For years now, the comic book and graphic novel industry has been steadily gaining attention, especially since the entertainment industry began to produce movies and TV shows based on these beloved reading materials.
With its constant rise, more and more people are now looking to get into this industry. But while they can create epic works, publishing them is a different story altogether. Perhaps you’re one of those currently stuck at this stage?
Graphic Novel Publishers Accepting Unsolicited Submissions
If you’re ready to present your works for possible publication, here is a list of graphic novel publishers who accept unsolicited submissions. This means that you don’t need a literary agent to submit your proposal or manuscript.
It’s important to note that when it comes to the comics and graphic novel industry, a single publication is usually done by a writer-artist team, unless you can do both.
So if you’re only one of two, it’s best to build a team first before sending a pitch. While they do hire writers or artists, publishers in this industry prefer works with already complete teams behind them.
The publishers listed below accept a wide range of genres unless specified otherwise. When it’s applicable, I’ve also added what type of stories they specialize in and what they don’t accept.
1. Drawn and Quarterly
Drawn and Quarterly is currently the most successful comics publisher in Canada, specializing in comics, graphic novels, and comic strips. Since its founding in 1990, it’s developed a strong reputation within the comics community, with many of its anthologies winning the Harvey Awards.
A few of their famous publications are Tove Jansson’s Moomin comic strips (in book format) and Chester Brown’s Louis Riel.
Check out their complete submissions guidelines.
2. Top Shelf Productions
Top Shelf Productions is an American publishing company created in 1997 and specializes in comics and graphic novels. Their submissions process is simple, but do note that they can’t accept cover letters, plot synopses, or scripts unless they’re accompanied by 10-20 completed pages.
Some of their most famous publications are Alan Moore’s From Hell and Craig Thompson’s Blankets.
Check out their complete submissions guidelines.
3. Image Comics
Image Comics is currently the third-largest publisher in the comics and graphic novel industry. They specifically publish creator-owned material, where creators can publish their original content without giving up copyrights to their products.
Some of their best-known publications are Spawn, Kick-Ass, and The Walking Dead.
Check out their complete submissions guidelines.
4. Antarctic Press
Antarctic Press is a Texas-based publisher that started out in 1984 and has since published more than 1500 titles, with over 5 million total copies in circulation. They often publish “Amerimanga” (English-language comics drawn in manga style) and instructional comic books.
A few of their best-selling works are Rod Espinosa’s Neotopia and Joseph Wight’s Twilight X.
Check out their complete submissions guidelines.
5. Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is one of the leading publishers in the industry. Some of their best-known titles are Mike Mignola’s Hellboy, Gerard Way’s The Umbrella Academy, and Frank Miller’s Sin City.
As of now, they’re only accepting two kinds of unsolicited works: art samples or story proposals from writer-artists or writer and artist teams.
Check out their complete submissions guidelines.
6. Fantagraphics
Fantagraphics is a Seattle-based publisher that’s been around since 1976. They mainly focus on alternative comics, graphic novels, manga, and magazines.
Please note that they don’t publish children’s picture books, and are less likely to accept submissions that fit neatly into any mainstream genres.
Some of their successful graphic novels are Daniel Clowes’ Ghost World and Joe Sacco’s Palestine.
Check out their complete submissions guidelines.
7. Caliber Comics
Caliber Comics is an American comic book publisher that releases creator-owned content. It’s one of America’s foremost independent comics and graphic novel publishers, with over 1,300 titles published.
Two of their well-known publications are James O’barr’s The Crow and Brian Michael Bendis’s A.K.A Goldfish.
Check out their complete submissions guidelines.
8. SelfMadeHero
SelfMadeHero is an independent publisher based in the United Kingdom. They specialize in adapting literary works into graphic novels and have recently started releasing original works.
A few of their well-known publications are Glyn Dillon’s The Nao of Brown and Rob Davis’s The Motherless Oven.
Check out their complete submissions guidelines.
9. Iron Circus Comics
Iron Circus Comics is a graphic novel publisher known for its pioneering use of crowd-funded campaigns to finance successful projects.
Though they accept a wide range of genres and story formats, they specifically don’t take small children’s comics, fan fiction, serials, and works that fall under the superhero and zombie genre.
Their most successful project is Smut Peddler, an erotic anthology series created by women.
Check out their complete submissions guidelines.
10. Behemoth Comics
Behemoth is a multimedia publisher based in Dallas, Texas. Established in 2020, it is quickly building a reputation in the comics industry by creating graphic works with companies such as Ubisoft and Netflix.
A few of their promising titles are Blackout, Necromorfus, and Freak Snow.
Check out their complete submissions guidelines.
11. Black Mask Studios
Black Mask Studios is a comics and graphic novel publisher formed in 2012 as a new space for comic book creators. They prefer taking on stories with a transgressive attitude, much like V for Vendetta.
Some of their best-known publications are Twelve Reasons To Die, Godkiller, and Calexit.
Check out their complete submissions guidelines.
12. NorthWest Press
NorthWest Press is a small publisher founded in 2010 by activist Charles “Zan” Christensen. They specifically publish graphic novels and comics that have strong Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender themes.
A few of their published works are Christensen’s Anything That Loves and Robert Kirby’s QU33R.
Check out their complete submissions guidelines.
13. Avatar Press
Avatar Press is an independent publishing company that is most notable for its “bad girl” titles which focused on superheroines and Femme Fatales.
Some of their best works include Brian Pulido’s Lady Death, Alan Moore’s The Courtyard, and Warren Ellis’s FreakAngels.
Check out their complete submissions guidelines.
14. Blank Slate Books
Blank Slate Books is a publishing company in the United Kingdom, specializing in comic books, graphic novels, and comic strip collections.
They prefer taking in “indie-friendly” stories that don’t adhere to mainstream genres and are made by new or still unpublished talents.
Some of their award-winning publications are Psychiatric Tales, Trains are…Mint, and Nelson.
Check out their complete submissions guidelines.
15. Soaring Penguin Press
Soaring Penguin Press was created more than two decades ago to publish Meanwhile, an anthology series that featured both renowned and new talents.
If you’re only a writer who wants to get into the industry, they do consider projects that are still without artwork.
Check out their complete submissions guidelines.
How Do You Pitch a Graphic Novel to a Publisher?
What publishers dislike most are incomplete submissions. With so many works to look at, pitches with insufficient details can be time-wasters, so make sure your pitch includes a short synopsis, sample illustrations (preferably fully inked and lettered pages of your story), and your contact details.
Publishers look for different things when viewing possible publications so it’s best to familiarize yourself with their brand. Learn what genres they prefer and read a few titles they’ve already published. They often include these in their submissions guidelines.
A publisher’s guidelines can range from simply sending them a link to your work plus a brief introduction to sending them samples along with a submissions release form (a document releasing them from certain liabilities such as copyright infringement).
Make sure that what you’re sending them complies with their guidelines, because publishers may not bother looking at pitches that don’t follow their instructions.
And as always, do your due diligence and research the publishers you plan on pitching to. Learn their business model, check out their reputation, and see how their platform can help you break into the graphic novel industry.
Did you find this pos helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- 15 Graphic Novel Literary Agents Now Accepting Submissions
- The Rise of Graphic Novels: Insights and Tips for Aspiring Graphic Novelists
- 15 Fun and Meaningful Graphic Novels for Kids
- 14 Best Webcomics to Read Right Now
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
Hello, are these publishers accepting graphic novel pitch decks?
Hello!
My company Black Panel Press is currently accepting submissions for graphic novel projects. Any chance of getting us listed on this page?
Thank you,
Andrew
Yes, thank you so much I found this really helpful.