Science Fiction Book Publishers

Narrow down the list of science fiction fantasy publishers for your work
By Lisa J. Jackson, Writer / Editor Finding science fiction book publishers for your science fiction or fantasy manuscript is going to take some work. One general requirement for these markets is that you have a completed manuscript to submit. So before spending too much time researching the perfect market for your novel, write it, edit it, polish it and finish it.

The Internet offers resources at your fingertips so you don't need a clear idea of what you are looking for before starting a search of publishers. But you will easily become inundated with data if you don't have some type of focus. Keep the following in mind to help yourself start down the path to finding science fiction fantasy publishers:

1. Research the market only if you have a complete, clean, edited manuscript ready to submit.

2. Make sure your word count fits within the guidelines of your submission length -- novels are 100,000 words or more, while shorter works are novella-length.

3. Pursue the traditional sci-fi book publishers route or e-book markets, depending on your willingness to try alternative avenues for publication.

Submit strong manuscripts to well-known science fiction publishers

Compared to general fiction markets, science fiction and fantasy publishers, as a rule, seek manuscripts of 100,000 words or more. Story lines must contain strong plots and believable worlds.
Try:  Ralan's site offers numerous links to sci fi publishing companies. StoryPilot is a free searchable database of sci fi and fantasy publishers of novellas up to 80,000 words.

Find smaller presses that publish science fiction

It's common to find small presses that publish in e-book and traditional paperback. Some houses specialize in fantasy and science fiction, but keep your options open by considering a general fiction press.
Try:  Double Dragon Publishing offers e-book publication and full online store distribution as well as instore paperback distribution whenever possible. They publish fiction as well as non-fiction. The BookWire Index offers a listing of fantasy and sci-fi publishers. Whiskey Creek Press is open to fiction of all types, including science fiction and fantasy.

Identify some fantasy fiction publishers

The best way to identify a fantasy fiction publisher is to see who publishes the fantasy novels you enjoy reading. Most fantasy fiction publishing houses also publish science fiction, but there are a few that focus solely on fantasy.
Try:  Avari Press accepts unsolicited novel-length fantasy manuscripts at various times during the year, but when they reach capacity, it is best to query first. EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing, a subsidiary of Hades Publications, accepts novel-length sci-fi and fantasy manuscripts from new and established authors, but won't accept e-mailed submissions.

• Always check writers' and submission guidelines of science fiction publishing houses before submitting your work. Follow the guidelines exactly to avoid instant rejection.
• Join online genre-specific writing groups, participate in critique groups, and join professional organizations to get leads on where to submit your work.
• Network with other sci-fi and fantasy writers. You can even find scifi book publishers on MySpace and Facebook because they want to be more accessible to the public.