For first-time authors, finding the right publisher can be a daunting task. The UK boasts a rich array of publishing houses, each with its own unique focus and approach. Whether you're writing fiction, non-fiction, or specialised genres, there's likely a publisher that's a perfect fit for your manuscript. This article highlights some of the best UK publishers that welcome submissions from new authors, helping you navigate the path to getting your work published.

Key Takeaways

• Fairlight Books, established in 2017, focuses on high-quality fiction and offers free short stories online to engage readers and promote new authors.
• Fahrenheit Press is known for its edgy and unconventional approach, making it a great home for crime and thriller genres.
• Quarto Publishing Group UK specialises in non-fiction, lifestyle, and children's books, providing robust marketing and distribution services.
• Ayebia Clarke Publishing Limited champions diverse voices, focusing on African and Caribbean stories, feminism, and memoirs.
• Joffe Books, a rapidly growing digital-first publisher, is ideal for fiction genres like crime, thriller, and romance.

Fairlight Books

Fairlight Books, launched in 2017, is an Oxford-based literary fiction and short story publisher. They focus on discovering fresh and quality fiction for readers. The founder, Louise Boland, brings a unique perspective to the publishing industry.

Fairlight Books is committed to creating a community of engaged readers and brilliant authors. They have an innovative solution for passionate readers who find it hard to keep buying books. Through Fairlight Shorts, readers can access some of the best and most intriguing short stories for free on their portal. This initiative promotes the revival of short stories in literature.

The company publishes short stories, novels, and novellas. While short story writers do not get paid as their works are offered for free, authors of novellas and novels receive payment since their works are published and sold traditionally.

Currently, Fairlight Books is open to submissions for novels and novellas ranging between 25,000 to 50,000 words. When submitting, specify whether it is a literary submission or longer fiction. For longer fiction, only send the first 10,000 words along with a brief query letter and a short synopsis. Submissions can be posted or emailed.

Fahrenheit Press

Founded by Chris McVeigh, Fahrenheit Press is a unique player in the publishing world. With nearly 25 years of experience in the industry, McVeigh decided to create a company that stands out from the conventional and traditional presses. Known as 'hot punk' publishers, they combine irreverence with smart business ideas.

Fahrenheit Press focuses exclusively on publishing thrillers and crime novels. They are a small UK-based e-publisher that understands the importance of giving beginners and new authors a fighting chance. Their submission policy is open to everyone, making it easier for new writers to get their work published. To submit your manuscript, you need to email them after reading their submission guidelines.

Fahrenheit Press is not for your typical author. They embrace the unconventional and provide a platform for fresh, bold voices in the thriller and crime genres.

Quarto Publishing Group UK

Formed in 1976, Quarto Publishing Group UK is part of the larger Quarto Publishing Group, which is well-known in many countries. Writers can expect experience, confidence, and top-notch marketing, distribution, and promotion services when they choose Quarto. They focus solely on non-fiction, lifestyle, sports, health, and children's books.

Imprints

Quarto UK has five imprints:

• Aurum Press
• Frances Lincoln
• Frances Lincoln Children's Books
• Jacqui Small
• Wide-Eyed Editions

Based in London, Quarto Publishing Group UK accepts unsolicited manuscripts from new writers and authors. This makes it a great option for first-time authors looking to get published. However, it's worth noting that the company has a reputation for offering a low salary, even compared to industry standards.

Quarto Publishing Group UK offers a unique blend of experience and reach, making it a compelling choice for new authors.

For more details, you can read their extensive submission guidelines on their website.

Ayebia Clarke Publishing Limited

Ayebia Clarke Publishing Limited, founded in 2003 by Becky Nana Ayebia Clarke, is an independent publisher based in Oxfordshire. They focus on stories that diverge from mainstream narratives, particularly those highlighting African and Caribbean lifestyles. The company is known for its commitment to publishing works in genres such as feminism, fiction, literature, essays, and memoirs.

Key Highlights

• Founded by Becky Nana Ayebia Clarke in 2003
• Located in Oxfordshire
• Specialises in African and Caribbean stories
• Genres include feminism, fiction, literature, essays, and memoirs

For authors looking to submit their work, Ayebia Clarke Publishing Limited accepts book proposals via email. The submission should include a short book synopsis, an author bio, and a brief covering letter. This approach allows new writers to reach a broader audience with the support of an experienced independent publisher.

Ayebia Clarke Publishing Limited decisively stays away from mainstream stories and ideas, making it a unique platform for diverse voices.

If you're interested in submitting your manuscript, make sure to follow their guidelines carefully to increase your chances of acceptance.

Woodfield Publishing Ltd

Woodfield Publishing Ltd is an independent publisher with nearly three decades of experience. They are a small but dedicated company with a specific niche. Their focus is on military, military fiction, military history, books about aircraft and aviation, Africa, Scotland, and military humour. Located in West Sussex, they welcome manuscript submissions for appraisal. You can email your manuscript with your full name, book title, book length, details about target readership, and a short author bio. Make sure to read the guidelines carefully before sending your proposal.

Epoque Press

Epoque Press, with offices in Brighton, Dublin, and New York, is dedicated to working with fresh, new talent. They are always on the lookout for talented, young authors aiming to make a name in the publishing world. The company mainly publishes literary fiction and loves titles that are inspiring, captivating, and thought-provoking.

To help new authors, Epoque Press has launched an e-zine that features a variety of creative works, including short stories, poetry, short films, graphic novels, artwork, and illustrations.

Some of their popular titles include:

• Upperdown by David Brennan
• The Wooden Hill by Jamie Guiney
• The Groundsmen by Lynn Buckle

Epoque Press has an open submissions policy and is currently seeking literary fiction across all genres. They are interested in working with both new and experienced authors for novels, novellas, and short stories. However, they are not looking for poetry titles at the moment. General submissions can be emailed with the book title, author name, and the full manuscript in either MS Word or PDF format. Detailed submission guidelines can be found on their website.

Epoque Press represents the very best in new literary fiction through their main imprint and a regular e-zine showcasing creative talent.

Joffe Books

Joffe Books is one of the UK's leading independent publishers, known for its award-winning authors and bestsellers. They have a unique approach, working closely with writers to create fantastic books. They sell a book nearly every 12 seconds, which is impressive for a publisher that started as a micro publisher.

Joffe Books focuses on fiction, especially crime, thriller, and mystery genres. They also consider women's fiction, historical fiction, and romance novels. Submissions are welcome from first-time authors, previously published authors, and self-published authors. To submit, email your full-length manuscript, a short synopsis, and an author bio.

Joffe Books combines innovation with creative storytelling, making it a great choice for new authors.

What They Publish

• Crime fiction
• Mysteries
• Psychological thrillers
• Cosy crime
• Police procedurals
• Chillers
• Suspense
• Domestic noir
• Women's fiction
• Fantasy
• Historical fiction
• Romance novels

Submission Guidelines

1. Attach your full-length book (minimum 60,000 words) as a .pdf or Word .doc (Word .doc preferred).
2. Include a 3-paragraph synopsis in the body of the email, mentioning the genre of your book.
3. Write 100 words about yourself in the body of the email.
4. Use the word "submission" in the subject line of your email.
5. Mention where you heard about Joffe Books.

If your submission is of interest, they will get in touch within three months. If you don't hear back, consider other publishing opportunities.

Agora Books

Agora Books, the publishing arm of Peters Fraser + Dunlop Literary Agency, was founded in 2015. Previously known as Ipso Books, the company is dedicated to championing good storytelling. They accept both fiction and non-fiction, provided the works are well-written and engaging.

Agora Books is particularly interested in:

• Suspense-driven novels
• Gripping family dramas
• Inspiring up lit fiction
• Compelling historical fiction

However, they are not currently accepting non-fiction, novellas, poetry, children's fiction, young adult fiction, or essays.

For submissions, authors should email the first three chapters (or 50 pages) along with a short book synopsis. Detailed submission guidelines can be found on their website.

Agora Books has built a backlist of 171 books by various authors, showcasing their commitment to diverse and quality storytelling.

Floris Books

Floris Books is an independent publisher located in Edinburgh, Scotland. They focus on adult non-fiction and children's books. Their non-fiction titles cover a wide range of topics, including holistic health, mind-body-spirit, religion, spirituality, and parenting. In children's literature, they offer board books, picture books, translated titles, and classics.

Notable works from Floris Books include Global Hive: What The Bee Crisis Teaches Us About Building a Sustainable World by Horst Kornberger, Gardening as a Sacred Art by Jeremy Naydler, and The Night Walk by Marie Dorléans. Their catalogue of books continues to expand, with further new releases on the horizon.

Floris Books is currently open to submissions in multiple categories. More details about the submission guidelines can be found here.

Black & White Publishing

Founded in 1999 by Campbell Brown and Alison McBride, Black & White Publishing has grown into one of Scotland’s leading independent publishers. They have over 300 books in print across various genres. The company is dedicated to publishing the best books from talented writers in the UK and beyond.

Genres and Imprints

Black & White Publishing offers a wide range of titles, including general non-fiction, biography, sport, and humour. They also publish selected fiction, young adult, and children’s books. The company operates two imprints: Itchy Coo and Broons Books.

Submission Guidelines

Currently, Black & White Publishing is not accepting unsolicited fiction submissions. However, they are open to unsolicited non-fiction submissions in popular genres like lifestyle, humour, nature, wild places, and food/cooking. They are also interested in celebrity memoirs, sports books (with a special emphasis on the UK and Ireland), Scottish non-fiction, and Irish non-fiction. Non-fiction submissions can be emailed with a short proposal (around one page), a brief author bio, and a short book summary.

Black & White Publishing is a great choice for authors who cannot balance or resolve their contradictions, offering a platform for diverse voices and stories.

Notable Authors

Some of their bestselling authors include Andrew Cotter, Kaye Adams, Vicky Allan, Estelle Maskame, Harry Cook, Doddie Weir, Stefanie Moir, and Vixy Rae.

Conclusion

Finding the right publisher as a first-time author in the UK can be a daunting task, but it's not impossible. With a variety of publishers, from large established houses to innovative independent presses, there's a home for every type of story. The key is to do your research, understand what each publisher is looking for, and tailor your submissions accordingly. Remember, persistence is crucial. Even if you face rejections, keep believing in your work and continue to refine your pitch. The right publisher is out there, and with determination and a bit of luck, you'll find the perfect match for your manuscript.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of books does Fairlight Books publish?

Fairlight Books publishes short stories, novels, and novellas. They focus on quality fiction and have a special initiative called Fairlight Shorts for promoting short stories.

How can I submit my manuscript to Fahrenheit Press?

You can submit your manuscript to Fahrenheit Press by following their submission guidelines on their website. They are known for their interest in crime and thriller genres.

What genres does Quarto Publishing Group UK accept?

Quarto Publishing Group UK accepts non-fiction, lifestyle, sports, health, and children's books. They have several imprints that cater to different genres.

Is Ayebia Clarke Publishing Limited open to new authors?

Yes, Ayebia Clarke Publishing Limited is open to new authors, especially those with stories about African and Caribbean life. They prefer genres like fiction, essays, and memoirs.

What is the focus of Woodfield Publishing Ltd?

Woodfield Publishing Ltd focuses on military-themed books, including military fiction, history, and humour. They also publish books about aircraft, aviation, and Scotland.

Can I submit poetry to Black & White Publishing?

No, Black & White Publishing does not accept poetry or short stories. They are currently open to unsolicited non-fiction submissions in genres like lifestyle, humour, and nature.