48 sports nonfiction publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts in September 2025
You’ve written your sports nonfiction book and now it’s time to pitch it to a publisher! All of the publishers listed here are currently accepting nonfiction manuscripts without a literary agent.
Don’t forget to check out my developmental editing services or pre-querying package if you want to make sure your book 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.
Auckland University Press
Auckland University Press is New Zealand's leading scholarly publisher.
Genre: Nonfiction, including architecture, art, Asia and the Pacific, biography, memoir, business & economics, health, history, language, literature, media, music, natural history, poetry, politics, law, science, social science, contemporary society, sport, war, conflict and Māori studies.
Word count: Not stated.Blue River Press
Blue River Press opened their doors in 2004 and has since published over 200 books.
Genre: Fiction (especially mystery), children's books, and nonfiction, including biography, cookbooks, education, health & fitness, history, humor, nature, social sciences, sport, travel and true crime.
Word count: Not stated.Mango Publishing
Mango Publishing is always looking for books that are thoughtful, unusual, and captivating.
Genre: Nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Bloomsbury Academic
Bloomsbury Academic promotes excellence and originality in scholarship, teaching, learning, and professional practice.
Genre: Nonfiction include history, architecture, art, contemporary issues, religion, business, technology, science, design, education, environment, food, gender, geography, interior design, math, languages, music, philosophy, psychology, sport, health & wellness, parenting, self-help, true crime and young adult.
Word count: Not stated.Fayetteville Mafia Press
Fayetteville Mafia Press publishes nonfiction books across pop culture, sports and true crime.
Genre: Nonfiction focusing on pop culture, sports and true crime.
Word count: Not stated.University of Georgia Press
The University of Georgia Press was founded in 1938 to support the University's place as a major research institution.
Genre: Scholarly and general-interest books.
Word count: Not stated.Arena Sport
Arena Sport is an imprint of Birlinn that (as the name implies!) publishes sport books. They focus on a wide array of sports and seek books that have both an international appeal and appeal to the people of Scotland.
Genre: Sports nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Birlinn
Birlinn is an independent publishing house based in Edinburgh, Scotland. They have an imprint of the same name which publishes Scottish and general UK interest books. They accept direct submissions but encourage seeking a literary agent.
Genre: Nonfiction, including biography, history, military, politics and Scottish Gaelic that relates to Scotland and the UK.
Word count: Not stated.Wakefield Press
Wakefield Press is a leading independent publishing company based in Adelaide.
Genre: Genre fiction, especially crime, literary fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.ACTA Publications
ACTA Publications opened their doors in 1957 as a publisher of books and resources for religious education and spiritual development. Now they publish a variety of books in sports, social justice, caregiving and more.
Genre: Children's fiction, poetry, fiction and nonfiction, including sports, social justice, caregiving, grief, gift, cookbooks, humor, religious, biography, crafts and parenting.
Word count: Not stated.Eakin Press
Eakin Press is a trade-book publisher founded in 1979. They were acquired by Wild Horse Media Group in 2013.
Genre: Nonfiction in a variety of subgenres such as biography, ranching, food & drink, legal, military, poetry, rodeo, Texas and sports.
Word count: Not stated.Text Publishing
Text Publishing is an independent Melbourne-based publisher of fiction and nonfiction. They accept submissions from citizens or residents of Australia and New Zealand.
Genre: Genre fiction, including crime, thriller, erotica, fantasy, paranormal, historical, romance, LGBTQIA+, young adult, and middle grade. For nonfiction, they accept biography, memoir, essays, film, history, humour, philosophy, politics, religion, science, environment, relationships, society, culture, sport, travel and war.
Word count: 10,000-120,000 words.HarperNorth
HarperNorth is a Manchester-based imprint of HarperCollins Publishers and their aim is to connect northern writers to readers.
Genre: Genre fiction, especially upmarket, crime, thriller, historical and romance. For nonfiction, they consider memoir, politics, history, sport, music, nature, popular science, smart thinking and popular economics.
Word count: Over 80,000 words.Arbeiter Ring Publishing
Arbeiter Ring Publishing is a left-wing progressive publisher whose mission is to amplify writing from the left. They publish predominately Canadian authors, especially those from Treaty One and the Métis Homeland in Manitoba, but they do consider authors from outside Canada.
Genre: Literary fiction, poetry and nonfiction that aligns with their mission to amplify writing from the left. For nonfiction, they publish art, criticism, politics, biography, autobiography, feminism, business, economics, education, family & relationships, history, language, law, medical, music, performing arts, philosophy, photography, political science, science, social science, technology, travel and sports.
Word count: Not stated.Bancroft Press
Bancroft Press is a publisher without a niche! They publish titles they're passionate about.
Genre: Literary fiction and genre fiction, including contemporary, financial thriller, historical, Jewish, LGBTQ+, legal thriller, medical, mystery, political, romance, rural, satire, science fiction, suspense and general thriller. For nonfiction, they accept biography, crime, essays, finance, history, humor, investing, memoir, movie reviews, parenting, politics, psychology, religion, self-help, spiritual and sports.
Word count: Not stated.Dundurn Press
Dundurn Press is an independent Canadian-owned publisher of contemporary fiction and nonfiction. They only accept fiction submissions from Canadian authors, but welcome nonfiction submissions from writers worldwide.
Genre: Literary fiction and literary nonfiction. They also accept trade nonfiction in the genres of biography, history (especially Canadian and social history), public policy, politics, business, economics, true crime, self help, wellbeing, supernatural, Canadiana and local interest, travel, sport, music, culture, city building, architecture, social science and popular science.
Word count: Not stated.University of Regina Press
University of Regina Press publishes a variety of scholarly and trade books on a wide range of subjects.
Genre: Scholarly and trade books.
Word count: Not stated.The Kent State University Press
The Kent State University Press was founded in 1965 and is the publishing arm of Kent State University.
Genre: Nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Black Rose Writing
Black Rose Writing is a Texas-based publisher who strongly believes in developing a personal relationship with their authors. Please note that Writer Beware wrote an article about Black Rose Writing. Please do your research before submitting.
Genre: Fiction, including action, fantasy, historical, horror, humor, inspirational, LGBT, literary, mystery, suspense, paranormal, romance, science fiction, thriller, women's fiction. They accept children's books, middle grade and young adult books as well. For nonfiction, they accept biography, memoir, business, history, humor, inspirational, spiritual, military, self-help, sports and true crime.
Word count: Not stated.Massey University Press
Massey University Press welcomes proposals from writers outside of Massey University, New Zealand.
Genre: Nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.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.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.University of Nebraska Press
The University of Nebraska Press was founded in 1941 and is the largest university press between Chicago and California.
Genre: Literary fiction and scholarly nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Coaches Choice
Coaches Choice was founded with the aim of improving coaches of all sports in all facets of their lives.
Genre: Nonfiction in the area of sports instruction.
Word count: Not stated.AdventureKEEN
AdventureKEEN is a nonfiction publisher of books relating to adventure and the outdoors.
Genre: Nonfiction in the areas of adventure, outdoors, travel, nature, local history, sports, and more.
Word count: Not stated.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.Amberley Publishing
Amberley is a UK based publisher focusing on transport, military, local and general history.
Genre: Nonfiction in the areas of history and sport.
Word count: Not stated.Hamilcar Publications
Hamilcar Publications is a Boston-based publisher focusing on the area of professional boxing, true crime, hip-hop, jazz and related topics.
Genre: Nonfiction in the areas of boxing, true crime, hip-hop, jazz and related topics.
Word count: Not stated.Aurum
Aurum is the narrative nonfiction imprint of Quarto.
Genre: Narrative nonfiction in the areas of memoir, biography, polemic, food, feminism, history, sport, science, nature, and travel writing.
Word count: Not stated.Lyons Press
Lyons Press is an imprint of Globe Pequot and specializes in publishing books on fishing and hunting, nature, animals, military history, American history, and sports.
Genre: Nonfiction in the areas of fishing and hunting, nature, animals, military history, American history, and sports.
Word count: Not stated.McFarland
McFarland is an independent publisher of academic and nonfiction books, especially known for topics of popular appeal.
Genre: Nonfiction in the areas of popular culture, sports, military history, literature, history, body/mind, transportation, games and hobbies.
Word count: Not stated.Gelding Street Press
Gelding Street Press is the sports and Australian stories imprint of Rockpool. Please note that the link will take you to the Rockpool website as that is where they list the submission guidelines for Gelding Street Press.
Genre: Nonfiction in the areas of sports and Australian stories.
Word count: Not stated.Icon Books
Icon Books is an independent publisher specializing in intelligent, quality nonfiction for a general audience.
Genre: Adult nonfiction, including history, biography, memoir, politics, current affairs, business, economics, military history, true crime, popular science, philosophy, psychology, self help, family health, lifestyle, travel, nature, environment, sport, religion and transport.
Word count: Not stated.Down East Trade
Down East Trade publishes regional books local to Maine or books written by Maine authors.
Genre: Nonfiction in the areas of antiques, art, architecture, biography, body, mind, spirit, business, cooking, craft, hobbies, design, family games, gardening, health, fitness history, nature, humor, photography, pets, reference, sciences, sports, travel, and true crime. They also accept fiction, children's books and middle grade.
Word count: Not stated.Octane Press
Octane Press publishes illustrated and narrative books that cater to niche audiences.
Genre: Narrative nonfiction that cover niche topics, especially motorsports, vehicles, bicycles and independent artisans.
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, including cookbooks, biography, memoir, art, architecture, photography, environmental issues, gardening, history, humor, literary criticism, maritime, medical, military, nature, social issues, politics and sports.
Word count: Not stated.Pitch Publishing
Pitch Publishing is a UK sports publisher with a vast catalogue covering sports including football, cricket, rugby, boxing, golf, athletics and more.
Genre: Sports nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Minnesota Historical Society
The Minnesota Historical Society Press is a publisher of the history and culture of Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.
Genre: Nonfiction, including general nonfiction, cookbooks and children's picture books relating to the history and culture of Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. They are especially looking for titles in the following topics: Native American history and culture, political and military history, natural history and the environment, cultural and social history, arts, culture, & sports, memoir and literary nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.The University of Arkansas Press
The University of Arkansas Press was created in 1980 and publishes books for specialty and general audiences.
Genre: Nonfiction in the areas of African American studies, Arkansas and its surrounds, art, architecture, food studies, sport studies and Ozarks studies.
Word count: Not stated.TCU Press
TCU Press publishes the history, culture and literature of Texas and the American West. They are the university press of Texas Christian University.
Genre: Children's books, genre fiction, literary fiction and nonfiction. They publish a wide variety of genres from history, nature, art, biography, photography, humor, young adult, cooking, religion, science, education, law and more. I suggest you look at their website to see the full list as I can't possibly list them all here!
Word count: Not stated.Seaworthy Publications
Seaworthy Publications is a nautical book publisher who specializes in the area of recreational boating. They give each manuscript personal attention and are more than happy to work with first time authors.
Genre: Nonfiction in the area of recreational boating.
Word count: Not stated.Black&White
Black&White is a Scottish publisher committed to publishing the best books from the most talented writers in Scotland.
Genre: Nonfiction in the areas of celebrity memoirs, sports, lifestyle, humour, gift, activity, food/drink, Scottish, Irish and nature.
Word count: Not stated.Pelican Publishing
Pelican Publishing releases an average of 30 titles a year, related to identifiable regions around the United States.
Genre: Children's, middle grade, young adult and adult nonfiction.
Word count: 40,000 to 100,000 for adult nonfiction. Maximum of 25,000 words for young adult and middle grade. Children's books can be up to 1,100 words.The Experiment Publishing
The Experiment Publishing was founded in 2009 and believes every book is a test of new ideas.
Genre: Nonfiction, including narrative and practically oriented nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.The History Press
The History Press is an independent nonfiction publisher based in Gloucestershire in the UK. Their values are quality, honesty, inclusive and socially conscious.
Genre: Historical or general nonfiction, such as memoir, entertainment, travel, true crime and many more.
Word count: Not stated.University of Illinois Press
The University of Illinois Press supports the mission of the University of Illinois through the worldwide dissemination of significant scholarship.
Genre: Nonfiction in the areas of Chicago politics, architecture, natural history, general interest, American ethnic studies, Black studies, gender and sexuality studies, history, radical studies, disability studies, Illinois and midwestern history, Lincoln studies, Appalachian studies, religion, Mormon studies, digital humanities, communication, journalism, film studies, sports studies and music.
Word count: Not stated.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.The O'Brien Press
The O'Brien Press is a leading general publisher of adult and children's books in Ireland. They publish a range of books and are always looking to explore new and exciting areas.
Genre: Children's fiction, children's nonfiction and adult nonfiction. They are more likely to publish authors based in Ireland but are open to submissions from authors all around the world.
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.