According to Babbel, roughly 76.5 million people speak German as a first language, while an additional 58 million speak it as a second, third, or fourth language.
Add to that the fact that in 2021, 55% of Germans surveyed reported reading books in their free time, and you’ll see that the German book market is full of opportunity.
But if you’ve written or translated a book in German, who should you send it to? In this post, we’ve compiled a list of 17 reputable German publishers who are currently accepting manuskripte so you can find a home for your book.
German Publishers
Below are 17 German publishers currently accepting unsolicited submissions, meaning you do not need a literary agent to submit your manuscript.
1. Aufbau-Verlag
Based in Berlin, Aufbau-Verlag was founded in 1945 with the mission to provide Germany with much-needed literary nourishment after the fall of Hitler.
In fact, the company actively sought Jewish writers and other authors who had been forced to hide during the Nazi regime. Since then, Aufbau-Verlag has worked with many notable German authors and international writers. You can see some of their published titles here.
The company accepts unsolicited proposals in fiction and nonfiction, with the exclusion of science fiction, fantasy, children’s and youth literature, short stories, poetry, fairy tales, and illustrated books.
Submission Guidelines: www.aufbau-verlage.de/faq/
2. Droemer Knaur
Based in Munich, Droemer Knaur has several imprints of fiction and nonfiction. Their fiction catalog has everything from sci-fi and fantasy to thrillers and romance.
For nonfiction, they proudly publish books pertaining to religion, music, philosophy, and nature, and more. You can browse their catalog here.
Submission Guidelines: www.droemer-knaur.de/verlag/manuskripte
3. Hoffmann und Campe
Founded in 1781, Hoffmann und Campe is one of the oldest publishers in the German-speaking world. Over the years, they have published several Nobel Prize winners in literature. Their international authors include Amanda Gorman, Bob Dylan, and Ijeoma Oluo.
You can browse their available titles here. They do not currently accept electronic submissions, and instead ask for the first 30 pages of your manuscript to be delivered by post.
Submission Guidelines: hoffmann-und-campe.de/manuskripte
4. dtv Verlag
dtv Verlag was founded in Munich in 1960 and initially published just paperback titles. Today, the company publishes around 400 titles annually in both hardcover and paperback editions.
Their catalog includes both literary and general fiction, in addition to many nonfiction titles, children’s books, and YA books. Check out their published titles here.
Submission Guidelines: www.dtv.de/manuskripteinsendungen
5. Arche Verlag
Although Arche Verlag was founded in Zurich in 1944, the company now has a large presence in Hamburg, Germany under W1-Media GmbH.
They accept all genres, including fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, picture books, and poetry. You can browse their current catalog here.
Submission Guidelines: www.w1-media.de/arche-kontakt
6. Taschen Books
Taschen Books specializes in nonfiction, but they do also have a few classic children’s books and fairy tales in their catalog, which you can check out here.
Based in Cologne, they currently seek titles in art and design, pop culture, travel, photography, film, and fashion.
Submission Guidelines: www.taschen.com/project_proposals/
7. Kiepenheuer & Witsch
Kiepenheuer & Witsch was founded in Cologne in 1949. For fiction, the company publishes literary fiction, classic fiction, historical novels, short stories, thrillers, and general fiction.
As for nonfiction, they proudly publish books about music, sports, and biographies and memoirs. They also accept submissions of poetry. Browse their current catalog here.
Submission Guidelines: www.kiwi-verlag.de/kontakt
8. Rowohlt Verlag
Rowohlt Verlag was founded in 1908 in Leipzig, Germany, and now has headquarters in Germany and 12 divisions.
They publish most genres of commercial and literary fiction, including children’s and YA books. For nonfiction, the company offers books on sports, philosophy, society, finance, art, and others. Browse their full catalog here.
Submission Guidelines: www.rowohlt.de/manuskripteinreichung
9. Suhrkamp Verlag
Suhrkamp Verlag is one of the most acclaimed publishers in Germany and all of Europe, in part for its reputation as a publisher that invests in developing its authors.
Based in Berlin, the company has published nonfiction books pertaining to climate change, philosophy, politics, health, and influential people. They also publish poetry, YA and children’s literature, and general fiction. Browse their full catalog here.
Submission Guidelines: www.suhrkamp.de/manuskripteinreichung-s-16
10. Arena Verlag
Arena Verlag was founded in 1949 by George Popp. It was notably the first publisher in Germany to publish paperback books for children and teens.
Today, Arena Verlag continues their commitment to publishing quality books of fiction and nonfiction for children, including toddlers, middle grade, and teens.
Submission Guidelines: www.arena-verlag.de/manuskripte
11. Eichborn Verlag
Since 1980, Eichborn Verlag has made a name publishing bold fiction and nonfiction from both domestic and international authors.
Their fiction genres include thrillers, literary fiction, mysteries, fantasy, and sci-fi, while for nonfiction they’ve published works on society, nature, crime, and business. Browse their catalog here.
Submission Guidelines: www.luebbe.de/manuskripteinsendung/
12. Emons Verlag
For nearly 40 years, Emons Verlag has specialized in mystery, crime, and thriller books. Based in Cologne, the company also publishes historical novels, coloring books for kids, nonfiction travel books, illustrated books, and gift books. Browse their full catalog here.
Submission Guidelines: emons-verlag.de/manuskript-einreichen/
13. Verlagsgruppe Beltz
Based in Weinheim, Germany, Verlagsgruppe Beltz started as a printing business in 1841, before acquiring the Adolph Büchting publishing company 27 years later.
Today, the company is a trusted source of books for children, families, and social workers. Their nonfiction catalog also has titles for those interested in health, school, psychology, nutrition, pregnancy, depression, parenting, and society. Browse their titles here.
Submission Guidelines: www.beltz.de/manuskripte.html
14. DuMont Buchverlag
When DuMont Buchverlag was founded in 1956, the company was dedicated to publishing books on the art world.
Today, however, the publisher is celebrated for its German and international portfolio of diverse fiction and nonfiction. To see the types of books and subgenres they publish, check out their catalog here.
Submission Guidelines: www.dumont-buchverlag.de/manuskripte/
15. Verlag Galiani Berlin
Founded in 2009, Verlag Galiani Berlin’s name was inspired by Ferdinando Galiani, an Italian economist from the Enlightenment era.
In fiction, the company publishes contemporary literature, mysteries and thrillers, and classic fiction. Their nonfiction categories include biographies, anthologies, history, and culture. Browse their catalog here.
Submission Guidelines: www.galiani.de/kontakt
16. Piper Verlag
Piper Verlag was founded in Munich in 1904 to make books more accessible and appealing to the masses.
Today, the company continues to strive toward those same goals, publishing a variety of bestsellers in both fiction and nonfiction. You can browse their current catalog here.
Submission Guidelines: www.piper.de/service/manuskripteinsendungen
17. S. Fischer Verlage
S. Fischer Verlage was founded in Berlin in 1886 by Samuel Fischer. Now based in Frankfurt, the company continues to honor the likes of Franz Kafka, Alfred Kerr, and Sigmund Freud, while also bringing light to newer works and more book genres.
Their contemporary fiction genres include crime, thriller, romance, historical novels, fantasy and sci-fi, and even short stories. For nonfiction, they specialize in books on science, philosophy, medicine, and society. Browse their catalog here.
Submission Guidelines: www.fischerverlage.de/manuskript-einreichen
Publishers in Germany
If you’re a German author or just looking to break into the German market, the publishers in this list can help.
Before you submit your manuscript or proposal, please be sure to read each publisher’s guidelines carefully. Many ask for just a sample of your manuscript, while others require a detailed book proposal. You’ll find the full details for each publisher in their submission guidelines.
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
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As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
I have just had a fictional murder mystery novel published by Flanker Press in Newfoundland Canada. Every year in Bad Segelberg, Germany Karl May’s writing legacy is celebrated. The basic theme of his books is that Winnetou and Old Shatterhand make sure that the Indian usually wins. My novel is a modern version of that theme. An international organization of native people try to avenge the deaths of many of their people. I believe there would be a great market for that kind of book in Bad Segelberg and in Germany in general. What German publisher should my publisher send the book to?
I have self published a book in USA in English about the Holocaust, titled
Hitler’s Basement: My Search for Truth, Light, and The Forgotten Executioners of Ukraine’s Kingdom of Death.
I would like to have the book translated into German for a German market. It has received multiple good reviews, including one on academia.com.
Any advice or suggestions?