So you want to publish a book in the USA. Nice. But let’s be real for a second. The whole publishing world can feel like a maze.
There are book publishers that have been around forever. Big names, big buildings, and big promises. There are serious academic presses with stringent rules. Then there are indie book publishing companies that feel small, friendly, and surprisingly personal. And of course, there are the big digital platforms that publish thousands of books every single day.
Everyone claims they’re among the best book publishing companies. Everyone says they’re experts. Everyone says they know exactly how to turn your manuscript into something special.
Some actually do, and some do not.
This list is a mix of all that. Well-known publishers that people instantly recognize. Academic presses that care deeply about quality. Independent publishing companies that work closely with authors. And yes, a few modern self-publishing platforms too, because that’s just how publishing works now.
Publishing isn’t simple. There’s editing. Proofreading. Cover design. Layout. Printing. Distribution. Marketing. And then the hardest part is getting real people actually to read your book. Some expert book publishers handle everything. Some focus on just one part, but do it really well. Some are selective. Some are open to new writers. Some move slowly. Others move fast.
It really depends on you, your book, and what you want out of the process.
So instead of hype, here’s a fresh, honest list to help you understand your options before you choose.
List of Top 15 Best Book Publishers in the USA
1. Mayfair Publishers
Mayfair is everywhere. Editing, design, marketing, printing. They do it all. You send a manuscript, and they help turn it into a book. Fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, kids’ books. First book or tenth book, they handle it. They are flexible and practical. Not one of those scary, professional book publishers where you feel small.
They have a reputation for being approachable. Some authors like them because they actually talk to you, not just send automated emails. They can guide you through the confusing steps of publishing. Marketing is basic but solid, and they can help you with distribution depending on your goals. Some authors even come back to them for second or third books because they like the consistency.
- Year Founded: 2025
- Headquarters: New York, USA
- Genres: Fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, children’s books, poetry, self-help, biographies
- Submission Policy: Accepts direct submissions (no agent required)
- Why Choose Them: Author-friendly communication and flexible publishing options
- Website: mayfairpublishers.com
2. Penguin Random House
This one is huge. The biggest. Hundreds of imprints. They publish almost anything you can think of. Literary stuff, thrillers, kids’ books, non-fiction. If you get accepted, people notice. But it’s hard to get in. Very competitive.
They are known for having excellent editors and a strong marketing machine. Some of their authors become household names almost overnight. Their imprints are highly specialized. For example, some focus only on fiction, others only on non-fiction, and others only on children’s books. It’s a big ecosystem. You have to figure out for yourself which imprint fits your manuscript. And even if your book is good, you might be turned down simply because it doesn’t match an imprint’s current focus. This can also happen sometimes.
- Year Founded: 2013 (merger of Penguin & Random House)
- Headquarters: New York, USA
- Genres: Literary fiction, commercial fiction, thrillers, mystery, romance, fantasy, science fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, children’s books
- Submission Policy: Requires literary agent submissions
- Why Choose Them: Largest trade publisher with unmatched global reach
- Website: penguinrandomhouse.com
3. HarperCollins
HarperCollins has been around forever. They publish thrillers, kids’ books, and religious titles. Lots of genres. Lots of authors. They have imprints for everything. They are big and reliable. If your book fits, they are great. If it doesn’t, well, you might feel invisible.
They are also one of the few publishers that take international authors seriously. HarperCollins has offices in multiple countries, which means your book can reach readers far beyond the US. Their distribution channels are vast. They can place books in bookstores, online retailers, and even schools or libraries. They also invest in marketing campaigns, especially for books they think can become big sellers.
- Year Founded: 1817 (Harper & Brothers)
- Headquarters: New York, USA
- Genres: Fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, Christian publishing
- Submission Policy: Typically requires agent submissions
- Why Choose Them: Prestigious global publisher with strong marketing channels
- Website: harpercollins.com
4. PaperTrue
PaperTrue is not exactly a publisher. They fix your manuscript. Editing, proofreading, formatting. Make it look professional. Perfect for self-publishers. If your grammar is messy, they will fix it. They make indie authors look like pros.
Many authors use PaperTrue before submitting to a traditional publishing house or before self-publishing on platforms like KDP. It’s not cheap, but the quality is high. They work with fiction, non-fiction, academic papers, and even dissertations. They are fast and responsive, which is something indie authors really appreciate.
- Year Founded: 2014
- Headquarters: Pune, India (global service company)
- Genres: Fiction, non-fiction, academic writing, research papers, dissertations, memoirs, technical content
- Submission Policy: Open to all authors — service-based, not a publisher
- Why Choose Them: High-quality editing services ideal for self-publishing authors
- Website: papertrue.com
5. Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster is massive. They do memoirs, cookbooks, and fiction. All kinds of books. They have imprints for almost everything. Getting published here can be a big deal. People notice. Authors get support. Marketing is decent.
They are known for aggressively promoting their authors. Big launches, media appearances, social media pushes, sometimes even book tours. They have some of the world’s most famous authors on their roster. Being published here can be a stepping stone to global recognition.
- Year Founded: 1924
- Headquarters: New York, USA
- Genres: Fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, children’s books
- Submission Policy: Requires literary agent submissions
- Why Choose Them: Strong promotional support and long-standing author reputation
- Website: simonandschuster.com
6. Hachette Book Group
Hachette is big. Big marketing. Big reach. They publish almost anything. Kids’ books, fiction, nonfiction. Lots of imprints. Good for authors who want support. They are serious. But also, sometimes you can feel small.
Hachette is a publisher with a worldwide reach. Its marketing tactics are great, and they often include internet campaigns, pre-orders, media coverage, and store placement. Writers can be assured of support, but they must be very active, as large publishers handle tens of thousands of manuscripts annually.
- Year Founded: 2006 (US division of Hachette Livre)
- Headquarters: New York, USA
- Genres: Fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, educational titles
- Submission Policy: Requires agent submissions
- Why Choose Them: Powerful marketing and international presence
- Website: hachettebookgroup.com
7. Macmillan Publishers
Macmillan is old school. Literary fiction, sci-fi, and academic works. St. Martin’s Press, Tor, and others. Big network. Editors know what they’re doing. If your book fits an imprint, you’re in if it doesn’t, maybe try something else.
They have a strong reputation for quality editing. Their imprints often give authors a clear sense of identity. Tor, for example, is very well-known in sci-fi and fantasy. If you write in that genre, Macmillan is top of mind. They also have decent global distribution, which is great for authors wanting an international audience.
- Year Founded: 1843 (UK origins; US operations later)
- Headquarters: New York, USA
- Genres: Literary fiction, science fiction, fantasy, academic books, non-fiction
- Submission Policy: Typically requires agent submissions
- Why Choose Them: Strong reputation in genre fiction and academic publishing
- Website: macmillan.com
8. Scholastic Corporation
Scholastic equals kids’ books. Big in schools. Book fairs. Magazines. They published Harry Potter and The Hunger Games. If you write for kids or teens, this is huge. They get your book into classrooms and libraries. Very visible.
They have a strong presence in educational markets as well. Many authors choose Scholastic because their books can become staples in school libraries. Marketing is targeted. The brand itself helps books sell. Being published by Scholastic often means your book gets attention from teachers and librarians, which can be a huge advantage.
- Year Founded: 1920
- Headquarters: New York, USA
- Genres: Children’s books, young adult, educational books, school readers, graphic novels for kids
- Submission Policy: Some imprints accept direct submissions; many require agents
- Why Choose Them: Massive reach in schools, libraries, and book fairs
- Website: scholastic.com
9. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
HMH is mostly educational. Textbooks, workbooks. But they also do trade books. Good for nonfiction or educational authors. Not flashy. Solid. Reliable. Known for quality.
Many educational authors rely on HMH to get their work into schools and universities. They also provide distribution channels that many other publishers don’t. Trade authors sometimes work with HMH if their book fits their nonfiction line. Their editorial standards are high.
- Year Founded: 1832
- Headquarters: Boston, USA
- Genres: Educational books, textbooks, non-fiction, trade books, academic titles
- Submission Policy: Varies by imprint; many require literary agents
- Why Choose Them: Strong academic reputation and deep school penetration
- Website: hmhco.com
10. W.W. Norton & Company
Independent but respected. Textbooks and nonfiction. Employee-owned. Attention to detail. Serious books. If you care about quality, this is it. Not flashy. Solid brand.
Authors like W.W. Norton because they are consistent. The books are well-made. Editors care about the content. They also have a strong academic reputation. Some nonfiction authors publish here because of the prestige alone.
- Year Founded: 1923
- Headquarters: New York, USA
- Genres: Non-fiction, academic books, textbooks, history, science, cultural studies
- Submission Policy: Some categories accept direct submissions
- Why Choose Them: Employee-owned, highly respected for scholarly rigor
- Website: wwnorton.com
11. Workman Publishing
Workman is smaller. Lifestyle, humor, travel, kids’ books. Fun books. Practical books. Visual books. They have a reputation. Indie authors like them. They are creative. Not corporate.
They also focus on visually interesting books. Picture-heavy, practical, or novelty books fit well here. Workman can be a good choice if you want your book to stand out on the shelf.
- Year Founded: 1968
- Headquarters: New York, USA
- Genres: Lifestyle books, humor, travel, self-help, children’s books, illustrated books
- Submission Policy: Accepts direct submissions for some categories
- Why Choose Them: Strong at visually rich and practical books
- Website: workman.com
12. Kensington Publishing
Kensington does romance, mystery, thrillers. Independent. Flexible. Author-friendly. You get more attention here than in a huge corporate house. They are serious about genre fiction.
They are faster than the big houses. If you write in a popular genre, Kensington can get your book to market quicker. They also have experience promoting genre titles to the right audience.
- Year Founded: 1974
- Headquarters: New York, USA
- Genres: Romance, mystery, thrillers, horror, women’s fiction, genre fiction
- Submission Policy: Accepts direct submissions (rare among mid-sized publishers)
- Why Choose Them: One of the most author-friendly indie presses in genre fiction
- Website: kensingtonbooks.com
13. Sourcebooks
Sourcebooks is modern. Hybrid publishing. Trade, children’s, digital. Innovative. Approachable. Good support. Rising star among US book publication companies.
They experiment with formats. Digital-first, audiobooks, print. Good for authors who want flexibility and modern support. They are known for being approachable and author-focused.
- Year Founded: 1987
- Headquarters: Naperville, Illinois, USA
- Genres: Children’s books, non-fiction, romance, young adult, trade fiction, hybrid titles
- Submission Policy: Some imprints accept direct submissions
- Why Choose Them: Modern, innovative publisher with flexible publishing options
- Website: sourcebooks.com
14. IngramSpark
IngramSpark is print-on-demand. Self-publishing. Distribution to retailers and libraries. Not a traditional house, but very useful. Indie authors rely on it. Fast and global.
It’s the go-to for indie authors who want control. You upload your files, pick your print options, and your book can reach Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and libraries worldwide. Very handy and practical.
- Year Founded: 2013
- Headquarters: La Vergne, Tennessee, USA
- Genres: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, academic books, children’s books, indie publications
- Submission Policy: Open to all authors (self-publishing platform)
- Why Choose Them: Wide retailer + library distribution with POD convenience
- Website: ingramspark.com
15. Kindle Direct Publishing
Amazon KDP is everywhere. Self-publish ebooks and print books. Global reach. Easy. Popular. Indie authors love it. You control everything. Fast. Effective.
KDP is perfect for authors wanting to test the waters. You can release a book in days. You can price it yourself. You can revise it easily. Many indie authors start here before exploring bigger options.
- Year Founded: 2007
- Headquarters: Seattle, USA
- Genres: Fiction, non-fiction, romance, fantasy, science fiction, self-help, low-content books
- Submission Policy: Open to all authors
- Why Choose Them: Fastest publishing route with full author control
- Website: kdp.amazon.com
Conclusion
So yeah, the book publishing world in the USA is huge. Messy. It’s confusing. You get giants like Penguin Random House and HarperCollins doing their thing at the top of the mountain. You get indie-friendly houses like Kensington and Sourcebooks that feel more human. Then you have the big self-publishing platforms like KDP and IngramSpark that basically let anyone jump into the game without asking for permission.
The important thing is choosing the company that fits your goals, not the one everybody talks about. Your book, your timeline, your voice. As long as you know where you want it to go, there’s a publishing path that gets you there. And honestly, half the fun is figuring it out.
Common Questions People Ask
1. How do I pick a book publisher?
Consider your genre, goals, and the support you desire. Large publishers offer reach, indie publishers offer personal attention, and self-publishing offers full control.
2. What services do book publishers offer?
Editing, proofreading, cover design, formatting, marketing, and distribution. Services vary by publisher type.
3. Can I submit the manuscript directly?
Some accept direct submissions, but most large publishers require agents. Self-publishing platforms allow anyone to upload their manuscript.
4. How long does it take to publish a book?
Traditional publishers: months to a year. Indie publishers: weeks to months. Self-publishing: days once files are ready.
5. Do I need an agent?
Large publishers usually require one. Indie publishers and self-publishing platforms typically do not.
Disclaimer: The publishers listed are for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with them and do not guarantee manuscript acceptance. Please verify all submission details on the publisher’s official website before applying.