Kentucky-based publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts in October 2025

Congratulations on writing your book! The publishers based in Kentucky on this list are currently accepting manuscripts this month without a literary agent. I’ve done my best to weed out any vanity presses or publishers without any novels published from the past year.

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.

1. Fons Vitae

   Fons Vitae is a non-profit, academic press that publishes interfaith scholarly works focused on world spirituality. They are known for publishing English translations of key Arabic and Persian works, especially in the field of Sufism.
   Genre: Academic nonfiction in the field of world religions and spirituality.
   Word count: Not stated.

2. Finishing Press Line

   Finishing Line Press is an award-winning small press based in Kentucky, USA. Please note they charge a reading fee in all months except November.
   Genre: Poetry, chapbooks and fiction, including historical, realistic, science fiction, folk tales, fairy tales and literary. For nonfiction, this includes personal narrative, how to, craft, memoir, literary and narrative.
   Word count: Not stated.

3. Good River Review

   Good River Review is the literary journal of the Sena Jeter Naslund-Karen Mann Graduate School of Writing at Spalding University. They publish two issues a year and also regularly feature book reviews, interviews and essays on the practice of writing.
   Genre: Submissions for their literary journal, including essays, poems, memoirs and immersive journalism.
   Word count: Less than 5,000 words for longer-form pieces or less than 2,000 words for shorter pieces. No more than 10 pages for poetry.

4. Steel Toe Books

   Steel Toe Books was founded in 2003 and publishes both prose and poetry.
   Genre: Poetry, literary fiction, short stories, essays, memoir and mixed genre.
   Word count: Not stated.

5. University Press of Kentucky

   The University Press of Kentucky's mission is to publish books of high scholarly medit and to publish significant books about the history of Kentucky and its surrounding regions.
   Genre: Nonfiction, including bourbon, cookbooks, creative nonfiction, memoir, Appalachian studies, music, African American studies, film, veteran studies, media, pop culture, books about Kentucky, environmental, ecology, natural history, field guides, agriculture, Agrarian studies, civil rights and sports.
   Word count: Not stated.

6. Westminster John Knox Press

   Westminster John Knox Press was established in 1858 and is the academic and trade imprint of the Presbyterian Publishing Company.
   Genre: Christian nonfiction, such as academic bible, bible study, Christian living, denominational, ethics, history, preaching, culture, seasonal, theology and spirituality.
   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.