Pennsylvania-based publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts in October 2025

Congratulations on writing your book! The publishers based in Pennsylvania 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. Carnegie Mellon University Literary Press

   Carnegie Mellon University Literary Press is the literary division of Carnegie Mellon University Press. They have been publishing for more than 50 years and have published works by poets who later went on to become Pulitzer Prize winners. Please note they charge a $25 reading fee.
   Genre: Poetry and literary fiction.
   Word count: Not stated.

2. Schiffer Publishing

   Schiffer Publishing was founded in 1974 in Pennsylvania.
   Genre: Nonfiction and children's books.
   Word count: Not stated.

3. Fox Chapel Publishing

   Fox Chapel Publishing specializes in sharing knowledge, projects and inspiration with their readers. Their books are sold in bookstores, craft specialty stores, art supply stores and more.
   Genre: Nonfiction in the area of creative how-to, including wood carving, woodworking, scroll saw, home and gardening, outdoor and general lifestyle, general crafting, knitting, crochet, fiber arts, sewing, quilting, beading, jewelry making, metalwork, coloring, lettering, painting, pet care, cooking, children’s books, and journaling.
   Word count: Not stated.

4. DEStech Publications

   DEStech Publications was founded in 2001 and is an independent academic science, technology and math publishing company that develops professional books and university textbooks written and edited by scientific researchers.
   Genre: Professional books and university textbooks in science, including environmental technology, nursing & health science, packaging, plastics & polymers and textiles.
   Word count: Not stated.

5. Etruscan Press

   Etruscan Press is based at Wilkes University and partners with Youngstown State University. They are a nonprofit literary press that works to produce and promote books that nurture dialogue among genres, cultures and voices.
   Genre: Poetry, literary fiction, creative nonfiction, short story collections, literary criticism, anthologies and translations.
   Word count: All manuscripts must be a minimum of 50 pages.

6. Sunbury Press

   Sunbury Press is a rapidly growing publisher with six imprints.
   Genre: Literary and genre fiction, including history, mystery, detective, police procedural, crime, thriller, horror and young adult. For nonfiction, they accept history, current events, science, reference, art history, local/regional history, humour, spiritual, metaphysical, self help, professional and memoirs.
   Word count: Not stated.

7. John Benjamins Publishing Company

   John Benjamins serves the international academic community by producing high quality research materials.
   Genre: Scholarly nonfiction in a variety of subgenres, including linguistics, literature, translation & interpreting studies, communication studies, philosophy, psychology and terminology & lexicography.
   Word count: Monographs or collective volumes.

8. Duquesne University Press

   Duquesne University Press is the scholarly publishing arm of Duquesne University and publishes monographys and collections in the humanities and social sciences.
   Genre: Nonfiction in the humanities and social sciences. They are particularly interested in medieval and Renaissance literary studies, philosophy, psychology, ethics, religious studies and theology.
   Word count: Not stated.

9. Arcadia Publishing

   Arcadia’s mission is to connect people with their past, their communities and one another.
   Genre: Nonfiction in the areas of local and regional US history.
   Word count: Not stated.

10. Jessica Kingsley Publishers

    Jessica Kingsley Publishers purpose is to create positive narratives about difference and encourage social justice by making information and knowledge accessible.
    Genre: Nonfiction. Each editor has their own preferences, especially regarding health, neurodiversity and technology.
    Word count: Not stated.

11. Search Press

    Search Press specializes in illustrated practical, reference and inspirational books on art and craft books for beginners through to professional artists and crafters.
    Genre: Nonfiction in the areas of art and craft.
    Word count: Not stated.

12. University of Pittsburgh Press

    The University of Pittsburgh Press is a publisher with a wide range of scholarly and cultural fields. They publish books for general readers, scholars and students.
    Genre: Poetry and nonfiction in the areas of Latin American studies, Russian and East European studies, Central Asian studies, poetry, Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania regional studies, environmental studies, the history of architecture and the built environment, urban studies, composition and literacy, and the history and philosophy of science, technology, and medicine.
    Word count: Full length books.

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.