Are you a writer in India looking for Indian book publishers?
Below you’ll find 17 top publishing houses in Kolkata.
The first 14 are English book publishers and the remaining are Bengali publishing companies.
English Book Publishers in Kolkata
1. Rupa Publishers
Established almost eight decades back, Rupa Publishers is one of the oldest publishing houses in India. Headquartered in Kolkata, the company was founded by D. Mehra who wanted to create a platform to the represent fresh and promising writing talent of the nation. His efforts paid off, and the company that started at a small office in College Street, soon turned out to be a household name among readers and critics. Rupa’s logo was created by acclaimed film-maker Satyajit Ray. Interestingly, Ray didn’t charge any money for the logo, and rather came up with it in lieu of his favourite books. Over the next couple of years, Rupa collaborated with thousands of amateur and professional novelists, and most of their works have been widely lauded by both readers and critics. While Rupa initially focused on fiction-only titles, they eventually expanded their reach, and right now, they cover several different genres (including but not limited to), romance, thrillers, mystery, self-help, mythology, philosophy, history, popular culture and politics. Unlike any other Indian publisher, Rupa follows an open submission policy. So if you have some of your best works to share, feel free to reach out to them on this page.
2. Macmillan Education India
If you’re looking to collaborate with one of the oldest publishing houses of India, Macmillan Education is your bet! Primarily focusing on educational resources, this company has been in business for the last twelve decades. During this time, they’ve rolled out some excellent educational titles that are widely followed by leading schools across the globe. Macmillan’s educational titles are penned by expert academicians, who always ensure that the content is research and learner oriented. Additionally, they also ensure that the works are culture and gender sensitive. As of now, Macmillan has rolled out more than 10,000 titles and some of their leading works include ‘English Ferry’, ‘Hop skip’, ‘Fusion’ and the likes of it. The company has also received several awards for their outstanding contributions in educational resources. Macmillan Education has several offices in India, and in Kolkata, they are based in Camac Street. Like Rupa, Macmillan too gives an opportunity to newbie and experienced authors. So, if you’ve penned some excellent educational resources, contact them on this page right away.
3. Orient BlackSwan Publishing
Yet another top pick among educational text publishers, Orient BlackSwan Publishing is best known for their research-based titles, self-help books, guides and children’s titles. Unlike many other leading Indian-English publishing houses, this company also rolls out translated texts, and titles on contemporary socio-political issues. Educators love their books for the relevant, informative, and reader-oriented content. Among educational texts, they’ve covered mathematics, environment, and science. Among other genres, they’ve worked with mysteries, biographies, translated texts, and folklore. Orient BlackSwan has several offices across India. Some of their most prominent locations include, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Bhopal. As of now, the company is open for new submissions from both newcomers and experienced professionals. So, if you’re looking to collaborate with them, reach out to them on this page.
4. Bhabani Books
Bhabani Books is an independent publishing house that rolls out titles under many different genres. The company has its offices in Kolkata, and Guwahati, and they’ve been in business for the last one decade. While they cover many different genres, some of their popular categories include history, biography, short story, novel, translated works and so on. Bhabani Books is primarily driven to reprint and revive classics. So, if you love translating regional classics, this publishing house is an ideal platform for you. Unlike any other platform, Bhabani Books also translates classic Assamese titles in English. As of now, they’ve rolled out more than hundred Assamese titles, and almost of them have been widely appreciated by critics. Since this publishing house is always willing to promote budding talent, you can contact them even if you haven’t been published before. Bhabani Books will consider your manuscript and get back to you if it makes the cut. As of now, you can reach out to this company here.
5. Alchemy Publishers
If you’re looking to work with experts like C.K and R.K Mehra, Alchemy Publishers is your go-to option. The Mehra duo had established Rupa and Co., and this new publishing house is yet another one of their independent ventures. Backed by their impeccable expertise, this company is best known for their intelligent, relevant, and culturally-sensitive content. As of now, they’ve already covered a wide range of genres including self-help, philosophy, wildlife, fiction, gender studies, DIY, travel, motivational, and coffee-table titles. Since Alchemy is constantly looking to diversify their pool of writers, you can always reach out to them with your new works. Currently, the publishing house is accepting book proposals on any of the mentioned genres. You need to send in the proposal along with your name, address and a brief synopsis about yourself. As of now, Alchemy Publishers can be reached out on this page.
6. Roman Books
Roman Books is an award-winning publishing house based in College Street, Kolkata. Despite having their office in Kolkata, the platform has an integrated sales network across the world. The titles rolled out by this publisher are sold in front-ranking publishing chains like Flipkart, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the likes of it. While the company covers many different genres, their primary focus is on literary fiction and literary criticism by leading authors and members of the academia. The company has two different imprints, and they are constantly looking to add more writers to their existing talent pool. So, if you’re looking to get represented for your fiction title, reach out to this company here.
7. Allied Publishers
Founded in 1934, by M. Graham Brash, Allied Books is one of the oldest publishers of self-help and educational titles. Based in Kolkata, the company was later acquired by Mr. R.N Sachdev, and since then, there has been no looking back for them. Over the last couple of years, Allied Publishers expanded their reach by networking at nine different branch offices, all of which are located in leading metro cities. Although Allied Publishers doesn’t have any specific submission policy, you can always reach out to them with your new titles on this page. The company will surely consider your work, if it manages to live up to their requirements.
8. Setu Prakashani
Setu Prakashani began its journey almost 13 years back in November 2003. Their first title was a book depicting the post-revolutionary condition in China. Over the next couple of years, they published similar titles that have been loved and lauded by critics across the nation. Thereafter, it has managed to create a presence of its own. Setu Prakashani publishes titles in both English and Bengali, covering popular genres like gender, women studies, anthropology, cultural affairs, political science, sociology and the likes of it. Quite recently, they also rolled out ‘Bitarkika’, a magazine focused on cultural and socio-economic topics. Luckily enough, Setu is currently accepting new titles. So if you have a coupe of your best works to share, reach out to them on this page.
9. Academic Publishers
Established in 1958, Academic Publishers is one of the oldest academic publishing houses in Kolkata. The company has been in business for the last six decades, and during this time, they have rolled out several books covering scientific, technical, literary, and medical fields. Over the last couple of years, they’ve also rolled out management, sociology, philosophy and political science titles. Academic Publishers has a strong alliance globally, recognized distributors. So if you get represented by them, you can be completely assured of proper and consistent distribution. As of now, the company is looking for new authors. So if you have some scholarly titles to share, reach out to them on this page.
10. Seagull Books
Seagull Books is a Kolkata based publishing house that publishes several new titles covering a wide range of genres. The venture was started in 1982 by Naveen Kishore, a theatre professional. Naveen came up with the platform to publish and disseminate hard-hitting fiction titles that’d take the literary world by storm. Luckily enough, his venture turned out to be massively successful, and within the next few years, Seagull emerged as a leading non-fiction publisher. Over the last couple of years, Seagull has rolled out several award-winning titles that have been positively received by the audience. So if you think your work can strike a chord, reach out to them on this page.
11. Jaico Publishing House
If you’re looking to collaborate with one of the biggest Kolkata based publishers, Jaico Publishing house is your answer! Based in Kolkata, this company has several branches across the nation. The company was established in 1946 by Late Jaman Shah, and over the last few years, it has continued to maintain its legacy as one of the biggest publishers of the city. As of now, this company has collaborated with leading authors like Devdutt Pattnaik, Dalai Lama, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Jac Canfield and others. While they primarily focus on self-help books, Jaico has also published a couple of body-and soul, philosophy, and socio-cultural titles. The company follows an open submissions policy and can be reached out on this page.
12. Indian Publishing House
Indian Publishing House was established by the founders of ‘The Indian Press’. Dr. Chintamoni Ghosh, the man behind this company wanted to establish a platform for newbie authors who were struggling for proper representation. His efforts paid off, and this platform soon turned out to be one of the leading outlets for talented authors. As of now, Indian Publishing House publishes a wide range of scholarly and fiction titles. Some of their genres include biography, mystery, thrillers, gender studies and philosophy. You can contact Indian Publishing House on this page.
13. Puspa Publishing House
Puspa Publishing House is publishing company that was established with the contributions of famous philanthropists, civil servants, scientists and corporate members. Like many other companies featured on our list, Puspa too primarily focuses on academic texts and scholarly materials. The company rolls out new titles every year. So if you love writing academic texts, try contacting them on this page.
14. Everest Publishing House
Yet another academic book publisher, Everest Publishing House publishes a wide range of titles pertaining to management, engineering, science, literature, medicine and the likes of it. The company has its branches in Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Devangere and other metro cities. This publishing platform is best known for its informative, culturally-relevant and research based titles. Unlike many other scholarly book publishers, Everest follows an open submission approach. You can contact them by filling up a short form listing your personal and professional details. Everest Publishing house can be contacted on this page.
Bengali Publishers in Kolkata
15. Sarat Book House
Yet another publishing house for scholarly resources, Sarat Book House publishes a wide range of educational texts. Although they’re relatively new in business with only eight years’ experience, the company has already established their presence among avid book lovers. Sarat Book House publishes physics, chemistry, literature, politics and sociology titles. So if you’ve written something in a similar vein, contact them on this page.
16. Patra Bharati
Patra Bharati had its inception in 1968 while publishing the famous monthly magazine, ‘Kishore Bharati’. The magazine was widely received by teens and young adults. After a couple of decades, they decided to switch paths, and that is exactly how ‘Patra Bharati’ came to be. Being one of the biggest publishing houses of Kolkata, ‘Patra Bharati’ has already managed to work with several award-winning authors. The company primarily publishes classics, and old comics, but they’ll definitely consider your new work if it’s worth the shot. Patra Bharati publishers can be reached out on this page.
17. Dey’s
One of the oldest connoisseurs of Bengali Books, Dey’s is a leading Kolkata based publishing house. The company has been in business for the last several decades, and during this time, they’ve rolled out award-winning Bengali titles that have been positively received by both critics and readers. Dey’s has collaborated with leading authors like Sunil Ganguly, Shirshendu Mukherjee, Samaresh Majumdar, Tilottama Majumdar and others. Luckily enough, they have an open submissions policy and can be contacted on this page.
Do you know of any other publishing houses in Kolkata? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!
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!