Have you written a war novel with a battlefield setting?
Does your book provide a narrative about the effects an impending war might have on a civilian population or the impact of a war recently happened?
If the next step for you is to get your book published, do take a look at the following 19 top publishers of military fiction.
1. Aquila Polonica
If you love writing about the gripping details of the Polish World War- Aquila Polonica can be your go-to publishing house. Established almost thirteen years by Terry A. Tagnazian and Stefan Mucha, the L.A based company is entirely dedicated to publishing and marketing stories about the Polish Second World War II. Interestingly enough, both Terry and Stefan didn’t have any personal accounts of the war. They were just two keen souls looking to unearth the emotional war-time stories that were still relatively unknown in the West. While the company primarily focuses on non-fiction, they’ve published quite a few fictional accounts like Maps and Shadows by Krysia Jopek and War through a Woman’s Eyes by Rulka Langer. Aquila is currently open for submissions. So if you’ve written military fiction under the backdrop of the Polish War, send your query here. If the company positively responds to your query, they will request the first 50 pages of your manuscript with a brief table of contents. For more details about the submission guidelines, check this page. For contact details, refer to this link.
2. Casemate Publishers
Although they’re relatively new in industry, Casemate Publishers have established their reputation as a leading publishing house for military history books. Established in 2001, this Philadelphia based publishing company has already published multiple titles focusing on military history, defense studies, and military science. Although they primarily prefer memoirs and historical overviews, Casemate also accepts fiction under the backdrop of actual historical events. Black Camp 21 by Bill Jones, Over and Above by Norman Franks and John E Gurdon, and A Subaltern’s Lament by Harry Turner are a few among the several best-selling military fiction titles from this company. While the company was recently open to manuscript queries, the deadline for the submission window was on 28 August, 2020. You can, however, continue checking their submissions page for details about upcoming open reading periods.
3. Kensington Publishing
Popularly known as America’s Independent Publisher, Kensington Press was established in 1974. This New York based company publishes both fiction and non-fiction titles across diverse genres like cozies, fantasies, mysteries, historical fiction, biographies, westerns, true crime, and more. The company’s military fiction program has included titles such as Sandblast by Al Pessin, Enemy Action by Leo J. Maloney, and Retribution by Anderson Harp. Other thriller authors include John Gilstrap, Mark Cameron, and Lisa Jackson. Detailed submission guidelines can be found here.
4. Hutchinson
An imprint of Penguin Random House, Hutchinson is a UK based publisher of fiction and non-fiction titles. The company has time and again published the works of iconic authors like HG Wells, Arthur Conan Doyle, and P.G Wodehouse and they are always looking to recognize and celebrate good storytelling. While Hutchinson publishes works in diverse genres, they are especially interested in titles that are both engaging and unique in their storytelling and narrative techniques. In military fiction, notable titles include Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks, and The Dogs of War by Frederick Forsyth. Unfortunately, since there’s no specific submission guidelines for this imprint, you might want to check this page for the contact details of Hutchinson’s representatives.
5. Turner Publishing
Turner Publishing is a Kentucky based company that is entirely focused on publishing literary fiction. Established in 1984, they have represented very many genres like adventure, romance, business, and most importantly, military fiction. Although they don’t exclusively work with military titles, your work will definitely be considered if it comes with good content and a strong narrative voice. A Short Time To Stay Here by Terry Roberts, Shiloh by James Reasoner and Call To Arms by Livia Hallam are just two among the hundreds of best-selling titles they published. The company is currently accepting submissions. So if you’ve written a gripping tale under the backdrop of war, mail your manuscript or a manuscript query here. For detailed submissions guidelines, check this page.
6. Simon and Schuster
With offices in Australia, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom, Simon and Schuster is your go-to publisher for general trade fiction, non-fiction, literary fiction, and everything in between. Over the years, the company has published multiple books in diverse categories like science fiction, historical fiction, teen fiction, and military fiction to name a few. In military fiction, remarkable works include Target America: A Sniper Elite Novel by Scott McEwen and Thomas Koloniar, Through the Wheat: A Military Classic by Thomas Boyd, and Clear by Fire: A Search and Destroy Thriller by Joshua Hood. If you are planning to submit a similar novel, make sure your work is represented by a reputed literary agent as the company does not accept unsolicited submissions. For more details about the submissions process, check this page.
7. Fireship Press
Based in Tuscon, AZ, Fireship Press is an independent publisher of military fiction and non-fiction. The company is operating since 2008 and since then, they have worked with multiple authors for their gripping and ground-breaking tales focusing on military themes. Fireship Press publishes both Nautical fiction and Historical military fiction. Some of their best-selling titles in this category are, A Tainted Dawn: The Great War, Book I, by B.N Peacock, Hawkwood’s Sword by Frank Payton, and The Unmarked Road by George Cadwalader. The company is currently open to submissions in Nautical and Historical military fiction and non-fiction in diverse areas like Age of Sail, Revolutionary Wars in the US and in Europe, The Renaissance, The American Civil War, 20th Century Military History, and others. Manuscripts should be between 80,000 to 100,000 words and submissions should be emailed in the form of a query letter. Check this page for more details about the submissions process.
8. Pen and Sword Books
Based in South Yorkshire, England, Pen and Sword Books is one of the oldest publishers to be featured on this list. The company has strong links with Barnsley Chronicle, a leading weekly and its sister company. Over the years, Pen and Sword Books has published multiple military-specific titles based on diverse topics like the first and second World Wars, aviation, maritime, family history, local history, and women of history. Some of their notable contributions in military fiction are Exit Plan by Mike Sixsmith, Coming Home by Roy E. Stolworthy, and Blockade Runner by David Kent-Lemon. Unfortunately, the company is currently not accepting fiction submissions. However, you can keep checking this page for details about their upcoming open reading periods.
9. Warriors Publishing Group
As you would probably guess from the name, Warriors Publishing Group is yet another leading publisher of military fiction and non-fiction. The company is based in Los Angeles, and they have published multiple books recounting vivid tales of war. Notable military fiction titles include The Shake Davis Series by Dale A. Dye, Graves in the Sand: A Cole Williams Novel by Brian Boland, and Princes of War: A Novel of America in Iraq by Claude Schmid. Unfortunately, not much is known about their submission process. However, you can keep checking this page for the latest details about upcoming events.
10. Hellgate Press
Established in 1997, Hellgate Press is an independent publisher of military fiction, historical memoirs and adventure tales. While there aren’t any specific requirements for the military fiction, they are particularly fond of stories under the backdrop of the First and the Second World War. You can also expect better response if your titles come with compelling twists and a strong narrative voice. Notable military fiction titles include The Long Goodbye: Khe Sanh Revisited by Michael Archer, and The Funny Thing About War by Al Campo. Hellgate has also launched two other imprints called Grid Press and Paloma Books. Unlike Hellgate, both these imprints specialize in books for children, young teens, and adults. Although Hellgate Press is currently open to submissions, they are not accepting military fiction titles at the moment. You can check their submissions page for details about upcoming open reading periods for military fiction.
11. Black Heron Press
Black Heron is a small Seattle based press that is entirely focused on publishing literary fiction. The company covers multiple niches in literary fiction including military fiction. Throughout their business, they’ve been awarded and recognized for their widespread distribution. Additionally, their authors too have been widely lauded for their excellent titles. Some of their notable works in military fiction include The Train to Orvieto by Rebecca J. Novelli and No Common War by Luke Salisbury. While the company is open to submissions, they only publish 4 to 6 books annually. Manuscript queries can be sent via post with a short cover letter (one page), the first 30 to 40 pages of your book, and a SASE. Details about the submission process can be found here.
13. Army University Press
Based in Kansas, United States, the Army University Press is a leading digital and multimedia organization of the US Army. The press has time and again focused on the unique insights from military professionals, and till date, it serves as the US Army’s exclusive channel for discussing topics focusing on national interest and Army defense. Although the press primarily publishes non-fiction and educational titles, they occasionally publish works in fiction through their Future Warfare Writing Program. Army University Press is currently hosting this writing program and are looking for informative and engaging titles in war fiction. Ideal manuscripts should be within 5,000 words or less. If your work is more than 10,000 words, you need to send a brief query before proceeding to send your manuscript. More details about the submission guidelines can be found here.
14. U.S Naval Institute Press
Based in Maryland, United States, the Naval Institute Press is the publishing wing of the U.S Naval Institute. The press was established in 1898, and at that time, they primarily published guides and scholarly materials aimed at naval professionals. Post World War II, the publishing house expanded their accepted categories to include notable contributions in biographies, memoirs, naval history, and military history. In military fiction, notable works include The Hunt for Red October: A Novel by Tom Clancy and A Common Virtue: A Novel by James A. Hawkins. Although they primarily publish non-fiction and scholarly materials, the U.S Naval Institute Press is likely to consider your military fiction title when represented by a literary agent. More details about their submission policies can be found on this page.
15. Signalman Publishing
Based in Florida, Signalman Publishing is a specialty eBook publisher of non-fiction titles. Although the company does not exclusively publish military fiction titles, they are interested in memoirs or fictional accounts from US War Veterans. Notable military fiction books include The Echo’s Edge by Magnus Egge, Master Switch by William Stender, and Reconciliation: A Son’s Story by Steve Sparks. The company is currently seeking titles in military fiction and non-fiction. Detailed submission guidelines can be found on this page.
16. Douglas & McIntyre
Douglas & McIntyre is an award winning publishing house based in Canada. Interestingly enough, with a history spanning back to more than four decades, they are also one of the oldest publishers to be featured on our list. Douglas & McIntyre works with a wide range of subjects, and although they do not exclusively publish works in military fiction, they have quite a few best-selling books in this category. Notable titles include On To Victory by Mark Zuehlke, Back to the Front by Stephen O’Shea, and Ortona by Mark Zuehlke. The company is currently accepting submissions in all genres, and you can check this page for detailed submission guidelines.
17. Birlinn
Birlinn is a small independent press based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The company was established in 1992 and they publish works in multiple genres through their diverse imprints. Birlinn is supported by a team of open and inclusive staff who are always looking to collaborate with fresh talent. Some of their best-selling military fiction titles include Insurrection: Scotland’s Famine Winter by James Hunter, Hedy’s War by Jenny Lecoat, and Black Camp 21 by Bill Jones. The company is currently open to submissions in fiction, non-fiction and poetry, and you can always send your military fiction titles via post. Check this page for more details about the submission process.
18. St. Martin’s Press
Based in Broadway, New York, St. Martin’s Press is an imprint of the iconic MacMillan Press. The company publishes titles in multiple genres including (but not limited to) mystery, thrillers, true crime, and military fiction. In military fiction, they publish works in military science fiction, military historical fiction, and any other sub-genre they deem fit. Some of their best titles in this category are, Trial by Fire by P.T Deutermann and The Forever War by Joe Haldeman. St. Martin’s Press does not accept unsolicited titles and they will only consider your work when it is represented by a literary agent. For more details about their submission procedure, check this page.
19. Thomas & Mercer
An imprint of Amazon Publishing, Thomas & Mercer is a publisher of true crime, mysteries and thrillers. Although they do not exclusively publish military fiction, the Tier One Thrillers by Brian Andrew and Jeffery Wilson is one of their most popular book series in this category. Thomas & Mercer publishes both eBooks and paperbacks and they seem to prefer military thrillers as a sub-genre for military fiction. While Thomas & Mercer doesn’t accept unsolicited manuscripts, you can find out ways to work with Amazon Publishing here.
Do you know any other publishers of military fiction? Please tell us more about them in the comments box underneath!
I am Ruposhree, a regular happy-go-lucky girl with not-so-regular (read extraordinary) dreams. I love reading, obsessing over random TV series, dreaming of unrealistic vacations, and most importantly, trying my hand at writing. I want to believe that I somehow have a way with words and maybe one day I’ll manage to see and be everything that I ever dreamt of!