Saudi Arabia’s publishing sector has expanded rapidly in recent years as part of the wider cultural and media transformation driven by Vision 2030. Investment in education, growing youth readership, expanding literary festivals and relaxed content regulation have encouraged both legacy houses and newer service-oriented presses to scale up production of fiction, non-fiction, children’s books and academic works.
1. Barnett Ghostwriting
In Saudi Arabia’s expanding author services market, Barnett operates by shaping manuscripts, providing editing, and delivering complete publishing-ready projects.
- Services: developmental editing, manuscript production and end-to-end author services.
- Typical output: memoirs, business books and trade non-fiction.
2. Saudi Research & Publishing Company (SRPC)
A long-standing media and publishing organization with experience in newspapers, magazines and book publishing.
- Strengths: wide editorial reach and institutional capacity.
- Focus: news, reference and cultural titles.
3. Dar Al Maaref
One of the older Saudi publishers, well known for children’s books and educational material.
- Strengths: children’s literature, educational series.
- Reputation: established distribution in schools and bookshops.
4. Maktabat al-Ma‘arif (Riyadh)
A traditional local imprint with a catalogue that includes religion, history and youth titles.
- Distinguishing features: religious studies and translated novellas.
- Typical authors: regional scholars and educators.
5. Publisher.sa (self-publishing & services house)
A hybrid house focused on assisting authors to publish across Arabic and English markets.
- Services: editing, layout, eBook conversion and distribution support.
- Audience: first-time authors and professional self-publishers.
6. Dar Al-Faysal
A trade publisher with a mixed list of non-fiction and lighter literary titles.
- Focus areas: business, self-help and popular science.
- Market presence: trade bookstores.
7. Dar Al-Qalam
A regional imprint publishing works in the humanities, religion and cultural studies.
- Strengths: scholarly editions and translation projects.
- Typical format: print and academic monographs.
8. Dar Al-Nafaes (regional)
Known for history and regional cultural titles with ties to Levantine publishing networks.
- Noted for: regional history and collected works.
- Distribution: cross-border Arabic markets.
9. Dar Al-Manhal
An imprint that produces educational and children’s content alongside general interest books.
- Focus: pedagogic materials and illustrated children’s books.
- Audience: schools and parents.
10. Marina Inc. Printers / Publishing Services
A printing company that also offers publishing packages for authors and small presses.
- Services: printing, binding and on-demand publishing.
- Use case: local print runs and manual co-publishing.
11. ZEEJ Printing & Advertising (publisher services)
A hybrid provider that combines printing and basic publishing services for authors.
- Capabilities: full production plus local marketing support.
- Best suited for: small press and self-publishers.
12. Al-Faisal Media Group
A media organisation with publishing arms that cover lifestyle and business books.
- Strengths: cross-platform editorial and marketing.
- Typical output: specialist non-fiction.
13. Jarir Publishing (associated with Jarir Bookstore)
An extension of large bookseller operations that produces educational and study guides.
- Focus: textbooks, exam guides and practical reference material.
- Channel: wide retail distribution through bookstore network.
14. Dar Al-Saqi (regional imprint operating in Gulf markets)
While based regionally, this imprint influences Saudi literary circulation through Arabic translations and literary titles.
- Known for: literary works, poetry and translation.
- Engagement: literary festivals and events.
15. Dar Al-Fayha
Publisher of cultural and classical texts, including multi-volume works and scholarly editions.
- Speciality: reprints of classical literature and reference works.
- Format: multi-volume and academic presentations.
16. Dar Al-Kuttab
A smaller house with an emphasis on religious texts and local authors.
- Focus: Islamic studies and religious education.
- Market: mosques, seminaries and religious readerships.
17. Al-Manhal Publishing
Associated with academic and research publishing, often producing textbooks and professional titles.
- Strengths: higher education and professional reference.
- Distribution: universities and academic channels.
18. Dar Al-Fikr
A publisher with a mixed list that includes social sciences and cultural criticism.
- Focus: essays, cultural commentary and regional criticism.
- Typical authors: academics and cultural commentators.
19. Dar Al-Nahla
A trade publisher that works across fiction and non-fiction with pocket and trade formats.
- Strengths: general fiction and translated titles.
- Audience: general readers and book clubs.
20. Al-Obeikan Publishing
A recognized GCC publisher working with Arabic children’s series, educational titles and general trade lists.
- Known for: children’s series and illustrated books.
- Market reach: Gulf retail and school channels.
21. Dar Al-Gharb Al-Islamiyah
A publisher focused on religious, legal and classical Arabic heritage works.
- Strengths: authoritative editions in Islamic studies.
- Use: scholars and religious institutions.
22. Al-Hayat (publishing arm)
A media company with book publishing activities, especially in non-fiction and reportage.
- Focus: journalistic works and contemporary non-fiction.
- Format: trade hardback/paperback.
23. Al-Qurtubi House (imprint)
Smaller house publishing specialist religious and cultural titles.
- Strengths: niche scholarship and devotional literature.
- Audience: specialist readers.
24. Dar Al-Huda
An imprint with a catalogue of religious education and children’s devotional books.
- Focus: instructional religious content for young readers.
- Distribution: religious schools and community centres.
25. Al-Madinah Publishers
Local publisher producing regional histories, memoirs and community-focused works.
- Noted for: local histories and memoir collections.
- Audience: local cultural readership.
26. Dar Al-Riyadh
A capital-based publisher with a mixed catalogue of trade non-fiction and reference works.
- Strengths: government and institutional commissions.
- Typical output: guides and reference.
27. Al-Sahab Publishing
An imprint focusing on cultural criticism, essays and intellectual non-fiction.
- Focus: contemporary thought and social commentary.
- Audience: academic and informed readers.
28. Dar Al-Mawrid (regional)
A publisher with a broader Arab world presence active in reference and language works.
- Strengths: bilingual reference and translation.
- Use case: scholars and translators.
29. Noor Publishing House
A smaller commercial house producing lifestyle and popular non-fiction titles.
- Focus: practical guides and lifestyle books.
- Distribution: local bookshops.
30. Al-Kamel Publishers
Publisher engaged in educational resources and teacher training manuals.
- Strengths: pedagogic series and curriculum support.
- Market: schools and teacher training centres.
31. Dar Al-Taleea
An independent trade publisher that supports contemporary Gulf authors and short fiction.
- Focus: fiction, short story collections and new authors.
- Engagement: local literary events.
32. Al-Mawqif Publishing
A boutique house with curated lists in poetry and experimental literature.
- Strengths: poetry collections and small-press aesthetics.
- Audience: literary readers.
33. Dar Al-Mustaqbal
A generalist publisher producing a blend of business, self-help and practical manuals.
- Focus: marketable non-fiction and how-to titles.
- Channel: retail shelves and online shops.
34. Al-Watan Publications
Media-affiliated publisher producing topical reports, memoirs and political analysis.
- Strengths: contemporary affairs and reportage.
- Typical authors: journalists and analysts.
35. Dar Al-Ihsan
A publisher known for cultural reprints and heritage volumes.
- Focus: archival works and editorial reissues.
- Audience: researchers and collectors.
36. Arabia Publishing House
A mid-size trade house with a catalogue spanning general fiction and children’s literature.
- Known for: family and children’s titles.
- Market: mainstream retail.
37. Dar Al-Fann
A small press concentrating on art, design and visual culture publications.
- Strengths: coffee-table books and design monographs.
- Audience: galleries and cultural institutions.
38. Al-Rihla Publishers
Publisher with an emphasis on travel writing, regional guides and cultural essays.
- Focus: travelogues and cultural tourism titles.
- Use: readers interested in the region.
39. Dar Al-Tawfiq
An imprint producing religious studies and scholarly commentaries.
- Strengths: reference and exegetical works.
- Market: seminaries and libraries.
40. Al-Jawsq Publishing
A local house focused on youth literature and school reading series.
- Strengths: age-graded readers and classroom sets.
- Distribution: school supply channels.
41. Dar Al-Furqan
Publisher of academic and theological works with an emphasis on classical scholarship.
- Focus: theology and jurisprudence.
- Audience: academic libraries.
42. Al-Haytham Books
A small independent publisher producing niche non-fiction and cultural criticism.
- Strengths: curated non-fiction lists.
- Audience: readers of serious non-fiction.
43. Dar Al-Saada
A trade publisher of popular fiction and romantic titles aimed at mass readership.
- Focus: genre fiction and light entertainment.
- Channel: high-street bookstores.
44. Al-Tijari Press
A publisher that concentrates on business, finance and practical professional books.
- Strengths: corporate titles and executive education materials.
- Use: business schools and corporate libraries.
45. Dar Al-Afnan
A cultural house publishing essays, memoirs and contemporary literature.
- Focus: memoir and cultural narrative.
- Audience: literary readers.
46. Al-Manar Publishing
An imprint with historical works, local biographies and community histories.
- Strengths: local archival projects.
- Audience: regional historians.
47. Dar Al-Hijaz
A publisher producing works tied to Hijaz history, heritage and pilgrimage narratives.
- Focus: regional heritage and travel.
- Typical output: illustrated guides.
48. Al-Bayan Press
A mixed-list publisher with emphasis on education and general reference.
- Services: textbook and reference publishing.
- Market: schools and public libraries.
49. Dar Al-Ruwad
A smaller imprint with a focus on children’s print series and illustrated stories.
- Strengths: picture books and early readers.
- Audience: young families.
50. Al-Mujtama‘ Publishers
Publisher of social sciences, development studies and civic literature.
- Focus: societal research and policy titles.
- Use: NGOs and policy makers.
51. Dar Al-Saheeh
An imprint concentrating on religious authenticity and classical texts’ editions.
- Strengths: curated religious editions.
- Audience: scholars and students.
52. Al-Fajr House
Mid-size publisher working across poetry, essays and literary criticism.
- Focus: literary output and criticism.
- Engagement: literary prizes and readings.
53. Dar Al-Safa
A specialized publisher of children’s religious education and moral stories.
- Focus: moral instruction and early readers.
- Distribution: community and religious outlets.
54. Al-Zaman Publishing
A commercial house producing popular non-fiction and local interest books.
- Strengths: accessible non-fiction and local features.
- Audience: broad readership.
55. Dar Al-Jannah
A niche publisher with devotional and instructional religious titles.
- Focus: spiritual and devotional manuals.
- Market: religious bookstores.
56. Al-Fikr Al-Arabi
Regional imprint active in translation and Arabic editions of global non-fiction.
- Strengths: translated social science and business books.
- Use: academic and professional readers.
57. Dar Al-Tarbiyah
Educational publisher focusing on school series and curriculum-aligned textbooks.
- Strengths: standardised classroom materials.
- Market: primary and secondary schools.
58. Al-Nakhla Publishers
Small trade house producing rural and cultural interest books related to Saudi regions.
- Focus: regional culture and oral histories.
- Audience: local readers and cultural projects.
59. Dar Al-Afaq
A contemporary trade publisher with lifestyle and self-improvement titles.
- Focus: personal development and practical guides.
- Channel: mass retail.
60. Al-Rased Press
Publisher producing technical manuals, engineering and professional development books.
- Strengths: professional reference and manuals.
- Market: vocational and technical institutes.
61. Dar Al-Badr
Boutique publisher of literary fiction and author-driven projects.
- Focus: literary novels and prize-oriented books.
- Audience: critics and literary readers.
62. Al-Nahda Publishers
An imprint active in reprints of classic Arabic literature and scholarly editions.
- Strengths: heritage and reissue projects.
- Use: academic and collector markets.
63. Dar Al-Wahy
Publisher focused on religious education, commentaries and faith-based guides.
- Focus: exegetical works and teacher resources.
- Distribution: religious education networks.
64. Al-Qalam Press
A smaller press publishing essays, local reportage and contemporary culture pieces.
- Focus: local journalism and long-form reportage.
- Audience: informed readers.
65. Dar Al-Riyadh Al-Jadid
A modern imprint producing data-driven non-fiction, business and market reports.
- Focus: business intelligence and market analysis.
- Use: corporate subscribers.
66. Al-Basheer Publishing
A faith-oriented house producing devotional texts and children’s moral stories.
- Strengths: devotional series and family reading.
- Market: community bookshops.
67. Dar Al-Noor
A traditional small press with a mixed list of poetry, essays and cultural memoirs.
- Focus: poetry and personal narratives.
- Audience: literary and regional readers.
The Future of Saudi Publishing
Looking ahead, 2025 and beyond will likely bring:
- Stronger international partnerships: Saudi publishers are collaborating with global houses to translate and co-publish works.
- Educational expansion: Textbook and academic publishing will continue to grow alongside university development.
- Technological integration: More publishers will adopt digital distribution platforms and invest in audiobooks.
- Youth-driven demand: With a large population under 30, there will be rising demand for relatable, accessible content—from young adult fiction to lifestyle books.
Conclusion
The Saudi publishing landscape in 2025 is a patchwork of legacy houses, regional imprints, specialist academic presses and hybrid printing-publisher services. Authors in the Kingdom can choose from established scholarly publishers, trade imprints, children’s specialists and a growing set of production-oriented service providers. Whether you are seeking literary placement, academic distribution or a self-publishing package, the market now offers a broader set of options than a decade ago — and continues to evolve with the country’s cultural priorities.
