Texas-based publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts in October 2025
Congratulations on writing your book! The publishers based in Texas 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.
University of North Texas Press
The University of North Texas Press was founded in 1987 and quickly became a leading press.
Genre: Nonfiction in the humanities.
Word count: Not stated.BenBella Books
BenBella Books is a publishing boutique that publishes around 40 books a year.
Genre: Nonfiction, including smart pop, plant-based living, big media titles and commercial.
Word count: Not stated.Siren-BookStrand
Siren-BookStrand is an ebook publisher with over 8,000 romance novels under their belt and over 700 authors writing for them.
Genre: Romance in a variety of subgenres with ménage, M/M, and M/F (only if it includes BDSM) pairings.
Word count: 20,000 words to 85,000 words.Deep Vellum
Deep Vellum was founded in 2013 in Dallas, Texas. Their mission is to bring the world into conversation through literature.
Genre: Literary fiction, poetry and 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.BenBella
BenBella was founded in 2001 as a publishing boutique that aims to be the publisher of choice for authors who value personal attention, a partnership philosophy and a creative approach to marketing.
Genre: Nonfiction in the areas of pop culture, plant-based living, big platform/big media titles and commercial.
Word count: Not stated.Kallisto Gaia Press
Kallisto Gaia Press is a nonprofit literary organization supporting writers at all stages of their careers. Their goal is to promote finely crafted work with an expressive and meaningful voice.
Genre: Poetry and short fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Leafwood Publishers
Leafwood Publishers is the trade imprint of Abilene Christian University. Their mission is to reflect the high standards of their parent institution and spread the values of Abilene Christian University to a broad, public audience.
Genre: Trade nonfiction that reflects the values of Abilene Christian University (i.e. Christian values).
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.Abilene Christian University Press
Abilene Christian University Press is the university press of Abilene Christian University. Their mission is to reflect the high standards of their parent institution and spread the values of Abilene Christian University to a broad, public audience.
Genre: Scholarly nonfiction that reflects the values of Abilene Christian University (i.e. Christian values).
Word count: Not stated.Hierophant Publishing
Hierophant Publishing is a book publisher focusing on the body, mind and spirit. Their name comes from the ancient Greek word for a priest or priestess who interpreted sacred mysteries and esoteric principles of the day. Their goal is to publish words that were inspired by silence and help awaken the hierophant within you.
Genre: Prescriptive nonfiction that was written from a state of presence. If you're not sure what that means, their books focus on topics such as living a good life, meditation, healing your body, mind and soul, and astrology.
Word count: Not stated.Praeclarus Press
Praeclarus Press is a small press publishing books on women's health. They strive to publish evidence-based but accessible books.
Genre: Nonfiction relating to women's health, including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and parenting. They are also interested in titles on depression, trauma and violence, cardiovascular health, successful aging and alternative healthcare modalities.
Word count: Not stated.SFA Press
SFA Press broadens the university's mission by publishing works of cultural and scholarly significance.
Genre: Literary fiction, short fiction, poetry and academic nonfiction.
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.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.Texas Tech University Press
Texas Tech University Press was established in 1971. Their mission is to disseminate the fruits of original research by publishing peer-reviewed works that compel scholarly exchange and entertain.
Genre: Scholarly and trade books in the areas of Texas, the Southwest, Indigenous Studies, Borderlands theory and literature, Texas-focused queer and gender theory, new perspectives on frontier literature, peace and conflict studies, modern Jewish history and Holocaust studies, and texas sport biographies.
Word count: Not stated.Trinity University Press
Trinity University Press is committed to civic engagement with timely ideas facilitated by the publication of books and other related media. They have published over 225 titles since their establishment.
Genre: Nonfiction in the areas of human relationships to the physical environment, social equity and justice, interdependence of animal and human life, culture of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, and bilingual early childhood literacy.
Word count: Not stated.The University Press of Sam Houston State University
The University Press of Sam Houston State University, also called the Texas Review Press, is committed to publishing quality poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and scholarship. They publish between 15 and 25 titles each year.
Genre: Poetry, creative nonfiction and scholarly works. They are particularly interested in African-American studies, Latinx studies, contemporary poetics, ecopoetics, creative writing pedagogy, southern literature and history, environmental writing and 20th/21st century American poetry.
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.