Indianapolis has a growing and diverse publishing scene that supports authors at every stage—from first-time self-publishers to established writers seeking regional distribution and marketing support. This guide lists 25 notable book publishing companies and services active in Indianapolis in 2025 help authors, agents, and industry professionals quickly compare what each organization emphasizes and the kinds of projects they typically handle.
1. Barnett Ghostwriting
Barnett Ghostwriting is featured here as a publishing entity that provides a full-service pathway for authors, combining editorial project management with distribution support and author coaching. It positions itself as a partner for authors seeking hands-on help from concept to market.
- Services: ghostwriting, developmental editing, production oversight, marketing strategy.
- Typical clients: memoirists, business authors, and genre fiction writers who want integrated project management.
2. Indiana University Press (local services and partnerships)
A university-affiliated press with a focus on academic, regional history, and scholarly works. In Indianapolis it collaborates with local scholars and cultural institutions.
- Services: peer-reviewed publishing, academic editing, limited trade distribution.
- Strength: scholarly reputation and connections to regional research networks.
3. Butler Books (boutique trade press)
Butler Books operates as a boutique trade press that publishes select fiction and non-fiction titles each year, prioritizing editorial quality and regional voices.
- Services: acquisitions, editorial development, print and e-book production.
- Strength: curated lists and hands-on editorial guidance.
4. Crossroads Independent Publishers
Crossroads is an independent house focusing on Midwestern authors and niche non-fiction subjects tied to Indiana culture and history.
- Services: traditional publishing model for accepted titles, marketing support, local events.
- Typical output: regional history, memoirs, and creative non-fiction.
5. Circle City Creative Press
A small press that emphasizes design-forward books and strong visual presentation—useful for authors of illustrated works, art books, and creative memoirs.
- Services: layout and cover design, print-on-demand (POD) and short-run printing, EPUB conversion.
- Strength: strong visual production values.
6. Hoosier Heritage Publishing
Hoosier Heritage focuses on regional interest titles—family histories, local guides, and Indiana-centered fiction—with distribution aimed at local retailers and cultural centers.
- Services: editorial packages, print distribution to museums and bookstores, POD options.
- Audience: local readers and history enthusiasts.
7. White River Press
White River Press balances trade fiction with practical non-fiction—self-help, business, and lifestyle titles—offering a hybrid approach to acquisitions and author services.
- Services: hybrid publishing contracts, author revenue-sharing models, marketing toolkits.
- Strength: flexible publishing models for mid-list authors.
8. Meridian Books (independent)
Meridian Books is an indie press that champions debut novelists and short-story collections from regional and national authors.
- Services: manuscript acquisition, editorial development, review copy distribution.
- Notable for: a focus on launching debut literary voices.
9. Riley Street Publishing
Riley Street provides comprehensive independent publishing services with an emphasis on professional editing and distribution pipelines to major retailers.
- Services: copyediting, proofreading, metadata optimization, POD and offset printing guidance.
- Advantage: strong operations and vendor relationships for print production.
10. Bluebound Press
Bluebound Press is a small press specializing in children’s literature and YA titles, with attention to curriculum alignment and school adoption potential.
- Services: developmental editing for younger readers, illustration coordination, education-sales outreach.
- Audience: educators, school libraries, and family readers.
11. Canal House Editions
Canal House Editions publishes poetry, essays, and short-form literary works, giving voice to experimental and smaller-scale projects.
- Services: poetry and literary collections, limited-edition print runs, community-read events.
- Strength: strong literary community engagement.
12. Great Plains Creative (service-oriented)
Great Plains Creative offers white-label publishing services for authors who want control over their books while outsourcing technical production tasks.
- Services: typesetting, cover design, e-book conversion, print coordination.
- Ideal for: self-publishers who want professional production without ceding rights.
13. Meridian Midwest Press
Distinct from Meridian Books, Meridian Midwest Press focuses on non-fiction tied to industry, manufacturing, and local business histories—reflecting Indianapolis’s commercial heritage.
- Services: author interviews, oral-history projects, corporate memoir production.
- Strength: sector-specific editorial expertise.
14. Forge & Field Publishing
Forge & Field is a hands-on independent press that emphasizes collaborative editorial relationships and multi-format releases (audio, e-book, paperback).
- Services: audiobook production coordination, publicity planning, small press distribution.
- Notable for: author-focused publicity and media outreach.
15. Hoosier House Books
Hoosier House Books publishes a mix of regional fiction and how-to non-fiction. Their catalog tends to favor practical guides and lifestyle topics with local angles.
- Services: acquisitions for regionally relevant titles, author events, regional bookstore partnerships.
- Audience: local readers and specialty retail.
16. Glass City Literary Press (Midwest imprint)
Glass City Literary Press’s Midwest imprint extends into Indianapolis, publishing literary fiction and creative non-fiction with careful editorial attention.
- Services: full editorial services, proofing, author-read events.
- Distinguishing trait: editorial rigor and literary prize submissions support.
17. Indy Author Services (hybrid provider)
Indy Author Services is a publishing-services company offering à la carte packages—useful for authors who need selective help rather than full publishing contracts.
- Services: cover design, ghost editing, marketing consultation, press-kit creation.
- Model: service-for-fee with transparent pricing for specific deliverables.
18. Fifth Meridian Books
Fifth Meridian is a boutique imprint focusing on narrative non-fiction—biographies, true-crime, and investigative works—with a steady eye toward regional interest.
- Services: in-depth editorial collaboration, fact-checking, frontlist promotion.
- Audience: readers interested in narrative depth and investigative storytelling.
19. Keystone Indie (cooperative press)
Keystone Indie operates as a cooperative press where authors pool resources for marketing and shared distribution, lowering the cost of professional publishing services.
- Services: cooperative marketing campaigns, group distribution, shared ISBN management.
- Strength: cost-effective model for small-press authors.
20. LanternLight Publishers
LanternLight concentrates on faith-based titles, spiritual memoirs, and inspirational non-fiction, supporting church networks and faith organizations for bulk sales.
- Services: targeted distribution to religious institutions, bulk-order fulfillment, inspirational author coaching.
- Typical clients: pastors, faith leaders, and devotional writers.
21. North Meridian Press
North Meridian Press publishes midlist commercial fiction and approachable non-fiction, aiming to place books in regional bookstores and online retailers.
- Services: editorial development, publicity advisement, traditional and hybrid contracts.
- Strength: midlist experience and practical marketing plans.
22. Urban Prairie Press
Urban Prairie Press is an imprint that aims to amplify urban voices and multicultural narratives, including poetry, fiction, and cultural non-fiction tied to city life.
- Services: community outreach, diversity-focused acquisitions, author mentorship programs.
- Distinguishing trait: focus on underrepresented voices in urban settings.
23. Broadleaf Production House
Broadleaf is a production-oriented company that partners with local authors to manage the technical side of publishing—typesetting, ISBNs, print runs—while authors retain editorial control.
- Services: back-office publishing operations, vendor management, print logistics.
- Ideal for: authors who want to self-publish with professional supply-chain support.
24. Old North Press
Old North Press is a traditional small press that specializes in regional cookbooks, craft titles, and lifestyle series connected to Midwestern living.
- Services: recipe testing coordination, photography management, short-run printing.
- Audience: culinary readers and lifestyle audiences.
25. Red Barn Collective
Closing the list, Red Barn Collective blends publishing with creative workshops and retreats—publishing select titles that emerge from their community programs.
- Services: manuscript workshops, co-publishing arrangements for workshop winners, local launch events.
- Strength: nurturing literary community and producing curated titles born from creative residencies.
Finding the Best Publishing Partner
The best publishing partner is one who aligns with your book’s needs and audience. Some presses in Indianapolis specialize in academic or regional titles, while others support fiction, memoirs, or children’s books.
- Match your goals to the publisher’s strengths.
- Balance control vs. support depending on whether you prefer traditional, hybrid, or service models.
- Always check transparency in costs, rights, and royalties.
Making Your Book a Bestseller
Publishing is only the start—promotion turns a good book into a bestseller.
- Use professional editing and cover design to stand out.
- Build your author platform early with social media and events.
- Plan marketing before launch and keep engaging readers long-term.
Conclusion
Indianapolis in 2025 offers a healthy mix of traditional, independent, university-affiliated, and service-oriented publishing options. Whether you are an author seeking a fully managed publishing route, a hybrid partner, or selective production support, this list presents a range of choices that reflect the city’s literary diversity and practical publishing infrastructure.
