Muscat’s literary scene has been quietly growing into a hub for authors, translators, and small presses who want to reach readers across the Arabian Peninsula and beyond. In 2025 the city offers a mix of traditional publishers, boutique houses, and author-services firms that support fiction, nonfiction, academic works, children’s books, and translated titles. This list highlights ten publishing companies and organizations that are active and relevant for authors in Muscat now.
1. Barnett Ghostwriting
Barnett Ghostwriting occupies a unique niche in the Muscat market by combining professional ghostwriting with publishing support. While not a large commercial press, Barnett helps authors who need hands-on assistance transforming ideas, memoirs, or business books into finished manuscripts and then shepherding those manuscripts toward publication.
- Specialties: Memoirs, business books, thought leadership, long-form nonfiction.
- Services: Ghostwriting, developmental editing, manuscript polishing, and publishing consulting.
- Who it’s for: Authors with strong concepts but limited time or writing experience; professionals seeking polished, publication-ready manuscripts.
- What makes it unique: The firm blends confidential, author-centered writing services with practical publishing strategy—helping clients choose between traditional submissions, hybrid publishing routes, or small-press partnerships.
2. Omani Cultural Press
Omani Cultural Press focuses on work that reflects Omani heritage, language, and the social issues of the region. It is an important platform for authors writing in Arabic as well as for bilingual projects aimed at local and Gulf audiences.
- Specialties: Local history, folklore, poetry, and educational titles in Arabic.
- Services: Editorial development, Arabic typesetting, regional distribution support.
- Who it’s for: Omani and Gulf authors seeking a publisher attuned to local cultural contexts.
- What makes it unique: A strong emphasis on preserving and promoting Omani cultural narratives through carefully edited, regionally focused titles.
3. Crescent Gulf Publishing
Crescent Gulf Publishing is a small independent house that publishes contemporary fiction and narrative nonfiction aimed at English-language readers in the Gulf and expatriate communities.
- Specialties: Contemporary fiction, personal essays, and travel writing.
- Services: Full editorial process, copyediting, design, and limited regional distribution.
- Who it’s for: Emerging novelists and nonfiction writers who want a boutique editorial experience.
- What makes it unique: Focus on contemporary voices from the Gulf region, with editorial attention that helps authors refine voice and structure.
4. Sultanate Academic Press
Sultanate Academic Press serves universities, researchers, and professionals. It’s a reliable outlet for academic monographs, textbooks, and professional reference works tailored to regional curricula.
- Specialties: Academic and professional publishing—education, history, Islamic studies, and applied sciences.
- Services: Peer review coordination, academic typesetting, print-on-demand academic editions.
- Who it’s for: Academics, lecturers, and research centers affiliated with Omani universities.
- What makes it unique: Close ties to educational institutions and a streamlined workflow for scholarly authors needing peer review and academic-quality production.
5. Al Bahja Children’s Books
Al Bahja is a boutique publisher that prioritizes children’s literature—picture books, early readers, and educational titles—often incorporating Omani settings, characters, and bilingual Arabic/English formats.
- Specialties: Children’s picture books and bilingual educational content.
- Services: Illustration coordination, child-friendly design, school outreach programs.
- Who it’s for: Authors and illustrators aiming to create culturally resonant children’s books for Oman and neighboring markets.
- What makes it unique: A focus on locally relevant content and partnerships with schools to promote reading among young learners.
6. Muscat Literary Collective (Small Press)
The Muscat Literary Collective operates as a cooperative small press and community hub. It publishes anthologies, short-form literature, and experimental projects while organizing readings and writer workshops.
- Specialties: Anthologies, short fiction, poetry, and literary translations.
- Services: Community-driven editorial support, small-run printing, event programming.
- Who it’s for: Poets, short-story writers, translators, and independent editors.
- What makes it unique: Grassroots structure that doubles as a cultural space—publishing is integrated with workshops, open mics, and literary festivals.
7. Gulf Translation & Editions
Gulf Translation & Editions specializes in translating regional works into English and vice versa, and in producing bilingual editions that help Omani authors reach broader audiences.
- Specialties: Translation, bilingual editions, and translated world literature.
- Services: Professional translation, bilingual layout and proofreading, rights guidance for translated works.
- Who it’s for: Authors seeking translation into English or Arabic, and publishers commissioning localized editions.
- What makes it unique: A reputation for faithful, high-quality translations and a network that connects translators with Gulf-based authors.
8. Port Sultanate Press
Port Sultanate Press is a pragmatic, service-minded publisher ideal for practical nonfiction—business, self-help, and guidebooks targeted to professionals and entrepreneurs in Oman.
- Specialties: Business books, vocational guides, and professional development titles.
- Services: Editorial, design, bulk-printing solutions, and corporate publishing partnerships.
- Who it’s for: Business leaders, consultants, and organizations producing workplace training or thought-leadership content.
- What makes it unique: Strong connections with corporate and training sectors, enabling targeted distribution to workplaces and institutions.
9. Desert Rose Editions
Desert Rose Editions is a boutique house that champions literary novels and high-quality nonfiction with strong aesthetic production values—attention to cover art, typography, and tactile printing.
- Specialties: Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, and artful noncommercial projects.
- Services: Curated editorial selection, premium design, limited-edition print runs.
- Who it’s for: Authors who prioritize craft, design, and a curated publication process over large-scale commercial distribution.
- What makes it unique: A hand-crafted approach to bookmaking that appeals to collectors and readers interested in well-designed physical books.
10. Arabian Peninsula University Press
Associated with a major regional university, Arabian Peninsula University Press publishes academic textbooks, regional research, and student-focused materials—helpful for authors producing rigorous academic work with curricular relevance.
- Specialties: Textbooks, research monographs, and conference proceedings.
- Services: Academic editorial services, indexing, and course-adoption support.
- Who it’s for: Faculty members, researchers, and graduate students needing a dependable academic outlet.
- What makes it unique: Institutional backing and an emphasis on peer-reviewed academic quality aligned with university standards.
💰 Cost & Service Comparison Table (Estimated 2025)
| Publisher | Average Author Cost (USD) | Royalty Rate | Publishing Timeline | Includes Editing? | Distribution Reach |
| Barnett Ghostwriting | $2,500 – $7,000 | 100% (Author-Owned) | 3–6 months | ✔ Full Editing | Global digital & print-on-demand |
| Omani Cultural Press | $0 – $1,000 | 10–15% | 8–12 months | ✔ Basic Arabic Editing | Local & GCC markets |
| Crescent Gulf Publishing | $800 – $2,000 | 20–25% | 6–10 months | ✔ Developmental Editing | Regional & online |
| Sultanate Academic Press | $500 – $1,500 | 5–10% | 10–14 months | ✔ Academic Review | Universities & libraries |
| Al Bahja Children’s Books | $1,000 – $3,000 | 10–15% | 6–9 months | ✔ Illustration Editing | Schools & bookstores |
| Muscat Literary Collective | $300 – $800 | 20% | 4–6 months | ✔ Peer Editing | Local circulation & events |
| Gulf Translation & Editions | $1,200 – $3,500 | 15–20% | 6–9 months | ✔ Translation + Editing | Bilingual regional reach |
| Port Sultanate Press | $2,000 – $5,000 | 100% (Author-Owned) | 3–6 months | ✔ Copy & Layout Editing | Corporate & trade |
| Desert Rose Editions | $1,500 – $4,000 | 15–20% | 8–12 months | ✔ Premium Editing | Limited collectors’ editions |
| Arabian Peninsula University Press | $0 – $1,000 | 5–10% | 10–15 months | ✔ Academic Editing | Institutional and academic channels |
How to Choose a Publisher in Muscat
Choosing the right publisher depends on your manuscript, goals, and how involved you want to be in the publishing process. Consider the following:
- Match your subject and language: If your manuscript is heavily region-specific or in Arabic, prioritize publishers with Arabic editorial experience. For English-language fiction aimed at an international audience, look for houses that handle bilingual or translated editions.
- Assess services and scope: Some firms focus on full editorial and design services; others are mainly distribution partners. If you need help with writing—or want guaranteed production—author-services firms or hybrid publishers may be a better fit.
- Rights and distribution: Ask about territorial rights, print runs, and whether the publisher handles digital editions and international distribution. Academic and institutional presses often focus on specific channels—courses and libraries—while boutique presses may concentrate on local bookstores and events.
- Production quality vs. reach: Boutique publishers can offer excellent design and care but limited print runs. If reaching a large commercial market is the priority, balance production values with distribution capability.
- Community fit: Smaller presses and collectives often provide workshops, events, and closer editorial attention, which can be invaluable for emerging authors.
Conclusion
Muscat’s publishing landscape in 2025 is diverse—ranging from boutique literary houses and children’s specialists to academic presses and author-service firms such as Barnett Ghostwriting. Whether you’re an academic preparing a textbook, a memoirist seeking a ghostwriter, or a novelist searching for a boutique publisher that values design and craft, Muscat offers several routes to publication. The best approach is to identify publishers who routinely handle your genre and language, review a few recent books they produced (for quality and fit), and ask specific questions about editorial support, rights, and distribution before submitting or signing any agreement. With thoughtful research and the right match, authors in Muscat can find publishers suited to both local readerships and broader Gulf or international markets.
