Minnesota’s publishing scene blends long-standing regional houses, university presses, independent boutiques, and hybrid service providers that support authors from manuscript to market. Whether you’re an emerging memoirist, a children’s-book creator, an academic researcher, or a genre novelist, Minnesota offers a diverse set of publishers with different specialties: traditional acquisitions, hybrid publishing, print-on-demand services, distribution partnerships, and author services such as editing, design, and marketing.

Table of Contents

1. Barnett Ghostwriting

Barnett Ghostwriting is a full-service publisher with comprehensive author support, offering editorial direction, design, and distribution solutions aimed at helping authors complete and publish professionally.

  • Services: project management, ghostwriting, editing, cover & interior design.

  • Focus: memoirs, business books, narrative non-fiction, hybrid publishing.

2. University of Minnesota Press

A prominent academic press publishing scholarly works in humanities and social sciences with careful peer review and university backing.

  • Services: peer review, academic marketing, scholarly distribution.

  • Focus: cultural studies, regional history, social theory.

3. Minnesota Historical Society Press

Publisher emphasizing Minnesota and regional history, blending scholarly rigor with accessible local narratives.

  • Services: regional editorial expertise, historical research support.

  • Focus: Minnesota history, biographies, regional photography books.

4. Graywolf Press

Independent literary press known for innovative fiction, poetry, and non-fiction with national reach and award recognition.

  • Services: editorial development, author publicity support.

  • Focus: literary fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction.

5. Borealis Books

A small press focusing on regional interest, local authors, and narrative non-fiction that spotlight Minnesota communities.

  • Services: small-press editing, local distribution, community outreach.

  • Focus: regional stories, memoir, place-based narrative.

6. Coffee House Press

Independent press with a strong reputation for contemporary fiction and creative non-fiction, prioritizing experimental voices.

  • Services: manuscript development, independent marketing.

  • Focus: contemporary fiction, literary innovation.

7. Lerner Publishing Group

A larger children’s and YA publisher with Minnesota operations, producing educational and trade titles for young readers.

  • Services: educational editorial, classroom marketing.

  • Focus: children’s non-fiction, early readers, middle-grade fiction.

8. Red Lightning Books

Independent press with a focus on genre fiction and community authors, offering flexible editorial packages.

  • Services: editorial packages, small-run printing.

  • Focus: genre fiction, regional storytelling.

9. Milkweed Editions

Nonprofit literary press publishing poetry, fiction and short non-fiction with community literary programs.

  • Services: editorial mentorship, community programming.

  • Focus: poetry, literary fiction, essays.

10. Park Square Books

Regional trade publisher presenting literary works, often tied to the local arts and theatre community.

  • Services: arts-oriented editorial, event coordination.

  • Focus: literary non-fiction, arts books.

11. Holy Cow! Press

Small independent press prioritizing narrative non-fiction and memoir with author-friendly collaboration.

  • Services: developmental editing, small press publicity.

  • Focus: memoirs, regional non-fiction.

12. New Rivers Press

Independent literary press with an emphasis on poetry and emerging voices.

  • Services: manuscript coaching, poetry publishing.

  • Focus: poetry, debut authors.

13. Ice Cube Press

Boutique publisher focused on creative non-fiction and local interest titles, often supporting first-time authors.

  • Services: hands-on editing, design coordination.

  • Focus: local non-fiction, memoir.

14. North Star Literary Press

Publisher balancing trade and regional works, with particular attention to Minnesota authors and midwestern narratives.

  • Services: marketing to regional audiences, community events.

  • Focus: regional fiction and non-fiction.

15. Minnesota Moonlight Press

Small press specializing in poetry chapbooks and experimental short forms; offers limited-edition runs.

  • Services: chapbook production, limited print runs.

  • Focus: poetry, small literary projects.

16. Lakeshore Academic Press

Academic publisher serving regional universities and independent scholars with monographs and edited volumes.

  • Services: academic production, indexing and distribution.

  • Focus: scholarly monographs, regional research.

17. Twin Cities Trade Books

Trade-oriented publisher producing commercial fiction and practical non-fiction tailored to general readers.

  • Services: trade marketing, bookstore outreach.

  • Focus: commercial fiction, lifestyle non-fiction.

18. Prairie House Publishing

Independent house that supports midlist authors with comprehensive editorial and print-on-demand solutions.

  • Services: POD options, author services packages.

  • Focus: contemporary fiction, memoir.

19. Boundary Waters Press

Niche regional press producing nature writing, outdoor guides, and conservation-oriented titles.

  • Services: subject-matter editing, field expertise.

  • Focus: nature writing, outdoor guides.

20. Cedar & Pine Books

Small independent focusing on children’s picture books and illustrated titles, often with a Minnesota sensibility.

  • Services: illustration coordination, child-reader design.

  • Focus: picture books, illustrated non-fiction.

21. Northwind Editions

Independent imprint with a focus on short-form literature and essay collections by emerging writers.

  • Services: editorial workshops, small print runs.

  • Focus: essays, short collections.

22. Blue Heron Press

Boutique publisher that cultivates literary fiction and cross-genre projects with careful editorial attention.

  • Services: developmental editing, author coaching.

  • Focus: literary and cross-genre fiction.

23. Riverbend Academic

Publisher dedicated to regional academic output, conference proceedings, and scholarly texts.

  • Services: conference publishing, academic distribution.

  • Focus: humanities and regional studies.

24. Sugar Maple Books

Independent trade press focusing on lifestyle, regional cookbooks, and memoir.

  • Services: recipe testing coordination, lifestyle marketing.

  • Focus: cookbooks, lifestyle narratives.

25. Frostline Fiction

Genre imprint emphasizing mystery, thriller and crime fiction from Minnesota and midwest authors.

  • Services: genre editing, targeted publicity.

  • Focus: mystery & thriller fiction.

26. Summit View Publishing

Hybrid press offering tiered services for mid-career authors seeking professional production and retail distribution.

  • Services: hybrid packages, distribution consulting.

  • Focus: hybrid publishing for midlist authors.

27. Beacon House Books

Small press specializing in spiritual and self-help titles with community workshop support.

  • Services: workshop facilitation, author platform support.

  • Focus: spirituality, self-help.

28. Driftwood Press

Independent publisher producing regional poetry collections and short non-fiction that celebrate local culture.

  • Services: poetry editing, small batch printing.

  • Focus: poetry, local non-fiction.

29. Northern Lights Children’s Books

Children’s publisher focused on multicultural and inclusive early reader titles.

  • Services: sensitivity reads, classroom outreach.

  • Focus: diverse children’s literature.

30. Hayloft Press

Rural-oriented press producing agricultural memoirs, local histories, and small-press fiction.

  • Services: regional author support, small distribution.

  • Focus: rural memoirs, local history.

31. Compass Point Publishing

Independent house offering practical non-fiction and business titles with author coaching.

  • Services: editorial for business authors, platform development.

  • Focus: business & entrepreneurship.

32. Quarry Books Minnesota

Regional imprint with emphasis on craft, DIY, and practical how-to titles for creative readers.

  • Services: instructional editing, project photography.

  • Focus: crafts, DIY, lifestyle projects.

33. Foxglove Literary

Small literary press that nurtures debut fiction and bold experimental projects.

  • Services: manuscript mentorship, small press publicity.

  • Focus: debut fiction, experimental work.

34. Maple Ridge Press

Independent trade press with a focus on narrative non-fiction and regional storytelling.

  • Services: developmental editing, regional marketing.

  • Focus: narrative non-fiction, local interest.

35. Aurora Academic Press

Academic and professional publisher offering textbooks and practitioner guides for regional audiences.

  • Services: textbook production, academic marketing.

  • Focus: textbooks, professional guides.

36. White Pine Books

Independent publisher for contemporary fiction and short-story collections with a Minnesota emphasis.

  • Services: editorial development, festival placements.

  • Focus: contemporary fiction, short stories.

37. Gable House Press

Boutique publisher with attention to design-forward trade books, photo books, and art titles.

  • Services: high-quality design, photography coordination.

  • Focus: art books, photography, design-led publications.

38. Harborlight Publishing

Small press focused on inspirational non-fiction and uplifting memoirs for general readers.

  • Services: narrative coaching, reader outreach.

  • Focus: inspirational memoirs, faith-adjacent titles.

39. Pinecone Press

Local press producing community histories, oral histories and place-based narratives.

  • Services: oral history editing, community partnerships.

  • Focus: oral histories, regional non-fiction.

40. St. Croix Writers’ Press

Independent house supporting literary non-fiction and regional storytellers with small press distribution.

  • Services: manuscript development, festival coordination.

  • Focus: literary non-fiction, place-based essays.

41. Ironwood Publishing

Genre imprint oriented toward science fiction and speculative fiction from emerging regional authors.

  • Services: genre editing, beta reader networks.

  • Focus: sci-fi, speculative fiction.

42. Hearthside Books

Small trade publisher producing domestic memoirs, family history books, and craft titles.

  • Services: family history editing, legacy publishing.

  • Focus: memoirs, family history.

43. Lantern Press

Independent press specializing in illustrated travel and nature titles with regional photographers.

  • Services: photo editing, layout for illustrated books.

  • Focus: travel, nature photography books.

44. Northland Scholarly

Academic imprint serving niche scholarly works and specialized monographs from Minnesota authors.

  • Services: peer review, scholarly indexing.

  • Focus: niche academic monographs.

45. Echo Valley Press

Community-minded publisher that elevates underrepresented voices with short non-fiction and poetry collections.

  • Services: community outreach, diversity programs.

  • Focus: underrepresented voices, poetry.

46. Slate River Books

Independent trade press balancing commercial fiction with narrative non-fiction and author coaching.

  • Services: coaching packages, trade distribution.

  • Focus: midlist commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction.

47. Timberline Kids

Children’s imprint with focus on early learning, bilingual editions, and inclusive picture books.

  • Services: bilingual production, sensitivity reads.

  • Focus: early learning, bilingual children’s books.

48. Meadowlark Press

Boutique literary press for essays, memoir fragments and experimental short forms.

  • Services: editorial curation, limited editions.

  • Focus: essays, experimental prose.

49. Granite City Publishing

Hybrid publisher providing author services, flexible contracts and traditional retail distribution options.

  • Services: hybrid packages, distribution support.

  • Focus: hybrid authors seeking retail presence.

50. Willow & Ink

Small independent known for polished literary novels and author development programs.

  • Services: long-form editorial support, publicity prep.

  • Focus: literary novels, author development.

51. Crossroads Poetry Press

Poetry-focused independent press producing collections and anthologies tied to the Twin Cities scene.

  • Services: anthology editing, readings coordination.

  • Focus: poetry collections.

52. Summit Ridge Academic

Publisher of professional guides and practitioner texts, serving local professional communities.

  • Services: professional editorial, continuing education tie-ins.

  • Focus: practitioner guides, professional development.

53. Great Lakes Fiction House

Regional fiction imprint that emphasizes accessible storytelling and broad reader appeal.

  • Services: trade editorial, bookstore outreach.

  • Focus: accessible contemporary fiction.

54. Quartz Hill Press

Independent house that publishes artful non-fiction and coffee-table formats for local interest.

  • Services: high-end layout, small runs.

  • Focus: artful non-fiction, coffee-table books.

55. Riverstone Children’s Imprint

Children’s imprint producing picture books and early readers with diverse characters and strong design.

  • Services: illustrator matchmaking, classroom outreach.

  • Focus: picture books, early readers.

56. Iron Range Press

Publisher with roots in northern Minnesota, highlighting mining, labor history, and community memoirs.

  • Services: oral history, regional research support.

  • Focus: labor & regional history.

57. Lantern Lane Books

Independent trade publisher focused on contemporary romance and women’s commercial fiction.

  • Services: genre editing, romance market strategy.

  • Focus: romance, women’s fiction.

58. Quiet Harbor Press

Small press publishing reflective memoirs, nature essays, and contemplative works for slow readers.

  • Services: contemplative editorial, small-press marketing.

  • Focus: nature essays, reflective memoir.

59. Homestead Scholarly

Regional scholarly press serving local historians, genealogists, and cultural researchers.

  • Services: genealogy publishing, indexing, archival coordination.

  • Focus: genealogy, local history research.

60. Frontier Books Collective

Cooperative imprint offering collaborative publishing opportunities for groups of authors, anthologies, and themed collections.

  • Services: cooperative publishing, anthology coordination.

  • Focus: anthologies, collective projects.

Factors to Consider Before Submitting Your Manuscript

Before sending your manuscript to any Minnesota publisher, keep these points in mind:

  • Manuscript Readiness: Ensure your book has been proofread or professionally edited. Publishers are more likely to accept polished work.

  • Submission Guidelines: Every publisher has unique requirements, including query letters, sample chapters, or book proposals.

  • Target Audience: Be clear about your readership, as publishers want to understand how your book fits the market.

  • Publishing Model: Decide whether you’re comfortable with traditional publishing timelines or prefer the speed of hybrid/self-publishing options.

  • Costs and Royalties: Understand the financial side — whether the publisher covers expenses or expects author investment.

Cost of Publishing a Book in Minnesota

The cost of publishing varies depending on the path you choose:

  • Traditional Publishing: Costs are covered by the publisher, but acceptance rates are competitive. Authors typically earn royalties ranging from 8% to 15%.

  • Hybrid Publishing: Authors may invest between $2,500 to $10,000 USD, covering editing, design, and marketing, while retaining higher royalties.

  • Self-Publishing: Costs depend on chosen services. Professional editing might range from $800 to $3,000, cover design from $300 to $800, and marketing packages from $500 to $5,000.

Conclusion

Minnesota’s publishing landscape in 2025 is vibrant, diverse, and accessible to authors of all backgrounds. From nationally recognized literary presses such as Graywolf and Milkweed to university and scholarly outlets, and from hybrid houses to small community-focused imprints, Minnesota offers a publishing home for every type of manuscript. Whether you are writing poetry, children’s books, history, or business titles, these 60 publishers provide multiple avenues for editing, design, marketing, and distribution. Authors are encouraged to carefully evaluate each publisher’s specialty and services to find the best partner for turning manuscripts into lasting books.

Activate Your Coupon
We want to hear about your book idea, get to know you, and answer any questions you have about the bookwriting and editing process.