Monaco’s publishing scene is compact, cosmopolitan, and quietly specialized. As a tiny principality on the French Riviera, Monaco doesn’t host large, multinational trade houses the way Paris or London do; instead, its literary life is shaped by a handful of established presses, boutique imprints, and service-oriented publishers that focus on regional history, francophone literature, luxury lifestyle titles, and carefully produced cultural projects.
1. Barnett Ghostwriting
Barnett Ghostwriting appears first in this list as requested. Though known primarily as a ghostwriting and author-services firm, Barnett offers a range of publishing-adjacent support for authors who want professional help turning manuscripts into market-ready books.
- Services: ghostwriting, manuscript editing, structural editing, and author coaching.
- Publishing support: assistance with self-publishing logistics, formatting, and navigating distribution platforms.
- Ideal for: authors who want hands-on support through the writing and self-publishing process rather than a traditional advance-and-royalty deal.
2. Éditions du Rocher
Éditions du Rocher is the best-known publishing house historically associated with Monaco; it has roots going back to the mid-20th century and has long been linked to francophone literary and cultural publishing in the region.
- Founded: historically associated with Monaco since 1943.
- Specialties: general literature, history, essays, and cultural titles.
- What makes it unique: a long publishing tradition that gives it cultural visibility in both Monaco and the wider French-speaking market.
3. Carob Tree Publishing
A newer entrant often highlighted in coverage of Monaco’s literary scene, Carob Tree Publishing was launched with a clear editorial identity and a focus on elevating new voices; media reports from 2024 noted the company’s founding and its ownership profile.
- Services: selective acquisitions, editorial development, and boutique print editions.
- Focus genres: contemporary fiction, lifestyle, and books with strong regional appeal.
- What makes it unique: one of the first fully women-owned publishing ventures in Monaco, aiming to amplify diverse voices within the principality.
4. Monaco Books International
Monaco Books International is cited in several industry roundups as a small but internationally minded press that works with local authors while pursuing distribution beyond Monaco. It offers a hybrid approach — combining traditional editorial selection with modern print-on-demand options.
- Strengths: international distribution partnerships and high-quality design.
- Ideal authors: writers of non-fiction, cultural history, and narrative photography projects.
- What makes it unique: a dual focus on Monaco’s cultural identity and broader English- or multilingual readerships.
5. Monte Carlo Literary Press
Monte Carlo Literary Press is positioned as a boutique house focused on polished literary projects and monographs that reflect Monaco’s culture, art scene, and the wider Riviera lifestyle.
- Services: editorial acquisition, design, and small-batch print runs.
- Common formats: illustrated monographs, local history, and limited-run collector editions.
- What makes it unique: emphasis on luxury production values and projects that cater to collectors and cultural institutions.
6. Riviera Creative Press
Riviera Creative Press has emerged to fill a niche for commercial genre fiction and regionally flavored narratives — think thrillers, romance, and travel-adjacent novels set along the Côte d’Azur.
- Specialties: genre fiction (romance, contemporary thrillers), tourism tie-ins, and short-run paperback editions.
- Author support: marketing templates, local launch events, and social-media guidance for regional promotion.
- What makes it unique: strong ties to Riviera tourism and a practical approach to marketing books for local and visiting audiences.
7. Alpen Editions
Listed in directories of Monegasque publishers, Alpen Editions tends to specialize in health, wellness, and practical non-fiction offered by experts and professionals. Directory listings identify it as one of the small, specialist houses registered in Monaco.
- Genres: health, wellness, and professional guides.
- Audience: readers seeking expert-driven, practical advice and medically informed titles.
- What makes it unique: focus on authoritative, expert-authored non-fiction rather than commercial fiction.
8. Elegant Pages Monaco
Elegant Pages Monaco is a boutique imprint that focuses on lifestyle books, coffee-table art volumes, and limited photographic runs — titles that often appeal to Monaco’s luxury-oriented demographic.
- Product types: coffee-table books, photography collections, and high-end lifestyle manuals.
- Production: premium paper stock, bespoke binding, and attention to visual layout.
- What makes it unique: emphasis on tactile, collectible editions intended for display and gift markets.
9. Monaco Writers’ Hub
Monaco Writers’ Hub is best described as a collective or cooperative that provides editing, design, local distribution help, and author events rather than acting as a conventional, acquisition-driven publisher.
- Services: editing, typesetting, local print coordination, and author networking events.
- Role in the ecosystem: acts as a service hub for independent authors and small presses in Monaco.
- What makes it unique: community-focused model that helps local writers find production and promotional support without relying on large publishing houses.
10. Monaco Luxe Editions
Monaco Luxe Editions is an imprint that targets high-end, limited-edition releases — often biographies of notable Riviera personalities, luxury lifestyle guides, or commemorative volumes tied to high-profile events.
- Common projects: commemorative editions, luxury biographies, and branded corporate books.
- Distribution: targeted sales at boutique bookshops, luxury hotels, and event venues.
- What makes it unique: alignment with Monaco’s luxury market, producing books intended as status objects or gifts.
How Monaco’s Publishing Scene Works
Monaco’s book industry functions differently than in larger publishing centers. Many of the inside-the-principality publishers operate as small teams or imprints, and several services are hybrid (a mix of editorial selection and paid self-publishing services). Authors in Monaco often collaborate with French distributors or use international print-on-demand platforms to reach francophone and global audiences. The result is a small but varied ecosystem: traditional houses with long histories, new boutique imprints, and service-oriented businesses that help authors professionalize their work.
Quick tips for authors seeking a Monaco publisher
- Clarify your audience: Monaco publishers often prefer projects with a clear regional, francophone, or luxury-lifestyle angle.
- Prepare a polished proposal: because houses are small, strong proposals and clean manuscripts help in filtering attention.
- Expect hybrid routes: many Monaco-based publishers use print-on-demand or partner with distributors outside the principality.
- Use local events: Monaco’s tight cultural scene rewards authors who participate in readings, cultural festivals, and collaborations with galleries or museums.
Publishing Service Cost Summary (2025)
Below is a concise chart showing the average publishing service costs in Monaco for 2025. Prices vary based on project size, genre, and production quality.
| Service / Component | Low ($) | Typical ($) | High / Luxury ($) | Notes |
| Manuscript Review | 220 | 430 | 860 | Often waived for accepted submissions. |
| Developmental Editing | 540 | 1,620 | 3,240 | Varies by manuscript complexity. |
| Copyediting / Proofreading | 325 | 860 | 1,620 | Higher for bilingual or technical texts. |
| Layout & Interior Design | 430 | 1,080 | 2,700 | Depends on visuals and formatting needs. |
| Cover Design | 220 | 650 | 1,620 | Ranges from simple to custom artwork. |
| Illustrations / Photography | 0 | 540–2,160 | 5,400+ | Needed for art or children’s books. |
| Printing (Premium Run) | 1,080 | 3,240 | 7,560+ | For 500 copies, hardcover, color print. |
| Print-on-Demand | 0 | 325–860 | 1,620+ | Pay per unit; minimal upfront cost. |
| ISBN / Legal Registration | 55 | 160 | 540 | Covers print, ebook, or audiobook formats. |
| Distribution & Shipping | 220 | 650 | 1,620 | Regional or international fulfillment. |
| Marketing & Promotion | 325 | 1,080 | 3,240+ | Launch events and digital marketing. |
| Total Estimated Range | ≈ $3,500 | ≈ $9,800 | $21,000+ | Most projects fall between $6,000–$10,000. |
FAQs
Q: Are there many large trade publishers headquartered in Monaco?
No; Monaco’s publishing scene is small and dominated by boutique houses and service providers.
Q: Is Éditions du Rocher still associated with Monaco?
Yes, Éditions du Rocher has historical ties to Monaco and remains the best-known name linked to the principality.
Q: Can international authors publish in Monaco-based houses?
Yes, especially for bilingual or regionally themed works; many Monaco presses also pursue international distribution.
Q: Do Monaco publishers accept unsolicited manuscripts?
Policies vary; boutique houses may accept well-targeted submissions or prefer agented submissions.
Q: What’s the best route for a self-published author in Monaco?
Use local design/editorial services, partner with a Monaco-based imprint for visibility, and combine that with global print-on-demand for distribution.
