Top 20 Book Publishing Houses in Australia
Australia has a thriving book publishing landscape with some of the publishing houses among the best in the world. To engage a publishing company in Australia you have to finding the right publisher, whether a self-publishing or traditional publishing company. If you are looking for publishers in Australia, this article can help you to get you started in discovering the best choices. From small publishers to the best publishers in Australia who accept unsolicited pitches, here’s a list of top publishers in Australia you can rely on anytime any day.
1. Bloomsbury Publishing Australia
Bloomsbury Publishing was founded in 1986 and has grown to become a prominent independent publisher known for its award-winning authors, who have garnered Nobel, Pulitzer, and Booker Prizes. The company publishes fiction, non-fiction and children’s books by authors including J.K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, Louis Sachar, Sharon Creech, Nick Lake, Marianne Curley, Mary Hooper and Terry Deary, among many others. Bloomsbury operates globally, with offices in diverse cities such as London, New York, New Delhi, Oxford, and Sydney. The publisher handles a broad range of genres, including but not limited to literary fiction, young adult, science fiction, fantasy, and romance. It also covers education and reference books, history, biographies & memoirs, horror, action & adventure, and self-help. Bloomsbury books are popular with school libraries, class sets and music departments, and are available to order from all bookshops and educational book suppliers.
2. Thames & Hudson Australia
Thames & Hudson was founded in 1949 as a publishing house with the vision to craft a “museum without walls.” The company aims to make the world of art and elite scholarly research available to a wider reading audience. The company’s name was inspired by London and New York rivers, symbolizing its international perspective. Thames & Hudson’s Australian chapter was inaugurated in Melbourne in 1970. This venture was intended to represent Thames & Hudson’s catalog in Australia and New Zealand, making London’s literary offerings more readily accessible to the local readership. Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted.
3. Hachette Australia
Hachette Australia is a renowned Australian book publisher that specializes in publishing top-quality content across various genres from mainstream commercial fiction to literary award-winners, children’s literature, memoirs, historical insights, lifestyle books, and sports topics. The company has a mission is to publish books that resonate with their readers. Hachette Australia has a team of expert publishers and passionate readers dedicated to discovering and supporting talented writers and working with them to craft exceptional stories.
4. Penguin Random House
Penguin Random House Australia Pty Ltd is a foreign-owned private company, deriving revenue from the publication and distribution of physical and digital books. The company is reputed as the biggest trade book publisher worldwide, and strives to form meaningful connections between authors and readers across all corners of the globe. Penguin Random House Australia distributes nearly 800 million books annually, be it in print, audio, or e-book formats. Amongst their esteemed cadre of authors, they proudly claim more than 60 Nobel Prize laureates and a significant number of the world’s most popular authors.
5. Allen & Unwin
Allen & Unwin is reputed a one of the most open-minded publishers, always looking for fresh and promising authors. The company accepts unsolicited manuscripts are accepted. They welcome submissions for adult fiction, non-fiction, illustrated works, children and young adult literature, and academic writing. The company was established in Australia in 1976.
Allen & Unwin is among Australia’s leading independent publishers and has been voted “Publisher of the Year” twelve times including the inaugural award in 1992 and ten times since 2000. The company publishes around 250 new titles each year including literary and commercial fiction, a broad range of general non-fiction, academic and professional titles and books for children and young adults. The company’s imprints include Allen & Unwin, Arena, Crows Nest and Inspired Living (MBS).
6. Big Sky Publishing
Big Sky Publishing is an independent book publisher in Australia that promotes and supports local authors, illustrators, and content. They aim to bring distinctive Australian narratives to readers far and wide; their mission is to foster books and authors that provide something unique and significant to the marketplace. They mainly publish non-fiction titles for adults, including military history, history, Australiana, true crime, self-help, parenting, and biography. Moreover, they have a strong presence in the children’s category with their “little books with big messages” across picture books, early reader, middle grade, and young adult genres. They are always open to remarkable content that aids in children’s learning and growth. The company accepts unsolicited manuscripts from aspiring authors in the following categories: history, military history, true crime, self-help, health, parenting, business, auto/biography, humor, lifestyle, and children’s books.
7. Black Inc.
Black Inc. is a Melbourne-based independent Australian publisher which was founded in 2000. The company specializes in high-quality non-fiction and fiction books. At its core, Black Inc. cherishes ideas and narratives. It has a particular interest in ground-breaking works in history, politics, biography, criticism, and current affairs, as well as novels that offer unique perspectives. Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted. Black Inc. accepts works from Australian writers for general, literary, and commercial non-fiction in history, current affairs, memoir, and biography. This is one of the very reliable publishing firms in Australia.
8. Text Publishing
Text Publishing is one of the leading independent publishing companies in Australia. It is based in Melbourne and reputed for its dedication to both literary and commercial fiction as well as non-fiction. Having won the ABIA Small Publisher of the Year thrice and the Leading Edge Books Small Publisher of the Year in 2018 and 2019, they’ve cemented their place in the industry. This publishing house is passionate about an extensive array of fiction and non-fiction, including international and local books for adults and young adults. Many of their books are celebrated globally with various awards.
9. Harlequin Australia
Harlequin Australia is a landmark among book publishers in Sidney, with over forty years of experience in publishing high-quality fiction and non-fiction. This company is a division of Harper Collins Australia. Harlequin Australia operates under several imprints: MIRA, HQ Fiction, HQ Nonfiction, HQ Young Adult, Mills & Boon, and Escape Publishing.
10. Pan Macmillan Australia
Macmillan is an internationally renowned publishing house with a reputation for high-quality publications in fiction, non-fiction, science, academic, professional, and educational genres. Pan Macmillan Australia is a part of this global network known for publishing bestselling, award-winning, and high-quality titles. They operate under the imprints Macmillan, Pan, Picador, Plum, and Macquarie Dictionary Publishers and are dedicated to promoting Australian authors and stories. Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted.
11. Walker Books Australia
Walker Books Australia, a Sydney-based book publisher, is a celebrated publishing house with over twenty-five years of experience in the industry. They are famed for publishing award-winning children’s books and picture books. They have collaborated with distinguished authors and illustrators, including Meg McKinlay, Bob Graham, Jeannie Baker, Pamela Freeman, and Liz Anelli. Walker Books Australia is a Walker Books Group member, including Walker Books UK and Candlewick Press.
12. Ventura Press
Ventura Press, a prominent independent publisher based in Sydney, is recognized for its exceptional titles and collaboration with globally esteemed authors. The publisher targets a distinctive and niche market segment, focusing on “books to enhance life.” They publish various genres, such as literary fiction, commercial fiction, intriguing memoirs, and wellness and health-related books.
13. Pantera Press
Pantera Press was founded in 2008, propelled by a passion for unveiling outstanding Australian stories that would captivate readers worldwide. The company has witnessed significant growth, with an extensive focus on nurturing a culture of writing by fostering both emerging readers and writers. Their mission centers on igniting imagination, stimulating conversation, and promoting change. Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted by this platform. Australian writers in fiction and nonfiction can submit their after reviewing of the submission guidelines.
14. Giramondo Publishing
The Giramondo Publishing Company was founded in December 1995 as is an independent Australian publisher associated with academia, lauded for its commitment to publishing prize-winning works across fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. It is one of the few poetry publishers in Australia. Giramondo gives priority to publishing inventive and daring literary work that might otherwise remain unpublished due to its nuanced commercial appeal. Its aims also include fostering interaction between Australian writers and readers and their international counterparts and creating a bridge between academic environments and the commercial market. The company accepts unsolicited manuscripts.
15. Hardie Grant
Hardie Grant is an independent publisher and media company that collaborates with authors and brands to publish books, magazines, and content for various platforms. The company accepts unsolicited manuscripts.
16. Aurora House
Aurora House is a publishing firm that welcomes collaboration with new authors. Upon the acceptance of your manuscript, a dedicated publisher is assigned to navigate you through every step of the process, from editing to distribution. The company provides a range of tailored services, whether your goal is to self-publish your book in Australia, promote your published work, or create a dedicated website for it. Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted.
17. Tenth Street Press
Tenth Street Press is an independent publisher that spans continents. This company which is based in Melbourne offers both electronic and print distribution globally. It accepts unsolicited manuscripts. The publishing team gives priority to original works that push boundaries and display a distinctive style.
18. Scribe
Scribe is one of the leading independent trade-publishing entities in Australia. Scribe releases more than 65 nonfiction and fiction titles in Australia annually. This includes roughly 60 in the United Kingdom, and since 2017, about 30 titles in the US. Scribe is open to unsolicited and unagented submissions. To manage the high number of submissions, they have a policy that accepts pitches and short writing samples included in the main body of an email during specific three-week periods in the year.
19. UWA Publishing
UWA Publishing (UWAP) was founded in 1935 as a division of The University of Western Australia. It has published stories, research, and educational content to stimulate intellectual curiosity, inspire actions, and cultivate a network of engaged communities. Their collection of award-winning fiction, non-fiction, and scholarly materials reflects the strength and diversity of a contemporary university setting. Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted.
20. Melbourne University Press (MUP)
Melbourne University Press (MUP) was founded in 1922 and has reputation as Australia’s first university press. The publishing house is amongst the most esteemed publishing entities in the country. It aims to be the leading scholarly press within Australia and the Asian-Pacific sphere. It is dedicated to publishing works that echo the University’s academic life, as well as scholarly content that appeals to a varied, non-academic readership. MUP accepts unsolicited manuscripts from clients.
21. Ginninderra Press
Ginninderra Press was founded in 1996 with the primary purpose of giving new and upcoming authors a platform to showcase their works to the world. The platform caters to authors who write in less popular genres or on unconventional topics. Ginninderra Press accepts unsolicited manuscripts from clients.
