22 Top Fiction Publishers Accepting Submissions in 2026

In 2026, the fiction publishing landscape is more accessible yet more competitive than ever. While the “Big Five” traditional houses still hide behind the requirement of a literary agent, dozens of elite independent and hybrid houses have opened their doors to unagented submissions, offering professional distribution, expert editing, and global reach.

The key to success in this environment is not just writing a good book; it is professional preparation. Below is a comprehensive guide to 22 fiction publishers accepting submissions in 2026, detailed with the metrics every author needs to know.

Your Publishing Partner: Adept Ghostwriting

Before we dive into the list, it is vital to recognize that the rejection rate for unagented submissions in 2026 hovers around 98%. Publishers are looking for “turnkey” manuscripts—books that require minimal editorial overhead and are ready for the market.

Adept Ghostwriting serves as your essential “Helping Hand.” We are not a publisher; we are the specialized team that ensures you are accepted by one. Our services are designed to elevate your work to the elite level required by the houses listed below.

• Executive Ghostwriting: If you have a brilliant story but struggle with the technical execution, our veteran writers craft the narrative for you, ensuring it aligns with 2026 market trends.

• Structural & Developmental Editing: We don’t just fix grammar. We re-engineer story arcs and pacing to meet the “high-hook” requirements of major imprints.

• Submission Strategy: We help you craft the perfect query letter and synopsis, acting as your professional consultant to ensure your manuscript is “submission-ready.”

Prepare your masterpiece with Adept Publishing

Top 22 Fiction Publishers Accepting Submissions (2026)

1. Kensington Publishing Corp. (Manhattan)

Kensington is a massive independent powerhouse that bridges the gap between boutique care and corporate distribution. It remains one of the last major unagented-friendly houses in NYC.

• Accepting Genres: Romance, Cozy Mystery, Thriller, Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction.

• Service Rating: 4.8/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Low acceptance (Very competitive).

• Prices: Traditional (No cost; pays advances/royalties).

• Geographic Reach: Global (Strongest in North American retail).

• Submission Date: Open Year-Round (Imprint-specific windows vary).

2. Baen Books

The undisputed leader in “science fiction that sells.” They are famous for their loyal fanbase and “no-nonsense” storytelling.

• Detailed Description: They look for “competence porn”—characters who solve problems through science and grit.

• Accepting Genres: Hard Science Fiction, Space Opera, Military SFF, Epic Fantasy.

• Service Rating: 4.9/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: High Rejection (Very specific “Baen flavor”).

• Prices: Traditional (Pays advances).

• Geographic Reach: International (Dominant in digital bundles).

• Submission Date: Open Year-Round via their online slush portal.

3. Bookouture (Hachette UK)

A digital-first imprint of Hachette UK, Bookouture is the master of the Amazon algorithm and metadata-driven publishing.

• Detailed Description: They focus on high-concept “hooks” that can be summarized in a single, punchy sentence.

• Accepting Genres: Psychological Thrillers, Contemporary Romance, Historical Fiction.

• Service Rating: 4.7/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Moderate (Requires high commercial viability).

• Prices: Traditional (High royalty percentages; usually no advance).

• Geographic Reach: Global Digital (Unmatched UK/US eBook presence).

• Submission Date: Open Year-Round.

4. Soho Press (Soho, NYC)

An iconic Manhattan-based publisher known for its atmospheric crime and groundbreaking literary voices.

• Detailed Description: They seek international voices and atmospheric fiction that challenge traditional genre boundaries.

• Accepting Genres: Crime Fiction (Soho Crime), Literary Fiction, YA.

• Service Rating: 4.9/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Very Selective (Focus on literary quality).

• Prices: Traditional (Pays advances).

• Geographic Reach: International.

• Submission Date: Rolling (Check specific editor wish lists).

5. Entangled Publishing

A tech-savvy publisher that has dominated the romance charts for over a decade, known for high-concept, trope-driven stories.

• Detailed Description: Entangled uses a data-driven approach to identify what romance readers want next.

• Accepting Genres: All Romance Subgenres (Contemporary, Suspense, Paranormal, Steamy).

• Service Rating: 4.6/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Moderate (Quick 90-day response time).

• Prices: Traditional (Variable advances/royalty splits).

• Geographic Reach: Global Digital & Print.

• Submission Date: Open Year-Round via Submittable.

6. Aethon Books

The premier home for LitRPG, GameLit, and Military Sci-Fi. They cater to a modern digital audience.

• Detailed Description: They look for compelling world-building and high-stakes narratives that pull readers through.

• Accepting Genres: LitRPG, GameLit, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action Thrillers.

• Service Rating: 4.8/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Moderate for high-wordcount series.

• Prices: Traditional.

• Geographic Reach: International (Digital & Audio focus).

• Submission Date: Open Year-Round.

7. Graywolf Press

One of the most prestigious non-profit literary houses in America. They are the “Oscars” of the independent publishing world.

• Detailed Description: They seek high-quality literary fiction and poetry that combine a distinct voice with a vision.

• Accepting Genres: Literary Fiction, Experimental Prose, Poetry.

• Service Rating: 5.0/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Extremely high rejection (Elite standard).

• Prices: Traditional.

• Geographic Reach: Global Literary Market.

• Submission Date: Periodic windows (Check their Submittable page in Winter 2026).

8. Tin House Books

Born from the legendary magazine, Tin House is known for discovering “The Next Big Thing” in literary fiction.

• Detailed Description: They look for voice-driven, lyrical fiction and no longer read unsolicited queries without representation, except during specific windows.

• Accepting Genres: Literary Fiction, Short Story Collections.

• Service Rating: 4.9/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Very Selective (Open only during specific windows).

• Prices: Traditional.

• Geographic Reach: North America.

• Submission Date: Scheduled windows (Check Spring/Fall 2026).

9. Quirk Books (Philadelphia)

Famous for bringing the world Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and “high-concept” mashups.

• Detailed Description: They want strikingly original books that are visually interesting and narratively daring.

• Accepting Genres: High-Concept Fiction, YA, Supernatural, Pop-Culture Fiction.

• Service Rating: 4.7/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Low (They publish very few titles per year).

• Prices: Traditional.

• Geographic Reach: Global.

• Submission Date: Rolling (Unagented allowed via general portal).

10. Angry Robot Books (UK)

A modern, edgy SFF house that looks for stories that are “weird, wonderful, and well-written.”

• Detailed Description: They prioritize genre-fluid SFF/H that mashes genres together and features adult themes.

• Accepting Genres: Modern Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror, Speculative Fiction.

• Service Rating: 4.8/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Competitive (They hold “Open Door” months for unagented authors).

• Prices: Traditional.

• Geographic Reach: International.

• Submission Date: March 31, 2026 (Open Door Deadline).

11. Turner Publishing

An award-winning independent publisher that accepts a wide range of “upmarket” fiction.

• Detailed Description: Turner publishes everything from commercial bestsellers to literary award-winners.

• Accepting Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantasy, Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Mystery.

• Service Rating: 4.5/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Competitive.

• Prices: Traditional.

• Geographic Reach: Worldwide distribution via Ingram.

• Submission Date: Rolling.

12. Seven Stories Press (Manhattan)

A house dedicated to social justice and politically conscious fiction, distributed by Penguin Random House.

• Detailed Description: They are the “voice of conscience” in the New York publishing scene.

• Accepting Genres: Political Fiction, Literature in Translation, Socially Relevant Stories.

• Service Rating: 4.6/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Low.

• Prices: Traditional.

• Geographic Reach: International.

• Submission Date: Open Year-Round.

13. Akashic Books (Brooklyn)

Famous for their “Noir” series, Akashic loves stories with a strong sense of place and urban grit.

• Detailed Description: A Brooklyn-based independent that champions diverse and underrepresented voices.

• Accepting Genres: Urban Fiction, Noir, Literary Fiction, LGBTQ+ Voices.

• Service Rating: 4.8/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Selective.

• Prices: Traditional.

• Geographic Reach: Global.

• Submission Date: Rolling (Check availability as they occasionally close).

14. Melville House (Brooklyn)

Known for their bold political stance and intellectually rigorous novels.

• Detailed Description: They have a reputation for world-class storytelling and “rapid-response” publishing for current events.

• Accepting Genres: High Literary Fiction, Political Satire, Translation.

• Service Rating: 4.7/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Selective.

• Prices: Traditional.

• Geographic Reach: International.

• Submission Date: Rolling.

15. Europa Editions (Manhattan)

The premier house for “high-end” mystery and translated literature in New York.

• Detailed Description: They provide a sophisticated platform for international voices and narrative non-fiction.

• Accepting Genres: Mystery, Noir, World Literature, High-end Literary Thrillers.

• Service Rating: 4.9/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Very Selective.

• Prices: Traditional.

• Geographic Reach: Global.

• Submission Date: Selective (Check for open windows or agent representation).

16. Dzanc Books

A non-profit house that champions literature often marginalized by corporate houses.

• Detailed Description: They look for innovative and experimental fiction that pushes the boundaries of the form.

• Accepting Genres: Innovative Fiction, Experimental Prose, Literary Novels.

• Service Rating: 4.8/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Low (Primary intake via annual contests).

• Prices: Traditional.

• Geographic Reach: USA.

• Submission Date: Contest-based (Check Spring 2026 for general windows).

17. Milkweed Editions

A non-profit publisher seeking “transformative” literature that engages with the natural world.

• Detailed Description: They seek voices that are historically underrepresented and stories that are ecologically conscious.

• Accepting Genres: Environmental Fiction, Nature-centered Narratives.

• Service Rating: 4.9/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Very Selective.

• Prices: Traditional.

• Geographic Reach: North America.

• Submission Date: Open Windows (Check Submittable periodically).

18. Two Dollar Radio

Known for their family-run spirit and “rock star” treatment of authors, looking for “bold, loud” fiction.

• Detailed Description: They value manuscripts that are strikingly original and take significant risks.

• Accepting Genres: Bold, Loud Literary Fiction.

• Service Rating: 4.9/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Low.

• Prices: Traditional.

• Geographic Reach: USA.

• Submission Date: Periodic (Check Winter 2026).

19. Black Rose Writing

A prolific independent press that offers a high degree of author collaboration and fast response times.

• Detailed Description: They are open to debut authors and provide a range of commercial genre imprints.

• Accepting Genres: All Commercial Genres (Thriller, Romance, Sci-Fi, YA).

• Service Rating: 4.4/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Moderate (3-week query response time).

• Prices: Traditional.

• Geographic Reach: Global.

• Submission Date: Open Year-Round via their online form.

20. Bold Strokes Books

A premier house for LGBTQ+ fiction across all commercial and literary genres.

• Detailed Description: One of the world’s largest independent LGBTQ+ publishers, known for professional quality and high royalty rates.

• Accepting Genres: Queer-centered Romance, SFF, Mystery, Crime, Intrigue.

• Service Rating: 4.8/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Moderate (Decision in approx. 16 weeks).

• Prices: Traditional.

• Geographic Reach: International.

• Submission Date: Open Year-Round.

21. City Lights Publishers

A legendary San Francisco house (with deep NYC ties) that has been the home of counter-culture for decades.

• Detailed Description: They prioritize works of social and political significance and literary experimentation.

• Accepting Genres: Subversive Fiction, Radical Literature, Progressive Voices.

• Service Rating: 5.0/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: Very Low.

• Prices: Traditional.

• Geographic Reach: Global.

• Submission Date: Rolling.

22. Mayfair Publishers (New York)

A newer boutique house providing a personalized path for debut authors in the New York scene.

• Detailed Description: They focus on “human-centric” publishing and flexible genre support for first-time authors.

• Accepting Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Debut Novels, Commercial Fiction.

• Service Rating: 4.6/5.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rating: High for quality debut manuscripts.

• Prices: Traditional / Tiered Hybrid options.

• Geographic Reach: USA.

• Submission Date: Open Year-Round.

Strategic Summary Table for Authors

Publisher	Primary Focus	Submission Status	Price Model	Reach
Kensington	Commercial/Retail	Open Year-Round	Traditional	Global
Baen	Sci-Fi/Fantasy	Open Year-Round	Traditional	International
Bookouture	Digital Thriller	Open Year-Round	Royalty-Only	Global Digital
Angry Robot	Modern SFF	March 31, 2026	Traditional	International
Entangled	Romance	Open Year-Round	Traditional	Global
Adept Ghostwriting	Elite Production	Open Year-Round	Professional Service	World-Class

Final Thoughts: Securing Your Spot

In 2026, the opportunity to get published is immense, but it is not a “DIY” project. The difference between a manuscript that languishes in a slush pile and one that receives a contract from a house like Kensington or Soho Press is the quality of the professional team behind it.

At Adept Ghostwriting, we believe your story deserves to be told with the weight of a professional New York polish. Whether you need a full ghostwriting partner, a developmental editor, or a publishing strategist, we provide the expertise that makes you a peer to the best-selling authors in the world.

Are you ready to stop querying and start publishing?

Contact Adept Ghostwriting today for a free consultation and let’s get your manuscript into the hands of a top-tier publisher.