So you’ve spent months (or even years) penning the perfect plot and the characters and have officially finished your book. Now what? There is more to picking a publishing company than just looking up whoever is closest. Finding someone who works in your genre and genuinely enjoys your writing is essential if you want to be a published author. That’s why we’ve helped you with the initial research part and compiled a list of book publishing companies in Los Angeles.
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Unnamed Press
Address: PO Box 411272 Los Angeles, CA US 90041
Website: www.unnamedpress.com
Contact information: info@unnamedpress.com
Unnamed Press publishes both fiction and non-fiction books that press the status quo and have deeper, thought-provoking meanings. They have the easiest submission requirements on this list of book publishing companies in Los Angeles – you just need to send a copy of your manuscript to the email address above, and that’s it!
Red Hen Press
Address: 1540 Lincoln Ave Pasadena, CA 91103
Website: www.redhen.org
Contact information: editorial@redhen.org
Red Hen Press is one of the top book publishing companies in California. They publish all sorts of literary works, such as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoirs, and short stories. However, you should first check if your novel aligns with their “certain wildness.”
Once you are ready to submit, create a PDF containing a cover letter, a brief synopsis of your work, and the full manuscript or a sample of 20-30 pages. Don’t expect an immediate response, though. There is a wait time between 3-6 months.
Prospect Park Books
Address: 2359 Lincoln Ave, Altadena, CA 91001
Website: www.turnerpublishing.com
Contact information: info@turnerpublishing.com
As of 2021, Prospect Park Books was acquired by Turner Publishing Company. Turner Publishing publishes both fiction and non-fiction, spanning from mysteries and horror, romance, science fiction, humor, thrillers, history, and true crime. If you have an eBook, they also publish it too.
Turner allows submissions made by agents or authors directly; however, due to the number they receive, they are not obligated to provide any update of submissions. If you decide to go with them, provide your manuscript as either a Word Doc or PDF (partial manuscripts are okay, but full is preferred). You will also need to include author details and any pertinent marketing details like the intended audience and sales angle.
Santa Monica Press
Address: P.O. Box 850 Solana Beach, CA 92075
Website: www.santamonicapress.com
Contact information: books@sanatamonicapress.com
Santa Monica Press is an award-winning publisher of adult nonfiction books. They feature categories such as travel, biography, film history, pop culture, and more. As of 2022, Santa Monica Press has also started a new line of books for teens. These include works of non-fiction and fiction!
As always, make yourself familiar with their book catalog to see if your work aligns. They are not currently accepting any submissions, but once they do, you can find out how to send in your manuscript on their Author Guidelines page.
Angel City Press
Address: 2118 Wilshire Blvd. #880 Santa Monica CA 90403-5784 USA
Website: www.angelcitypress.com
Contact information: info@angelcitypress.com
Angel City Press does not publish children’s books, how-to books, or most poetry; instead, they focus on books with a strong historical/nostalgic angle. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that your book should be 60% photographic. If your manuscript fits their requirement, you will have to snail mail them the following:
- Your author bio
- Book title and a summary
- Proposed length and number of illustrations/photos
- Table of contents
- Introduction and sample copies of a chapter and artwork
- Who do you believe your audience will be, and how your book should be marketed
- Titles of books similar to yours and what makes yours different
Rare Bird Books
Address: 6044 North Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90042
Website: www.rarebirdlit.com
Contact information: alexandra@rarebirdlit.com
Tyson Cornell, the former marketing and publicity director of Book Soup on the Sunset Strip, created this publishing company in 2010. Rare Bird publishes 50 books a year and likes to focus on current culture with both fiction and non-fiction works. They also release audiobooks, EPs, and records.
Unfortunately, they don’t accept unsolicited submissions. But if you need marketing, publicity, or design services, you can reach them at the email above.
Boreal Books
Address: P.O. BOX 40820 Pasadena, CA 91114
Website: www.borealbooks.org
Contact information: peggyzoe@gmail.com
Boreal Books accept both fiction and non-fiction, along with poetry or short stories. As long as the book has a direct link to Alaska either through content or through you as a writer, you can submit your manuscript to Peggy at the email above. This publishing company is also an imprint of Red Hen Press.
Arktoi Books
Address: P.O. BOX 40820 Pasadena, CA 91114
Website: www.redhen.org/arktoi-books/
Contact information: editorial@redhen.org
Arktoi Books, another imprint of Red Hen Press, was established in 2006. Initially, this book publishing company’s mission was to uplift the voices of lesbian authors. But today, they now cater to books aimed towards or written by members of the LGBTQ+ community.
As of this writing, their website is currently under revision, so all queries about how to submit can be directed to Red Hen Press using the email above.
Kaya Press
Address: 3620 S. Vermont Ave KAP 462 Los Angeles, CA 90089
Website: www.kaya.com
Contact information: www.kaya.submittable.com/submit
If your book falls under Asian diasporic literature, consider submitting your manuscript to Kaya Press. They will ask for a full copy of your manuscript, along with a cover letter that includes your contact information, a brief description, an explanation of why Kaya is a good fit for you, any previous publications, and any rewards you have received.
Keep in mind that their Editorial Board only meets three times a year, so expect a long wait time.
Mindstir Media
Address: 8335 W. Sunset Blvd. Suite #360 West Hollywood, CA 90069
Website: www.mindstirmedia.com
Contact information: info@mindstirmedia.com
Mindstir Media is a self-publishing company with multiple locations throughout the US. So, what does it mean for you? There is no submission process to go through. Mindstir Media offers free consultations, paperback and hardcover services, audiobook services, and even ghostwriting. Beyond that, they can also help you with marketing your book.
Fun Fact: Mindstir Media has ties with Shark Tank’s Kevin Harrington!
Boom! Studios
Address: 6920 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038
Website: www.boom-studios.com
Contact information: contact@boom-studios.com
Unlike any other publishing company on this list, Boom Studios specializes in comics and graphic novels. One of their most famous published works is Keanu Reeves’ “BRZRKR.” And, if you have watched “Just Beyond” on Disney+, the show is actually based on the bestselling novel with the same namesake, which Boom! Studios published way back in 2019.
Unfortunately, this LA-based graphic novel publishing company currently does not accept unsolicited submissions.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of book publishing companies in Los Angeles to choose from based on what you are writing. While this list gives a great jumping-off point on where to look when publishing your book, you might have more questions. Knowing how to publish is half the battle.
