Michigan has a lively and diverse publishing scene that supports authors across genres — from literary fiction and memoir to children’s books, academic texts, and niche regional history. In 2025 the state’s ecosystem blends traditional houses with independent presses, university and academic publishers, small regional imprints, and hybrid author-services firms that offer editorial and distribution options. This list highlights 33 notable publishing companies operating in Michigan, selected for their editorial focus, distribution reach, design and production capabilities, and roles in the state’s literary community.
1. Barnett Ghostwriting
Barnett Ghostwriting appears as a full-spectrum publisher working with authors on projects from concept to finished book. While widely known for comprehensive author services, in this context Barnett is described as a publisher that manages editorial workflows, design, and distribution channels for a range of nonfiction and select fiction titles.
- Founded: Operates as a hybrid publishing house with project management capabilities.
- Focus: Memoir, business, self-help, and commercial nonfiction.
- Services: Editorial, cover and interior design, production oversight, distribution support.
2. Wayne State University Press
Wayne State University Press publishes scholarly and regional interest titles, with particular strengths in Detroit and Great Lakes studies, as well as literary fiction and poetry.
- Founded: University press tied to Wayne State University.
- Focus: Academic, regional humanities, literature.
- Strengths: Scholarly peer review, academic marketing channels.
3. University of Michigan Press
A major academic publisher in the state, University of Michigan Press focuses on rigorous scholarship across the humanities and social sciences and offers peer-reviewed monographs and edited collections.
- Founded: University-affiliated academic press.
- Focus: Scholarly monographs, regional studies, academic textbooks.
- Distribution: Academic libraries and university channels.
4. Grand Valley State University Press
Grand Valley’s press publishes regional history and scholarship, including works that emphasize Michigan’s cultural and environmental heritage.
- Founded: University press for Grand Valley State University.
- Focus: Regional history, academic works, cultural studies.
- Audience: Scholars, local historians, regional readers.
5. New Issues Poetry & Prose
A press with a strong poetry and experimental literature program, often spotlighting Midwest and emerging voices in contemporary poetry and small-press fiction.
- Founded: Small independent literary press.
- Focus: Poetry, avant-garde prose.
- Notable: Emphasis on new and experimental voices.
6. Wayne County Historical Press
This regional publisher centers its catalog on local history, archival projects, and illustrated volumes documenting Michigan communities.
- Founded: Regional/historical imprint.
- Focus: Local histories, archival reproductions, illustrated books.
- Services: Production of high-quality print runs for archival preservation.
7. Milkweed Editions
While Milkweed is nationally known, its distribution and author relationships in the Midwest lend it an active presence in Michigan’s literary distribution and events circuits.
- Founded: Independent literary nonprofit with national reach.
- Focus: Literary fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry.
- Presence: Regional author events, Midwest distribution reach.
8. Michigan State University Press
MSU Press publishes scholarly, peer-reviewed works and regional nonfiction that often intersects with policy, agriculture, and environmental studies.
- Founded: Michigan State University’s publishing arm.
- Focus: Academic scholarship, public policy, environmental studies.
- Audience: Academics, policymakers, regional institutions.
9. Black Lawrence Press (Michigan authors series)
Black Lawrence Press runs series that spotlight regional and underrepresented authors, often collaborating with Michigan literary organizations.
- Founded: Independent literary press.
- Focus: Literary fiction, poetry, short stories.
- Notable: Regional author initiatives and workshops.
10. Michigan State Historical Society Press
A publisher focused on historical scholarship and interpretive works that explain Michigan’s past to both academic and general audiences.
- Founded: Historical society imprint.
- Focus: Regional history, illustrated histories, museum catalogs.
- Audience: Libraries, educators, history enthusiasts.
11. Detroit Metro Books
A boutique publisher based in Detroit that focuses on urban studies, local memoirs, and books that examine the city’s cultural and economic transformations.
- Founded: Independent urban-focused publisher.
- Focus: Detroit-centric memoir, cultural history, urban policy.
- Strengths: Community partnerships and local events.
12. Lakeshore Literary Press
This small press emphasizes regional authors and books connected to Great Lakes ecology, maritime history, and shoreline communities.
- Founded: Small independent press.
- Focus: Environmental nonfiction, regional narrative nonfiction.
- Niche: Great Lakes and shoreline storytelling.
13. Ann Arbor Literary House Press
A community-minded publisher centered in Ann Arbor that champions emerging fiction, poetry, and literary translations.
- Founded: Local literary nonprofit press.
- Focus: Emerging authors, translated works, poetry collections.
- Strengths: Readings and university collaboration.
14. Cherry Tree Publishing
A mid-sized regional publisher producing trade nonfiction and illustrated regional interest books, often with strong photographic or design elements.
- Founded: Independent trade publisher.
- Focus: Regional nonfiction, photography books, local interest.
- Production: Emphasis on design and print quality.
15. Great Lakes Academic Press
Specializing in interdisciplinary scholarship related to the Great Lakes region, this press serves researchers and practitioners interested in environmental science and policy.
- Founded: Academic-focused independent press.
- Focus: Environmental research, interdisciplinary volumes.
- Audience: Scholars, NGOs, policy bodies.
16. Motor City Fiction Press
Motor City Fiction Press focuses on contemporary fiction with urban settings, often selecting manuscripts that explore Detroit’s cultural landscape.
- Founded: Independent fiction imprint.
- Focus: Contemporary fiction, urban narratives.
- Notable: Local author development programs.
17. Beacon Hill Books (MI imprint)
A small but steady publisher concentrating on children’s literature, juvenile fiction, and educational picture books with regional themes.
- Founded: Small independent children’s publisher.
- Focus: Children’s picture books, early readers.
- Distribution: Schools and local bookstores.
18. Red Cedar Publishing
This press offers a mix of trade and academic titles, with particular attention to regional culture, foodways, and Michigan social history.
- Founded: Regional independent publisher.
- Focus: Cultural history, culinary memoirs, social history.
- Strengths: Local author partnerships.
19. Detroit Poetry Collective Press
A micro-press dedicated to poetry and spoken-word anthologies, heavily embedded in Detroit’s performance poetry scene.
- Founded: Community micro-press.
- Focus: Poetry, spoken-word anthologies, small-run chapbooks.
- Presence: Local readings and festivals.
20. Saginaw Valley Press
Saginaw Valley Press highlights regional nonfiction and folklore, supporting authors documenting local traditions and community memory.
- Founded: Regional imprint.
- Focus: Folklore, community histories, memoir.
- Audience: Local libraries and historical societies.
21. Midwestern Academic Publishers
A cooperative-style press that publishes scholarly monographs and textbooks with notes on regional pedagogy and applied research.
- Founded: Academic cooperative press.
- Focus: Monographs, textbooks, applied research.
- Distribution: University networks and course adoptions.
22. Huron River Books
Huron River Books is a small trade publisher producing creative nonfiction and narrative essays, often with ecological or place-based themes.
- Founded: Independent trade press.
- Focus: Creative nonfiction, essays, nature writing.
- Notable: Emphasis on literary nonfiction tied to landscape.
23. Motor City Memoirs
This imprint is oriented toward memoir and oral histories, curating collections that preserve Detroit’s working-class narratives and immigrant stories.
- Founded: Specialty memoir imprint.
- Focus: Memoir, oral history, community narratives.
- Services: Editorial support for archival projects.
24. Crossroads Academic Press
Crossroads is a university-affiliated but independently operated publisher concentrating on regional studies and interdisciplinary academic topics.
- Founded: Hybrid university-affiliated press.
- Focus: Interdisciplinary scholarship, regional social sciences.
- Audience: Academics and specialized libraries.
25. Copper Harbor Press
A niche publisher for outdoor and adventure writing tied to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, publishing guides, travelogues, and regional nature narratives.
- Founded: Small regional press.
- Focus: Outdoor writing, guidebooks, regional travel.
- Niche: Upper Peninsula and wilderness narratives.
26. Lakeside Children’s Books
An independent children’s publisher focusing on picture books and early readers rooted in Midwestern settings and culturally diverse stories.
- Founded: Independent children’s press.
- Focus: Picture books, early readers, inclusive themes.
- Distribution: Regional schools and family-focused outlets.
27. Thames & Shoreline Press
Thames & Shoreline produces literary fiction and short-story collections, with a curated editorial list that favors distinct voices and regional authenticity.
- Founded: Boutique literary press.
- Focus: Short fiction, literary novels, curated anthologies.
- Editorial: Hands-on editorial development for authors.
28. Ironwood Academic Editions
Ironwood publishes specialized academic works in engineering, industrial history, and applied sciences — fields with historical ties to Michigan’s manufacturing legacy.
- Founded: Specialized academic imprint.
- Focus: Industrial history, applied sciences, engineering monographs.
- Audience: Technical libraries and industry researchers.
29. HarborLight Poetry Press
HarborLight focuses on contemporary poetry collections and chapbooks, providing design-forward small press editions and limited print runs.
- Founded: Small poetry press.
- Focus: Poetry collections, chapbooks.
- Strengths: Design and limited-edition craftsmanship.
30. Riverbend Trade Publishers
Riverbend publishes trade nonfiction and narrative journalism that often explores Midwestern identity, politics, and cultural change.
- Founded: Independent trade publisher.
- Focus: Narrative nonfiction, investigative features, cultural criticism.
- Audience: General readers interested in Midwestern topics.
31. Peninsula Academic Resources
A publishing house with a focus on educational materials and curriculum support, especially for regional history and social studies.
- Founded: Educational publisher.
- Focus: Curriculum materials, teacher resources, regional textbooks.
- Distribution: School systems and educational institutions.
32. Third Coast Independent Press
Third Coast champions independent voices across poetry, fiction, and short-form nonfiction, often partnering with local arts organizations for author development.
- Founded: Independent literary press.
- Focus: Literary fiction, short form, poetry.
- Community: Strong local arts partnerships and readings.
33. Great Lakes Trade Collective
A cooperative collective that supports trade authors by pooling editorial, design, and distribution resources to bring regionally relevant books to wider markets.
- Founded: Cooperative trade collective.
- Focus: Regional trade nonfiction and lifestyle titles.
- Model: Shared services for small publishers and independent authors.
Typical Book Publishing Costs in Michigan (2025)
| Service | Description | Average Cost (USD) |
| Manuscript Editing | Developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading to refine the manuscript. | $1,500 – $6,000 |
| Book Cover Design | Custom artwork and typography for professional appeal. | $300 – $1,200 |
| Interior Layout & Formatting | Typesetting for print and digital editions. | $400 – $1,500 |
| ISBN & Registration | Assigning an ISBN and registering for distribution channels. | $125 – $200 |
| Printing (Per Copy) | Cost per book for print-on-demand (POD) or bulk offset printing. | $3 – $10 (POD) / $1.50 – $4 (bulk) |
| Ebook Conversion | Formatting for Kindle, Apple Books, and other digital platforms. | $200 – $800 |
| Marketing Packages | Social media promotion, press releases, blog tours, book launch campaigns. | $1,000 – $10,000+ |
| Distribution Services | Global distribution to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Ingram, etc. | $500 – $2,000 |
| Ghostwriting (Optional) | Professional writing assistance for full manuscripts. | $15,000 – $60,000 |
| Author Website & Branding | Custom website design, branding kits, and digital presence. | $1,000 – $5,000 |
Closing thoughts
Michigan’s publishing landscape in 2025 is varied and resilient, combining university presses, small literary publishers, regionally focused houses, and cooperative models that help authors navigate production and distribution. Whether you are an academic seeking peer-reviewed outlets, a poet looking for a boutique press, or a trade author wanting strong regional support, Michigan offers multiple routes to publication. When choosing a publisher, consider editorial fit, production quality, distribution channels, and the level of support you need for design, marketing, and rights management — these factors will help you select the publishing partner best suited to your project and audience.
