It can be difficult to break into the publishing world without a high-level agent, and it can likewise be difficult finding an agent to take on new clients during a time when the big New York publishers are cutting back. But the independent publishing world is thriving, and many publishers accept unsolicited submissions from writers provided their work is of a professional quality and has been thoroughly edited. Here are some independent publishers to get started.
Dzanc Books
This publisher was created in 2006 as a non-profit business with the goal of trying to find a home for works that may not fit into the mainstream publishing world. Dzanc Books was founded by author Steve Gillis and has featured a number of authors in its short existence, including Robert Lopez and Suzanne Burns. Dzanc Books seeks literature that may not fit into a particular genre, perfect for writers who experiment outside of the boundaries of mainstream literature.
Milkweed Editions
Milkweed Editions has been around for awhile now, and it continues to publish award-winning books that are recognized on a national scale. Vestments, by John Reimringer, received a starred review in Publisher's Weekly and is a must-have book for anyone interested in submitting fiction to Milkweed. This publisher puts out 15-20 books each year, and offers writers the opportunity to submit their fiction through its electronic submission manager on its website.
Four Way Books
This publisher has recently put out books by Sara London, Jamie Ross, and David Dodd Lee, and will be putting out more in the coming year. Four Way Books only publishes a handful of books each year, and they focus mainly on short story collections and novellas. In order to submit to this publisher, writers needs to keep an eye on the submission guidelines and submit only when their reading period is open.
Black Heron Press
This small publisher has grown recently thanks to its stellar collection of books, most recently Crossings by Leonard Chang and Exit Blue by Ivan G. Goldman. In order to get a better idea of just how rich in taste Black Heron Press truly is, writers should familiarize themselves with one or more of the books currently in the catalog.
Unbridled Books
Another fantastic independent press that puts out more than a dozen titles per year by authors such as Peter Geye, Joyce Hinnefeld, and David Bajo. Unbridled Books is co-published by Fred Ramey and Greg Michalson, and was formed in 2003. This publisher has dedicated itself to bringing high-quality fiction to the rest of the world, and has maintained a great relationship with booksellers in the process. Book submissions should be directed to one (but not both) of the co-publishers and should follow the guidelines posted on the website.
Ken Brosky - Ken Brosky's first novel was published in fall 2007. He has more than a dozen short stories published in magazines including Skyline and ...
