From publishing mysteries and memoirs to nonfiction books, these publishing companies in Chicago are ahead of the competition. Some of which even received local and international accolades. Here are the best Chicago publishers, including their contact details and submission requirements.
Chicago Review Press
Address: 814 North Franklin Street, Illinois
Website: https://www.chicagoreviewpress.com/
Contact information: (312) 337-0747
Chicago Review Press is a reputable publishing house that was established in 1973.
This is the right publishing company for you if you are interested in publishing a book in the general nonfiction genre. Here are some topics that Chicago Review Press publishes:
- Biographies
- Popular science
- DIY
- Parenting
- Travel
- Music
Chicago Review Press accepts content written in any literary style. However, if your work has followed the traditional narrative approaches, there is a possibility that Chicago Review Press will not publish your work.
Tip: If your book falls under photography, nutrition, or spirituality, look for another publisher. Chicago Review Press doesn’t accept these topics. Check their imprints.
You might also be curious about the company’s track record. Well, Chicago Review Press publishes about 50 titles yearly.
In addition, Chicago Press Review publishes all its books under unique imprints. These include Amberjack Publishing, Zephyr Press, Lawrence Hill Books, Academy Chicago, and Parenting Press.
One of the reasons why you should consider this publishing company is its experienced staff.
Their staff ensures that your book gets the desired publicity and marketing to reach a larger audience. They also help ensure your book is published exactly how you intended and meets the highest writing standards.
University of Chicago Press
Address: 1427 East 60th Street, Illinois
Website: https://press.uchicago.edu/index.html
Contact information: (773) 702-7700
Assertiveness, passion, and drive are some of the publishing traits that make the University of Chicago Press one of the most preferred publishing companies in Chicago. The university has published some of the most astounding books over the years.
One of these books includes “Phoenix Zones” by Hope Ferdowsian, which was among the most-read books in 2019.
But what makes this publishing company a good choice for you?
The University of Chicago Press has published over 14000 books since it was founded in 1890. With over 120 years of publishing experience, you are assured of getting the best publishing services. Moreover, the publishing company has a powerful team of editors dedicated to ensuring your fictional or non-fictional content is at its best before publication.
All you have to do when submitting your work is send a proposal of what your book is about and explain why it will interest the audience. The recommended length of your manuscript should be about 5 to 15 single-spaced pages.
This Chicago publisher focuses on academic topics, including:
- Literary studies
- Science studies
- Art
- Architecture
- Autobiographies
- Archeology
- Humanities
- Philosophy
Joshua Tree Publishing
Address: 20 N. Wacker Drive Suite 1200, Illinois
Website: https://joshuatreepublishing.com
Contact information: Â (312) 893-7525
Joshua Tree Publishing is among the leading children’s book publishers in Chicago. The company has published several popular books like “Now What?” and “The Art of Food and Feminism.”
With over 35 years of experience, Joshua Tree Publishing focuses on reflecting your vision and voice to the audience. This traditional publisher is the best option if you want a traditional publishing house in Chicago for your fiction content.
If you want to submit your manuscript, here are the steps:
- The first step is to send a query letter.
- If the company likes your query letter, they will ask for the first three chapters of your book and then your entire manuscript.
- After thoroughly determining whether or not your story is unique and suitable for a larger audience, they will send you a letter to inform you of their decision.
- If they accept your manuscript, they will immediately commence the publication process.
Joshua Tree Publishing accepts a wide range of topics, including literary fiction, self-help books, biographies, and more.
Curbside Splendor
Address: 125 S Clark St, Illinois
Website: http://www.curbsidesplendor.com/
Contact information: (312) 855-2233
Curbside Splendor is one of the rarest publishing companies that publish fictional, non-fictional, and poetry books. The founder of the company, Victor David Giron, has been leading the company since its inception.
The publishing company was founded in the 90s as a rock band and was later re-established as a press in 2009.
If you are interested in using Curbside Splendor to publish a children’s book, you should send your work as a DOC or DOCX file. Your work should be double-spaced, and you must use the Sans Serif font. Your work should also have 20,000 to 40,000 words to be eligible for publishing.
Facts: Curbside Splendor was featured in the article “13 Indie Presses You Should Know in 2017” by Bustle. Curbside Splendor was also named the best Chicago Indie book publisher by Chicago Magazine in 2014.
Agate Publishing Company
Address: 1328 Greenleaf Street, Evanston, Illinois
Website: https://www.agatepublishing.com/
Contact information: 847.475.4457
Agate Publishing Company is an independent publishing company founded in 2002.
Fun Fact: Agate Publishing Company’s first book was published in 2003 under the supervision of Doug Seibold, the company’s current president.
This is one of the most reputable publishing companies in Chicago that accepts a variety of topics from various authors. Still, they prefer nonfiction books focusing on socialism and socialist issues. They also publish fiction books, however, very rare.
However, content in other areas besides those described on the company’s website is not accepted for publishing. Therefore, ensure that your content is within the company’s purview before submitting your work.
All the submissions at Agate Publishing Company are mostly made through email.
Arktoi Books
Address: South Langley Avenue, Illinois
Website: https://redhen.org/arktoi-books/
Contact information:Â (626) 356-4760
Arktoi Books, an imprint of Red Hen Press, was founded by Eloise Klein Healy in 2006. The company is dedicated to publishing the finest fiction books from lesbian writers.
You might be curious whether all the content published by Arktoi Books should be adult-based. Absolutely not! However, you can get children’s books published as well. The publishing company provides the best cover designs and titles, among other necessities, to effectively promote your work to the public.
Arktoi Books publishes books for children aged between zero and eight years old. These children’s books include board books, picture books, and novelty books. You will need a cover letter, a brief synopsis, and the entire manuscript to submit your work. However, you must call the company before submitting your work for evaluation.
Albert Whitman & Company
Address: 250 South Northwest Highway, Suite 320, Park Ridge, Illinois
Website: https://www.albertwhitman.com/
Contact information: 800-255-7675, 847-232-2800
Albert Whitman & Company is the leading publisher of high-quality children’s books in the U.S and Canada. The company has published hundreds of best-selling books. These include “We Want to Go to School!” by Maryann Cocca-Leffler, “The Supreme Court and Us” by Christy Mihaly, and “Heart on Fire” by Ann Malaspina. They also specialize in young adult novels and middle-grade fiction. You can get your fiction book published by Albert Whitman by submitting a cover letter, your contact information, and a manuscript as a PDF document. The PDF document containing your work should not be larger than 4MB.
Albert Whitman & Company has had a good reputation for producing award-winning children’s books since 1919. Before publishing any book, the staff at Albert Whitman & Company thoroughly gauges the ability of the content to ignite a child’s social awareness, curiosity, and sense of adventure. If you have high hopes of becoming a renowned author, this is an excellent publishing company to consider.
Gibson House Press
Address: 1348 Heather Hill Crescent, Flossmoor, Illinois
Website: https://gibsonhousepress.com/
Contact information: (708) 647-0908
Gibson House Press focuses on publishing fiction books. Unlike other publishing companies in Chicago, no charges apply when you submit your manuscript to Gibson House Press. However, it will take about three to six months to get a response regarding your submission. Additionally, your work will still be considered whether you have contacted them before sending your submission or not.
Gibson House Press searches for manuscripts with engaging and exciting language for children. The company is not only focused on the growth of the writer but also the development of young readers.
If you are a musician who likes writing books, you should submit them to Gibson House Press. They are focused on publishing books or novels written by musicians.
Watch your Dreams Turn into Reality!
With plenty of experienced publishing companies in Chicago, you finally have a shot at getting your book published! Just make sure that you follow their submission requirements! If you are still working on your novel, reading our comprehensive guide on how to get a book published can point you in the right direction.
