Top 10 Book Publishing Companies in 2025

• May 01, 2025
• 4 min read

• Tags: Book Publishing, Novel, Traditional Publishing

Publishing a book is often confusing and difficult. Book publishers play a crucial role in the publication process, managing everything from manuscript to market. As providers of expert self-publishing services, we help writers publish their books with ease and confidence. But if you want to publish traditionally, you should find out the best book publishing companies in your genre. Based on this, you can also determine whether an agent is necessary.

Publishing companies provide comprehensive support throughout the publication process, ensuring your manuscript reaches its full potential. To simplify this process, we’ve created a list of the best book publishing companies in 2024. With this information in hand, you can ascertain which publisher you have the highest chances with!

The book publication industry

The publishing industry is a complex and dynamic field that involves the production and distribution of books, eBooks, and other written content to readers around the world. This industry is a tapestry of various publishing companies, ranging from major players like Penguin Random House and Macmillan Publishers to smaller independent presses and self-publishing platforms. Each of these entities plays a crucial role in bringing diverse stories and perspectives to life.

Literary fiction, non-fiction, and young adult genres are among the most popular categories in the industry, with many publishing companies specializing in these areas. The rise of self-publishing has also opened new doors for writers, allowing them to publish their work independently and retain creative control. This shift has been further accelerated by the advent of digital publishing, which has transformed the way readers consume and interact with written content.

These are the 10 best book publishing companies in the world:

1. Penguin Random House

This literary powerhouse was born in 2013 from the merger of Penguin Group and Random House, two of the biggest names in the industry. Known for some of the most celebrated books of our time, this duo has published over 100,000 e-books.

Although based in New York, Penguin Random House has a global presence with operations spanning 20 countries. There’s a very small chance that you can land a deal with them, but if you want to try your luck, start by getting an agent!

Genres: Literary fiction, non-fiction, commercial fiction, children’s books, cookbooks, classic literature, memoir, history, politics, business, and crime

2. Harper Collins

Harper Collins is a global publishing titan that has been captivating readers since 1989. With headquarters in New York, Harper Collins operates in 17 countries worldwide. 

Harper Collins isn’t just any publishing house—it’s an amalgamation of various imprints, each with its own unique style and genre. From William Morrow’s bestselling thrillers to Avon’s swoon-worthy romances, Harper Collins has mastered the art of creating best-sellers across genres.

Genres: Fiction and non-fiction, children’s books, young adult, commercial fiction, memoir, history, politics, and poetry

3. Simon and Schuster

With over 35 imprints and more than 2,000 books published annually, Simon and Schuster is a prominent figure in the publishing industry. Simon and Schuster is open to accepting unsolicited manuscripts. An agent is not necessary!

Simon and Schuster boasts 57 Pulitzer Prizes, among other prominent awards. In the year 2021, they had a total of 219 New York Times bestsellers, with 29 #1 bestsellers!

Simon and Schuster is committed to producing high-quality physical books, ensuring that their printed editions make a strong impression on readers.

Genres: Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, young adult, memoir, biography, history, politics, and self-help.

4. Macmillan Publishers

Founded in 1843, Macmillan Publishers has become one of the best book publishing companies in all of Britain. This publishing company now has over 10 imprints spanning across the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa, Australia, and India.

With over 6,000 bestselling books, Macmillan Publishers is a major player in the publishing industry. From W. B. Yeats to Toni Morrison and every other notable writer in between, Macmillan has published for them all. Macmillan also offers transparent pricing for their publishing services, ensuring authors understand the financial investment required.

Genres: Literary fiction, commercial fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, young adult, memoir, biography, history, and politics

5. Hachette Book Group

The Hatchette Book Group is one of the top book publishing companies in the United States. It has an incredible catalog of over 2,100 adult books, 500 children’s books, and 750 audiobook titles. Hachette is committed to moving forward with innovative publishing solutions, ensuring a successful and lasting relationship with authors.

The Hatchette Book Group is also the recipient of various prestigious awards such as the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, Booker Prize, and the Nobel Peace Prize.

Genres: Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, young adult, memoir, biography, history, and politics

6. John Wiley and Sons

John Wiley and Sons is a publishing company that was founded in 1807 and has since grown to become one of the leading publishing houses for educational books and journals. 

It is also the publisher of famous literary figures such as James Fenimore Cooper, Washington Irving, Herman Melville, and even Edgar Allan Poe. John Wiley and Sons gives opportunities to novice writers by accepting unsolicited manuscripts and provides free resources to help authors prepare their submissions. 

Genres: Academic journals, professional, and reference materials

7. Merriam-Webster

Founded in 1831 by brothers George and Charles Merriam, Merriam-Webster has grown to be one of the leading publishers of reference books all over the world.

Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, Merriam-Webster has been a subsidiary of Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. since 1964. Their dedication to creating authoritative, up-to-date reference works has earned them a place at the forefront of the publishing industry. Merriam-Webster is committed to dealing with authors fairly and transparently, ensuring a supportive and legitimate publishing experience.

Genres: Reference books and dictionaries

8. Scholastic 

Founded in 1920, Scholastic is an American publishing company that creates children’s books, comics, and educational materials. Scholastic has become one of the leading publishers of children’s books all over the world by publishing books in over 40 languages. As a partner in children’s education and literacy, Scholastic supports authors by providing guidance and resources while ensuring their creative control is maintained.

It also inspires and educates children by creating engaging content that encourages exploration and growth, and also by holding book fairs all over the world.

Genres: Children’s educational material, books, and comics

9. Pearson

With over 160 million users worldwide, Pearson has a long history of producing innovative and effective educational materials. Authors can collaborate with Pearson to create content for students and instructors alike, focusing on the individual needs of each person in the educational process.

Pearson has established itself to be a major player in the book publishing industry. Their books are designed to meet the needs of learners at all levels, from elementary school to college and beyond.

Genres: Education, learning material

10. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

A prominent educational publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, has its headquarters located in Boston, Massachusetts. Over the years, the company has established itself as a leader in the field of educational materials, providing innovative resources to enhance learning experiences. Authors can rest assured knowing Houghton Mifflin Harcourt provides comprehensive support throughout the publishing process.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has a diverse range of learning materials, including textbooks and educational resources for teachers and students alike. With their headquarters in Boston, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt continues to be a driving force in the field of education.

Genres: Education, learning material

We hope this list of the 10 best book publishing companies helped you put some names in your publishing calendar. If you’d like to keep reading, here are some more of our articles:

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Tanvi

With a foundation in Life Sciences, Tanvi enjoys curating technical writing tips tailored for ESL students. When she's not translating complex concepts into bite-sized nuggets, she can be found playing with dogs or painting landscapes.