Is there a better way to introduce some of my favorite publishers? I think not! I put some thought into this piece, really diving into each publisher’s vibe and matching it to their corresponding sign.
Let me know if you have any experiences with any of these publishers in the comments and if you feel it’s an accurate recommendation for you and your book!
*Note: These descriptions are 100% biased and based on my own work with and/or understanding of each of these publishers.
Aries: Greenleaf Book Group
Bold and active, Greenleaf is a hybrid publisher who helps authors, “amplify their ideas, expand their influence, and maximize their income.” They began as a book distribution company once upon a time and grew into a behemoth of the hybrid world, helping authors of all genres create space in their fields.
I actually began my career with Greenleaf as a marketing associate and they trained me up in every part of the publishing world. I adore how active they are with internal communication and making sure every part of the team is looped in along the way. Their proposals are fully comprehensive and they prefer to partner with authors actively working towards their goals along side them.
Taurus: Coffee House Press
Strong and steady, Coffee House began as a small letterpress in 1972 and has since grown into an “internationally renowned nonprofit publisher of literary fiction, essay, poetry, and other work that doesn’t fit neatly into genre categories.”
Coffee House has stuck close to their roots, putting out experimental, creative works for adventurous readers alongside more traditionally published themes in their backlist.
Gemini: Broad Book Press
Bright and quick, the women of Broad Book Press (BBP) offer “strategic publishing for entrepreneurs who think big.”
Every part of the journey with BBP is tailored to you and your book. They are a complete publishing solution, meaning they are right there in the thick of it with you from idea through post-publication promotion.
I often work with authors from BBP during publication on publicity and exposure. Their books are beautifully designed and laid out, and speak clearly to a target audience.
The vast majority of their authors are fierce women carving out space in their respective fields.
Cancer: Graywolf Press
Kind and deep, Graywolf puts out “risk-taking, visionary writers who transform culture through literature.” They are a nonprofit publisher, looking to engage communities and amplify voices that would otherwise be quieted.
Graywolf is regularly joining deeper conversations about the world at large and advocating for their authors. They regularly donate books and offer internships to those looking to help make the publishing industry a better place for all.
Leo: The Cadence Group
Proud and bright, Bethany Brown at The Cadence Group (CG) helps authors and indie presses create imprints under their own names, find professional support for their books, and share their writing with the world.
This one is a bit different than the other publishers listed because CG is less of a publisher, and more of a shepherd through the publishing maze. Their team offers editorial, design, and distribution support for authors looking to publish under their own names and brands.
My favorite thing about working with Bethany and her authors? They know distribution better than anyone else I know. If Amazon or Ingram is giving you a problem, Bethany will get them into shape lickety-split and get you on your merry way to publishing.
Virgo: Scholastic
Remember the days of yore, when you’d save up your pocket change for a scented eraser and a chapter book at your school’s Scholastic book fair? They’re still at it!
Smart and neat, Scholastic is the leading publisher of kids books and work very closely with educators to offer reading materials that support their curriculum.
It’s a bit harder to get in front of them, as you’ll need to query and partner with a literary agent, but if you get picked up, your book is well on its way to changing the lives of many, many children.
Libra: Luminare Press
Fair and calm, Luminare offers publishing packages for authors looking to create a quality book in a timely manner. They support their authors through editorial, design, distribution, and now marketing, growing their offerings year after year as the industry shifts.
I work closely with Luminare authors as their Book Marketing Specialist and helped develop Luminare’s marketing packages. The Luminare staff work for their authors as well as alongside them and are quick to respond to questions and offer a wide array of educational content.
Luminare is a great option for authors looking for more creative control and are new to the world of publishing.
Scorpio: Button Poetry
Deep and strong, Button Poetry works with performance poets to, “broaden poetry’s audience…expand its reach and develop a greater level of cultural appreciation for the art form.”
Button actually produces an array of poetry media including videos, chapbooks, recordings, scholarships, and more.
If you have poetry and lack a fear of the spotlight, I encourage you to submit to Button for consideration.
Sagittarius: Microcosm Press
Wild and free, Microcosm offers an acid trip of a publishing journey (figuratively) and works passionately to “change our lives, then the world!”
I came across some of their self-help books a decade or so ago and have been a loyal reader since. Their zines, books, and decks are all about self-empowerment and embracing your truest, weirdest self.
Self-described as “fiercely independent, authentic, and colorful,” Microcosm will take on the revolutionaries and oddballs with big ideas, plant them among a community of open-minded souls, and nurture their works through bloom.
Capricorn: Glass Spider Publishing
Hard working is the best adjective for this hybrid publisher. A small team led by the honest and modest Vince Font, Glass Spider (GS) offers fair prices and comprehensive packages for fiction and nonfiction authors alike.
Because GS is a small hybrid press, they only work with select authors with books they see a future for and offer highly personable, one-on-one service.
I work extremely closely with Vince, running the marketing and promotion for all of GS’s authors and they are some of my favorite authors I’ve ever worked with. Vince has a knack for collecting kind authors with stories they really believe in and will do anything to support.
Aquarius: Gordon Publishing
New and free, Hannah Gordon is a new-to-me indie publisher with a traditional model. Yes, that’s right. Her fiction authors do not pay anything, not a dime, and instead share royalties with the publisher. I don’t know how she does it, but her books sell well enough to keep them afloat so they’re doing something really right!
Gordon’s vibe is “rad indie books for rad indie readers” and they put out stories you can enjoy on a beach, in a library, or cozied up at home.
Pisces: Kensington Publishing
Soft and deep, Kensington is a traditional publisher you might not have heard of. When you think “traditional” you think “Big 5” but Kensington remains “America’s largest remaining wholly independent commercial publisher.”
They may be a bit more soft-spoken than the Big 5, but they believe in supporting their authors as people, first and foremost, and “built [their] reputation on doing things differently: leading with heart, not hierarchy; imagination, not formula.”