How to submit a book

A door anyone can use

• Baen BooksReads unsolicited workBaen takes manuscripts through the submission form on its site, baen.com/slush, and prefers the complete manuscript with a synopsis.
• Chronicle BooksReads unsolicited workChronicle Books has an open submissions policy and takes unagented proposals for anything suited to its list, from books to gift products.
• HarlequinReads unsolicited workHarlequin’s series lines take unagented manuscripts through harlequin.submittable.com: the full manuscript or first three chapters, with a…
• Kensington PublishingReads unsolicited workKensington takes unsolicited, unagented queries, though it still advises an established literary agent for anyone aiming at a major…
• Workman PublishingReads unsolicited workWorkman, Workman Kids, Algonquin and Artisan take no unsolicited submissions.

Only through an agent

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  HarperCollinsOnly through an agentHarperCollins Canada accepts no unsolicited submissions, and manuscripts, proposals or query letters sent anyway are not returned.

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  Penguin Random HouseOnly through an agentPenguin Random House accepts no unsolicited manuscripts, proposals, artwork or queries and tells writers to find an established literary…

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  Simon & SchusterOnly through an agentSimon & Schuster accepts no unsolicited or unagented submissions.
• Hachette Book GroupOnly through an agentHachette Book Group’s publishers consider no unsolicited manuscripts or queries, may destroy them unanswered, and tell writers to enlist an…
• MacmillanOnly through an agentMacmillan accepts no unsolicited material, and St.
• Tor Publishing GroupOnly through an agentTor’s imprints take submissions only through an agent.

No, or not stated

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  ScholasticNo stated policyScholastic does not say whether its trade books take unsolicited work.
• Candlewick PressDoes not take outside ideasCandlewick Press is unable to accept unsolicited manuscripts at this time.
• DAW BooksNo stated policyDAW Books publishes no policy on outside ideas.
• SourcebooksNo stated policySourcebooks publishes no policy on outside ideas.

What these companies have bought from outside

1. 2026

   Scholastic · Cottage Door Press $71 million

   “On September 29, 2026, Scholastic announced that it would acquire Cottage Door Press for $71 million, excluding its Luna StoryTime business, which will be spun-off and continued to be led by its founder and CEO, Dick Maddrell.” en.wikipedia.org

2. 2025

   DAW Books · Hero Adjacent (debut cozy fantasy novel) from Alexis Veenendaal

   “We’re thrilled to welcome Alexis Veenendaal’s to the DAW team and her upcoming novel, HERO ADJACENT” astrapublishinghouse.com

3. 2024

   Penguin Random House · Boom! Studios (comics publisher)

   “In July 2024, it was announced that Penguin Random House would acquire comic book publisher Boom!” en.wikipedia.org

4. 2024

   Scholastic · 9 Story Media Group (animation studio) $186 million

   “In March 2024, Scholastic announced it would acquire complete economic interest and minority voting rights in the company for $186 million; the transaction closed on June 21, 2024.” en.wikipedia.org

5. 2023

   Macmillan · Harriman House (business books publisher, UK)

   “In 2023, Pan Macmillan acquired business books publisher Harriman House,” en.wikipedia.org

6. 2023

   Penguin Random House · Sourcebooks (majority stake, 52%)

   “In 2023, Penguin Random House became the majority owner of Sourcebooks, owning 52% of the company;” en.wikipedia.org

7. 2023

   Sourcebooks · Callisto Media (parent of Rockridge Press)

   “and Sourcebooks acquired Callisto Media, the parent of Rockridge Press.” en.wikipedia.org

8. 2022

   Kensington Publishing · Erewhon Books (speculative fiction publisher)

   “In 2022, Kensington acquired speculative fiction publisher Erewhon Books.” en.wikipedia.org

9. 2021

   Hachette Book Group · Workman Publishing $240m

   “Hachette Book Group has announced that it is to acquire Workman Publishing, an independent publisher in the US, for $240m (£174m).” thebookseller.com

10. 2021

    HarperCollins · HMH Books & Media (trade division of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt $349 million

    “On 29 March 2021, HarperCollins announced that it would acquire HMH Books & Media, the trade publishing division of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, for $349 million.” en.wikipedia.org

11. 2018

    Hachette Book Group · Worthy Publishing (Christian publisher)

    “On September 17, 2018, Hachette acquired the Christian publisher Worthy Publishing.” en.wikipedia.org

12. 2018

    Sourcebooks · Poisoned Pen Press (mystery imprint)

    “In 2018, Sourcebooks acquired the mystery imprint Poisoned Pen Press.” en.wikipedia.org

13. 2016

    Hachette Book Group · Perseus Books (publishing division) from The Perseus Books Group

    “On March 6, 2016, HBG announced that it had entered into a binding agreement to purchase the publishing division of The Perseus Books Group.” en.wikipedia.org

14. 2014

    Chronicle Books · I See Me! (personalized books)

    “I See Me!, a publisher of personalized books acquired in 2014” en.wikipedia.org

15. 2014

    HarperCollins · Harlequin Enterprises (romance publisher) C$455 million

    “In 2014, HarperCollins acquired Canadian romance publisher Harlequin Enterprises for C$455 million.” en.wikipedia.org

16. 2013

    Penguin Random House · The Martian (print rights), first self-published as a blog serial and a 99-cent Kindle book from Andy Weir over US$100,000

    “Weir sold the print rights to Crown in March 2013 for over US$100,000.” en.wikipedia.org

17. 2013

    Simon & Schuster · Wool (print-only rights to the self-published collection) from Hugh Howey around US$ 500,000

    “By March 2013, Howey signed a print-only deal for around US$ 500,000 (equivalent to $ 690,000 in 2025) with Simon & Schuster, to distribute print copies of the initial collection, Wool, to book retailers in the US and Canada;” en.wikipedia.org

18. 2013

    Sourcebooks · Simple Truths (book publisher)

    “In 2013, Sourcebooks acquired the book publisher Simple Truths.” en.wikipedia.org

19. 2012

    Chronicle Books · Galison/Mudpuppy (gift and puzzle publisher)

    “Galison/Mudpuppy, acquired in 2012” en.wikipedia.org

20. 2012

    Macmillan · Trylle Trilogy (previously self-published), re-released by St. Martin's from Amanda Hocking

    “All three books in her previously self-published Trylle Trilogy were also sold to St.” en.wikipedia.org

21. 2012

    Penguin Random House · Fifty Shades of Grey (publishing rights), first self-published as an ebook and print-on-demand from E. L. James

    “Originally self-published as an ebook and print-on-demand in June 2011, the publishing rights to Fifty Shades of Grey were acquired by Vintage Books in March 2012, topping best-seller lists around the world.” en.wikipedia.org

22. 2012

    Simon & Schuster · Slammed and Point of Retreat, self-published novels that had reached the New York Times list from Colleen Hoover

    “Atria Books picked up the novels and republished them on August 10, 2012.” en.wikipedia.org

23. 2011

    Macmillan · Four-book Watersong series, signed after her self-published e-books sold over a million copies from Amanda Hocking two million dollars

    “In March 2011, Hocking signed her first conventional publishing contract for four books, for two million dollars, with St.” en.wikipedia.org

24. 2009

    Baen Books · Monster Hunter International, a self-published novel that had already hit the Entertainment Weekly bestseller list from Larry Correia

    “One of these posters had once worked in a large independent bookstore, and passed it on to his old employer—who in turn passed it to Baen Books —which offered Correia a publishing contract.” en.wikipedia.org