40+ Paranormal Romance Publishers Accepting Submissions in 2026

You’ve written a paranormal romance. Maybe your heroine just discovered she’s fated to a brooding vampire lord. Maybe your wolf-shifter hero is desperately trying to deny the mate bond he feels every time she walks into the room. Maybe it’s something darker — a necromancer finding love in the most impossible circumstances.

Whatever your story, you’ve finished it. And now you’re facing the question that stops so many authors cold: who actually publishes this?

Here’s the uncomfortable truth. Paranormal romance is one of the most commercially successful subgenres in all of fiction — billions of dollars in annual sales, a passionate and loyal readership, and a constant hunger for new titles. But the publishing landscape for it is genuinely fragmented. Some of the biggest players are digital-first houses that most writers have never heard of. Some of the traditional houses that used to dominate the space have pulled back. And the indie/self-publishing ecosystem has grown so powerful that many successful paranormal romance authors never seek a traditional publisher at all.

This guide cuts through all of that. We’ve compiled 40+ publishers — from major traditional houses to digital-first powerhouses to respected indie presses — that are currently publishing paranormal romance and, where possible, accepting submissions in 2026. For each one, we’ve included what they publish, how to submit, and who they’re best suited for.

If your manuscript isn’t quite submission-ready yet — if it needs developmental editing, a professional polish, or you want expert help crafting your query letter and synopsis — Adept Ghostwriting offers specialized support for romance and genre fiction authors at every stage of the process.

Let’s get into it.

Quick Comparison Table

The Big Traditional Publishers

1. Harlequin Books (and MIRA)

Founded: 1949 | Parent Company: HarperCollins

If there’s one name synonymous with romance publishing, it’s Harlequin. Their MIRA imprint handles longer, more commercial paranormal romance novels, while their category lines (Harlequin Nocturne, historically one of the premier paranormal romance lines) have shifted in format over the years. Harlequin remains one of the few major publishers that accepts some direct submissions, though guidelines vary significantly by line.

Types of books: Category romance, mass market paranormal romance, romantic suspense with paranormal elements, vampire romance, shifter romance, fated mates.

Submission Guidelines: Harlequin accepts direct submissions for specific lines through their online portal. Requirements vary by line — most want a cover letter, synopsis, and full or partial manuscript. Check the Harlequin website for current open lines and specific word count requirements (category lines typically run 55,000–75,000 words; MIRA single titles run 85,000–100,000 words).

Pros: Global distribution is unmatched in romance. Brand recognition instantly validates your work. Strong digital and print presence. Good royalties for successful authors.

Cons: Category romance has strict format requirements — word counts, heat levels, and plot structures are tightly defined. Less creative freedom than indie publishing. Can be slow-moving. Competition is intense.

Best For: Authors who understand category romance conventions and want the biggest possible audience for a tightly structured paranormal romance.

Notable titles: Harlequin’s paranormal catalog is enormous — they’ve published hundreds of vampire, werewolf, witch, and fae romances over decades.

2. Berkley / Ace (Penguin Random House)

Founded: Berkley 1954, Ace 1952 | Parent: Penguin Random House

Berkley and its sci-fi/fantasy imprint Ace together form one of the most important homes for paranormal romance at the traditional publishing level. Ace in particular has published some of the genre’s biggest names. Think Patricia Briggs’s Mercy Thompson series, Ilona Andrews’s Kate Daniels series, and Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels Trilogy — all Ace titles that defined what paranormal romance and urban fantasy could achieve.

Types of books: Paranormal romance, urban fantasy with romantic elements, romantic urban fantasy, fae romance, shifter romance, vampire romance with literary depth.

Submission Guidelines: Agent required. Berkley/Ace does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. Query literary agents who represent paranormal romance, and they’ll submit on your behalf.

Pros: Top-tier distribution and retail presence. Prestige. Serious marketing investment for strong titles. Long-term author career development.

Cons: Highly competitive, even with an agent. Slow timelines — 18–24 months from offer to publication is common.

Best For: Authors with agents, established writers looking to move to traditional publishing, paranormal romance with crossover urban fantasy appeal and strong series potential.

Notable Authors: Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Anne Bishop, Nalini Singh.

3. St. Martin’s Press

Founded: 1952 | Parent: Macmillan Publishers

St. Martin’s has always had a taste for romance that crosses genre lines, and their paranormal romance list reflects that — they tend to publish work that sits comfortably in both mainstream fiction and romance sections. Their Griffin imprint has published some critically acclaimed paranormal work.

Types of books: Crossover paranormal romance, dark romance with paranormal elements, literary paranormal fiction with strong romantic threads.

Submission Guidelines: Agent required. No unsolicited submissions accepted.

Pros: Excellent literary credibility. Strong relationships with mainstream media and reviewers. Ideal for paranormal romance with ambitions beyond the genre.

Cons: Not the most prolific paranormal romance publisher — they publish selectively in the genre. Agent required.

Best For: Paranormal romance that reads as much like literary fiction as genre romance. Authors querying agents.

4. Sourcebooks Casablanca

Founded: 1987 (Casablanca imprint launched 2007) | Headquarters: Naperville, IL

Sourcebooks Casablanca has become one of the most consistently excellent mid-major romance publishers. Their paranormal romance list is carefully curated — they’re not trying to publish everything, but what they do publish tends to be well-produced, well-marketed, and well-placed in retail.

Types of books: Shifter romance, vampire romance, witch romance, fae romance, paranormal romantic suspense, paranormal romance series.

Submission Guidelines: Agent preferred. They do occasionally accept direct submissions through specific channels — check their current guidelines. Word count typically 85,000–100,000 words for single-title paranormal romance.

Pros: Strong retail placement and marketing support. Known for beautiful cover design in romance. Good author relationships. Solid royalties.

Cons: More accessible than PRH but still competitive. Tends to favor established romance conventions over experimental work.

Best For: Commercial paranormal romance with strong hooks, series potential, and clear market positioning.

Notable Authors: Lynsay Sands, Terry Spear, Darynda Jones.

5. Kensington Publishing

Founded: 1974 | Headquarters: New York, NY

Kensington is one of the most prolific romance publishers in the US, and their Zebra and Lyrical imprints together cover a huge swath of the paranormal romance market — from mass market paperbacks to digital-first releases. They’re known for being author-friendly and commercially savvy.

Types of books: Vampire romance, werewolf/shifter romance, witch romance, historical paranormal romance, contemporary paranormal romance.

Submission Guidelines: Agent preferred for Zebra (their main print imprint). Lyrical Press (their digital imprint) has more open submission windows — check their website for current guidelines.

Pros: Very active in the romance market. Multiple imprints mean more entry points. Good distribution. Author-friendly reputation.

Cons: Can feel like a volume publisher — not always the deepest editorial investment in individual titles.

Best For: Commercial paranormal romance with mainstream appeal. Authors who want a publisher that truly understands the romance market.

6. Forever (Grand Central Publishing / Hachette)

Founded: Grand Central 1970s, Forever imprint ongoing | Parent: Hachette Book Group

Forever is Hachette’s dedicated romance imprint, and it’s one of the best in the business. They have a strong paranormal romance list, beautiful production values, and a marketing team that actually understands romance readers.

Types of books: Paranormal romance, urban fantasy romance, fae romance, vampire romance, shifter romance — particularly series with strong character arcs.

Submission Guidelines: Agent required. All submissions go through literary agents.

Pros: Excellent production quality. Strong reader-facing marketing. Good relationships with romance review community. Great distribution.

Cons: Agent required. Competitive. Slow publishing timelines.

Best For: Authors with agents writing commercial paranormal romance series with strong romantic arcs and genre-savvy execution.

7. Tor / Forge (Macmillan)

Founded: 1980 | Parent: Macmillan Publishers

While Tor is primarily known for science fiction and fantasy, they publish a meaningful amount of paranormal romance — particularly work that sits at the boundary between urban fantasy and romance, or romantic fantasy with paranormal elements. If your book could be shelved in both the romance and fantasy sections, Tor is worth knowing about.

Types of books: Romantic urban fantasy, paranormal romance with strong fantasy worldbuilding, fae romance, vampire fiction with romantic arcs.

Submission Guidelines: Agent required. Tor does not accept unsolicited manuscripts.

Pros: Exceptional worldbuilding-friendly editorial culture. Strong fantasy readership crossover. Excellent distribution.

Cons: Not primarily a romance publisher — the romantic elements need to coexist with strong genre fiction elements. Agent required.

Best For: Paranormal romance that leans heavily into fantasy worldbuilding, or urban fantasy with a central romance plot.

Digital-First and Category Romance Publishers

8. Carina Press (Harlequin Digital)

Founded: 2009 | Parent: Harlequin / HarperCollins

Carina Press is Harlequin’s digital-first imprint, and it’s one of the most genuinely author-friendly entry points into the Harlequin ecosystem. They accept unagented submissions, publish across a wide range of romance subgenres including paranormal, and have been consistently supportive of LGBTQ and diverse romance.

Types of books: Paranormal romance, LGBTQ paranormal romance, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, erotic romance — digital-first across all subgenres.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unsolicited, unagented submissions year-round. Submit via their online portal. They want a cover letter, synopsis, and full manuscript. Word count requirements vary by subgenre — check their website for current guidelines.

Pros: Open year-round, no agent needed. Harlequin distribution backing. Strong digital marketing. LGBTQ-inclusive.

Cons: Digital-first means limited print distribution. Royalty structures are typical of digital-first publishing.

Best For: Authors without agents, LGBTQ paranormal romance, digital-forward authors who want Harlequin’s backing without the traditional barriers.

9. Entangled Publishing

Founded: 2011 | Headquarters: Fort Collins, CO

Entangled Publishing has become one of the most important romance publishers of the past decade, full stop. They publish across a wide range of romance subgenres with multiple imprints — Entangled Amara for category romance, Entangled Embrace for longer single-title work, and Entangled Teen for YA. Their paranormal romance list is active and growing.

Types of books: Category paranormal romance, YA paranormal romance, steamy paranormal romance, shifter romance, vampire romance, contemporary paranormal romance.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unagented submissions through their online portal. Submission windows open periodically — check their website. They’re particularly interested in series with strong romantic arcs. Word count varies by imprint: Amara 30,000–90,000 words, Embrace 70,000–120,000 words.

Pros: Multiple imprints give more placement options. Very active in the romance market. Strong digital marketing and social media presence. LGBTQ-inclusive.

Cons: Submission windows aren’t always open. Competitive. Contractual terms worth reading carefully.

Best For: Authors writing category-style paranormal romance, YA paranormal romance, or commercial single-title paranormal romance with strong hooks.

10. Loveswept (Penguin Random House Digital)

Founded: 2012 (relaunched as digital) | Parent: Penguin Random House

Loveswept is PRH’s digital romance imprint and handles a solid range of paranormal romance titles. It’s a pathway into the PRH ecosystem that’s more accessible than Berkley/Ace, though you’ll still generally need an agent.

Types of books: Digital-first paranormal romance, contemporary romance with paranormal elements, category-length paranormal romance.

Submission Guidelines: Agent preferred. Some targeted calls for submissions have been issued — watch their social media for announcements.

Best For: Authors with agents looking for digital-first placement within the PRH ecosystem.

Active Independent and Small Press Publishers

11. The Wild Rose Press

Founded: 2006 | Headquarters: Adams Basin, NY

The Wild Rose Press is one of the longest-running and most respected small romance publishers in the business. They have multiple lines covering nearly every romance subgenre, including a dedicated paranormal romance line called “Black Rose” for their darker, supernatural titles.

Types of books: Paranormal romance across all heat levels, vampire romance, werewolf romance, witch romance, ghost romance, angel/demon romance.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unsolicited, unagented submissions year-round. Submit via their online portal. They want a query letter, synopsis, and the first three chapters. Word count 50,000–110,000 words.

Pros: Year-round open submissions. No agent required. Multiple heat level lines. Long track record of working with debut authors. Reasonable royalties.

Cons: Small press with limited marketing resources. Print distribution is modest. Authors need to be proactive about self-promotion.

Best For: Debut paranormal romance authors, authors across all heat levels (from sweet to steamy), authors who want a supportive small press experience.

12. Soul Mate Publishing

Founded: 2010 | Headquarters: New York, NY

Soul Mate Publishing is a small press with a genuine commitment to author development. They publish romance across subgenres including paranormal and are known for hands-on editorial relationships.

Types of books: Paranormal romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, historical romance — broad subgenre coverage.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unagented submissions. Query with cover letter, synopsis, and first three chapters. Check their website for current guidelines and word count requirements.

Pros: Supportive editorial relationships. Open year-round. Willing to work with debut authors.

Cons: Small marketing budget. Limited distribution compared to larger publishers.

Best For: Debut authors, authors who want close editorial relationships, broad paranormal romance.

13. City Owl Press

Founded: 2014 | Headquarters: United States

City Owl Press has grown steadily and built a solid reputation for quality romance across subgenres. Their paranormal romance list is active, and they have a reputation for strong cover design and author support.

Types of books: Paranormal romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, cozy mystery-romance crossovers.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unsolicited, unagented submissions through submission windows. Check their website for open periods and specific guidelines. They typically want a query letter, synopsis, and first chapters.

Pros: Strong cover design. Growing distribution. Author-friendly. Active social media and reader community.

Cons: Submission windows aren’t always open. Small press marketing limitations.

Best For: Authors looking for a growing indie press with strong production values.

14. Tule Publishing

Founded: 2013 | Headquarters: Bend, OR

Tule has developed a strong category romance program and is increasingly active in paranormal romance. They’re known for strong series development and author support.

Types of books: Category romance, paranormal romance, small-town romance with paranormal elements, romantic suspense.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unsolicited submissions through their portal. Check their website for current open lines and word count requirements.

Pros: Strong category romance infrastructure. Series-friendly. Growing retail presence.

Best For: Category-style paranormal romance, authors interested in building a series within a structured program.

15. Midnight Tide Publishing

Founded: 2018 | Headquarters: United States

Midnight Tide is a newer indie press with a strong focus on dark paranormal romance — the kind with complex anti-heroes, morally ambiguous plots, and heat levels running from steamy to very explicit. They’ve built a dedicated community in a short time.

Types of books: Dark paranormal romance, monster romance, reverse harem paranormal romance, dark fae romance, villain romance.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unsolicited submissions. Check their website and social media for open windows and specific guidelines.

Pros: Actively interested in darker, edgier paranormal romance. Growing community. Open to unconventional subgenre combinations.

Cons: Newer publisher — still building distribution and reputation.

Best For: Authors writing dark paranormal romance, monster romance, or reverse harem with paranormal elements.

16. Parliament House Press

Founded: 2017 | Headquarters: Orlando, FL

Parliament House has quickly established itself as a quality press for young adult and new adult paranormal romance and urban fantasy. They have a strong design aesthetic and a genuinely diverse catalog.

Types of books: YA paranormal romance, NA paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy romance, diverse paranormal romance.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unagented submissions through their online portal. They want a query letter, synopsis, and full manuscript. Check current guidelines on their website.

Pros: Genuinely diverse and inclusive catalog. Strong YA/NA community presence. Beautiful cover design.

Cons: Focused on younger demographics — not ideal for adult paranormal romance.

Best For: YA and NA paranormal romance authors, diverse and inclusive paranormal romance, first-time authors targeting younger readers.

17. Dragonblade Publishing

Founded: 2012 | Headquarters: United States

Dragonblade has carved out a specific niche in historical romance, and increasingly in historical paranormal romance — think Regency vampires, medieval witches, and Highland shifters. If your paranormal romance has a historical setting, this is one of the first places you should look.

Types of books: Historical paranormal romance, Regency paranormal romance, medieval paranormal romance, Highland paranormal romance.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unsolicited submissions. Submit through their online portal with a query letter, synopsis, and manuscript. Check current word count and heat level requirements.

Pros: Specialist focus in historical paranormal romance. Strong reader community in the historical romance space. Growing catalog.

Best For: Authors writing historical paranormal romance — any time period. One of the best-positioned publishers for this specific subgenre.

Steamy and Erotic Paranormal Romance Publishers

18. Changeling Press

Founded: 2004 | Headquarters: United States

Changeling Press is one of the oldest continuously operating erotic paranormal romance publishers and has a deeply loyal niche readership. They specialize in shorter, hotter paranormal romance — novellas and short novels — with explicit content.

Types of books: Erotic paranormal romance, LGBTQ erotic paranormal romance, menage paranormal romance, shapeshifter erotica, vampire erotica.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unsolicited submissions year-round. They want a cover letter and full manuscript. Word count typically 15,000–50,000 words. They publish novellas and short novels almost exclusively.

Pros: Open year-round. Specialists in the erotic paranormal space. Strong existing readership. Good digital distribution.

Cons: Novella/short novel focus — not suited for full-length novels. Niche market. Explicit content only.

Best For: Authors writing explicit, erotic paranormal romance novellas. LGBTQ erotic paranormal romance.

19. Evernight Publishing

Founded: 2011 | Headquarters: United States

Evernight Publishing is one of the most active digital-first publishers of steamy and erotic paranormal romance. They publish a high volume of titles across multiple romance subgenres with explicit to very explicit heat levels.

Types of books: Steamy to explicit paranormal romance, erotic vampire romance, erotic shifter romance, erotic fae romance, LGBTQ paranormal romance.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unsolicited, unagented submissions year-round. Submit via their online portal with a cover letter, synopsis, and full manuscript. Various word count options from novellas to full novels.

Pros: Year-round open submissions. High volume publisher — faster to market. Good digital distribution. LGBTQ-inclusive.

Cons: High volume means less individual marketing attention. Digital-only.

Best For: Authors writing steamy to explicit paranormal romance who want to build a backlist quickly.

20. Totally Bound

Founded: 2008 | Headquarters: United Kingdom

Totally Bound is a UK-based digital publisher with a strong international readership. They specialize in steamy and erotic romance across subgenres, including a robust paranormal romance catalog.

Types of books: Steamy to explicit paranormal romance, LGBTQ paranormal romance, erotic vampire romance, erotic shifter romance.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unagented submissions through their portal. Check their website for current guidelines and heat level requirements.

Pros: Strong UK and international presence. Established brand in erotic romance. LGBTQ-inclusive.

Best For: Authors writing steamy to explicit paranormal romance, particularly those interested in UK/international distribution.

21. Decadent Publishing

Founded: 2010 | Headquarters: United States

Decadent Publishing focuses on steamy romance across subgenres with a solid paranormal romance catalog. They’re known for shorter works and novellas alongside full-length novels.

Types of books: Steamy paranormal romance, erotic paranormal romance novellas, LGBTQ paranormal romance.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unagented submissions. Check their website for current open submission guidelines and heat level requirements.

Best For: Authors writing steamy paranormal romance across lengths, including novellas.

22. Black Velvet Seductions

Founded: 2005 | Headquarters: United States

One of the longer-running small press erotic romance publishers, Black Velvet Seductions focuses on sensual to explicit romance including paranormal.

Types of books: Sensual to explicit paranormal romance, contemporary erotic romance with paranormal elements.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unagented submissions year-round. Full manuscript submissions accepted.

Best For: Authors writing sensual to explicit paranormal romance who want an established small press with a niche readership.

LGBTQ-Focused Paranormal Romance Publishers

23. NineStar Press

Founded: 2016 | Headquarters: United States

NineStar Press has quickly become one of the most respected LGBTQ fiction publishers, and their paranormal romance list is one of the best in the space. They’re genuinely inclusive across the spectrum of LGBTQ identities and publish thoughtful, well-edited work.

Types of books: LGBTQ paranormal romance, queer urban fantasy romance, trans and non-binary paranormal romance, sapphic paranormal romance.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unsolicited, unagented submissions year-round. Submit via their portal with a query letter, synopsis, and full manuscript. Word count 40,000–120,000 words.

Pros: Year-round open submissions. Genuinely inclusive across LGBTQ spectrum. Strong community and reader base. Good royalties for a small press.

Cons: Smaller distribution than mainstream publishers. Niche market.

Best For: LGBTQ paranormal romance authors across all heat levels. Queer shifter romance, vampire romance, fae romance.

24. Dreamspinner Press

Founded: 2008 | Headquarters: United States

Dreamspinner Press is one of the most established LGBTQ romance publishers, primarily focused on M/M romance across all subgenres including paranormal. They have a large and loyal readership.

Types of books: M/M paranormal romance, gay vampire romance, gay shifter romance, M/M fae romance.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unagented submissions. Submit via their portal. Check their website for current guidelines and word count requirements.

Pros: Large, loyal M/M romance readership. Established brand. Multiple heat levels.

Cons: Primarily M/M focused — less variety across the LGBTQ spectrum than some newer publishers.

Best For: Authors writing M/M paranormal romance across all heat levels.

25. Riptide Publishing

Founded: 2011 | Headquarters: United States

Riptide is known for diverse, inclusive LGBTQ romance and has a solid paranormal romance catalog. They’re particularly known for quality editorial standards.

Types of books: LGBTQ paranormal romance, queer urban fantasy romance, bisexual romance with paranormal elements.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unagented submissions through submission windows. Check their website for current open periods.

Pros: High editorial standards. Genuinely inclusive across LGBTQ spectrum. Strong reader community.

Best For: Quality-focused LGBTQ paranormal romance. Authors who want strong editorial engagement.

26. Less Than Three Press

Founded: 2009 | Headquarters: United States

Less Than Three Press focuses exclusively on LGBTQ fiction and has a long history with paranormal romance. They publish across a range of heat levels and subgenres.

Types of books: LGBTQ paranormal romance, queer paranormal fiction, sapphic romance with paranormal elements.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unsolicited submissions. Check their portal for current guidelines.

Best For: LGBTQ paranormal romance authors, particularly those writing sapphic or non-binary inclusive paranormal romance.

Specialty and Niche Paranormal Romance Publishers

27. Boroughs Publishing Group

Founded: 2011 | Headquarters: United States

Boroughs is a digital-first romance publisher with a growing catalog that includes paranormal romance. They have a reputation for author-friendly contracts and active community engagement.

Types of books: Paranormal romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, broad romance subgenres.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unagented submissions. Submit via their online portal with a query, synopsis, and manuscript.

Best For: Broad commercial paranormal romance, authors looking for a digital-first publisher with strong community ties.

28. Mirror World Publishing

Founded: 2012 | Headquarters: Ontario, Canada

Mirror World is a Canadian indie press with a genuine commitment to quality speculative fiction including paranormal romance. They offer one of the more author-inclusive contract structures in small press publishing.

Types of books: Paranormal romance, speculative romance, urban fantasy romance, Canadian-voice fiction.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unsolicited, unagented submissions. Query with cover letter and synopsis first.

Best For: Canadian authors, paranormal romance with literary or speculative depth.

29. Bellastoria Press

Founded: 2018 | Headquarters: United States

Bellastoria Press is a newer digital publisher focused on steamy romance with a growing paranormal catalog. They’re open to submissions and have built a small but dedicated readership.

Types of books: Steamy paranormal romance, contemporary romance, erotic romance.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unagented submissions. Check their website for current guidelines.

Best For: Authors writing steamy paranormal romance who want a newer, growing publisher.

30. White Stag Publishing

Founded: 2017 | Headquarters: United States

White Stag focuses on YA fantasy and paranormal fiction with romantic elements, particularly work featuring diverse characters and inclusive representation.

Types of books: YA paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy romance, diverse YA paranormal fiction.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unsolicited submissions during open windows. Check their website and social media.

Best For: YA paranormal romance, diverse and inclusive YA paranormal fiction.

31. Loose Id

Founded: 2004 | Headquarters: United States

Loose Id has been one of the established names in erotic romance publishing for two decades, with a particularly strong LGBTQ paranormal romance catalog alongside heterosexual erotic paranormal romance.

Types of books: Erotic paranormal romance, LGBTQ erotic paranormal romance, explicit shifter romance, explicit vampire romance.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unagented submissions. Submit via their portal with query and full manuscript.

Best For: Authors writing explicit paranormal romance, LGBTQ erotic paranormal romance.

32. Lyrical Press (Kensington)

Founded: 2012 | Parent: Kensington Publishing

Lyrical Press is Kensington’s digital-first imprint and offers a more accessible entry point into the Kensington ecosystem. They accept submissions more openly than their parent company.

Types of books: Digital-first paranormal romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts submissions with more flexibility than Kensington’s main imprints. Check their current guidelines — some direct submission windows have been available.

Best For: Authors seeking digital-first placement within the Kensington distribution network.

33. Running Wild Press

Founded: 2012 | Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA

Running Wild Press publishes across genres including speculative romance and paranormal fiction. They’re a solid mid-tier indie press with year-round open submissions.

Types of books: Paranormal romance, speculative fiction, literary genre fiction, dark romance.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unsolicited, unagented submissions year-round via their online portal.

Best For: Authors writing literary or speculative paranormal romance, or work that blends the paranormal with other genres.

34. Rebel Base Books (Kensington)

Founded: 2017 | Parent: Kensington Publishing

Rebel Base is Kensington’s genre-fiction focused digital imprint with a strong interest in dark, edgy paranormal romance.

Types of books: Dark paranormal romance, urban fantasy romance, dark fae romance, paranormal romantic suspense.

Submission Guidelines: Check Kensington’s portal — Rebel Base has published unagented authors through targeted calls.

Best For: Dark paranormal romance with strong genre fiction elements.

35. Crimson Romance (Adams Media/Simon & Schuster)

Founded: 2012 | Parent: Adams Media

Crimson Romance is a digital romance imprint with broad subgenre coverage including paranormal romance. Connection to Simon & Schuster’s distribution network gives them more reach than a typical indie press.

Types of books: Broad paranormal romance, contemporary romance, historical romance with paranormal elements.

Submission Guidelines: Has had open submission windows — check current status on their website.

Best For: Commercial paranormal romance, authors seeking S&S-affiliated distribution.

36. Winged Hussar Publishing

Founded: 2016 | Headquarters: United States

Winged Hussar focuses on historical fiction and speculative historical fiction, making them a natural home for paranormal romance set in historical periods.

Types of books: Historical paranormal romance, historical speculative fiction, paranormal fiction with historical settings.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unsolicited submissions. Query with cover letter and synopsis.

Best For: Historical paranormal romance — particularly European historical settings.

37. Moonshine Cove Publishing

Founded: 2011 | Headquarters: Beaufort, SC

Moonshine Cove publishes across genre fiction including paranormal romance. They’re a small press with open submissions and a genuine interest in diverse voices.

Types of books: Paranormal romance, mystery, thriller, genre fiction broadly.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unsolicited submissions. Submit query and first chapters via their portal.

Best For: Broad commercial paranormal romance from diverse authors.

38. Indie Blue Publishing

Founded: 2016 | Headquarters: United States

Indie Blue is a small digital press with a growing paranormal romance catalog. They’re particularly open to debut authors and are known for responsive communication.

Types of books: Paranormal romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unagented submissions year-round.

Best For: Debut paranormal romance authors, authors who want a supportive debut experience.

39. Evernight Teen

Founded: 2013 | Parent: Evernight Publishing

The YA/Teen imprint of Evernight Publishing specifically handles young adult paranormal romance with age-appropriate heat levels.

Types of books: YA paranormal romance, clean-to-mild YA vampire romance, YA shifter romance, YA witch romance.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unagented submissions year-round. Check their portal for YA-specific word count and content guidelines.

Best For: YA paranormal romance authors. Clean-to-mild heat level work targeting teen readers.

40. Black Rose Writing

Founded: 2006 | Headquarters: Castroville, TX

Black Rose Writing is one of the most debut-author-friendly small presses in the US. They publish across a wide range of genres including paranormal romance, and their submission process is notably accessible.

Types of books: Paranormal romance, mystery, thriller, speculative fiction, literary fiction — broad genre coverage.

Submission Guidelines: Accepts unsolicited, unagented manuscripts year-round. Submit via their online portal. Response time typically under 90 days.

Pros: Year-round open submissions. Fast response times. Debut-friendly. Reasonable royalty structure.

Cons: Broad editorial focus means less genre specialization. Small press marketing limitations.

Best For: Debut paranormal romance authors, authors who want an accessible, transparent submission experience.

Before You Submit: Getting Submission-Ready

Finding the right publisher is only half the battle. The other half is making sure your manuscript, query letter, and synopsis are doing your story justice.

Here’s what most submission guides won’t tell you: editors and acquisitions teams at romance publishers read thousands of submissions. What gets noticed isn’t just the hook — it’s the execution. A compelling premise with a weak first chapter gets rejected. A solid chapter with a generic query letter gets passed over. You need all three — manuscript, query, and synopsis — working together.

If you’re not confident in your query materials or if your manuscript needs a professional developmental edit or line edit before it’s ready for the world, Adept Ghostwriting offers specialized editing, query writing, and full ghostwriting services for romance authors. Working with a professional editor before submitting can be the difference between a form rejection and a full manuscript request.

How to Choose the Right Publisher for Your Paranormal Romance

With 40+ options on this list, it helps to narrow down based on a few key variables.

Heat level first. This is the single most important factor in paranormal romance publishing. Publishers specialize. A sweet paranormal romance (kisses only, closed-door) belongs at The Wild Rose Press or a category line — not at Changeling Press or Evernight. Get clear on your heat level and find publishers that match it.

Your target reader’s age. Are you writing for adults, new adults (18–25), or teens? This determines whether you’re looking at adult romance publishers (Berkley, Entangled, Carina, Changeling) or YA/NA publishers (Parliament House, White Stag, Evernight Teen).

Series vs. standalone. Most major paranormal romance publishers strongly prefer series — vampire romance readers especially want to return to beloved worlds and characters. If your book is part of a series, lean into that. If it’s a standalone, some indie presses and digital-first publishers are more receptive.

Your LGBTQ representation. If your paranormal romance features LGBTQ main characters, publishers like NineStar Press, Dreamspinner, Riptide, and Carina Press are specifically built for you and have dedicated, enthusiastic readerships.

Your timeline and career goals. Want to build a backlist quickly? Digital-first publishers like Evernight or Carina get books to market in months, not years. Want prestige and retail placement? Traditional publishers like Berkley/Ace take longer but offer more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best publisher for paranormal romance in 2026?

There isn’t a single “best” — it depends entirely on your book. For maximum prestige and distribution, Berkley/Ace (PRH) and Harlequin MIRA are the gold standard. For accessibility without an agent, Carina Press, Entangled Publishing, and The Wild Rose Press are among the strongest options. For LGBTQ paranormal romance, NineStar Press and Riptide Publishing lead the field.

Do I need a literary agent to publish paranormal romance?

For the Big Five publishers and major imprints (Berkley, St. Martin’s, Forever, Sourcebooks), yes — you’ll need an agent. But many excellent publishers on this list accept unagented, unsolicited submissions, including Carina Press, Entangled, Evernight, The Wild Rose Press, NineStar Press, Changeling Press, and many others. Paranormal romance is one of the genres where unagented authors have the most options.

How long should a paranormal romance novel be?

Category paranormal romance (Harlequin-style) typically runs 55,000–75,000 words. Single-title paranormal romance for traditional publishers runs 85,000–100,000 words. Digital-first publishers often accept a wider range — some accept novellas from 20,000 words up to full novels of 120,000 words. Always check the specific word count requirements for each publisher before submitting.

What are the most popular paranormal romance subgenres with publishers right now?

Shifter romance (especially wolf shifters and fated mates) remains one of the most commercially successful subgenres. Fae romance has surged dramatically in the past few years, driven partly by the BookTok/BookTok effect. Dark romance with paranormal elements — monsters, villains, morally gray heroes — is growing rapidly. Reverse harem paranormal romance has a passionate dedicated readership. And there’s renewed interest in witch romance, particularly centered on witches discovering power rather than hiding it.

Can I submit my paranormal romance to multiple publishers at the same time?

This depends on each publisher’s guidelines. Most digital-first and indie publishers explicitly allow simultaneous submissions but ask to be notified immediately if you receive an offer elsewhere. Some smaller presses prefer exclusive submissions. Always read each publisher’s submission guidelines carefully. Standard industry practice is to submit simultaneously while being transparent about it — never hide a simultaneous submission from a publisher who asks directly.

What mistakes do paranormal romance authors make when submitting?

The most common mistakes are: submitting to publishers whose heat level requirements don’t match your manuscript, ignoring word count requirements, sending the same generic cover letter to every publisher rather than tailoring it to each one, and submitting before the manuscript has been properly edited. A professionally edited manuscript with a strong, targeted query letter will always outperform a raw draft with a generic submission package — regardless of how good the underlying story is.

Conclusion

The paranormal romance publishing landscape in 2026 is expansive, and the good news is that there are more genuine pathways to publication than ever before — whether you’re seeking a Big Five traditional deal, a respected indie press, a digital-first publisher, or a specialist LGBTQ or erotic romance house.

The key is matching your book to the right publisher. Heat level, subgenre, target reader, and series potential all matter. Do your research, read the submission guidelines carefully, and don’t rush the process.

And if you’re not quite ready yet — if your manuscript needs one more editorial pass, or if you want professional help crafting the query letter and synopsis that will get your paranormal romance noticed — Adept Ghostwriting is here to help you get there. Professional editing, query writing, and ghostwriting services for romance authors at every stage.

The right publisher for your paranormal romance is out there. Now go find them.