There are so many romance publishers doing great work in 2024,
and it’s a real pleasure to highlight some of the best. I hope it’s encouraging to see how many romance publishers accepting unagented books are out there. All the romance publishers on this list are well-established, with good reputations.
I’m not including so-called “hybrid” publishers who ask for money up front. I believe that in most cases, it’s better to self-publish than to work with a publisher like this. (If you’re not sure how much money it takes to self-publish, check out my breakdown of self-publishing costs.) One of the benefits of working with a publisher is that they cover the costs of publishing. I especially don’t want to see authors pay for the privilege of giving another party some or total ownership of their work.
I truly appreciate my own agent, and self-publishing can also be a fun and profitable path.
I’m not suggesting any romance publishing route over any other. Sometimes authors get the idea that it’s impossible to get an agent these days, which just isn’t true! However, different options are right for different authors, different books, and different career stages. This post is just to provide information for anyone who wants it!
If you’re querying for the first time in 2024, be sure to check out my post on How to Write a Synopsis, and if you need feedback on your query letter so that you can put your best foot forward, check out my Query Letter and Synopsis review service on LuckyAuthor.com. As a former acquiring editor in publishing, I’ve read thousands of query letters, and I can shape up yours!
Keep in mind that other romance publishers sometimes have “open submission” periods,
when they accept submissions without an agent! This is how an editor at Berkley got my forthcoming romance novel Her Knight at the Museum, even though I got an agent in between the time I submitted and the time I heard back. 🙂 For romance authors who are interested in traditional publishing, I recommend checking in on Berkley and Avon once in a while.
Harlequin Series Romance
It’s easy to forgot that you can submit directly to classic lines such as Harlequin Special Edition, Harlequin Medical Romance, Love Inspired, and many more. These books are sold in Barnes and Noble, Walmart, and many other bricks and mortar stores as well as online. I recommend being very familiar with the series and making sure your manuscript fits the guidelines to a T. You can submit here on Submittable.
Afterglow
This is a Harlequin imprint, and I wanted to call it out specifically because it’s pretty new! I’m acquainted with one of the editors, and I really like them. I’ve heard Afterglow is focusing a lot on millennial romance. You can read all about them here. Again, you can submit here on Submittable.
Kensington Publishing/Lyrical Press
Kensington is another big name in romance that goes back decades, and they work with many big-name authors. Lyrical is Kensington’s digital imprint. In general, digital publishers are more friendly to debut authors. Here’s the submission page.
Forever/Forever Yours
Forever is a romance novel imprint of the big 5 publisher, Hachette, and Forever Yours is the accompanying digital imprint. Here’s the submission page
Sourcebooks Casablanca
This is the romance imprint for Sourcebooks, the biggest woman-owned publisher in the U.S. They’re based here in the Chicago area. They have good distribution (meaning, you’ll be able to find your paperback in bookstores.) Learn more here.
Tule Publishing
This digital-first publisher excels at many things, including cowboy romance and getting their books made into Hallmark Christmas movies. 🙂 I’ve chatted with the publisher, Jane Porter, and I think she’s brilliant and has a lot of integrity. They are sometimes closed for submissions, but rarely for long. Go here to learn more.
Bookouture
Bookouture is a classy operation, and rumor has it that many of their authors are doing very well. They excel at book cover design and sell copy. Learn more about them here.
Storm Publishing
This is a fairly new publisher with Oliver Rhodes, formerly of Bookouture, at the helm. I think they’re an exciting player, and the first releases look terrific. Read about what they’re looking for here.
Dragonblade Publishing
Dragonblade focuses on historical romance. These are the kinds of romances I first fell in love with as a reader! They also publish historical fantasy and historical fiction. Check out their submission guidelines here.
Entangled Publishing
Entangled was at the forefront of romance ebook publishing. They have many separate imprints for different subgenres and heat levels. Go here to read more..
The Wild Rose Press
TWRP has been publishing romance novels as ebooks since 2006, in various subgenres and heat levels. Here’s the submisson page.
Carina Press
This digital-first arm of Harlequin was also one of the early ebook pioneers. Learn more about them here.
Harpeth Road
Author Jenny Hale’s e-publishing startup focuses on wholesome romance, women’s fiction, and Southern fiction. The book cover designs are lovely. Go here to read more.
Are there any romance publishers with open submissions you’d like to recommend?
Please let me know in the comments! And pretty soon, I’ll share a roundup of fantasy publishers.
No matter where your writing and publishing plans lead you in the coming year, I hope you find amazing success. Thanks so much for reading, and happy writing!
Historical romance writers also have the option of submitting to Dragonblade (which doesn’t publish contemporary romance). In addition to accepting unagented submissions, Dragonblade also runs a contest for historical romance.
https://www.dragonbladepublishing.com/submissions/
Teresa, added! Thank you! Sheesh, I knew I’d be accidentally leaving out someone I wanted to include.
Great list.
Here’s another to consider. Bywater Books/Amble Press isn’t strictly a romance publisher, but they do publish Sapphic/LGBTQIA+ romance along with other fiction. Small publisher and great folks.
Thank you, Cathy! I didn’t know! I need to do some more updating.
All good suggestions. You’re right about everyone being at different stages in their writing journey and having different needs. I started with The Wild Rose Press. They are extremely helpful and kind. Congratulations on Her Knight at the Museum. Can’t wait to read it! Please let us know when it comes out.
Hi Tanya! I started with The Wild Rose Press, too! That was my first professional edit, and when I got it, I almost passed out 😀 They did a great job and I learned so much!
And re: Her Knight at the Museum, thank you!! I’m sure I’m going to be very chatty about it once I can do the cover reveal. I’m so excited!
I hope 2024 is an amazing year for you!
Great sources!
Thank you! ❤️
Hi Bryn…great information…thanks! I have a question. If you try to submit to a publisher that accepts unagented books, or any publisher for that matter, does that ruin your chances to get an agent?
Hi Jennifer! Sorry for the delayed reply! Usually people who want an agent start with querying agents, because agents are less likely to want to take on projects that have already struck out at some publishers. I hope that helps!
Melange Books is a great one to add to list. I started with them when I first published in 2010. Still publish with them and The Wild Rose Press. Great list. Thanks