Finding a publisher for your first book can be challenging.
Fortunately, there are publishing companies and independent presses that provide opportunities for new writers. Some specialise in literary fiction, while others focus on fantasy, crime, short fiction, poetry or specialist nonfiction.
The best traditional publishing companies for new authors in the UK are not necessarily the biggest names in the industry. They are publishers whose editorial interests match your manuscript and whose publishing arrangements offer a genuine route to publication.
In this guide, we look at: Atlantic Books, Willows & Wood Publishing, Bluemoose Books, Arcadia, Brighton Independent Press, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Bloodhound Books, Embla Books and Author Gate all of whom are traditional publishing companies that are open to new writers.
1. Atlantic Books
Best for: Literary fiction, ambitious novels and distinctive literary writing.
Atlantic Books is an independent British publishing house with an established literary fiction list. It is worth researching if you are writing a novel with a distinctive narrative voice, original perspective or strong literary qualities.
Atlantic Fiction invites submissions from unagented literary writers, making it a relevant option for authors who want to pursue traditional publication without first securing a literary agent.
Why choose Atlantic Books?
- An established independent publishing house.
- A literary fiction list with a distinctive editorial identity.
- A direct submission route for eligible writers.
- Professional editorial, design and production expertise.
How to submit
Read the publisher’s submission requirements and prepare the requested manuscript material. Your pitch should explain the central idea of your book, its intended readership and what distinguishes it from comparable titles.
Official website: Atlantic Books
2. Willows & Wood Publishing
Best for: Adult fantasy, dark fiction, genre-blending novels and selected nonfiction.
Willows & Wood Publishing is an independent UK publisher that accepts submissions from unagented writers as well as literary agents.
Its editorial interests include character-driven adult fantasy, atmospheric narratives, genre-blending fiction and selected nonfiction projects with a distinctive perspective.
Why choose Willows & Wood Publishing?
- A specialist editorial focus.
- A submission route for unagented writers.
- Interest in distinctive genre fiction.
- Opportunities for manuscripts that match its publishing interests.
How to submit
The publisher’s guidelines request an initial submission comprising the first 3,000 words and a synopsis of no more than 500 words. Authors are also asked to identify comparable published titles.
Prepare a polished opening that establishes the voice, premise and direction of your book.
Official submission guidelines: Willows & Wood Publishing
3. Bluemoose Books
Best for: Adult literary fiction, novels and short story collections.
Bluemoose Books is an independent publisher based in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. Its editorial approach prioritises distinctive writing, strong storytelling and literary individuality.
The publisher welcomes submissions from both agented and unagented writers, making it a worthwhile option for debut authors whose work aligns with its catalogue.
Why choose Bluemoose Books?
- An independent publisher with a literary focus.
- A direct submission route for writers without agents.
- An interest in distinctive and carefully crafted writing.
- A catalogue that helps authors assess editorial fit.
How to submit
According to its submission guidance, writers should provide a covering letter, the first three chapters and a synopsis in a single Word or PDF file.
Research the publisher’s existing books and explain why your manuscript belongs on its list.
Official submission guidelines: Bluemoose Books
4. Arcadia
Best for: Science fiction, fantasy and horror.
Arcadia is a genre-fiction imprint of Quercus, part of the wider Hachette publishing group. Its specialist focus makes it worth researching if you write speculative fiction, fantasy or horror.
For debut authors, approaching a relevant imprint can be more productive than contacting a large publishing group without considering its individual editorial lists.
Why choose Arcadia?
- A specialist genre-fiction identity.
- Publishing expertise in speculative fiction.
- A route for unagented submissions.
- An editorial focus that helps writers assess whether their manuscripts are suitable.
How to submit
Review Arcadia’s submission guidelines and make sure your manuscript fits its publishing categories. Follow the instructions provided by the imprint rather than sending an unsolicited package to the parent company.
Official website: Arcadia
5. Brighton Independent Press
Best for: Novellas, short fiction, anthologies, adult fantasy and adventure.
Brighton Independent Press is worth investigating if you have a shorter work of fiction or a manuscript that fits its specialist interests.
Its submission criteria include work by debut authors, with an emphasis on writing quality and suitability for the publisher’s catalogue.
Why choose Brighton Independent Press?
- Opportunities for writers without established publishing credentials.
- Interest in short fiction and novella-length work.
- A focus on selected genre-fiction categories.
- An alternative to large, general-interest publishing houses.
How to submit
The press uses an online submission process and specifies requirements for manuscript length and genre. Its published 40,000-word limit makes it particularly relevant to writers whose work falls below the length of a conventional full-length novel.
Check the guidelines for your category and prepare your manuscript accordingly.
Official submission guidelines: Brighton Independent Press
6. Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Best for: Specialist nonfiction, professional books, lived-experience writing and selected children’s publishing.
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, commonly known as JKP, is a specialist publisher within Hachette UK. It is particularly relevant to writers whose professional expertise, research or lived experience can help inform or educate a defined readership.
Its publishing programme covers areas including social care, mental health, education, neurodiversity and other specialist subjects.
Why choose Jessica Kingsley Publishers?
- A clearly defined specialist nonfiction focus.
- A direct proposal route for authors without literary agents.
- Opportunities for professionals and subject experts.
- Experience producing practical, informative and educational books.
How to submit
JKP accepts book proposals through its online submission process. A proposal should explain the book’s central idea, intended audience, relevance to the publisher’s list and the author’s qualifications or experience.
Its published author guidance also explains the expectations associated with its publishing model.
Official submission guidelines: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
7. Bloodhound Books
Best for: Crime fiction, psychological thrillers, domestic suspense, police procedurals, romance and historical fiction.
Bloodhound Books is an independent publisher specialising in commercial fiction. Its interests include several popular genres that can appeal to debut novelists with strong story concepts and clearly defined audiences.
It is particularly relevant to writers researching publishers dedicated to crime and thriller fiction rather than broad general-interest lists.
Why choose Bloodhound Books?
- A specialist focus on commercial fiction.
- Experience publishing crime and thriller novels.
- Genre-specific editorial interests.
- A catalogue that helps writers evaluate whether their books fit the publisher’s list.
How to submit
Read the publisher’s submission guidance and ensure that your manuscript meets its requirements. Research its existing titles to understand its preferred genres, tone and readership.
Official submission guidelines: Bloodhound Books
8. Embla Books
Best for: Selected commercial fiction, including domestic thrillers, Christmas murder mysteries and witchy romance.
Embla Books is a digital-first imprint of Bonnier Books UK. It focuses on commercial fiction and is worth researching if your manuscript has a strong genre identity and an identifiable readership.
The imprint has also used open-submission initiatives to discover unagented writers, making its official announcements useful for authors looking for future opportunities.
Why choose Embla Books?
- A focused commercial fiction programme.
- An emphasis on accessible, genre-led storytelling.
- Experience with digital-first publishing.
- Author initiatives aimed at discovering new writing talent.
How to approach Embla Books
Research its catalogue and follow its official announcements about author opportunities. Make sure your manuscript fits its editorial interests before preparing a submission.
Official website: Bonnier Books UK
9. Author Gate
Best for: Adult fiction, nonfiction, reference books and biographies.
Website: https://www.author-gate.co.uk/
Author Gate is a UK-based traditional publishing company that aims to give new and debut authors opportunities to bring their books to market. Its publishing programme covers adult fiction, nonfiction, reference works and biographies, with editorial support, book production, marketing and distribution.
The company describes itself as a traditional publisher and states that it does not charge submission fees. Unlike publishers that accept manuscripts directly from any writer, Author Gate requires submissions to come through an approved literary agency or assessment company. This means authors without representation should review its submission guidance before applying.
Author Gate may be worth considering for writers looking for a traditional publishing route, particularly those writing adult fiction or nonfiction who are prepared to submit through an approved representative.
Submission guidelines: Visit Author Gate’s official submission page.
What Is a Traditional Publisher?
A traditional publisher is a publishing company that selects manuscripts based on their editorial quality, commercial potential or suitability for its publishing list. Under a conventional traditional publishing agreement, the publisher generally invests in editing, design, production and publication, taking on the financial risk of bringing the book to market.
The author receives royalties under the terms of the publishing contract and may receive an advance against future royalties. The publisher generally arranges distribution and may provide marketing and promotional support, although the level of investment varies between publishers and individual titles.
Traditional publishing can be an attractive option for new authors because it combines professional publishing expertise with access to established bookselling and distribution networks. The publisher selects the work it believes fits its list and invests in producing a book it intends to sell to readers.
What Is a Vanity Publisher?
A vanity publisher operates primarily for its own financial benefit, rather than in the interests of the authors it publishes or the readers those authors seek to reach. Its business model is often built around generating revenue from writers, with hidden fees and escalating costs. They often provide only poor quality books or no books at all which they send to the author to sell themselves. The defining characteristic of vanity publishing is not simply the charging of upfront fees, but the absence of a genuine publishing commitment: the lack of meaningful editorial standards, professional production, effective distribution and a serious commercial interest in the book’s success.
By contrast, a conventional traditional publisher selects manuscripts on the basis of their editorial quality and commercial potential, commits its own resources to developing and publishing them, and assumes substantial financial and commercial risk. Its success depends on producing books of sufficient quality and commercial appeal to sell to readers. The distinction is fundamental: a traditional publisher invests in books because it believes they have a market; and makes all of its profits from sales of books to readers.
Are the Publishers in This Guide Traditional Publishers?
The publishers featured in this guide operate within the publishing industry and offer different routes for authors to have their work considered. Some are independent publishing houses, while others are specialist publishers or imprints within larger publishing groups.
Atlantic Books, Willows & Wood Publishing, Bluemoose Books, Arcadia, Brighton Independent Press, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Bloodhound Books, Embla Books and Author Gate have different editorial interests and commercial arrangements, but all are regarded as traditional publishing companies.
