If you’re looking for a selection of video game book publishers, the following compilation has been put together especially for you.
1. Andrew McMeel Publishing
Situated in Kansas City, Missouri, in the United States, Andrew McMeel Publishing is a publisher that produces a wide range of books in various genres, including humor, poetry, inspiration, puzzle and games, as well as books for children. They publish around 150 books every year, in paperback, hardcover and audiobook as well.
Andrew McMeel Publishing publishes high-quality books on gaming, including books of sudoku and crossword puzzles, as well as non-fiction books detailing other categories of games, such as video and computer games. Take a look at some of Andrew McMeel Publishing’s published books on gaming, like “Fruit Ninja” by Halfbrick Studios and Erich Owen, “The Fortnite Guide to Staying Alive: Tips and Tricks for Every Kind of Player” by Damien Kuhn, and “Soul Riders: The Legend Awakens” by Star Stable Entertainment AB and Helena Dahlgren.
Authors with a manuscript that they’d like Andrew McMeel Publishing to consider should submit a manuscript of their work to the company through their submission form on their website. Alternatively, writers are welcome to mail a hard copy of their submission as well.
2. Taylor & Francis
Taylor & Francis is a world-class publisher that got its start in 1852, in London, in the United Kingdom. Today, the company is led by chief executive Annie Callanan and her team of professional publishers and editors, who continue to be one of the standard-bearers in the publishing industry.
Among the different genres of books that Taylor & Francis publishes are books on engineering, sciences, literature, and the social sciences. “Vintage Games: An Insider Lok at the History of Grand Theft Auto, Super Mario, and the Most Influential Games of All Time” by Bill Loguidice and Matt Barton, “Making Deep Games” by Doris C. Rusch, and “Games As A Service: How Free to Play Design Can Make Better Games” by Oscar Clark are a number of their books on gaming that the publisher has produced.
For submissions to Taylor & Francis, ensure that you go through their checklist – clearly laid out on their website – and not miss out on any details. Their submission checklist, available for download and free access, will outline what you need to include as part of your submission package, including a finished manuscript, the appropriate permissions and the submission checklist that the company provides.
3. Bitmap Books
Founded by Sam Dyer in Bath, in the United Kingdom, Bitmap Books is an independent publisher that is devoted to the promotion of books that commemorate retro games in written text. The company delivers the highest quality material about the golden days of SEGA and PlayStation, publishing books that will entertain and educate readers.
Bitmap Books’ offerings are written by individuals with first-hand knowledge and experience working in the establishments that changed the gaming landscape, like Mary Cerny, formerly of SEGA, and Yasuyuki Oda, of SNK. Take a look at some of the company’s published works like “The unofficial SNES/Super Famicom: a visual compendium”, “The Art of Point and Click Adventure Games” and “Go Straight: The Ultimate Guide to Side-Scrolling Beat-‘Em-Ups”
Interested writers should reach out to Bitmap Books through the contact page on their website. Be sure to include your manuscript and query letter, indicating what the target market is of your book.
4. No Starch Press
No Starch Press is a book publisher that specializes in different non-fiction topics surrounding entertainment and technology. Established by founder Bill Pollock in San Francisco, California, in the United States, its collection of published books include books on programming, Python, system administration, the building block game LEGO, computer security and design.
The self-described publisher of “geek” entertainment, “Game Hacking” by Nick Cano, “Game Art” by Matt Sainbury, and “Game Boy Modding” by Greg Farrell are a few of the books No Starch Press has produced.
Writers should include a book summary, outline and an idea of your target market as part of your book proposal package.
5. The MIT Press
Based out of Cambridge, in Massachusetts, in the United States, the MIT Press was first opened in 1962 as a publishing extension of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It is one of the world’s most respected publishing houses and continues to lead by example through its carefully curate collection of published works.
Whether about art, technology, science or social sciences, the MIT Press is sure to have something to delight all readers. They have published books such as “Biblical Games” by Steven J. Brams, “Real Games” by Mia Consalvo and Christopher A. Paul, and “Identity Games” by Aniko Imre.
Writers with a manuscript that they would like The MIT Press to consider publishing should include a detailed prospectus, or letter of intent, detailing information relevant to your book, including a brief description of the story, how it compares against others in its category on the market currently, and an update regarding the status of the book’s completion. Be sure to address Noah Springer, acquisitions editor of game studies at The MIT Press when you send your submission.
6. Read-Only Memory
Read-Only Memory was founded by Darren Wall in 2012 in London, in the United Kingdom, where they continue to operate. The company was founded to formally document videogame history and is a leader in the niche market.
The company boasts a wide collection of books on retro and classic gaming titles and themes, from Final Fantasy VII to Sega Dreamcast and Street Fighter II. Their portfolio includes “Japansoft: An Oral History” edited by Alex Wiltshire, “GamesMaster: The Oral History” by Dominik Diamond, and “Like a Hurricane: An Unofficial Oral History of Street Fighter II” by Matt Leone.
The company is excited and willing to look at book proposals that mirror the company’s interest in games. Writers should present their completed proposals by email to them, including a manuscript and query letter for clarity.
7. Duke University Press Books
Situated in Durham, North Carolina, in the United States, Duke University Press Books runs under the leadership of director Dean Smith and his capable editing and publishing team. The publishing house is a non-for-profit organization known for its regular publication of journals and full-length books.
Duke University Press Books’ portfolio includes books about anthropology, game studies, activism, economics and more. Take a look at some of their books on gaming, including “Games of Property” by Thadious M. Davis, “Respawn” and “Mondo Nano” by Colin Milburn.
Book proposals should include the author’s resume, a sample chapter, and also a query letter.
8. Dark Horse
Dark Horse is a book publisher that was created as an extension to an existing comic-book retail chain in the state of Oregon, in the United States. The brainchild of owner Mike Richardson, the publishing house was founded in 1986 and has since grown into its own as a reputable publisher of published comics and non-fiction books on games and comics.
Fans of comics and comic book culture will be delighted at the selection at Dark Horse, including insightful non-fiction books from their favorite game companies themselves. Check out their books “God of War Volume 2: Fallen God TPB” by Chris Roberson, “Bioware: Stories and Secrets from 25 Years of Game Development HC” by Bioware, and “The Art of We Happy Few HC” by Compulsion Games.
Authors submitting their works to Dark Horse should be careful to read their submission guidelines in full. Currently, they are accepting submissions of books from writers-artist teams that have already been set up; for writers that are not creating a book with an artistic component, please keep in mind that the company is not currently accepting submissions. Writers who are working on gamebooks that will come with artwork should include a submission package that includes a synopsis of your book, samples of your artwork, and a complete outline.
9. Boss Fight Books
Located in Los Angeles, California in 2013, Boss Fight Books focuses on publishing non-fiction books about the history of video games. Readers can enjoy learning about video games whether they’re fans themselves or if they are interested in learning about the cultural phenomenon of gaming from a sociocultural perspective.
Some of the topics that Boss Fight Books have covered include World of Warcraft, Super Mario Brothers, Final Fantasy and NBA Jam. Their published books include “Spelunky” by Derek Yu, “EarthBound” by Ken Baumann, and “Chrono Trigger” by Michael P. Williams.
Boss Fight Books will be open for submissions early this year. They will be looking for a query letter that indicates clearly what your book is about, demonstrates your writing ability, and is about non-fiction books. These should be organized and emailed to the company for consideration.
10. Titan Books
Part of the Titan Entertainment Group, Titan Books is a book publisher that produces fiction and non-fiction books, including graphic novels, non-fiction books about comics and gaming, and adventure, fantasy, and horror fiction novels.
Since 1982, they have operated out of their offices in London, in the United Kingdom. Check out their books on gaming, including “Total War: Warhammer – The Art of the Games” by Paul Davies, “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales – The Art of the Game” by Matt Ralphs, and “Mass Effect: Nexus Uprising” by Jason M. Hough and K.C. Alexander”
Writers with a prospective manuscript for Titan Books can send book proposal packages by mail to their address in London, England. Please include a synopsis and a query letter, and avoid sending a full manuscript.