18 British Columbia publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts in May 2025
Now that you’ve written your novel, it’s time to pitch it to a local British Columbia publisher! All of the publishers listed here are currently accepting manuscripts without a literary agent and I’ve done my best to weed out vanity publishers and those with less than savoury business practices.
I update this list at the start of every month so be sure to check back if you don’t find a publisher that suits your needs or have a look at my other publishers lists where you can search via genre or Canada-wide.
Don’t forget to check out my developmental editing services or pre-querying package if you want to make sure your novel is in top shape before you send it to a publisher for consideration. I offer a variety of services to suit all budgets, from writers looking for the standard developmental editing experience to those seeking high-level feedback with a quick turnaround time.
Arsenal Pulp Press
Arsenal Pulp Press is a small Vancouver-based publisher.
Genre: Literary fiction and nonfiction, including political, sociology, cultural, regional British Columbia, youth culture, young adult literature, craft books and books for children that emphasize diversity.
Word count: Not stated.Caitlin Press
Caitlin Press publishes work by Canadian authors, particularly those based in British Columbia.
Genre: Literary fiction, regional nonfiction and poetry.
Word count: Not stated.Douglas & McIntyre
Douglas & McIntyre is an independent trade publisher in Canada, with bestselling books that have won both national and international awards. They publish predominately Canadian authors.
Genre: Literary fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Ekstasis Editions
Ekstasis Editions is a long-standing Canadian literary press who originally published poetry but has now branched out into fiction and criticism. They consider works from mostly Canadian authors.
Genre: Literary fiction, but they are happy to accept original works of science fiction, fantasy and mystery. This might be a good pick if your speculative or mystery novel blurs genre lines. They also publish nonfiction concerning alternative approaches to spirituality.
Word count: Not stated.Greystone Books
Greystone Books is an independent publisher of books about nature, science, health and social issues.
Genre: Children's books and nonfiction relating to the environment, nature, travel, adventure, health and current issues.
Word count: Not stated.Hancock House Publishers
Hancock House Publishers focuses on publishing nonfiction, regional titles which emphasise western and northern history, biographies, Indigenous culture, natural history, wildlife and folklore.
Genre: Nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Harbour Publishing
Harbour Publishing publishes books on topics concerning the Pacific Northwest of Canada.
Genre: Children's books, young adult, middle grade, literary fiction and upmarket fiction. For nonfiction, they consider cookbooks, food & drink, aviation, art, photography, architecture, memoir, biography, history, geology, literary criticism, maritime, politics, social issues ad the great outdoors. Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Medicine Wheel Publishing
Medicine Wheel Publishing creates culturally authentic Indigenous books, resources and tools for moral and cultural education.
Genre: Culturally authentic Indigenous nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Nightwood Editions
Nightwood Editions' goal is to help readers explore high-quality work by emerging Canadian writers.
Genre: Literary and upmarket and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Now Or Never Publishing
Now Or Never Publishing is a publisher of contemporary Canadian literature and generally friendly irreverence. They only accept submissions from Canadian authors.
Genre: Literary fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Pulp Literature
Pulp Literature's motto is 'good books for the price of a beer'. They publish magazines of short stories and novels.
Genre: Genre and literary fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Ronsdale Press
Ronsdale Press accepts manuscripts from Canadian citizens or landed immigrants to Canada.
Genre: Literary fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Talonbooks
Talonbooks publishes work of significant literary and cultural importance by Canadian authors.
Genre: Nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Theytus Books
Theytus Books publishes books by Canadian First Nations, Métis and Inuit authors.
Genre: Literary fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Thornapple Press
Thornapple Press is a sex-positive nonfiction publisher that publishes books discussing relationships, love, sexuality and relational ethics.
Genre: Nonfiction focusing on relationships, love, sexuality and relational ethics.
Word count: Not stated.Tidewater Press
Tidewater Press publishes fiction and nonfiction that explores the individual and collective Canadian identity.
Genre: Literary fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Touchwood Editions
Touchwood Editions is a small team of creatives who opened doors back in 1984 who publishes Canadian authors, with a strong preference for authors from or writing about western Canada.
Genre: Literary fiction and nonfiction in the areas of food, wine, art, photography, gardening, pets, house, regional history, popular history, memoir and narrative.
Word count: Not stated.UBC Press
UBC Press publishes innovative and transformative works of nonfiction.
Genre: Nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.
Best of luck with your manuscript submissions! If you want to ensure your manuscript is in the best position to be accepted, check out my developmental editing services, pre-querying package or my free writing advice. Otherwise, take a look at my genre-specific list of publishers for romance, fantasy and science fiction.