If you're looking to get into the horror book publishing industry, there are a number of companies that you can contact to start your journey. These include Dzanc Books, Curiosity Press, Grove Atlantic, Light Unseen Media, Severed Press, and Talos Press.
Dark, gritty, serious urban fantasy & horror
Dark, gritty, serious urban fantasy & horror is fast becoming a subgenre of its own. As with any genre, this category can be defined in many ways. Some of the most common elements to a dark, gritty, serious urban fantasy & horror story include a city setting, supernatural creatures, and gritty action. But these factors don't necessarily dictate the story.
A typical dark, gritty, serious urban fantasy 'noir' story may feature a down-and-out protagonist. He or she is also part of a hidden world, one where magic and other supernatural entities are prevalent. This type of story can take place in a modern city, historical town, or in a futuristic world.
The cover art for a dark, gritty, serious urban fiction & horror story tends to show a tough-looking main character. They may also feature witches, ghosts, vampires, werewolves, or other supernatural beings. However, there are no guarantees that these characters will survive.
These elements are usually used as a backdrop for the main action plot. There is no guarantee that a horror story will have a happy ending, but it can certainly have a good one.
Severn House
Severn House is a United Kingdom-based publishing company that produces fiction, nonfiction, and other titles in hardback and eBook formats. It is also a distributor of books to the United States, Canada, and many other countries. Many of its authors have been featured in trade publications, blogs, and other media around the world.
The company is known for its hardcover editions, but they are also expanding into eBooks and other digital formats. Among the titles they publish are bestselling horror and science fiction novels. They are currently seeking submissions in the following categories: sci fi, fantasy, horror, and romance.
Another name to keep an eye out for is Black Bed Sheet Books. Founded in 2008 by Nicholas Grabowsky, this small press is currently looking for submissions in urban fantasy, mystery, science fiction, and horror. The company's mascot is the Angry Robot, a cyborg with a heart of gold. Founded in 1992, Flame Tree Publishing is one of the most popular publishers of horror novels in the UK. Its titles include The Cursed Man, Out of This World, and Circle of Blood.
Light Unseen Media
Inanna Arthen conceived the concept and launched Light Unseen Media in 2006. Located in Pepperell, Massachusetts, the company is now home to a slew of novels, novellas and short story collections. Some of the company's more notable titles include The Cursed Man, Un-Dead TV, and The Devil's Blood. Aside from fiction, the company also publishes nonfiction. With 70 titles to its name each year, the company has a knack for creating quality titles.
As for the company itself, they have a few interesting tidbits to tell you about. One is that they are open to submissions. They have several social media pages and a TikTok. Another is their use of the latest technologies to bring you the best in print, digital, and audio books. Lastly, they are one of the few publishers that will actually read your manuscript. This is especially noteworthy if you are a seasoned writer on the lookout for your next publishing contract.
The company's website offers a list of all active and past authors. Their most recent title, the novella Infernal, was published in early 2009. It is a work of epic fantasy that focuses on an unscrupulous cult of pranksters.
Curiosity Press
Curiosity Press is a US-based publishing house. They specialize in horror and science fiction books. The publisher is open for submissions, but they will also accept self-published works. In order to submit to the publisher, you must fill out a query form and submit a short author bio.
The publisher will take into account your query letter and the first three chapters of your manuscript. You should also include your CV, full contact details, and a brief synopsis of your work. They also have a specific set of requirements for editors. All submissions go through the same query form, but the genres have different Acquisitions Editors.
Another horror book publishing company is Cactus Moon Publications. Based in Arizona, the publisher is open for submissions of all genres of horror. They are particularly interested in 'post-apocalyptic scenarios,' but are open to all other types of fiction.
They are also looking for vampire novels. This is a genre that is particularly popular with the press, which has published some of the best-selling horror novels in the world.
Dzanc Books
Dzanc Books is a horror book publishing company based in Canada. It is a non-profit organization that publishes novels by well known authors and offers readings across the country. They also advocate for literary fiction and creative writing workshops.
For instance, they are currently looking for submissions in the horror genre. The company also runs a short story prize. Besides being an independent publisher, they are also a group that advocates for local book stores and independent bookstores. Having a local store is important, as it helps ensure the survival of cultural institutions.
Another book publishing company that is worth mentioning is Polis Books. Founded in 2013 to give newer authors a chance, they have since created a niche audience and published a few bestselling gothic titles. This publisher also requires a query letter and three sample chapters.
In addition to their book releases, Dzanc Books also supports other small independent publishers, such as Monkeybicycle, Other Voices and Keyhole Press. Their short story prize, the Dzanc Books Short Story Collection Prize, is worth a look.
Grove Atlantic
This independent publisher of literary nonfiction has a storied past. Originally formed in 1917 as Grove/Atlantic, Inc., it has expanded its reach through multiple imprints. These include the aforementioned Grove Press, the Atlantic Monthly Press and the mysterious The Mysterious Press. It's a good bet that many authors and readers have heard of Grove Atlantic before, but have you ever actually considered what makes this company tick? One of the biggest benefits of the Grove brand is that its staff is made up of professionals who have experience in every facet of the publishing business. While their main focus is fiction, they've also published several notable non-fiction titles including the aforementioned The Mysterious Press.
A few of their best-selling horror titles include Circle of Blood and The Cursed Man, which are also lauded as best-selling horror novels. They've recently added a new line of science fiction, thriller, and fantasy titles, including The Cellar, by Minette Walters, and The Devil in the woods, by William Shawn. Besides a great line up, the company also boasts a great publishing history.
Severed Press
Severed Press is a horror book publishing company that started with a modest goal. They aim to offer the best horror fiction written by reputed authors. It also strives to produce lasting relationships with its authors. The company does not offer advances and royalties are within industry standards.
Severed Press was founded in 2008. Authors including Tim Curran and David Achord have worked with the publisher. While they do not have a lot of distribution, they have earned an excellent reputation. Severed Press is also an eBook publisher. They accept submissions of horror, science fiction, and thrillers. Their covers are appropriate for the genre. Several of their authors have said that they're paid fairly for their work.
There are several horror book publishers out there. If you're interested in publishing your book with one of them, you need to know more about the process. Below are a few tips for getting your manuscript published. First, you need to determine the type of book you are writing. Most of these publishers will accept a variety of genres, including horror. To get a better idea, check out their submission guidelines.
Talos Press
Talos Press is a horror book publishing company that was established in New York City in 2013. The company is known for publishing New York Times bestselling authors, and has a strong catalogue of classics. They're also on the lookout for up-and-coming authors.
One of the most exciting things to come out of this small press is the inclusion of new, marginalized writers in the genre. Among the authors who have been published in Talos are Jessica Johns, H. Pueyo, and Gemma Amor.
The company also accepts submissions from both unagented authors and authors represented by a literary agent. Submissions are accepted in a variety of genres, including science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
If you're interested in submitting your work to Talos, you can do so by completing an electronic submission or by sending a paper copy. You'll need to include a short synopsis of your story, an author bio, and at least one or two chapters. Typically, they'll respond to your submission within four to six weeks.
Talos is part of Skyhorse Publishing. This small company offers digital and print publishing, and has an excellent catalog of titles. It's easy to order their books from libraries and bookstores.
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