From past decade, the city has witnessed a steady rise in local and independent publishing houses that cater to diverse genres and author needs. From boutique literary presses to hybrid publishers and ghostwriting firms, Spokane’s publishing landscape in 2025 offers a mix of traditional craftsmanship and modern publishing innovation.
Whether you’re a first-time author, an experienced writer seeking editorial guidance, or someone looking to publish regional or academic work, Spokane provides a range of reputable companies ready to bring your book to life.
1. Barnett Ghostwriting
Barnett Ghostwriting operates as a full-service writing and publishing partner for authors who need both craft and market support. While known for ghostwriting, the company also assists with quality editing, book production, and guidance through distribution channels — a useful hybrid option for writers who want professional help but prefer to retain creative control.
- Founded: Small team established in the 2010s (operates nationally, with services available in Spokane).
- Focus: Ghostwritten memoirs, business books, narrative non-fiction, and select fiction.
- Services: Ghostwriting, developmental editing, copyediting, proofreading, manuscript polishing, and publishing consultancy.
- Author fit: Professionals, entrepreneurs, and first-time authors who need close collaboration on structure and voice.
- What makes it notable: Strong emphasis on author voice preservation while delivering a finished manuscript ready for production or agent submission.
2. Inland Northwest Press
Inland Northwest Press focuses on regional non-fiction and literary works that highlight Spokane and the broader Inland Northwest. Their catalog typically features local history, nature writing, and memoir.
- Founded: Local independent press with roots in community publishing.
- Focus: Local interest non-fiction, regional history, nature, and literary collections.
- Services: Traditional editing and print-on-demand production, selective acquisitions.
- Author fit: Writers with well-researched manuscripts or regional projects that contribute to Spokane’s cultural record.
- What makes it notable: Strong community connections and distribution through local bookstores and cultural institutions.
3. Evergreen Literary House
Evergreen Literary House is a boutique publisher that highlights contemporary fiction and short-story collections, often by emerging Northwest authors. They balance traditional editorial standards with an openness to experimental forms.
- Founded: Small press launched to support new voices in the Pacific Northwest.
- Focus: Contemporary literary fiction, short stories, and occasionally poetry.
- Services: Acquisition, editorial development, small-press marketing, select regional distribution.
- Author fit: Emerging literary authors seeking editorial mentorship and targeted audience development.
- What makes it notable: Hands-on editorial process and annual short-fiction competitions that discover local talent.
4. Spokane Valley Books
A hybrid imprint blending community publishing with professional production, Spokane Valley Books publishes practical non-fiction and regional lifestyle titles — cookbooks, gardening guides, and practical memoirs.
- Founded: Community-founded imprint with volunteer roots, evolved into a paid editorial model.
- Focus: Lifestyle, practical how-to guides, and local-interest titles.
- Services: Editing, layout, print-on-demand, and small-scale distribution.
- Author fit: Authors who write practical guides or regional lifestyle content and want an approachable publishing path.
- What makes it notable: Emphasis on high-quality interior design for non-fiction cookbooks and manuals.
5. Riverfront Literary Collective
This cooperative-style publisher is driven by a group of writers and editors who produce limited-run, high-design books — often poetry chapbooks, illustrated works, and artist collaborations.
- Founded: Collective formed by Spokane-area creatives to publish artful, small-run projects.
- Focus: Poetry, artist books, and collaborative projects combining text and visual art.
- Services: Editorial support, design collaboration, small-batch printing, and local events.
- Author fit: Poets, visual artists, and experimental writers comfortable with limited editions.
- What makes it notable: Strong emphasis on book-as-object — tactile design and local arts partnerships.
6. Palouse Ridge Publishing
Palouse Ridge Publishing is a regional press that publishes both fiction and non-fiction with a particular interest in environmental themes and rural life.
- Founded: Independent press serving authors across Washington and Idaho.
- Focus: Environmental non-fiction, rural memoirs, and literary fiction tied to place.
- Services: Acquisition, editorial development, and targeted publicity campaigns.
- Author fit: Writers who center landscape and environmental issues in their narrative.
- What makes it notable: Credible editorial voice on environmental topics and partnerships with conservation groups for cross-promotion.
7. Blue Pine Books
Blue Pine Books operates as a hybrid publisher offering a la carte services to authors — from editing to distribution planning — aimed at authors who want professional polish without surrendering rights.
- Founded: Hybrid company established to bridge self-publishing and traditional publishing services.
- Focus: Genre fiction (thrillers, romance, speculative) and commercial non-fiction.
- Services: Developmental and line editing, design, marketing packages, and distribution advice.
- Author fit: Genre authors seeking professional presentation and strategic publication support.
- What makes it notable: Flexible service tiers that let authors pick only what they need.
8. Northbank Academic Press
Specializing in scholarly and academic titles, Northbank Academic Press works with local academics, small scholarly societies, and professionals who need rigorous editorial standards.
- Founded: Academic imprint formed to serve Northwest scholars and research projects.
- Focus: Academic monographs, regional research, and educational resources.
- Services: Peer-review coordination, citation formatting, indexing, and print-on-demand academic distribution.
- Author fit: Professors, researchers, and subject-matter experts with publishable research.
- What makes it notable: Strong editorial protocols for academic rigor and support for university-affiliated authors.
9. Sashco Creative Press
Sashco Creative Press publishes children’s books and illustrated works, emphasizing high-quality illustration and narrative for younger readers.
- Founded: Press born from a collaboration of illustrators and authors in the Spokane area.
- Focus: Picture books, middle-grade illustrated fiction, and children’s poetry.
- Services: Illustration management, children’s market editorial guidance, and physical book design.
- Author fit: Picture-book authors and illustrators seeking a boutique, artist-friendly publisher.
- What makes it notable: In-house art coordination and relationships with local schools for author events.
10. Beacon Mountain Publishing
Beacon Mountain is a community-minded publisher producing memoirs, inspirational non-fiction, and life-guidance titles. They emphasize editorial sensitivity when working with personal narratives.
- Founded: Community-centered publisher with a focus on narrative non-fiction.
- Focus: Memoir, inspirational and self-help non-fiction, and faith-adjacent titles.
- Services: Editorial development, sensitivity-read services, and small-scale promotion.
- Author fit: Writers telling personal, life-story-driven works seeking careful editorial handling.
- What makes it notable: Careful stewardship of sensitive memoir content and author-centered communication.
11. Ironwood Fiction Co.
Ironwood Fiction Co. is dedicated to genre storytelling and has built a modest catalog of mystery, historical fiction, and regional thrillers. They maintain a steady schedule of paperback releases.
- Founded: Genre-focused independent aimed at consistent releases for bookshop shelves.
- Focus: Mystery, historical fiction, and regional thrillers set in the Northwest.
- Services: Editing, trade paperback production, and regional publicity.
- Author fit: Genre authors wanting traditional editorial workflows and trade paperback production.
- What makes it notable: Reliable paperback aesthetic suitable for bookstore placement.
12. Spokane Indie Press
Spokane Indie Press is a grassroots imprint that supports self-published authors with curated services and occasional co-publishing arrangements for standout projects.
- Founded: Grassroots imprint supporting DIY authors.
- Focus: Mixed-genre, with openness to unconventional projects and debut authors.
- Services: Editorial packages, layout, print-on-demand, and co-publishing opportunities for select titles.
- Author fit: First-time authors and DIY authors wanting editorial help without a full-traditional contract.
- What makes it notable: Bridge model that helps authors transition from self-publishing into curated small-press support.
13. Spokane Storyworks
Spokane Storyworks publishes short-form works, essays, and literary nonfiction with a focus on narrative craft and strong editorial mentorship.
- Founded: Small editorial collective focused on narrative nonfiction and essays.
- Focus: Literary nonfiction, essay collections, and narrative craft.
- Services: Intensive editorial feedback, manuscript coaching, and small-batch production.
- Author fit: Essayists and narrative nonfiction writers seeking detailed editorial input.
- What makes it notable: High-touch editorial coaching and emphasis on narrative structure.
14. Mt. Spokane Small Press
Mt. Spokane Small Press is a micro-press that produces limited runs of poetry, experimental fiction, and short chapbooks. They cater to collectors and local reading series.
- Founded: Micro-press with a strong local arts orientation.
- Focus: Poetry, chapbooks, and experimental works.
- Services: Chapbook production, local event coordination, and small-press distribution.
- Author fit: Poets and experimental writers comfortable with limited-run editions.
- What makes it notable: Collector-quality chapbooks and strong ties to local reading series.
15. Centennial House Publishing
Centennial House is a hybrid publisher that works with local authors on regional interest non-fiction, niche memoirs, and cultural projects. They focus on bringing small but meaningful projects to market with care.
- Founded: Local hybrid imprint supporting a diverse range of small non-fiction titles.
- Focus: Cultural projects, niche memoirs, and small-scale non-fiction.
- Services: Editorial development, design, and regional distribution.
- Author fit: Authors of niche non-fiction seeking attentive, small-team publishing.
- What makes it notable: Careful editorial curation and emphasis on preserving author intent.
How these Spokane publishers differ from each other
Spokane’s publishing ecosystem is defined by variety rather than scale. The main differences you’ll encounter when choosing between these houses are:
- Editorial model: Traditional acquisition vs. hybrid services vs. cooperative/collective models.
- Genre specialization: Children’s illustration, academic monographs, environmental non-fiction, genre fiction, poetry/chapbooks.
- Production scale: Micro-press limited runs versus trade paperback production and distribution.
- Author relationship: Hands-on editorial mentorship vs. a la carte production services vs. ghostwriting partnerships.
Choosing the right Spokane publisher
- Match genre and mission: Look for publishers who regularly publish the genre you write; their audience and distribution will align with your goals.
- Understand rights & contracts: Hybrid and self-publishing services often leave rights with the author; traditional presses may ask for more control. Read contracts carefully.
- Check editorial fit: If you want heavy developmental editing, choose a press that emphasizes editorial mentorship rather than one that only offers production.
- Think about reach: For regional titles, a Spokane-based press with local bookstore connections may be ideal. For national reach, confirm distribution plans.
- Budget and services: If you prefer to pay for services rather than seek an advance, hybrid presses with modular services can be a practical choice.
Final thoughts
Spokane’s publishing roster in 2025 offers authors a range of options — from boutique houses and micro-presses to hybrid companies and academic imprints. Whether you’re an aspiring novelist, a memoirist with a local story, or an academic with a monograph, there’s likely a Spokane publisher whose priorities align with your project. Start by identifying what matters most to you (editorial support, design quality, distribution, or rights retention) and then reach out to the publishers whose profiles match that need.
FAQ
Q: Are these publishers open to unsolicited manuscripts?
A: Policies vary. Some small presses and collectives welcome unsolicited submissions; others operate by invitation or through contests. Always check individual submission guidelines (or contact the press) before sending a full manuscript.
Q: Can local presses help with self-published authors?
A: Many hybrid and indie presses offer a la carte services aimed at self-published authors, including editing, design, and distribution help.
Q: How long does the publishing process typically take with a small press?
A: Timelines vary widely — from several months for production-ready projects to a year or more for editorially intensive projects. Discuss timelines early in the conversation.
Disclaimer: Barnett Ghostwriting shares publisher listings for informational purposes only. We are not partnered with any of the publishers mentioned, and we do not guarantee anything related to submissions, acceptance, or publication. Our expertise lies in professional writing, editing, and book promotion services that help authors present their work effectively.
