content and script writer based in Mumbai, India.