India is home to a diverse literary scene, as well as many talented writers. If you’re located in India and dream of seeing your work published, look no further than these Indian publishers who are currently open to submissions for fiction and nonfiction.
This list includes a mix of publishers who accept unsolicited submissions, as well as some who require an agent. Some also publish in Hindi and other regional languages in addition to English.
Indian Publishers Open to Unsolicited Submissions
The following Indian publishers are currently accepting unsolicited submissions. You do not need to be represented by a literary agent in order to submit a manuscript or proposal to these publishers.
1. Jaico Publishing House
Founded in 1946, Jaico Publishing was India’s first publisher of paperbacks in the English language. Jaico actually started as a distribution company, but having seen the demand for affordable books in his country, founder Jaman Shah initiated a publishing program to meet that demand.
Since then, the company has published the works of authors like Robin Sharma, Stephen Hawking, Deepak Chopra, and even the Dalai Lama. You can browse more of their published titles here.
As far as nonfiction, Jaico specializes in self-help, religion and philosophy, health and spirituality, and business titles. However, they also have a range of books on current affairs, travel, popular science and biography.
The company has also expressed a renewed focus on popular fiction.
Submission Guidelines: www.jaicobooks.com/BookSubmission
2. Arihant Books
Based in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Arihant is India’s current leading publisher of test prep materials.
Specializing in academic and scholarly texts, the company publishes over 3,000 titles for engineering, medical studies, competitive entrances, school curriculum, ITI, and government recruitments.
You can browse some of their previously published titles here.
Submission Guidelines: arihantbooks.com/PublishWithUs
3. Penguin Random House India
Penguin Random House India has several divisions that publish classic fiction, modern fiction, biographies, sports, travel, business, and illustrated children’s books.
Their division Hind Pocket Books publishes in Hindi, while their other divisions publish in English. Read more about the different divisions here.
Submission Guidelines: penguin.co.in/community/publish-with-us/
4. Roli Books
Founded in 1978, Roli Books is a mid-sized publisher with seven offices across India. Their nonfiction books are largely written by scholars or experts, but in a tone that’s accessible to a wide, nonspecialized readership. Their fiction is mostly literary.
Roli also conceptualizes, designs, and produces a line of high quality gift and stationery products, which they sell through their own concept stores and throughout the world. Check out their published books here.
Submission Guidelines: rolibooks.com/submissions/
5. Rupa Publications
Founded in 1936, Rupa Publications is one of India’s largest publishers and distributors. The company is based in Delhi and publishes a diverse mix of fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books.
You can browse previously published books in their catalog here.
Submission Guidelines: rupapublications.co.in/submissions/
6. HarperCollins Publishers India
HarperCollins Publishers India publishes roughly 250 new books each year, with an existing catalog of over 2,000 titles across 10 imprints.
They are currently accepting unsolicited proposals in English for fiction and nonfiction (adult and children’s), biography, current affairs, and self-help.
Browse their catalog here.
Submission Guidelines: harpercollins.co.in/publish-with-us/
7. Scholastic India
Scholastic India aims to “encourage the intellectual and personal growth of all children” by providing quality and engaging educational content.
They publish English works for children and young adults in fiction, nonfiction, biographies, self-help, and activity and quiz books. Browse their current catalog here.
Please note that while the publisher currently accepts unsolicited submissions, agented submissions will be given greater priority.
Submission Guidelines: www.scholastic.co.in/en/manuscript-guidelines
8. Leadstart Publishing
Leadstart Publishing publishes over 180 English titles annually across all major genres, and their authors, editorial teams, and books have won awards at both national and international levels.
Leadstart also has a literary agency and self-publishing branch available to authors who seek alternatives to traditional publishing.
Browse their currently available titles here.
Submission Guidelines: www.leadstartcorp.com/get-published/submission/
9. Om Books International
For over 60 years, Om Books International has been one of the largest English-language trade publishers in India.
With headquarters in Noida, Om Books publishes both popular and literary fiction, as well as narrative nonfiction, cookbooks, biographies, and more.
You can check out their catalog of published titles here.
Submission Guidelines: www.ombooksinternational.com/content
10. Petals Publishers
Petals Publishers is another Indian publisher that offers the options of traditional or self-publishing services.
Founded in Ludhiana in 2013, Petals publishes both fiction and nonfiction, with an extensive collection in genres like fantasy, romance, and mystery.
You can check out their published titles here.
Submission Guidelines: www.petalspublishers.com/traditional-publishing
11. Srishti Publishers
J.K. Bose founded Srishti Publishers 25 years ago to make quality and affordable books available to all those who wish to read.
They publish both fiction and nonfiction in the English language, but please note that they do not publish textbooks or scientific/technical books. Check out their previously published titles here.
Submission Guidelines: www.srishtipublishers.com/submissions
12. APK Publishers
Based in Pune, APK Publishers‘ mission is to help writers, especially first-time writers, bring their books to the world.
They publish English fiction and nonfiction for adults, children, and young adults. You can check out their catalog here.
Submission Guidelines: apkpublishers.com/submission-guidelines/
13. S. Chand Publishing
Founded in Delhi in 1939, S. Chand Publishing is the second largest education publisher in India. They publish books in nearly all regional languages and specialize in children’s educational books.
You ca browse their catalog of published works here.
Submission Guidelines: www.schandpublishing.com/publishWithUs
Agented Submissions Only
The following two publishers require a literary agent to submit a manuscript or proposal on the author’s behalf.
14. Hachette India
Hachette India is the Indian division of Hachette UK, which itself is a part of Hachette Livre France. The division began its operations in 2008 and launched its local publishing program the following year.
Hachette India publishes in the following genres: general, literary, and commercial fiction; children’s books; reference books; and nonfiction, including memoirs, self-help, travel, history, business, popular culture, lifestyle, and sports.
Learn more about submitting via a literary agent here.
15. Aleph Book Company
Founded in New Delhi in 2011, Aleph Book Company is an award-winning publisher of fiction and nonfiction.
They publish roughly 40 titles per year, and their team is committed to excellence in editorial quality, design, printing, and packaging.
Aleph can be contacted by literary agents here.
Publishing in India
If you’re an author looking to publish your book in India, the publishers in this list can help.
Before you submit your manuscript or proposal, please be sure to read each publisher’s submission guidelines carefully.
If you plan to submit a proposal as part of your submission, check out our guide to writing a great book proposal.
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.
