If you’re a romance author who wants to publish a romance novel, you must first familiarize yourself with the different publishers in the market to find where your book will fit.
Research and explore the lists before hitting the submit button. You can follow publishing blogs to get some credible, helpful advice and straight talks from people who work in this industry.
Write a killer proposal and have someone review it. Finding a literary agent to represent you might be the only door to your desired publishing company, although this will depend on several factors such as your circumstances, goals, and resources
Either way, agent or not, you will need to take heart in times of rejection and be persistent because nothing worthwhile comes easy. Eventually, you will find yourself on top.
I have here below compiled a list of 21 top romance publishers accepting submissions. Good luck finding a home for your romance novel or novella!
1. Spencer Hill Press
Based in New York, Spencer Hill Press is an independent publisher that publishes adult contemporary romance and YA. They also accept paranormal romance, urban fantasy and series works. Some of their products include For Love of the Duke by Christi Caldwell and Truly, Madly, Whiskey by Melissa Foster.
Submission requirements include writing a cover letter explaining a little bit about your inspiration for the book. Spencer Hill is a publisher that cares about work published and the author. Submission guidelines can be found here.
2. Decadent Publishing
Decadent Publishing is an Alaska based publisher that is a 100% romance only publisher. They have a long list of sub-genres that specify what they really need, including “marriage of convenience.” Examples of their products include Seductive Suspect by Thea Landen and Soul of Flame by Merryn Dexter.
Decadent Publishing accepts full manuscripts through email with a specified style and formatting as explained on their submission page.
3. Boroughs Publishing Group
The California based publisher looks for emotional romance that gets readers craving for more. From gargoyles, space cowboys, crusty cops to the hunk next door, this kind of imagination is what Boroughs Publishing is looking for. They encourage creative freedom, as long as you stick to the tropes of the genre. Their product samples include Stranded with the Earl by Charlotte Russel and Unlikely in Love Trilogy by Susan Mac Nicol.
Boroughs Publishing Group has different word counts for various sub-sections in their submission guidelines. For their Lunchbox Romance line, they require 6,000 to 12,000 words and for their Romantisode line, 20,000 – 30000 words. More details are on their submission page. If they like your work, they will surely give it a place in their company.
4. Entangled Publishing
Entangled Publishing is an independent publisher that has since 2011 published titles of romantic fiction in both YA and adults. The company releases twenty to thirty-five titles every month in digital-first format and four more each month in e-formats and simultaneous print. Entangled is all about romance, with products like The Earl in my Bed by Stacy Reid and Just One Spark by Jenna Bayley Burke.
From their submissions page, you can find links to submit to all their different imprints to find the one that best suits your manuscript.
5. Harlequin
Harlequin, a division of HarperCollins is a New York based publisher that was founded in 1949 and has been a leading publisher of women’s fiction for a long time. The company also publishes young adult, narrative nonfiction and more. What Harlequin is looking for is good romance. Some of their products include Twilight Phantasies by Maggie Shayne and Bride of the Tiger by Heather Graham.
Their submission guidelines have a layout of different imprints for you to choose one that suits your manuscript. You can visit their page to access their submission guidelines.
6. Crimson Romance
In 2012, Crimson Romance launched as an imprint of F+W Media. Later in 2016 the company was acquired by Simon & Schuster, Inc. and has since sold over 2.5 million ebook and print-on-demand titles. Their title line features swoon-worthy romantic journeys, characters to die for, fresh voices and exciting stories that every reader yearns for. A Kiss in the Sunlight by Marie Patrick and White Knight by Nicole Flockton & Abigail Owen are some of their products.
Their digital-first romance line is open to submissions in subgenres of contemporary, romantic suspense, historical, paranormal and spicy romance. Previously unpublished full-length novels is what Crimson Romance is looking for, with between 50,000 – 90,000 words and novellas that have between 30,000 – 50,000 words. You got that manuscript? Then submit here.
7. Inkspell Publishing
The Michigan based publisher is a new digital publishing company for fantasy fiction, romance, and young adult titles. The company believes that each author has magical creations in their words, and they strive to support them in building their magical words into captivating stories for every reader. Their products include Under the Mountain Stars by Christina Rhoads and Step Toward You by Liz Ashlee.
Inkspell is looking for exciting and intriguing romance stories with peculiar heroes, lonely dragons, werewolves who find love – but also meet gorgeous strangers, charming cowboys and the sexy neighbors. You can check their submission page for more details on their submission guidelines.
8. Jack’s House Publishing
Jack’s House Publishing has been Marie Force’s publishing endeavor since 2010 with a specialty in the romance genre. Marie Force operated the Formatting Fairies since 2012 to help authors get started in their publishing endeavor, and now she leads her team in helping to raise and connect with readers. She is looking for authors whose great books have not been read. Some of the products from this publisher are Taming His Hellion Countess by Sorcha Mowbray and Wicked Beautiful by J.T. Geissinger.
Jack’s House Publishing is only interested in contemporary romance. They have a sample contract on their website for you to know what they are looking for.
9. Forever and Forever Yours
The publisher Forever is Grand Central Publishing’s imprint. The company publishes a broad assortment of fiction romance that features everything from sexy billionaires to regency rogues, Texas cowboys to Scottish Highlanders, immortal shapeshifters to navy seals to the hot man next door. Forever has since 2003 launched the careers of some of New York Times bestselling authors like Larissa Ione, Elizabeth Hoyt, and Paula Quinn. Their digital first sister, Forever Yours, is their romance imprint which publishes ebook editions of classic favorites and original works of novellas to epic sagas. Their products include Too Hard to Forget by Tessa Bailey and Finding You by Joy Watson. Forever and Forever Yours are Grand Central Publishing’s imprints which was established in 1970 and focuses on traditional and non-traditional romantic fiction.
Forever and Forever Yours allows both unagented and agented manuscripts for submission. Novels and novellas below 50,000 words undergo digital publication only. They do not accept general fiction, mystery or YA. You are required to submit your complete manuscript as an RTF file. For submission guidelines and FAQ, visit their website.
10. Roane Publishing
Roane Publishing is an independent publisher of fantasy, erotica, and quality romance. The publisher builds strong partnerships with writers to help them publish their stories. The e-publisher provides competitive royal rates at 50%, with eye-catching covers and professional editing. To ensure a strong marketing and promotional presence, Roane Publishing works with authors, reviewers, bloggers, and readers by encouraging them to maintain an active online presence. An Outlaw in Her Bed by Katie Eavenshade and Finding Freedom by Lynn Burke are some of its products.
Roane Publishing focuses on erotic romance, romance, and fantasy, including novellas. They also provide cover design and professional editing if accepted. The publisher takes submissions through email, with each genre having its own particular submission guidelines. All you need is to visit their submission page, find your genre and email away.
11. Hallmark Publishing
Hallmark Publishing is a book division launched recently by The Hallmark Channel. Some of their published titles include A Dash of Love by Liz Isaacson and Moonlight in Vermont by Karl Cantrell.
Hallmark Publishing is looking for full-length non-religious romance novels that are fun, light-hearted and wholesome. It will be an added financial benefit if your novel can be turned into a movie. For more guidelines on submission, go to their website.
12. Lyrical Press
Lyrical Press is a digital-first imprint publisher that provides readers with a prolific catalog of titles ranging from edgy erotic titles and sweeping historical romances to cozy mysteries and chilling thrillers. Founded in 2007 by Renee Rocco, the publisher is now an imprint publishing partner of Kensington Publishing Corp and offers fiction genre to readers. Products include Wedding the Widow by Jenna Jaxon and The Singular Mr. Sinclair by Mia Marlowe.
The publisher is looking for fresh stories from several categories including romance across all genres, psychological suspense fiction, women’s fiction, thrillers, cozy mysteries and new adult. Submit here if you’ve got what they are looking for.
13. Soul Mate Publishing
Soul Mate Publishing is a New York publisher that was founded in 2011 by Deborah Gilbert. The romance eBook publisher focuses exclusively on publishing for the Kindle marketplace. They publish romance sub-genres including chick lit, action/adventure, contemporary, historical, erotica, inspirational, fantasy, new adult, paranormal, novellas, science fiction, time travel, suspense, women’s fiction, young adult and urban fantasy. Samples of their product titles include Stars Over Texas by Tessa Gray and Dressage Dreaming by Kimberley Beckett.
Soul Mate encourages authors to experiment and blur genre lines. Before submitting, you should read the editor profiles to know which editor best fits your novel. Write a query letter with the contact details, the genre and your story’s summary and publishing credits if any. Remember to attach a synopsis in addition to the manuscript’s first three chapters. They are looking for authors with exciting stories and who are not afraid to explore. You can submit your manuscript here.
14. ImaJinn Books
ImaJinn Books is a Colorado based publisher of regency romance, paranormal romance, erotica, YA and more. The publisher is looking for whatever romance story you have, be it historical or modern, spicy or sweet, real-life or fantasy. ImaJinn Books publishes both digitally and in print. Some of their published titles are A Love Through Time by Jean Nash and A War of Hearts by Laurie Carroll.
For submission, you are required to send a query email then wait. If they like it, they will contact you and ask for a manuscript of between 50,000 to 90,000 words. More submission details can be found on their submission page.
15. Siren Publishing
Siren Publishing is a Texas based publisher that was founded in 2006. Since then the publisher has published over 6,000 eBooks and 5,000 in print books. The company is a full-service royalty paying company and boasts of having over 700 authors. Their product titles include Stormy Desire by Leah Brooke and Bound By their Kisses by Marla Monroe.
Siren Publishing is looking for manuscripts with very specific qualities: Romance should be at least 70% of the entire plot; no characters under 20 years old; sex must be explicit. You can go ahead and submit if your manuscript meets the requirements above and more from the guidelines.
16. Loveswept & Flirt
Loveswept & Flirt are Random House’s imprints. The publisher is digital-only and specific to romance and women’s fiction. They like working with forward thinking and up-and-coming writers, with a goal of helping readers familiarize with the world of eBooks. Products from this publisher include Joanna’s Highlander by Maeve Greyson and Long Shot by Kelly Jamieson.
The publisher accepts queries for submissions in erotica, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, historical romance, new adult and women’s fiction. They are interested in full-length works with 40,000 words or more. The publisher has no strict limit on word count for submissions. Their artfully designed informational booklet tells it all; what they require and how to submit to them.
17. Carina Press
Carina Press is Harlequin’s digital-first single title adult fiction imprint with releases in print and audio. Carina Press was launched in 2009 by Angela James, who is the editorial director of the company. The publisher is open to a wide range of subgenres and lengths, and they offer articles with tips on making a proper submission. They publish works in all romance subgenres including erotic, contemporary, science fiction and fantasy. Carina Press is also willing to go beyond boundaries and publish books that are out of the traditional genre. Samples of their published products include Hard Line by Sidney Bell and The Love Coupon by Ainslie Paton.
Carina Press accepts different romance genres. What you should note is that you cannot submit to Carina and Harlequin at the same time. You will have to wait for rejection with one before submitting to the other. For more information on what Carina Press editors are looking for, visit this page.
18. Limitless Publishing
Limitless Publishing is a family-owned publishing company founded by Jennifer O’Neill and Jessica Gunhammer. The company publishes in print, digital and audio formats, with over 200 titles published annually. Accidental Attraction by Kenadee Bryant and Absolution by Penelope Marshall are some of their products.
Limitless Publishing accepts all kinds of heat levels and subgenres. The publisher produces eBooks and paperbacks, and its cover designs pack a punch. Their website has more information on submission guidelines.
19. Clean Reads
Clean Reads believes that not all romance stories have to have sex, profanity, and violence for the reader to enjoy. One can have rich and vibrant stories that will make readers crave for more. The publisher accepts all romance genres except erotica, and they also have a section of non-romance genre they take in, like young adult, general fiction, middle grade, inspirational and more. Examples of their works include My One True Love by Stephanie Taylor and Dating the IT Guy by Kristen Lindsay Hager.
Clean Reads have a private message widget on their website for getting in touch. Otherwise, you can read more about their submission guidelines at the site. As long as your work does not have profanity, open door sex scenes or frequent innuendos, Clean Reads is your romance publisher.
20. The Wild Rose Press
The Wild Rose Press is a romance electronic and print publisher. The publisher has been publishing fiction for over nine years. Their subgenre spectrum includes sweet romance and sensually erotic, which are available in all lengths. Some of their titles include Tamed by Desiree Holt and Never You by Stacy Cold.
The Wild Rose Press accepts your submission and requires you to first send a query through email. You can find submission guidelines here.
21. Hot Tree Publishing
Hot Tree Publishing specializes in publishing romance. The publisher has other independent services like promotion, self-publishing and more on their website. Some of their publications include Love At First Crepe by Heidi Renee Mason and Beautiful Sacrifice by Gen Ryan.
Hot Tree Publishing accepts submissions of all subgenres of new adult and adult romance. The submissions should not be less than 50,000 words and not more than 125,000 words. More guidelines on submission can be found on their submission page.
There’s one more important thing to remember as an author who is looking to publish their book. You only get one chance to send your manuscript to a publisher. Ensure your work is polished before you send it out, review your draft again and again. They say that you can take two weeks after writing or before submission to thoroughly go through your write-up, identify flaws and edit them. You may want to use a checklist to assess whether it’s on target before submission.
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://writingtipsoasis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/kev.jpg[/author_image] [author_info] Kevinson Libama is a full-time non-fiction writer, proofreader, and editor. He’s currently accepting new clients who need help with their eBook proofreading and editing as well as blog writing. [/author_info] [/author]