Historical Fiction Publishers Accepting Submissions in 2026

The historical fiction market in 2026 is witnessing a profound “Renaissance of the Untold.” While traditional staples like the World Wars and Tudor England remain popular, there is a surging demand for non-Western histories, diverse perspectives, and “genre-blended” historical narratives. Readers are increasingly seeking stories that bridge the gap between rigorous research and modern emotional resonance.

For authors, this shift means that the path to publication has expanded beyond the “Big Five” gates. A robust network of independent, mid-size, and boutique publishers is actively seeking unagented manuscripts to satisfy a readership that is more globally curious than ever before.

Adept Ghostwriting: Your Partner in Literary Excellence

At Adept Ghostwriting, we understand that having a groundbreaking idea is only half the battle; the other half is crafting a manuscript that captures the hearts of editors and readers alike. Whether you are struggling to bridge a plot hole in your epic historical saga or need a professional eye to polish your “Historical Romantasy” prose to industry standards, our team is here to help you cross the finish line. We specialize in transforming raw concepts into submission-ready masterpieces that align with the high expectations of the publishers listed below. Let’s turn your vision into the next historical bestseller. Let’s start writing your legacy together.

2026 Historical Fiction Publishers: A Comprehensive Directory

Below is a detailed list of 25 publishers currently accepting historical fiction submissions in 2026. These range from major independent houses to niche presses focusing on specific sub-genres.

1. Kensington Publishing Corp.

Overview: Known as “America’s Independent Publisher,” Kensington is a titan in commercial fiction. They have a massive footprint in the historical market, particularly through their Citadel and Kensington Books imprints.

• Genre Focus: 19th-century settings, historical romance, and historical thrillers.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Low/Selective (estimated <2% for unagented).

• Geographic Reach: Global (strongest in North America).

• Price: Traditional (Pays advances and royalties).

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 3–6 months.

• Open Month: Year-round (via specific editor calls or imprints).

2. Sourcebooks Landmark

Overview: Sourcebooks has grown into one of the largest independent publishers in the US. Their Landmark imprint focuses on “extraordinary stories” with a high emphasis on historical realism.

• Genre Focus: WWI/WWII, suffragette history, and biographical historical fiction.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Very selective.

• Geographic Reach: International.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 4–6 months.

• Open Month: Check portal for open “Pitch Days.”

3. Blackstone Publishing

Overview: Originally an audiobook giant, Blackstone is now a powerhouse in the print industry, aggressively acquiring rights in the historical space.

• Genre Focus: Historical mysteries, Westerns, and literary historical epics.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Moderate; they are actively expanding their 2027-2028 list.

• Geographic Reach: Global.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 3 months.

• Open Month: Year-round.

4. Severn House (Canongate Books)

Overview: A specialist in library-market fiction, Severn House is the gold standard for historical crime and mystery series.

• Genre Focus: Victorian crime, Roman-era thrillers, and “Golden Age” mysteries.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Selective (prefers authors with series potential).

• Geographic Reach: UK/US.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 4 months.

• Open Month: Year-round.

5. History Through Fiction

Overview: A niche publisher dedicated to “the story behind the history.” They only publish novels that are grounded in extensive research.

• Genre Focus: Heavily researched historical fiction with educational/literary merit.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Moderate/Selective.

• Geographic Reach: North America.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 2–4 months.

• Open Month: Year-round.

6. Regal House Publishing

Overview: An award-winning independent press that values “literary excellence.” They often publish historical works that push structural boundaries.

• Genre Focus: Literary historical fiction and diverse historical narratives.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Low (prefers high-quality prose).

• Geographic Reach: Global.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 3–6 months.

• Open Month: Multiple windows (Check website).

7. Alcove Press (Crooked Lane Books)

Overview: Dedicated to stories of “community and connection,” Alcove is a leader in the commercial historical market.

• Genre Focus: Women’s historical fiction, family sagas, and 20th-century history.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Selective.

• Geographic Reach: North America.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 3 months.

• Open Month: Year-round.

8. Salt Publishing

Overview: A major UK independent known for its “Salt’s Top 10” lists and high literary standards.

• Genre Focus: British history, maritime history, and experimental historical fiction.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Very low (<1%).

• Geographic Reach: Global (UK focus).

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 6 months.

• Open Month: Periodic (Usually Jan-Feb).

9. Sapere Books

Overview: A digital-first (but print-capable) publisher that moves very quickly and specializes in series.

• Genre Focus: Naval history, Roman Britain, and Regency romance.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Moderate.

• Geographic Reach: Global.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 1–2 months (very fast).

• Open Month: Year-round.

10. Amble Press (Bywater Books)

Overview: Focuses on queer and diverse perspectives within historical fiction.

• Genre Focus: LGBTQ+ historical fiction and intersectional history.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Moderate (looking for niche voices).

• Geographic Reach: Global.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 4 months.

• Open Month: Year-round.

11. Boldwood Books

Overview: A UK-based commercial giant that uses a global publishing model to reach massive audiences.

• Genre Focus: WWII sagas, 19th-century London, and family-driven historical drama.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Selective (high sales expectation).

• Geographic Reach: International.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 2 months.

• Open Month: Year-round.

12. Renard Press

Overview: A boutique London house with an emphasis on “books that look as good as they read.”

• Genre Focus: Forgotten histories and literary historical vignettes.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Very selective.

• Geographic Reach: UK/EU.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (for production quality).

• Submission Timeline: 6 months.

• Open Month: Specific windows.

13. Allison & Busby

Overview: An independent British house with a long history of publishing crime and historical fiction.

• Genre Focus: Medieval mysteries and 20th-century noir.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Selective.

• Geographic Reach: Global.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 3–5 months.

• Open Month: Year-round.

14. Permanent Press

Overview: A “no-frills” house that focuses purely on the quality of the writing. They only accept submissions via physical mail.

• Genre Focus: Literary historical fiction with unique voices.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Low (but they respond to everyone).

• Geographic Reach: US.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 6 months.

• Open Month: Year-round.

15. Torrey House Press

Overview: Focuses on the history and landscape of the American West.

• Genre Focus: Environmental history and Western American narratives.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Moderate.

• Geographic Reach: North America.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 3–4 months.

• Open Month: Specific windows.

16. 5 Prince Publishing

Overview: An independent house dedicated to fresh voices.

• Genre Focus: Historical romance and contemporary-historical blends.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Moderate.

• Geographic Reach: North America.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 3 months.

• Open Month: January and July.

17. Affirm Press

Overview: Australia’s leading independent publisher.

• Genre Focus: Australian history and Commonwealth-set historical fiction.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Selective.

• Geographic Reach: Australasia/Global.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 4 months.

• Open Month: First Monday of every month.

18. Warren Publishing

Overview: A hybrid publisher for authors who want professional infrastructure but high royalties.

• Genre Focus: Trade fiction and historical memoir.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: <20% (Accepts based on merit).

• Geographic Reach: Global.

• Price: Hybrid (Fee involved, but higher royalty).

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 2 months.

• Open Month: Year-round.

19. Headpress

Overview: An edgy UK publisher focused on folklore and subcultures.

• Genre Focus: European folklore-based historical and “weird” history.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Niche/Moderate.

• Geographic Reach: UK/EU.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 3 months.

• Open Month: Year-round.

20. Graywolf Press

Overview: One of the most prestigious non-profit publishers in the world.

• Genre Focus: High-literary historical fiction.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Extremely low (Top-tier prestige).

• Geographic Reach: Global.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 6+ months.

• Open Month: Periodic (Check website).

21. Coffee House Press

Overview: Known for boundary-pushing and genre-crossing works.

• Genre Focus: Experimental historical narratives.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Low.

• Geographic Reach: Global.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 6 months.

• Open Month: Check portal.

22. Bellevue Literary Press

Overview: Sits at the intersection of arts and sciences.

• Genre Focus: History of medicine and scientifically-leaning historical fiction.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Very selective.

• Geographic Reach: North America.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 4 months.

• Open Month: Year-round.

23. Arte Público Press

Overview: The largest publisher of Hispanic literature in the US.

• Genre Focus: Latino/Hispanic historical fiction.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Moderate.

• Geographic Reach: Americas.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 6 months.

• Open Month: Year-round.

24. Peepal Tree Press

Overview: The leading publisher of Caribbean and Black British writing.

• Genre Focus: Caribbean history and diasporic historical fiction.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Moderate.

• Geographic Reach: UK/Caribbean/Global.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 4–6 months.

• Open Month: Year-round.

25. Red Hen Press

Overview: A respected independent press with a focus on literary merit.

• Genre Focus: Atmospheric and diverse historical fiction.

• Acceptance/Rejection Rate: Low (Prefers manuscripts with awards).

• Geographic Reach: Global.

• Price: Traditional.

• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Submission Timeline: 3–6 months.

• Open Month: Year-round.

Comparative Market Table for 2026

Publisher	Best Suited For	Word Count Preference	Unagented?
Kensington	Commercial Bestsellers	80k – 110k	Sometimes
Severn House	Historical Mysteries	70k – 90k	Yes
Salt	Literary Excellence	80k – 100k	Windows Only
Sapere Books	Fast-paced Series	60k – 85k	Yes
Regal House	High Prose Quality	75k – 120k	Yes
History Through Fiction	Fact-based Novels	80k – 100k	Yes

The 2026 “Fantasy-Historical” Trend

A significant development in 2026 is the acceptance of Historical Fantasy. Publishers are no longer strictly separating these genres. Houses like Alcove Press and Renegade are looking for “Historical Fantasy” that explores forgotten sirens, alchemy, or superstitions of the era—provided the historical setting is treated with respect and accuracy.

Submission Success Checklist:

1. The “Why Now” Factor: Editors in 2026 want to know why this historical story is relevant to today’s readers.

2. Verisimilitude over Info-Dumping: Accuracy should be felt through the characters’ sensory experiences, not through dry exposition.

3. Comp Titles: Use recent bestsellers (2024-2025) like The Pirate Queen or A Crown of Stars to show you know the current market.