15 grimdark publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts in May 2025
Now that you’ve written your grimdark novel, it’s time to pitch it to a publisher! All of the publishers listed here are currently accepting manuscripts without a literary agent. 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.
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.
Baen
Baen is an American publishing house specializing in science fiction and fantasy.
Genre: Science fiction and fantasy.
Word count: 100,000 to 130,000 words.ECW Press
ECW Press has published close to 1,000 books, including nonfiction, poetry and fiction. Please note that they accept poetry and fiction from Canadians only but accept nonfiction submissions from around the world.
Genre: Fiction, including literary, mystery, crime, science fiction, young adult, middle grade and humour. They also accept poetry and nonfiction, including sports, pop culture, memoir, biography, science, nature, true crime, travel, business, personal finance, poker, literary criticism and reference.
Word count: Not stated.Hague Publishing
Hague Publishing is an independent Australian publisher of science fiction and fantasy. Please note that they publish work by Australian and New Zealand authors.
Genre: Science fiction and fantasy.
Word count: 30,000 to 80,000 words but they will consider works outside of this range.Quill & Crow
Quill & Crow love all things odd and the macabre. They aim to work with authors to create something special.
Genre: Dark fiction, such as horror, historical and speculative.
Word count: 45,000 to 110,000 words.City Owl Press
City Owl Press is an indie publisher specializing in speculative fiction and romance. Please note that Writer Beware wrote an article on City Owl Press recently so make sure you do your research before submitting.
Genre: Genre fiction in the subgenres of romance (dark, fantasy, historical, monster, paranormal, comedy, science fiction, suspense, small town, time travel) and speculative (fairy tale retellings, cozy, dark, urban). They also accept horror, psychological, thriller, mystery and new adult.
Word count: 50,000 words and above.Aethon Books
Aethon Books is a publisher dedicated to readers, passionate about publishing the next generation of fantasy and science fiction novels. Their main concern is finding stories with a compelling narrative that pulls readers through your world.
Genre: Fantasy and science fiction in any subgenre. They are also open to thrillers, especially action, political and military thrillers.
Word count: Novel-length work.EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing
EDGE publishes thought-provoking and well-written science fiction and fantasy novels.
Genre: Adult science fiction and fantasy. They occasionally accept young adult fiction.
Word count: 75,000 to 100,000 words.CamCat Books
CamCat Publishing opened in 2019 and takes pride in facilitating and engaging communication between their readers and writers. They will not publish erotica or books with strong religious or political slants.
Genre: Genre fiction, including mystery, thriller, suspense, science fiction, fantasy, romance, historical, paranormal, horror, adventure, western and young adult.
Word count: 60,000 to 100,000 words.Dark Dragon Publishing
Dark Dragon Publishing is a small indie press located in Canada. They specialize in science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
Genre: Genre fiction, including dark fantasy, paranormal, historical, science fiction, and horror.
Word count: 75,000 to 150,000 words.Ink Smith
Ink Smith is a small independent publishing house who streamline their genres to best serve their authors and readers.
Genre: Adult and young adult adventure, fantasy (contemporary, dark, fairy tale, heroic, historic, magic, paranormal, shapeshifting, sword and sorcery , urban, medieval), horror, science fiction (near future, apocalyptic, superhero, steampunk, time travel) and thriller (conspiracy, psychological, techno-thriller)
Word count: Not stated.Black Dawn
Black Dawn is the speculative imprint of AK Press. AK Press believes that the voices of the disenfranchised must be heard and that speculative fiction is the perfect tool for exploring paths to bring forth a just and free world. They seek to explore themes that do not reinforce dependency on oppressive forces.
Genre: Fantasy, science fiction, steampunk, horror, and mystery.
Word count: 25,000 to 55,000 words.Solaris Nova
Solaris Nova is a new imprint of the genre publisher Solaris.
Genre: Science fiction, fantasy, or horror.
Word count: 70,000 to 150,000 words.Black Bed Sheet Books
Black Bed Sheet Books publishes horror, science fiction and fantasy.
Genre: Fiction of a dark nature, especially horror, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, young adult, contemporary and thrillers.
Word count: Not stated.Castle Bridge Media
Castle Bridge Media is an independent publisher of genre books.
Genre: Horror, science fiction, thriller and fantasy.
Word count: 80,000 to 120,000 words.Orbit Works
Orbit Works is the digital imprint of Orbit, publishing science fiction and fantasy.
Genre: Science fiction and fantasy.
Word count: 70,000 words and above.
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, check out my country-specific list of fantasy publishers in Australia and New Zealand.