The ‘London Bias’ of publishing is something which is regularly brought up. Following my soapbox the other month, I thought I would put my money where my mouth is and provide a directory of non-London publishers.

There are some caveats – as these publishers are generally independent, they are much smaller than the London-based media companies. That means they are often not able to pay as large a salary, there are fewer jobs, and they may not be able to offer internships or work experience. Where this has been explicitly stated, I have tried to note that.

However, many of these publishers are award-winning, industry leading, and creatively exciting, publishing high quality books and exciting works. They also often provide key representation for marginalised voices, promoting work from communities who are overlooked in the wider industry.

This directory is an organic thing – if I have missed a publisher, or a publisher is no longer in business, please let me know and I will update this with new information.

Aside from Publishers, there are also a number of excellent resources which I used to help compile this list, and which would be valuable to check out:

• Writing West Midlands
• Writing East Midlands
• Regional branches of the SYP
• The Northern Fiction Alliance,
• Salt Publishing’s excellent map of independent publishers in the UK.

Publishing Scotland already has an extremely comprehensive list of publishers in Scotland, which is why I have not featured any Scottish publishers on this list.  The same goes for Northern Ireland, whose list I cross-referenced with the publishers I found and realised I was just reinventing the wheel. Northern Ireland and Scotland are clearly On It in terms of making publishing accessible.

It would also be worth checking out the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, which also lists literary agencies and is updated annually. This does require a paid subscription for online access, and the up to date hard copy edition costs approximately £25.

These have been grouped broadly by geographical location, but my geography is pretty hazy. So if there are any strange jumps, that’s on me.

NORTH WEST | NORTH EAST | MIDLANDS | EAST ANGLIA | WALES | THE SOUTH

NORTH WEST

• Café Royal Books, Southport
  • https://www.caferoyalbooks.com/
  • Photobooks and zines

• Liverpool University Press, Liverpool
  • https://liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk
  • Academic

• Dead Ink Books, Liverpool
  • https://deadinkbooks.com/
  • Experimental and literary works

• The Tripe Marketing Board, Liverpool
  • https://tripemarketingboard.co.uk
  • er… Tripe.

• Knives, Forks and Spoons Press, Newton-le-Willows
  • http://knivesforksandspoonspress.co.uk/
  • Poetry
• Comma Press, Manchester
  • http://commapress.co.uk/
  • Short stories and literary fiction

• Manchester University Press, Manchester
  • https://www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk
  • Academic – specialising in Humanities and Social Sciences

• Seven Arches Publishing, Manchester
  • http://www.sevenarchespublishing.co.uk
  • Children’s and educational

• Saraband, Manchester (Previously Glasgow)
  • https://saraband.net/
  • Trade fiction and non-fiction

• Dog Horn Publishing, Manchester
  • http://www.doghornpublishing.com/wordpress/
  • Cutting edge cross-genre literature

• Nightjar Press, Manchester
  • http://nightjarpress.weebly.com/
  • Short story chapbooks

• Carcanet Press, Manchester
  • http://www.carcanet.co.uk/
  • Poetry, literary fiction, memoir and essays

• CGP, Broughton-in-Furness, Cumbria
  • https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk
  • Education, study guides

• Handstand Press, Dent, Cumbria
  • http://handstandpress.net
  • Local interest and local writers

• Hayloft Publishing, Staveley, Cumbria
  • http://www.hayloft.eu
  • Mixed trade

• Arc Publications, Todmorden
  • www.arcpublications.co.uk/index
  • Poetry, music

• Carnegie Publishing, Lancaster
  • http://www.carnegiepublishing.co.uk
  • Non-fiction – history and heritage

• Green Arrow Publishing, Stacup, Lancashire
  • http://www.greenarrowpublishing.com
  • Collaborative publishing and editorial advisory services

• Milo Books, Preston
  • http://milobooks.com
  • Non-fiction – sport and true crime

• Matthew James Publishing, Stockport
  • https://matthewjamespublishing.com/
  • Religious fiction, non-fiction and educational resources

• Tiny Tree Books, Stockport
  • https://tinytreebooks.com/
  • Children’s

• Moormaid Press, Macclesfield
  • http://www.moormaidpress.co.uk/
  • Poetry

NORTH EAST

• Sacristy Press, Durham
  • https://www.sacristy.co.uk/
  • Theology, history and historical fiction

• Myrmidon Books, Newcastle
  • http://myrmidonbooks.com/
  • Commercial and literary fiction

• Red Squirrel Press, Newcastle
  • http://www.redsquirrelpress.com/
  • Poetry

• Bloodaxe Books, Hexham
  • http://www.bloodaxebooks.com/
  • Poetry

• Yorkshire Publishing, York
  • https://yorkshirepublishing.com
  • Trade fiction, non-fiction, children’s

• Stairwell Books, York
  • http://www.stairwellbooks.co.uk/
  • Poetry, short stories, debut fiction

• Jeremy Mills Publishing, Huddersfield
  • jeremymillspublishing.co.uk
  • Publishing solutions, specialist

• Fantastic Books Publishing, East Yorkshire
  • www.fantasticbooksstore.com
  • Trade fiction and non-fiction

• Bluemoose Books, Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire
  • https://bluemoosebooks.com
  • Trade – adult fiction and non-fiction

• Naked Eye Publishing, Settle
  • http://nakedeyepublishing.co.uk/
  • Poetry, literary fiction and non-fiction, criticism

• Valley Press, Scarborough
  • http://www.valleypressuk.com/
  • Poetry, fiction, non-fiction

• Smokestack Books, Ripon
  • http://smokestack-books.co.uk/
  • Poetry

• Wrecking Ball Press, Hull
  • http://wreckingballpress.com/
  • Poetry, literary fiction

• Barbican Press, Hull
  • http://www.barbicanpress.com/
  • Literary fiction

• Route Publishing, Pontefract
  • http://www.route-online.com/
  • Literary fiction, short stories, poetry

• Scratching Shed Publishing, Leeds
  • www.scratchingshedpublishing.com
  • Sports publishing – Rugby

• Peepal Tree Press, Leeds
  • http://www.peepaltreepress.com/
  • Writing from the Caribbean and the Caribbean diaspora

• Emerald Global, Bingley
  • https://www.emeraldpublishing.com
  • Business and management professional and academic publishing

• And Other Stories, Sheffield
  • http://www.andotherstories.org/
  • Literary fiction and translated works

• Vertebrate Publishing, Sheffield
  • https://www.v-publishing.co.uk/
  • Non-fiction – outdoor activities

• Tilted Axis Press, Sheffield
  • https://www.tiltedaxispress.com/
  • International literature
  • non-profit publisher

• The Poetry Business, Sheffield
  • http://www.poetrybusiness.co.uk/
  • Poetry

• Longbarrow Press, Sheffield
  • https://longbarrowpress.com/
  • Poetry

MIDLANDS

• Immanion Press, Stafford
  • http://www.immanion-press.com/
  • Sci-fi, fantasy fiction and esoteric non-fiction

• Fair Acre Press, Owestry, Shropshire
  • http://www.fairacrepress.co.uk/
  • Poetry and art books

• Penteract Press, Owestry, Shropshire
  • https://penteractpress.com/
  • Experimental poetry leaflets and chapbooks

• Verse Publishing, Telford, Shropshire
  • http://versepublishing.com/
  • Multi-genre

• Bare Fiction, Shrewsbury
  • http://www.barefictionmagazine.co.uk/
  • Poetry, fiction, theatre review

• Ward Wood Publishing, Shrewsbury
  • http://www.wardwoodpublishing.co.uk/
  • Poetry and literary fiction

• Penkhull Press, Stoke-on-Trent
  • https://thepenkhullpress.wordpress.com/
  • All genres

• Alchemy Press, Stoke-on-Trent
  • https://alchemypress.wordpress.com/
  • Fantasy and horror

• Templar Poetry, Matlock, Derbyshire
  • https://templarpoetry.com
  • Poetry and Fiction

• Hi Vis Press, Kirkby in Ashfield, Derbyshire
  • https://www.hi-vispress.com/
  • Poetry, prose, photography, journalism

• Sweet Cherry Publishing, Leicester
  • www.sweetcherrypublishing.com
  • YA, Childrens

• Tudor Rose, Leicester
  • http://www.tudor-rose.co.uk
  • Publishing and marketing services

• Dahlia Publishing, Leicester
  • http://www.dahliapublishing.co.uk/
  • Regional and diverse fiction

• Monsoon Books, Melton Mowbray
  • http://www.monsoonbooks.co.uk/
  • Books based in South East Asia, or written by South East Asian authors.

• Fox Spirit Books, Husbands Bosworth, Lutterworth
  • http://www.foxspirit.co.uk/
  • Fiction – Sci fi, fantasy, horror, crime

• Troubadour Publishing, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire
  • https://www.troubador.co.uk/
  • Indie (Indie-Go), self-publishing (Matador) and traditional publishing house (The Book Guild).

• Trigger Press, Newark
  • http://www.trigger-press.com/
  • Non-fiction, mental health awareness

• Angry Robot, Nottingham
  • https://www.angryrobotbooks.com
  • Sci Fi and Fantasy trade, owned by Watkins Media

• Candlestick Press, Nottingham
  • http://www.candlestickpress.co.uk/
  • Poetry pamphlets

• Mud Press, Nottingham
  • http://www.mudpress.co.uk/
  • Poetry

• Black Library, Nottingham
  • https://www.blacklibrary.com/
  • Sci Fi and Fantasy Warhammer tie-in novels, owned by Games Workshop

• Five Leaves, Nottingham
  • https://fiveleaves.co.uk
  • Literary fiction, non-fiction, poetry

• Shoestring Press, Nottingham
  • http://www.shoestringpress.co.uk/
  • Poetry

• Mother’s Milk Books, Plumtree, Nottinghamshire
  • https://www.mothersmilkbooks.com/
  • Women-centric books, focus on pregnancy, breastfeeding and motherhood

• Igloo Books, Northamptonshire
  • https://igloobooks.com
  • Autumn Publishing is an imprint
  • Children’s, owned by Bonnier

• The Myrtle Press, Northmapton
  • http://www.themyrtlepress.com/
  • Non-fiction, specialising in biographies

• Nine Arches, Rugby, Warwickshire
  • http://www.ninearchespress.com
  • Poetry

• Offa’s Press, West Midlands
  • http://offaspress.co.uk
  • Poetry

• The Alchemy Press, West Midlands
  • https://alchemypress.wordpress.com/
  • Fiction – fantasy
  • The Alchemy Press state on their website they are unable to offer internships or employment

• The Greville Press, Warwick
  • http://www.haroldpinter.org/poetry/poetry_greville.shtml
  • Poetry pamphlets

• Silhouette Press, Coventry
  • http://silhouettepress.co.uk
  • Poetry

• Fantom Publishing, Coventry
  • https://www.fantompublishing.co.uk
  • Audio books, biography, non-fiction, classics and original fiction

• Flarestack Poets, Birmingham
  • http://www.flarestackpoets.co.uk
  • Poetry

• Foxwell Press, Birmingham
  • http://www.facebook.com/FoxwellPress
  • Historical fiction and non-fiction

• Transforming Cities, Birmingham
  • http://www.transformingcities.co.uk/
  • Architecture and urban improvement

• The Emma Press, Birmingham
  • https://theemmapress.com/
  • Poetry
  • Cannot offer internships or work experience, unless posted in their newsletter

• Crowded Quarantine Publications, Wolverhampton
  • http://www.crowdedquarantine.co.uk/
  • Sci-fi, fantasy and horror fiction

• Pegasus Publishers, Cambridge
  • https://pegasuspublishers.com/
  • fiction, non-fiction, poetry, children’s

• Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
  • https://www.cambridge.org
  • Academic

• NewCon Press, Alconbury, Cambridgeshire
  • http://www.newconpress.co.uk/
  • Sci-Fi, fantasy and horror fiction, further imprint for genre non-fiction.

• Bird’s Nest Books, March, Cambridgeshire
  • http://birdsnestbooks.co.uk/
  • Commercial and literary fiction for adults, YA and children

• Lepus Books, Hartwell
  • http://lepusbooks.co.uk/
  • Diverse authors, fiction
  • Not accepting submissions

• Hodder Education, Banbury/London
  • https://www.hoddereducation.co.uk
  • Education, owned by Hachette

• Kristell Ink/Grimbold Books, Banbury
  • http://www.kristell-ink.com/
  • http://www.grimboldbooks.com/
  • Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Dark fiction

• Ayebia Clarke Publishing, Banbury
  • http://www.ayebia.co.uk
  • African and Caribbean literature

• Oxford University Press, Oxford
  • https://global.oup.com
  • Academic

• YouCaxton, Oxford
  • http://www.youcaxton.co.uk/
  • Non-fiction, local history, biography, memoir

• Snowbooks, Thame, Oxfordshire
  • http://www.snowbooks.com/
  • Sci-Fi, fantasy and horror fiction

• ignitionpress, Oxford
  • https://www.brookes.ac.uk/poetry-centre/ignition-press/
  • Poetry, part of the Oxford Brookes poetry centre

• Clutag Press, Thame, Oxfordshire
  • https://www.clutagpress.com/
  • Poetry, memoir.

• Inspired Quill, Whitney, Oxfordshire
  • http://www.inspired-quill.com/
  • Literary fiction, commerical sci-fi, fantasy and YA

• The Onslaught Press, Oxford
  • http://onslaughtpress.com/
  • Poetry, illustrated books, literary fiction

• Fairlight Books, Oxford
  • http://www.fairlightbooks.co.uk/
  • Literary fiction and short stories

• Rebellion Publishing, Oxford
  • http://www.rebellionpublishing.com/
  • Comics, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, crime

• Wiley Global, Oxford
  • https://www.wiley.com/
  • Academic publishing
  • Also has offices in Chichester

• Guppy Books, Oxford
  • https://www.guppybooks.co.uk
  • Children’s books

EAST ANGLIA

• Full Circle Editions, Ipswich
  • http://www.fullcircle-editions.co.uk/
  • Fiction, non-fiction, poetry

• Gatehouse Press, Norwich
  • http://www.gatehousepress.com/
  • Poetry, short stories

• Dedalus Books, Sawtry
  • http://www.dedalusbooks.com/
  • Literary fiction and non-fiction, translations

• Salò Press, Norwich
  • http://salopress.weebly.com
  • Poetry and experimental fiction

• Galley Beggar Press, Norwich
  • https://www.galleybeggar.co.uk/
  • Short stories, literary fiction

• University of East Anglia Publishing Project, Norwich
  • https://www.ueapublishingproject.com/
  • Academic, translation, literary fiction

• Unthank Books, Norwich
  • https://www.unthankbooks.com/
  • Literary fiction and short stories

• Salt Publishing, Cromer
  • https://www.saltpublishing.com/
  • Contemporary British literature and poetry

• Red Hare Publishing, Holt
  • https://www.redharepublishing.co.uk/
  • Art books and environmental non-fiction

• BookLife Publishing, Kings Lynn
  • https://booklifepublishing.co.uk
  • Children’s non-fiction

SOUTH

• Absolute Press, Bath
  • www.absolutepress.co.uk
  • Food and drink books, trade, owned by Bloomsbury

• Amberley Books, Stroud, Gloucestershire
  • https://www.amberley-books.com
  • Non-fiction – local and specialist history

• Edward Elgar Press, Cheltenham
  • https://www.e-elgar.com
  • Professional and academic publishing

• Five Seasons Press, Hereford
  • http://www.fiveseasonspress.com/
  • Poetry, essays, graphics and translations

• Oldcastle Books, Harpenden
  • http://www.oldcastlebooks.co.uk/
  • Trade fiction

• Practical Inspiration Publishing, Tadley, Hampshire
  • https://practicalinspiration.com/
  • Mostly non-fiction, professional publishing, some children’s fiction

• The History Press, Brimscombe, Stroud
  • https://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/
  • Non-fiction, history

• Hawthorn Press, Stroud
  • https://www.hawthornpress.com/
  • Parenting, educational, children’s books

• Awen Publications, Stroud
  • https://www.awenpublications.co.uk/
  • Fiction, poetry, literary non-fiction

• Child’s Play International, Swindon
  • http://www.childs-play.com/
  • Children’s books and education resources

• Alanna Books, Slough
  • http://www.alannabooks.com/
  • Children’s books, specialising in inclusivity.

• Bristol University Press (Policy Press), Bristol
  • bristoluniversitypress.co.uk
  • Academic

• Tangent Books, Bristol
  • https://www.tangentbooks.co.uk/
  • Fiction, non-fiction, art books

• Shearsman Books, Bristol
  • http://www.shearsman.com/
  • Poetry

• Sad Press, Bristol
  • https://sadpresspoetry.wordpress.com/
  • Poetry

• Hesterglock Press, Bristol
  • https://hesterglockpress.wordpress.com/
  • Poetry, essay anthologies

• SilverWood, Bristol
  • http://www.silverwoodbooks.co.uk/
  • Self-publishing

• Arkbound Foundation, Bristol
  • https://arkbound.ac.uk/
  • Academic and research publishing on economics, ecology, biology, political science, and physics

• Guillemot Press, Falmouth
  • https://guillemotpress.wordpress.com/
  • Illustrated poetry and single-story pamphlets

• Indigo Dreams Publishing, Hawill, Devon
  • http://www.indigodreams.co.uk/
  • Poetry pamphlets, collections and anthologies

• Impress Books, Exeter
  • impress-books.co.uk
  • Crime, historical and literary fiction, specialising in new writers

• Notting Hill Editions, Broadhembury, Honiton
  • https://www.nottinghilleditions.com/
  • Essays and non-fiction

• Uniform Books, Axminster
  • http://www.colinsackett.co.uk/uniformbookshome.php
  • Visual and literary arts, cultural geography and history, bibliographic studies

• The Sundial Press, Sherborne
  • http://www.sundialpress.co.uk/
  • Literary fiction, out of print editions

• Alexander & Brook, Swaythling
  • http://alexanderandbrook.co.uk/
  • Poetry, chapbooks, literary journal

• Myriad Editions, Brighton
  • http://myriadeditions.com/
  • Fiction, graphic novels, politics

• Allardyce Barnett, Lewes
  • http://www.abar.net/
  • Music and literary fiction

• Silkworms Ink, Whatlington
  • http://www.silkwormsink.com/
  • Poetry, chapbooks, fiction, non-fiction, plays, music and events

• Paper Swans Press, Tunbridge Wells
  • http://paperswans.co.uk/
  • Poetry, flash fiction – anthologies and pamphlets

• Reality Street, Hastings
  • http://www.realitystreet.co.uk
  • Poetry, experimental fiction
  • no longer publishing new titles, maintaining a backlist.

• Caffeine Nights Publishing, Chatham
  • http://www.caffeinenights.com/
  • Crime and horror fiction

• Elsewhen Press, Dartford
  • http://elsewhen.co.uk/
  • Speculative fiction

• Two Rivers Press, Reading
  • http://tworiverspress.com/
  • Local history, poetry

• Wiley Global, Chichester
  • https://www.wiley.com/
  • Academic publishing
  • Also has offices in Oxford

WALES

• Cinnamon Press, Blaenau Ffestiniog, North Wales
  • https://www.cinnamonpress.com/
  • Mixed genre
• Honno Press, Aberystwyth
  • https://www.honno.co.uk/
  • Welsh women’s writing
  • Job enquiries to post@honno.co.uk, work experience enquiries to helena.earnshaw@honno.co.uk

• Graffeg Ltd, Llangennech, South Wales
  • https://www.graffeg.com/
  • Illustrated books

• Cambria Books, Llandello
  • https://www.cambriabooks.co.uk/
  • Author services

• Blackheath Books, Narberth
  • http://www.blackheathbooks.org.uk/
  • Poetry

• Parthian Books, Swansea
  • https://www.parthianbooks.com/
  • Literary fiction

• Seren Books, Brigend
  • https://www.serenbooks.com/
  • Welsh English-language literature
  • Vacancies advertised on website, for work experience contact mickfelton@serenbooks.com

• The Cardiff Review, Cardiff
  • http://www.cardiffreview.com/
  • Poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction

• Firefly Press, Cardiff and Aberystwyth
  • http://www.fireflypress.co.uk
  • Children’s illustrated up to YA, primarily fiction

• Rowanvale Press, Cardiff
  • https://www.rowanvalebooks.com/
  • Self-publishing and author support

NORTHERN IRELAND

• Whittrick Press, Myroe, Limavady
  • http://whittrickpress.com/
  • Literary fiction

• Lagan Press, Belfast
  • http://www.laganpress.co/
  • Works of literary, artistic, social and cultural importance to the north of Ireland

• Blackstaff Press, Belfast
  • https://blackstaffpress.com/
  • Non-fiction, sports, Irish interest
  • Owned by Colourpoint Books

• Lapwing Press, Belfast
  • http://www.freewebs.com/lapwingpoetry/
  • Poetry

• Colourpoint Books, Newtownards
  • http://colourpoint.co.uk/
  • Publishing servies, as well as owning other companies which publish educational, transport and general interest books.