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Ranking America's Largest Publishers

The publisher of harry potter was the sixth-largest trade publisher last year based on unit sales through bookscan.

Anyone even remotely interested in book publishing knows who the Big Five trade publishers are—if not necessarily in what order they rank. For the record, Penguin Random House sold the most units through NPD BookScan outlets last year, followed by HarperCollins. Simon & Schuster was in third place; last week, S&S reported that its worldwide revenue was $767 million in 2016, down 1.8% from 2015. The Hachette Book Group was #4 in units sold in 2016, a total that includes units from the Perseus Books Group, which Hachette bought last March. Macmillan rounded out the top five.

What is more of a mystery is which is the sixth-largest trade house. The company that finished behind the Big Five in 2016, based on unit sales made at retailers that report to BookScan, was Scholastic.

The company had 33 titles hit PW ’s Children’s Frontlist Fiction bestseller list last year, including the top-selling print book of 2016: J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which sold 4.4 million units. And, while a number of books on the list were Potter-related, a host of other books did well in the year, including new books in the company’s Baby-Sitters Club Graphix line. In all, Scholastic’s trade sales (which excludes book fairs and clubs) were $318 million in the 12-month period ended Nov. 30, 2016.

In seventh place was Disney, another children’s publisher that had a good run with bestsellers last year, particularly in the frontlist fiction category It had 25 books reach the Children’s Frontlist Fiction bestseller list, led by six Star Wars titles and six books by author Rick Riordan.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, which last week reported sales of $165.6 million in its trade division in 2016, was #8 on the units-sold list. Workman was in ninth place. Among its titles that sold more than 100,000 print copies last year were Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders (which sold about 172,000 copies through BookScan outlets) and What to Expect When You’re Expecting (which sold more than 138,000 copies). Claiming the 10th spot on the list was Sterling, the publishing subsidiary of Barnes & Noble.

Publishers in the 11th through 20th places were a mix of independent presses (such as Norton, Kensington, Chronicle, Sourcebooks), divisions of larger companies (Dover, owned by LSC Communications), children’s publishers (Candlewick), and religion houses (B&H Publishing, Tyndale). John Wiley’s #12 spot on the list reflects sales of its business books and other trade-oriented titles to general retailers, rather than its educational materials.

Both Dover and Sterling continued to do well with adult coloring books in 2016, although sales in the category cooled compared to 2015. B&N said that because of strong adult coloring book demand, sales of Sterling titles to retailers other than B&N were almost 22% higher in fiscal 2016 than in fiscal 2015.

B&H occupied the 19th spot on the ranking due in part to strong sales of Fervent , which sold about 306,000 units last year, and The Battle Plan for Prayer , which sold approximately 157,000 copies.

Largest Trade Publishers By Units Sold, 2016*

*Based on purchases made through outlets tracked by NPD BookScan

* This ranking and article were updated on July 31 after NPD discovered that it had double-counted unit sales of Sourcebooks's young adult titles. Eliminating the double-counting dropped Sourcebooks from 10th to 18th place on the ranking.

The 15 Largest Publishing Companies In The World

Largest Publishing Companies Research Summary

The largest publishing company in the U.S. is Pearson Education , with a revenue of $4.714 billion and a market share of 40% among all U.S. academic publishers.

As of 2022, the global publishing industry has a market size of $89.25 billion.

At least 1.7 million books are published each year.

The global publishing industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% through 2027.

The traditional definition of commercial publishers is organizations that purchase manuscripts through agents or from authors. This type of business makes all editorial decisions moving forward as it pertains to content and style, funding production and distribution, and ultimately owning the copyright.

Sales proceeds from the books typically go to the publisher who will then pay the author or authors royalties, depending on their contractual agreement.

With that in mind, publishers are far-reaching and can handle manuscripts of many genres from different industries. In turn, publishers sell copies of their books through book stores, schools and colleges, libraries, special-interest groups, online, and through book clubs. They may also own the right to translate texts and publish books overseas. So what are the largest publishing companies currently in operation?

The 15 largest publishing companies in the world are:

A Deeper Look at The Top 15 Largest Publishing Companies

Pearson Education

2021 Annual Revenue: $4.714 billion

This British-owned education publishing and assessment services company owned a variety of educational media brands including Addison-Wesley, Peachpit, Prentice-Hall, eCollege, Longman, Scott Foresman, among others. The business is global, although 60% of their sales come from the United States.

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Penguin Random House

2021 Annual Revenue: $4.09 billion

Formed in 2013, Penguin Random House is less than a decade old. Formed by the merging of Random House, owned by German media company Bertelsmann, and Penguin Group, owned by Pearson plc, Penguin Random House publishes 15,000 titles annually under its 250 divisions.

The company signed a first-look production deal with Universal Pictures in 2014 where Random House would be the producer of films based on Penguin Random House books.

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Hachette Book Group

2021 Annual Revenue: $2.653 billion

Hachette is a French publisher that was founded in 1826, initially as a bookshop and publishing company. The organization acquired a number of different companies to expand its global presence and now includes Hachette Australia, Hachette UK, Hachette Book Group USA, among others.

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John Wiley & Sons

2021 Annual Revenue: $2.08 billion

John Wiley Sons, Inc., more commonly known as Wiley, is an American-owned publishing organization founded in 1807. The business’ main focus is on academic publishing and instructional materials for educational purposes.

Wiley produces books as well as journals and encyclopedias that are available to purchase in print and in digital versions, as well as additional online products and services.

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HarperCollins

2021 Annual Revenue: $1.98 billion

Founded in 1989, HarperCollins Publishers LLC is one of the world’s largest publishing houses and considered one of the “Big Five” publishing companies in the United States. Headquartered in New York City, HarperCollins is a subsidiary of News Corp, an American mass media and publishing company.

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Springer Nature

2019 Annual Revenue: $1.72 billion

Springer Nature is an English-German academic publishing company created when Springer Science + Business Media and Holtzbrinck Publishing Grou’s Nature Publishing Group, Palgrave Macmillan, and Macmillan Education merged together to form one company in 2015.

McGraw-Hill Education

2021 Annual Revenue: $1.54 billion

McGraw-Hill is an American learning math company and considered one of the “big three” educational publishers in the world.

This organization provides educational content that can be customized, software, and services for students from pre-kindergarten through postgraduate education.

Find McGraw-Hill Education Jobs Near Me

Macmillan Publishers

2021 Annual Revenue: $1.4 billion

Macmillan Publishers is a British-based publishing company also considered to be one of the “Big Five” publishers. Founded in 1843 in London, Macmillan is a subsidiary of Holtzbrinck Publishing Group and has been since 1999.

Macmillan is said to have laid a great literary foundation in their early days by publishing notable authors such as Charles Kingsley, Thomas Hughes, Francis Turner Palgrave, and Lewis Carroll, among others.

2021 Annual Revenue: $1.3 billion

This American publishing, education, and media company is a business that publishes and distributes comic books, books, and educational materials. Scholastic is best known for its reading clubs and fairs but also distributes its products through retail and online sales .

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2021 Annual Revenue: $1.235 billion

This Japanese publishing company is a privately owned business and the largest Japanese publishing company. This organization produces popular manga magazines for their audience including Nakayoshi, Afternoon Evening, Weekly Shōnen Magazine, and Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine.

2021 Annual Revenue: $1.23 billion

Another American business on our list, Cengage is a business that focuses on educational content, technology, and services for higher education, K-12, professional, and library markets. This company is truly global, operating in over 20 countries worldwide.

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Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

2021 Annual Revenue: $1.05 billion

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is a publisher focused on textbooks, instructional technology manuals and materials, assessments, reference works, and fiction and non-fiction books for all ages.

Based in Boston, this organization was formerly known as Houghton Mifflin Company, but changed its name following its acquisition of Harcourt Publishing in 2007.

Find Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Jobs Near Me

Simon Schuster

2021 Annual Revenue: $1 billion

This American publishing company is a subsidiary of ViacomCBS. First formed in 1924, Simon and Max Schuster wanted to start a company that published crossword puzzles. In 1939, they backed Robert Fair de Graff who founded the first paperback publisher.

Oxford University Press

2021 Annual Revenue: $902.61 million

Oxford University Press (OUP) is the university press at the University of Oxford. It is the largest university press in the world and the second oldest. The university became involved in print trade in 1480 as a major publisher of bibles, prayer books, and scholarly works.

In the late 19th century, the organization took on the task of creating the Oxford English Dictionary and from that project significantly expanded into other areas.

Governed by a group of 15 academics, Oxford University Press has published an incredible amount of notable titles including the Oxford dictionaries, bibliographies, world classic compilations, history books, English language teaching books, bibles, atlases, and even music books.

Find Oxford University Press Jobs Near Me

2021 Annual Revenue: $400 million

This Japanese company was first established in 1925 as an entertainment-related publishing division of a Japanese publisher called Shogakukan. In 1926, Shueisha became an independent company.

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Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.

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Top book publishing companies in the world 2022, biggest book publishers| global book publishing industry factsheet.

The Current State of the Top Book Publishing Companies?

Book sales are transitioning to online sales — 55 percent of all book sales in the US are now made on Amazon. The top book publishing companies in the world are changing their sales strategies to target these new types of online customers through selling electronic versions (eBooks) of their books and targeting devices such as the Kindle and other readers as well. How much is the global book publishing industry worth? The global book publishing industry is worth USD 143 billion. The biggest book publishers in the world are Pearson, generating USD 6.07 billion in revenue annually. Pearson is followed by RELX Group, Thomson Reuters, and Penguin Random House on this list of publishing companies. This post will breakdown the top 10 book publishing companies in the world, as well as answer the following pressing questions about the global book publishing industry:

BizVibe’s platform help businesses discover, track, evaluate, and connect with hundreds of thousands of public and private book publishing companies, including the top companies such as RELX Group, Pearson, and more. For each company profile, users can access best-in-class supplier intelligence highlighting key products and services, risk of doing business, industry opportunities, key executive information, competitor insights, and much more.

Global Book Publishing Industry Stats and Trends

Top 10 Book Publishing Companies in the World 2022

Who are the best book publishers in the world? Here is BizVibe’s list of the top book publishing companies in the world ranked various factors including popularity, revenue, and influence.

1. Pearson

Who is the biggest book publisher in the world? Pearson ranks number 1 on our list of the top 10 book publishing companies. Pearson Education is a British-owned education publishing and assessment service to schools and corporations, as well for students directly. Pearson is known for owning educational media brands including Addison–Wesley, Peachpit, Prentice-Hall, eCollege, Longman, Scott Foresman, and others. Pearson operates in over 70 countries, but 60% of its revenues come from the North American market. The company is headquartered in London, England, UK, and brings in USD 6.07 billion in revenues annually — ranking it number 1 on this list of the top book publishing companies in the world.

Ranking 2 nd on BizVibe’s list of the top 10 book publishing companies is RELX, a British corporate group comprising companies that publish scientific, technical, and medical material, and legal textbooks; provide decision-making tools, and organize exhibitions. The book publisher operates in over 40 countries and serves customers in over 180 nations. The company is the result of the merger of Reed International, a British trade book and magazine publisher, and Elsevier, a Netherlands-based scientific publisher. RELX brought in revenues of USD 5.6 billion — ranking it 2 nd amongst the top publishing companies in the world in 2022 by revenue.

3. Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters is a Canadian multinational media conglomerate and ranks 3 rd on this list of the largest book publishers in the world. Thomson Reuters was founded in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where it is headquartered at 333 Bay Street. Thomson Reuters was ranked as Canada’s “leading corporate brand” in the 2010 Interbrand Best Canadian Brands ranking. Thomson Reuters has sponsored Canadian golf champion Mike Weir and the AT&T Williams Formula One team. It also sponsors Marketplace, a radio show from American Public Media. Thomson Reuters, among other media corporations, also donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Clinton Foundation.

4. Penguin Random House

Ranking 4 th on BizVibe’s list of the top book publishing companies in the world is Penguin Random House, a multinational conglomerate publishing company formed in 2013 from the merger of Random House, owned by German media conglomerate Bertelsmann, and Penguin Group, owned by British publishing company Pearson plc. Penguin Random House comprises Penguin and Random House in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, and India; Penguin in Brazil, Asia, and South Africa; Dorling Kindersley worldwide; and Random House’s companies in Spain, Hispanic America, and Germany. Penguin Random House is one of the big five publishers and generated USD 3.3 billion last year — making it the biggest book publisher among the big 5 publishers in terms of revenue.

5. Hachette Livre

Ranking 5 th on this list of the top 10 book publishing companies in the world is Hachette Livre, a French book publisher and one of the big 5 publishers in the world. Hachette Livre brought in annual revenues of USD 2.7 billion last year, making it the 2 nd largest book publishers among the big five publishers, and 4 th on this list. Hachette has its headquarters in the Beaugrenelle district in the 15th arrondissement of Paris.

Related: Get Free Insights for 100+ Children’s Book Publishing Companies

6. harpercollins.

Ranking 6 th on this list top book publishing companies in the world is HarperCollins, one of the world’s largest publishing companies and is one of the Big Five English-language publishing companies, alongside Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, and Macmillan. HarperCollins is headquartered in New York City and is a subsidiary of News Corp. Last year, HarperCollins generated annual revenues of USD 1.57 billion — making it one of the biggest book publishers in the world.

7. Macmillan Publishers

Another one of the big 5 book publishers, Macmillan Publishers ranks 7 th on the list of the top 10 book publishing companies. Generating USD 1.4 billion in revenues last year, Macmillan Publishers is a British publishing company owned by the German Holtzbrinck Publishing Group.

8. Bertelsmann

Bertelsmann ranks 8 th on this list of the top book publishing companies in the world. Bertelsmann is a German private multinational conglomerate based in Gütersloh, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Last year, Bertelsmann generated USD 4.24 billion in revenues, making it one of the world’s largest media companies. Bertelsmann’s principal divisions include the RTL Group, Penguin Random House, Gruner + Jahr, BMG, Arvato, the Bertelsmann Printing Group, the Bertelsmann Education Group, and Bertelsmann Investments.

9. Scholastic Corporation

Scholastic Corporation ranks 9 th on this list of the top 10 book publishing companies in the world with annual revenue of USD 1.74 billion. Scholastic Corporation is an American multinational publishing, education and media company known for publishing, selling, and distributing books and educational materials for schools, teachers, parents, and children. Scholastic also publishes instructional reading and writing programs and offers professional learning and consultancy services for school improvement. Clifford the Big Red Dog serves as the official mascot for Scholastic.

10. McGraw-Hill Education

Rounding out BizVibe’s list of the top 10 largest book publishers in the world is McGraw-Hill Education, a learning science company and one of the “big three” educational publishers. Last year McGraw-Hill Education generated USD 1.71 billion in revenue. McGraw-Hill currently operates in 28 countries, has more than 5,000 employees globally, and offers products and services to over 135 countries in 60+ languages.

This is BizVibe’s list of the top 10 book publishing companies in the world. These companies are changing the way sales of books are being made in a transitioning industry. Reach out to these companies and figure out their best business practices when it comes to selling books.

Top Book Publishing Companies in the World by Revenue

The Future of the Global Book Publishing Industry

With over 55 percent of sales already occurring on Amazon, it’s pretty evident that the future of book sales is in electronic products such as eBooks and audiobooks. The top book publishing companies in the world are already aware of this trend and shifting many of their marketing efforts to maximize sales online. Expect this trend to continue going forward, and expect it to be driven by the biggest book publishers discussed in this article. Get out and learn from these companies first.

Additional Publishing Companies in 2022

In addition to the top book publishing companies, there are various other publishing industries to keep and eye on in 2022.

The Largest Publishing Companies

Publishing extends beyond books and magazines. Making information, music, literature, software and various other types of content available to the public for sale or for free also includes publishing as a whole. The largest publishing companies are:

1. Penguin Random House

2. Hachette Book Group

3. Springer Nature

4. John Wiley & Sons

5. McGraw-Hill Education

Check out the full list of the top publishing companies on BizVibe.

View Here>>

The largest comic book publishers.

Comic book publishers specialize in publishing comics. The largest comic book publishers are:

1. Marvel Comics

Revenue: USD 278 Million

2. DC Comics

Revenue: USD 38 Million

3. Dark Horse Comics

Revenue: USD 17 Million

4. Image Comics

Revenue: USD 66 Million

5. IDW Publishing

Revenue: USD 13 Million

Check out the full list of the top comic book publishers on BizVibe.

Additional Companies from the Publishing Industry

Network with the complete list of publishing companies only on BizVibe.

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Publishing industry ,

The best book publishers of 2022.

By August Buck

Ever been to a bookstore and wondered what all the little images on the book spines mean? All those H’s, penguins and sowers lining the shelves? Well, they are the logos of the publishing companies who have published that book.

Take a look at the rows of books in any bookstore and you will most probably be looking at the emblems for the Big 5 publishers and their many imprints, as well as a smattering of independent (indie) publishers.

With so many amazing publishing houses out there, the perfect home for you book may well be out there, but how do you know where to look, and who are the most reputable?

In this article we will be looking at the very best book publishers, how publishing companies work, and how to get published by a traditional publishing house.

The publishing industry can be a little tricky to understand, but by the end of this article you will be armed with all the knowledge you need when it comes to choosing the best book publishing companies for your work.

How Do You Search For A Publisher?

Finding a book publisher can be hard, especially if you’re hoping to be traditionally published by some of the top publishers in the business. Where do you begin , and what information is important for you to know before you start submitting your manuscript to some of the largest book publishers? Is there anything to be said for self publishing, and what types of publishing should you avoid ?

Do I Need A Literary Agent?

Yes, you will most likely need to be represented by a literary agent before you (via your agent) can start submitting to bigger traditional publishers. Nevertheless, there’s no harm in window shopping; it might even provide you with a focal point if you are still working on getting an agent .

For more information on how to find a literary agent, read more here .

Where To Start

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of book publishers out there, I’ll be listing the top five biggest publishing houses, some of the best educational publishers and those who publish children’s books, as well as some of my personal favourite independent book publishers. Read on to discover the very best publishers, covering all book genres across the globe.

The Big Five Book Publishers

While aiming high can be daunting to some authors, literary agents will often wish to submit your manuscript to the top publishing companies first. After all, not only do they have the most power and influence, but they also know what they’re doing – most of them have been publishing books for over a hundred years!

Who Are The Big Five?

The biggest and most successful traditional publishers in the world are often referred to as ‘The Big Five’. So I will be starting with them.

These are the five powerhouse trade publishing houses which are most well known and widely recognised. Within them you will find many other recognised imprints (publishing houses owned by them) whose logos appear on the spine on the book.

Let’s take a look at them in more detail.

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Simon & Schuster

Simon & Schuster is where we begin our big five journey, as this publishing company holds an annual revenue of $830 million. They have over 35 imprints, including notable ones such as Howard Books, Scribner, and Touchstone, and they release over 2,000 books a year! Some of their biggest titles as of late are Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat and The Institute by Stephen King.

Founded in 1924, Simon & Schuster remains a prominent publisher today, publishing a variety of genres along with big names such as renown authors F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jodi Picoult and Philippa Gregory.

They also offer many opportunities for those wanting to pursue a career in publishing and are one of the biggest names in the industry to work.

HarperCollins

With an annual revenue of $1.5 billion, HarperCollins has no shortage of good books and authors.

Their notable imprints include Avon Romance, Harlequin Enterprises, Harper, and William Morrow, and their titles range broadly. Some of the top books as of late are Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis and The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin.

Authors published originally by Harper include Mark Twain, the Brontë sisters, H. G. Wells and Agatha Christie. A book deal from this giant will most certainly help with book sales!

With over 100 imprints, this publishing powerhouse also offers a great opportunity to learn about the industry from the best .

Macmillan Publishers

Established in 1843, Macmillan Publishers is still going strong.

With $1.4 billion in annual revenue, there are many publishing routes and imprints available through them, namely Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Picador, St Martin’s Press, and Thomas Dunne Books.

Some of their biggest titles from the recent past that you may have heard of include The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah and Me by Elton John.

With an eclectic list of authors under its belt (from W B Yeats to Leigh Bardugo), and a global market with countless possible genres to publish under, you’d be wise to consider them an ideal place for your book to end up.

Penguin Random House

Everyone recognises that little penguin on book spines in bookstores, and everyone is familiar with the orange Penguin Classics books, but what else do you know about this iconic publisher?

With over 15,000 books published a year, not only is Penguin Random House one of the top five, it may well be the top of the top five.

Their annual revenue exceeds $3.3 billion, and they have countless notable imprints such as Knopf Doubleday, Crown Publishing, and Viking Press. They also have many famous authors under their wing, including books like The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, and The Guardians by John Grisham.

As of 2021, Penguin Random House employs approximately 10,000 people globally and has published 15,000 titles annually under its 250 divisions and imprints.

Hachette Livre

Looking for a European based publisher with more published books a year than Penguin? Then take a look at the Hachette book group.

Hachette Livre has an annual revenue of $2.7 billion and nearly 200 imprints. Some of these include Grand Central Publishing, Little, Brown and Company, Headline, and Mulholland Books.

Their biggest titles in the recent past include Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell and Little Weirds by Jenny Slate. they have also published names such as James Patterson, Martina Cole, Donna Tartt, and Celeste Ng.

Growing steadily since their merger in 1992, Hachette Livre has a lot to offer both you and your book.

Best Educational Book Publishers

Looking for a reliable and quality educational book publisher, or someone who specialises in nonfiction titles?

This can be more difficult than you think, but thankfully I’m here to shorten the list for you. These publishers are looking specifically for educational books, quality hardback textbooks and the like.

This won’t be helpful if you’re looking to get your fictional manuscript published, but if it’s educational materials you write, then read on!

Bertelsmann Education Group

Bertelsmann is a media, services and education company that operates in about 50 countries around the world. The online education and service offerings are primarily in the healthcare and technology sectors, as well as in higher education. With an annual revenue of around $300 million, this group has no shortage of educational texts, resources, and reliable online connections.

I can’t recall how many Scholastic book fairs I went to as a child. Perhaps you went to some as well, given that Scholastic is both an educational publisher and a popular children’s publisher.

Their book sales are always consistent and their annual revenue is roughly $1.7 billion. Their notable imprints include Arthur A. Levine, Klutz Press, and Orchard Books. While their educational books are extremely popular for grades K-12, their YA fiction remains the most popular (no doubt you’ve heard of Harry Potter and The Hunger Games, right?).

Pearson Education

Have you ever used DuoLingo for your language learning needs? Did you know that Pearson Education has recently partnered with them?

There’s a lot of other notable mentions surrounding Pearson, such as their annual revenue of $1 billion, and their well-known imprints (Adobe Press, Heinemann, Prentice Hall, Wharton Publishing). Their most popular publications are always subject textbooks for higher education, and for good reason .

McGraw-Hill Education

One of the largest publishers in American education is Mcgraw-Hill. Their annual revenue often exceeds $1.7 billion, and they are well known for their many editions of test prep books (SAT and ACT) and elementary school math textbooks.

Their most notable imprints include Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, and McGraw-Hill Higher Education, no doubt familiar to you if you’ve been involved in any American education system.

While Wiley has a lot to offer in terms of non-educational publishing, their For Dummies series of educational books is one of their top sellers.

With an annual revenue of $1.7 billion, their various instructional titles are big hits in the publishing world. Their most notable imprints include Bloomberg Press, Capstone, Hungry Minds, and Wiley-Blackwell, and they continue to publish a large variety of titles, both educational and otherwise.

Cengage Learning

Publishing both hard cover print books and maintaining a dedicated digital library can be difficult, but Cengage learning can do it all.

From imprints that publish specifically for grades K-12 as well as books for higher education learning, Cengage is a wonderful publisher to consider. Cengage is also the owner of the National Geographic Education division, made to bring excitement to classrooms worldwide.

With an annual revenue of $1.7 billion, it’s safe to say that this publisher is one of the educational publishing powerhouses.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

You may have already heard of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, or HMH for short.

This publisher specializes in different disciplines including business and economics, biography and memoirs, children’s books, cookbooks, health and wellness, and more. They make more than $1.4 billion annually, with many notable imprints: Clarion, Graphia, John Joseph Adams Books, and Sandpiper among them.

Their largest and most recent titles include elementary school textbooks in all subjects, as well as cookbooks.

Best Children’s Book Publishers

Some of the top selling books published today are for children or young adults. However, writing and publishing for children and young adults can be a lot harder than you would think!

Although young adult novels have really flown off the shelves in the last twenty years, and often offer the most variety in terms of diversity, content and audience, young adult fiction, middle grade fiction and picture books still remain one of the most competitive markets in the publishing world.

Here are some of the best choices for children’s book publishing today, and how you can reach out to them (via your literary agent, of course).

With offices around the world and prominent publishing houses in both the US and the UK, Bloomsbury Books is a top contender for children’s book publishing (they also publish a vast array of nonfiction books including political nonfiction).

Established in 1986, Bloomsbury has many popular children’s book authors across every age group. With an annual revenue of $150 million, Bloomsbury USA Books for Young Readers was established in 2002. Their YA fiction has grown increasingly popular, their authors often topping the New York Times Bestseller list.

If they’re good enough for the likes of J K Rowling, Sarah J Maas, and Samantha Shannon, then I’m sure your book will be more than happy in this home.

Ladybird Books

It’s impossible for anyone over the age of thirty to not have fond memories of their first Ladybird hardback book as a child. Who doesn’t remember their favourite fairytales presented in that iconic little book with a plump ladybird on the cover?

UK-based and another division of the Penguin Group, Ladybird books is perfect if you’ve got a bedtime story to tell. Their lineup of children’s books is primarily geared toward younger audiences, from toddlers to roughly age ten. They have many award winning series published under their name, including many Peppa Pig books, as well as an educational division with their famous Peter and Jane reading guides and other titles where they have teamed up with names such as BBC Earth.

Their annual revenue is roughly $17 million.

Chronicle Books

San Francisco-based favourite Chronicle Books , with a $10 million revenue, has a wonderful eye for the unique and aesthetic storyteller.

Their children’s books are beloved and unique, and this small independent publisher receives more than 1,000 submissions a month for their young adult department alone! They publish most type of children’s books including activity books, art books, board books, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, games, and gift and stationery items.

Hogs Back Books

Hogs Back Books publishes fiction books aimed at children up to 10, as well as early readers for children up to 14, and teenage fiction.

Amongst its most notable titles, Boris the Boastful Frog was recommended by The Telegraph in 2013 as one of the best books of the year for young children. They are a small family-owned and independent publisher, and the small selection that they choose to publish is beautiful and heartfelt.

Arbordale Publishing

With just about $1 million in annual income, Arbordale Publishing isn’t the largest in US children’s publishing. However, their books are aligned to Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), as well as state education standards.

Arbordale books are vetted by experts and professionals from a variety of organizations including NASA, JPL, Project Learning Tree, USFWS, SeaWorld, the Cherokee Nation and others. They publish an average of 20 books per year.

Based in San Francisco, CA, Immedium is influenced by an increasingly diverse world. While they are a small company and make an average of $150k in annual revenue, they have wonderful illustrations and ideas for children’s books.

Immedium publishes subjects range from eye-catching children’s books to contemporary non-fiction, including commentaries on art, popular culture, and multicultural issues.

Kids Can Press

Kids Can Press is a Canadian-owned publisher of children’s books, with a list of over 500 picture books, non-fiction and fiction titles for toddlers to young adults and an estimated annual revenue of over $10 million.

The Kids Can Press list includes characters such as Franklin the Turtle —the single most successful publishing franchise in the history of Canadian publishing, which has sold over 65 million books in over 30 languages around the world.

Quirk Books

Looking for a smaller publishing agency for your unique and captivating children’s book?

Publishing only around 25 books a year, Quirk Books is based in Philadelphia and is searching for the most original, cool, and fun ideas out there. Is your book creative enough for Quirk? It’s one of my favourite publishing companies, having taken the helm on series such as the Miss Peregrine anthology by Ransom Riggs, which has won many literary awards.

August House Publishers

A more traditional publishing company, August House Publishers are seeking children’s book authors committed to folktales, diverse and memorable. They enjoy stories from many diverse backgrounds, as well as stories that work well as oral tales, stories meant to be passed on from generation to generation. They also have a soft spot for scary stories and stories that can be used in a classroom environment.

With an annual revenue of roughly $10 million, they produce beautiful children’s books .

ABDO Publishing

With almost $50 million a year in revenue ABDO is a formidable children’s book publisher.

Based in Edina, Minnesota, this family-owned book publishing company specializes in non-fiction books for the school library market. From engaging nonfiction to illustrated titles, ABDO has both educational and fantastical book titles for children of all ages.

Best Independent Book Publishers

Are you looking for a smaller company to publish your book? This is a better option if you are still seeking a traditional publishing company, but want to work with them directly

There are many benefits of working with an independent book publishing company. Smaller companies often accept unsolicited submissions (ie you don’t need to have a literary agent and can approach them yourself), especially if the submission is more unique and experimental in nature.

Plus, independent publishers often offer a more hands-on approach for new and inexperienced authors. the downside is that their budgets and reach may not be as large as that of the big five, so you are less likely to get an astronomical advance or become an international bestseller. But it’s not impossible!

Let’s check out some of the best in the business…

Autumn House Press

Autumn House Press is an independent, non-profit literary publishing company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that was founded in 1998. They began as a publishing company strictly for poetry, but they have since expanded to include fiction and nonfiction.

Autumn House Press’s especially notable titles include Anxious Attachments by Beth Alvarado and Not Dead Yet and Other Stories by Hadley Moore .

Tupelo Press

Tupelo Press is an American not-for-profit literary press founded in 1999. It produced its first titles in 2001, publishing poetry, fiction and nonfiction. Tupelo Press publishes the winners of its national poetry competitions, as well as manuscripts accepted through general submission. Awards given by Tupelo Press include the Dorset Prize, the Berkshire Prize for a First or Second Book of Poetry, and the Snowbound Series Chapbook Award. They have a lot to offer as an independent book publisher.

Influx Press

Hackney-based London independent publisher, Influx Press , was founded in 2011. They focus on site-specific literature closely linked to precise places across the UK and beyond.

They have printed unique books such as How Pale the Winter Has Made Us by Adam Scovell and A Door Behind a Door by Yelena Moskovich.

Fledgling Press

Fledgling is an exciting and innovative publisher founded in Edingburgh, Scotland. Their focus is primarily on Scottish talent, but they still consider writers from other parts of the world.

Founded in 2000, Fledgling Press have have launched the writing careers of award winning authors including Helen Grant, Philip Caveney and Alex Nye.

Graywolf Press

Graywolf Press is an independent, non-profit publisher located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They publish fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Graywolf Press currently publishes about 27 books a year, including the Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize winner, the recipient of the Emily Dickinson First Book Award, and several translations supported by the Lannan Foundation. Their published work is bold and award winning.

New Directions

New Directions was founded in 1936 and they publish about 30 new titles a year. They publish anything regarding literary fiction, poetry, memoir, nonfiction, and their annual revenue is roughly $1 million per year.

It was the first American publisher of authors including Henry Miller, Vladimir Nabokov, and Jorge Luis Borges, among others.

Tin House Books

Publisher of award-winning books of literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry; home to a renowned workshop and seminar series; and partner of a critically acclaimed podcast, Tin House champions writing that is artful, dynamic, and original.

While they only publish about two dozen books per year, they are all astounding, and you can learn more about their small operation here .

Europa Editions

Europa Editions is an independent trade publisher based in New York. The company was founded in 2005 by the owners of the Italian press Edizioni E/O and specializes in literary fiction, mysteries, and narrative non-fiction. They have a few imprints, namely Tonga Books, and a series for mysteries known as Europa World Noir.

City Lights Publishers

Known for publishing Howl and other poems by Allen Ginsberg, City Lights Publishers is a great independent publishing option. Founded in 1955, with nearly 300 books in print, City Lights publishes cutting-edge fiction, poetry, memoirs, literary translations and books on vital social and political issues.

For over fifty years, City Lights has been a champion of progressive thinking , fighting against the forces of conservatism and censorship.

optional-header-10-future-of-book-publishing-1024x298.jpg

Forest Avenue Press

Forest Avenue Press, founded in 2012 in Portland, Oregon, publishes literary fiction on a joyride and the occasional memoir. While they are currently a small-scale operation, they are growing in popularity in the Pacific Northwest.

And That’s Not All Of Them…

And that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the best publishers to consider! The best thing to do, when looking at what publisher to approach or consider, is to look at the books you love or that are most similar to your own and look at who publishes them.

You may well be surprised, and they may well not even be on this list (which doesn’t make them any less fabulous).

A Publisher For Every Writer

Writing a book and finishing it is a huge achievement in itself. Choosing whether to self-publish, look for an agent, or approach indie publishing houses yourself is the next step..and a large one.

So take your time and choose your route to publication wisely. While I hope you found a few excellent book publishers to consider from this list, do keep in mind that there are many more that are worth your consideration. And however you choose to get your book out into the world (and all options come with a list of pros and cons) they all ultimately all lead to the same thing – holding your book in your hand one day and having others enjoy your words.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the big 5 in publishing.

These five publishers make up over 90% of hardback book sales in the US and over 80% of paperbacks sold.

What Is The Most Prestigious Book Publisher?

In terms of the most established book publisher, Cambridge University Press, dating back to 1534. But in terms of revenue, iPenguin Random House generated revenues of 3.8 billion euros in 2020, up from 3.63 in the previous year.

Which Publisher Is Best For First Time Authors?

The best thing a first time author can do is find a great literary agent that specialises in whatever genre they write. Through that agent they will then have access to the very best publishers. Without an agent, you can’t get near the Big 5!

How Do You Pick A Publisher?

To have access to the top publishers you need a literary agent, and they will know who to approach. But if you want to approach smaller publishers without an agent, or just curious as to who you’d like publishing your book, then simply take a look at books that are similar to the one you have written and see who publishes them.

Jericho Writers is a global membership group for writers , providing everything you need to get published. Keep up with our news, membership offers, and updates by signing up to our newsletter . For more writing articles, take a look at our blog page .

About the author

August Buck is a regular Jericho Writers contributor and full-time freelance writer based in the Pacific Northwest. They have written five full length plays and are currently working on a young adult fantasy series. They also enjoy writing about herbalism, asexuality, and tiny home living. When not writing, they practice yoga, cook with cast iron, and are attempting to learn how to skateboard. They live with their childhood sweetheart and chihuahua mix, Sonny.

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10 Biggest Book Publishers in the World (Supported by Stats)

biggest book publishers in the world - featured image

E.A. Bucchianeri once said, “There’s nothing like a printed book; the weight, the woody scent, the feel, the look.” How true is that!

In this article, I’ll tell you about the biggest book publishers in the world.

Notable Trends in the Publishing Industry

The 10 biggest book publishers in the world, 1. relx group, 2. thomson reuters.

Thomson Reuters was founded in Toronto, Canada. It is today a multinational media conglomerate and one of the major players in the global media industry.

It is also interesting to note that Pearson plc is now one of the largest education companies in the world! It owns brands such as Peachpit, eCollege, Longman, Addison-Wesley, and more.

4. Penguin Random House

5. wolters kluwer.

This includes hybrid open access, green open access, gold open access, and open access mega journal.

6. Hachette Livre

Revenue: USD 2.73 billion (2019)

7. HarperCollins

8. macmillan publishers.

Their publication types include books, academic journals, and magazines. They have a lot to offer in almost every literary genre, such as non-fiction , science fiction, mystery, thriller, young adults, and many others.

9. Bertelsmann

10. scholastic corporation.

Scholastic is the world’s largest distributor and publisher of children’s books . It is also a bi-weekly publisher of school affairs and promotes the development of literary artists and young readers.

Bonus section: Why look for a publisher with a global reach?

If you’re a new writer, chances are people wouldn’t even know about your book release. This is one major reason you must connect with the biggest book publishers.

1. Book Development

Publishing companies have full-time editors in their employ. These professionals may be assigned to help you improve your manuscript, which may include rewriting portions of your book. They do this to make your book more appealing to the masses.

Often, they may even ask you to make changes or rewrite a part of your book.

2. Boosting Your Book’s Mass Appeal

But did you know that many upcoming, or even renowned writers, still look for boutique publishing companies? Why do you ask?

4. Publicity and Promotion

5. book production and marketing.

From production to distribution, publishing companies manage everything. They also take charge of online book marketing and ensure your book is well stocked not just in physical but online stores as well.

Final Thoughts

The employment rate in the book publishing industry has seen a slight increase of 1.4% in 2021 as compared to 2016. It proves that even a global pandemic cannot stop the growth of this sector.

Rafal Reyzer

These are the world's largest book publishers

Even though readers are gravitating towards digital solutions like e-books or audio books, the print book market is still going strong. Image: Unsplash/ Jason Leung

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The Ten Largest Publishing Companies in the World

Since the advent of the printing press, publishers have played an increasingly important role in the transmission of knowledge. Their role in shaping society is undoubtable: from watershed events such as the French Revolution to helping elevate global literacy rates to 84.5 per cent in 2019, very few sectors influence culture as much as publishing.

Today, the impact of published materials on global audiences is controlled by a small group of elite publishers; of those, the top ten have a disproportionately large influence over their respective sectors. Many have become parent companies of other influential publishers, expanding their market share and output in the process.

At a time when information has never before been so readily available, publishers have the power to ensure the veracity of information on an international scale. How they use this power to usher in the new era of digital publishing will shape generations to come.

Below are the Top Ten Publishing Companies in the World according to revenue, two of whom are family businesses.

10. McGraw-Hill Education

Total revenue: us$1.719 billion, country of origin: united states, founded: 1888, employees: 5,000.

Founded through a merger of two railway publications led by James H McGraw and John A Hill, McGraw-Hill built its empire on trade books . By 1950, the publisher began its shift to educational materials, a trajectory it would sustain over the next few decades through numerous acquisitions, including Random House Education.

Now a major global player in the field, McGraw-Hill’s digital footprint in education is indisputable, with 2019 marking the first year that the company’s digital billing exceeded 50 per cent of total sales. A planned equal-terms merger with education publishing giant Cengage portends an even broader reach in years to come.

9. Scholastic

Total revenue: $1.742 billion, founded: 1920, employees: 8,900.

Scholastic is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books. As a bi-weekly publication of school affairs, it focuses on developing young readers and literary artists. The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards were an early vehicle that carried out that mission, with notable previous recipients including Stephen King, Sylvia Plath and Andy Warhol.

The company exploded onto the international publishing scene with the Scholastic Book Club. Although its first icon came in the form of Clifford, the big red dog, the company’s greatest success is thanks to a boy-wizard. The Harry Potter series has sold more than 500 million copies in over 80 different languages worldwide.

8. Springer Nature

Total revenue: $1.956 billion, country of origin: germany, founded: 1842, employees: 13,000.

Springer Nature is an educational publishing powerhouse. Majority controlled by the family-owned Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, it is comprised of Springer Science+Business Media, Nature and Macmillan Publishing . Springer’s nearly two-century-old mission of advancing science and education still remains at the core of the business.

Springer Nature divides its interests across three platforms: research, education and professional. The research arm of the publisher is its most influential thanks to internationally accessible materials, including groundbreaking discoveries and seminal articles. The next step in Springer Nature’s evolution is open-access content – with more than 100,000 open-access articles, the company currently accounts for over 25 per cent of the world’s open-access content.

7. Grupo Planeta

Total revenue: $1.974, country of origin: spain, founded: 1949, employees: 9,000.

Grupo Planeta is Spain and Latin America’s leading publisher . A family-owned business , the company offers products centred on culture, learning, news and audiovisual entertainment. With more than 170 brands under its umbrella, the company currently works with over 7,000 collaborators.

Besides book publishing, a large share of Grupo Planeta’s business is accounted for by news publications – currently, it publishes digital content through two of the three main television channels in Spain. The company’s latest project involves a learning and university division with several key institutions in Barcelona, Madrid, Paris and Morocco.

6. Hachette Livre

Total revenue: $2.735 billion, country of origin: france, founded: 1826, employees: 7,682.

Hachette Livre is the world’s third-largest trade book publisher . A part of multinational media conglomerate Lagardère, Hachette Livre is a constellation of publishers itself. The company’s humble beginnings producing alphabet primers may have been the original modus operandi, but education now accounts for less than 15 per cent of the publisher’s production.

Instead, fiction and non-fiction books make up more than 50 per cent of the company’s publications. This includes a variety of materials that reinforce the company’s ethos of diversity , which encourages each of its publishers to develop and cultivate their own identities.

5. Wolters Kluwer

Total revenue: $3.994 billion, country of origin: netherlands, founded: 1836, employees: 19,000.

Wolters Kluwer’s auspicious beginnings coincide with the formation of the Netherlands. As the country was established, there was a gap of educational and informational literature that needed filling. The four entrepreneurial houses – Wolters, Noordhoff, Samson and Kluwer – each established respectable publishing companies. Eventually, they united under the current brand to stave off a takeover from the number two-ranked business on this list, RELX Group.

Wolters Kluwer stands out from other publishers due to its highly specialised products, the majority of which are digital. With much of its publications tied to the medical sector, this specialisation has allowed the company to generate 70 per cent of its revenue from online, software and service offerings.

4. Bertelsmann

Total revenue: $4.240 billion, founded: 1835, employees: 117,220.

Bertelsmann is the largest company on this list in many respects, as it is Europe’s biggest media enterprise. Employing more than 100,000 people in several countries, its labour impact greatly overshadows that of other publishers.

Founded as a Protestant publishing house, Bertelsmann’s first 100 years of publishing was heavily rooted in the Protestant Christian tradition. Under new leadership, it leaned on traditional roots and began publishing controversial materials during the period of National Socialism, becoming the primary supplier of books to the German Armed Forces. In spite of its ignominious past, Bertelsmann branched out into commercial television and acquired publishing giant Random House to become a major player in the publishing industry.

3. Thomson Reuters

Total revenue: $4.941 billion, country of origin: canada, founded: 1934, employees: 25,800.

Thomson Reuters is a major player in the international media sector. As a conglomerate, its products include newsprint, television media, publishing and professional solutions . The publishing wing of Thomson Reuters is focused mainly on professional information: law, tax, compliance, government and media.

Many of Thomson Reuters’ publications are transmitted through proprietary software, with its product Westlaw a primary tool of law practitioners worldwide. Onesource and Onesource Global Trade not only connect the world’s traders but also are the first fully automated global trade and management solutions. Thomson Reuters has managed to capitalise on its highly specialised products to corner several informational markets through digitalisation.

2. RELX Group

Total revenue: $5.609 billion, country of origin: united kingdom/netherlands/united states, founded: 1993, employees: 33,000.

Much like Thomson Reuters, RELX Group , previously known as Reed Elsevier, built its success on professional solutions. It develops information-based analytics and decision tools in the scientific, technical and medical, risk and business and legal and exhibition sectors .

RELX Group’s solutions are global, serving clients in more than 180 countries, and it’s responsible for reviewing, editing and disseminating 18 per cent of the world’s scientific articles. Much of that work happens through ScienceDirect, the world’s largest platform focused on peer-reviewed primary scientific and medical research. RELX Group’s publications continue to be a cornerstone of several critical sectors.

Total Revenue: $6.070 billion

Country of origin: united kingdom, founded: 1844, employees: 22,500.

The world’s largest publisher, Pearson is synonymous with the education sector. The self-coined ‘world’s learning company’ has operations in more than 70 countries, where it provides content, assessment and digital services for educational institutions to governments.

Pearson’s diversification in all realms of the education sector has seen the company flourish. It performs exceedingly well at digitalising the entire suite of products, including Mastering courses, educational materials and real-time assessment tools. Pearson remains at the forefront of the industry with its innovative AI technology , such as Aida Calculus, and intends to personalise its AI experience by creating fully customisable learning materials.

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Best Book Publishing Companies

A comprehensive directory of the best publishers in 2023, vetted by the team at Reedsy. Showing 489 publishers .

Do you need a literary agent?

Find out with our 1-minute quiz.

We hope this directory will help you find the right publisher for your book. To get the most out of it, make sure to:

For more tips on the process, learn how to get your book published and which publishers to avoid . Best of luck!

If you’re a publisher and you’d like to be featured on this directory, please fill out this form .

History, Law, LGBTQ+, Feminism, Politics, Travel, Biographies & Memoirs, Business, Architecture, Diverse Literature, Nonfiction

Part of - Bloomsbury > Zed Books

Location - London, GB

Size - Small press

Formats - Physical Books, Ebooks

Diversity - Diverse Literature

Website - https://www.zedbooks.net/

☑️ Indie publisher

💥 Hit titles

The War on Disabled People

Ellen Clifford

United Queerdom

Pablo Trapero and the Politics of Violence

Douglas Mulliken

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror, Diverse Literature, Fiction, Novella, Short Story

Part of - Macmillan > Tor/Forge > Tor.com

Location - New York City, US

Size - Mid size

Formats - Physical Books, Ebooks, Audiobooks

Website - https://www.tor.com/

Nnedi Okorafor

Every Heart a Doorway

Seanan McGuire

The Red Threads of Fortune

Puffin books.

Picture Book, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Children's

Part of - Penguin Random House > Penguin Young Readers > Puffin Books

Website - https://www.penguin.com/publishers/puffin/

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Double Fudge

The Outsiders

S. E. Hinton

Penguin Random House

Literary Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Mystery & Crime, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Biographies & Memoirs, Politics, Cookbook, Romance, Picture Book, Nonfiction, Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Novella, Children's

Size - Largest

Website - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/

☑️ Accepts submissions

The Testaments

Margaret Atwood

Where the Crawdads Sing

Delia Owens

The Guardians

John Grisham

Grupo Santillana

Education & Reference, Nonfiction

Location - Madrid, ES

Website - https://santillana.com/en/

Español Santillana

That Is To Say!

Helene Auge et al

Graywolf Press

Literary Fiction, Poetry, Fiction, Short Story

Location - Minneapolis, US

Submission format - Manuscript entries & contests - Submit here

Website - https://www.graywolfpress.org/

The Wild Fox of Yemen

Threa Almontaser

Her Body and Other Parties

Carmen Maria Machado

The Twilight Zone

Nona Fernández

Harvest House Publishers

Christian, Cookbook, Health & Wellbeing, Religion & Spirituality, Fiction, Nonfiction, Children's

Location - Portland, US

Website - https://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/

Risen Motherhood: Gospen Hope for Everyday

Laura Wifler & Emily Jensen

Israel and the Church

Amir Tsarfati

Jesus Every Day

Mary E. DeMuth

C&R Press

Literary Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction, History, Biographies & Memoirs, Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Short Story

Location - Raleigh, US

Formats - Physical Books

Submission format - Manuscript entries - Submit here

Website - https://www.crpress.org/

Selling the Farm

Debra Di Blasi

A History of the Cat in Nine Chapters or Less

In the Room of Persistent Sorry

Kristina Marie Darling

The Parliament House

Science Fiction, Fantasy, Diverse Literature, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, Fiction, Short Story

Location - Tampa, US

Diversity - Diverse Literature, LBGTQ, BIPOC

Submission format - Queries - Submit here

Website - https://www.parliamenthousepress.com/

Celia Mcmahon

Nicole Willson

The Other Side of Magic

Ester Manzini

Pratham Books

Picture Book, Middle Grade, Children's

Location - Bangalore, IN

Website - https://prathambooks.org/

Ammachi's Incredible Investigation

Vinayak Varma

Your Body is Yours

Yamini Vijayan

Tine and the Faraway Mountain

Shikha Tripathi

Browse Publishers in Other Genres 📚

Academic Publishers

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Architecture Publishers

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Cookbook Publishers

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Math & Science Publishers

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Politics Publishers

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Self-Help Publishers

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Sports & Outdoors Publishers

Thriller & Suspense Publishers

Travel Publishers

True Crime Publishers

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Westerns Publishers

Women's Fiction Publishers

Young Adult Publishers

What do book publishers do?

Sure, a book publisher prints and sells your book. But what they do behind the scenes encompasses much more than that. Publishers handle the entire publishing process for books, including:

Note that the structure of publishing companies may differ, depending on their size. Bigger book publishers may be made up of publishing houses which may, in turn, be made up of imprints — each of which will have its own brand identity in terms of the type of books it publishes.

However, regardless of a publisher’s size, the scope of their work shouldn’t change. Once you sign with a publisher, they will do everything that it takes to bring your book to market.

What are the most prominent book publishing companies?

If we define success by sheer sales volume, then we might point towards the "Big 5" presses and educational publishers (who rake in a LOT of money). Over the past few decades, these giant publishing companies have merged with and acquired most of the mid-sized publishers in the industry. However, a few still remain. Here are today's biggest book publishing companies:

Together, these largest publishers dominate the publishing landscape. Countless beloved books come from their imprints, many of which you’ll find in our directory.

The rest of the publishing landscape is largely made up of small publishers, or independent publishers. Most big publishers don’t directly accept unsolicited submissions without a literary agent — but smaller publishers do, making them a realistic and worthwhile route to publication.

I have a long list of publishers. What next?

Congratulations! Now take a moment to thoroughly vet every publisher on your longlist. Scams are a dime a dozen in the publishing industry, and you want to make 100% sure that you’re dealing with a legitimate publishing company. Again, we strongly recommend reading this post and Writer Beware to know what red flags to watch out for.

When you’re confident in all of the publishers on your longlist, it’s time for the most nerve-wracking step: submitting your manuscript to them.

Check out our free resources if you’re feeling daunted by what comes next. Whether you’re learning how to research publishers or how to personalize a submission, we've got you covered.

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“Big Five” Publishers

Here are links to the “Big 5″* trade book publishers and their internship programs.

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*It used to be the “Big 6” — until Penguin and Random House merged.

IMAGES

10 Biggest Book Publishers in the World
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RELX Group took 5.6 billion U.S. dollars in revenue in 2019 - making it the biggest publisher. The chart below shows the top 8 book publishers
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“Big Five” Publishers · Penguin/Random House · Hachette Book Group · Harper Collins · Simon and Schuster · Macmillan