6 Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishers Accepting Manuscripts from Writers
Here are six science fiction and fantasy publishers that don’t require an agent. Several offer competitive advances and royalties.
In publishing, as with all businesses, it is “brand recognition” that counts, and some of the names on this list are very well known.
If you don’t know where to start, I would recommend beginning with Pyr.
Related posts:
3 Major Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishers Accepting Unagented Manuscripts
Top 5 Sites for Science Fiction Writers
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Angry Robot normally accepts submissions via an agent, but every so often they have an open submission month. So, check their website every so often.
What they are looking for: SF/F “and a little pinch of WTF.” Note that they are looking for full-length novels, not short stories, novellas, epic poems, comic book scripts, etc. Angry Robot books are aimed at adults, so no middle grade or young adult themes at this time.
Terms: Competitive advances and royalties. English print versions in the UK, US and Australia plus region-free ebooks globally.
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This is a small Canadian press.You do not have to be Canadian to submit your work, they accept manuscripts from any nationality worldwide. They have a distribution throughout North America.
What they are looking for: Science Fiction and Fantasy between 75,000 and 100,000 words. Adult audience (20 and up).
Terms: Advance and royalties. “We rarely ever negotiate the royalty percentages and/or advances that we offer, and if we do so, then only with previously published writers.”
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Aetheon is open to all fiction genres with a focus on Science Fiction and Fantasy. “We don’t care what sub-genre you write in. Hard Sci-fi, Epic Fantasy, Space opera, Military SF, Alt/History, Time Travel and more.” Aetheon does not offer an advance, though they do give royalties. Books are published in all English-language territories — notably the US, Canada, UK and Australia — and are distributed through Ingram. Length should be between 60,000 and 80,000 words. Read their guidelines here.
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Baen Books was founded in 1983 by science fiction editor and publisher Jim Baen (now deceased). Baen was one of the first publishers to use the Internet as a means of “spreading the word” about a book or author. Seeking: Science fiction with powerful plots with solid scientific and philosophical underpinnings are essential for science fiction submissions. For fantasy, any magical system must be both rigorously coherent and integral to the plot, and overall the work must at least strive for originality. Manuscripts should be at least 100,000 words. Click here for submission guidelines.
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Flame Tree Press is a global publisher that sells through all major wholesalers, retailers, and online outlets. They sell foreign language co-editions and translation rights to publishers in many countries around the world, including France, Germany, China and Brazil, and attend all major book fairs including Frankfurt, Beijing, London and the American Booksellers Association. What they are looking for: SF, fantasy, horror and crime fiction in the range of 70,000 to 120,000 words. They accept some previously published work provided the author holds all rights.
Terms: Advance and royalties. Go here for submission details.
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Blind Eye Books. Blind Eye Books publishes science fiction, fantasy and paranormal romance novels featuring gay or lesbian protagonists. “We do not publish short story collections, poetry, erotica, horror or non-fiction. We would hesitate to publish any manuscript that is less than 70,000 or over 150,000 words.
Please inquire about their terms.
Note: You can find a full list of 150 publishers accepting manuscripts directly from writers here: Publishers Accepting Unagented Manuscripts
Erica Verrillo has published five books. She blogs about the publishing world, posts useful tips on how to get an agent, lists agents who are looking for clients as well as publishers accepting manuscripts directly from writers, explains how to market and promote your work, how to build your online platform, how to get reviews, how to self-publish, and where to find markets for your work on Publishing and Other Forms of Insanity.
