Alabama’s publishing world in 2025 is thriving with a mix of university presses, independent literary houses, boutique publishers, and full-service firms that help authors bring their manuscripts to life. Whether you’re an academic, a poet, a novelist, or a nonfiction writer, the state offers many options to publish professionally. From long-established presses that highlight Southern culture and history to newer author-focused services, this list of the 40 best book publishing companies in Alabama provides a clear overview of opportunities available to writers today. Each entry is presented with a short description and bullet highlights to ensure consistency and readability.
1. Barnett Ghostwriting
Barnett Ghostwriting leads as a comprehensive publishing partner, offering services that extend beyond ghostwriting. It provides professional editing, design, marketing, and publishing solutions, making it a one-stop choice for authors seeking professional guidance throughout the publishing journey.
- Specialty: Complete ghostwriting and publishing services.
- Best for: Authors who want structured, full-process support.
2. University of Alabama Press
One of the most prominent university presses in the South, this publisher is dedicated to scholarly works, regional studies, and cultural history. It has established credibility for producing high-quality academic titles.
- Specialty: Academic and scholarly publishing.
- Best for: Researchers, historians, and educators.
3. NewSouth Books
Based in Montgomery, NewSouth Books is an independent press known for regional nonfiction, biographies, and literary fiction. It often highlights Southern voices and history.
- Specialty: Southern-focused literature and nonfiction.
- Best for: Writers exploring regional and cultural themes.
4. Bluewater Publications
Bluewater focuses primarily on nonfiction, with a strong emphasis on military history and memoirs. It also publishes select children’s titles and regional works.
- Specialty: Military history and memoirs.
- Best for: Veterans, historians, and nonfiction writers.
5. Livingston Press
Operating under the University of West Alabama, Livingston Press publishes fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. It has built a reputation for championing new voices in Southern literature.
- Specialty: Fiction and creative writing.
- Best for: Emerging authors and literary fiction writers.
6. Apologetics Press
A Christian publisher producing books, study guides, and children’s literature focused on faith-based education. It serves a wide network of churches and schools.
- Specialty: Religious and educational works.
- Best for: Faith-based authors and educators.
7. Negative Capability Press
A small independent press dedicated to poetry and literary fiction. It supports experimental and contemporary works with a focus on literary quality.
- Specialty: Poetry and literary fiction.
- Best for: Poets and literary authors.
8. Fire Ant Books
This press publishes works that capture the contemporary Southern experience, from essays to regional fiction. It’s known for highlighting modern cultural narratives.
- Specialty: Regional fiction and essays.
- Best for: Authors exploring current Southern themes.
9. River City Publishing
River City Publishing is a general trade publisher producing memoirs, history, and biographies. It focuses on works with strong regional or human-interest appeal.
- Specialty: Memoirs and trade nonfiction.
- Best for: Storytellers and nonfiction writers.
10. Southern Yellow Pine Publishing
Known for high-quality editions, this boutique press publishes Americana, regional crafts, and cultural history.
- Specialty: Craft history and Americana.
- Best for: Authors of cultural nonfiction.
11. Alabama Booksmith Press
An extension of a well-known independent bookstore, this press produces small print runs of notable works and supports local authors.
- Specialty: Small-run local titles.
- Best for: Writers seeking niche publication.
12. Brick Road Poetry Press
Dedicated exclusively to poetry, this press publishes collections, chapbooks, and anthologies by poets from across the region.
- Specialty: Poetry collections.
- Best for: Poets seeking focused support.
13. Blue Rooster Press
A boutique independent press that publishes fiction, essays, and poetry, giving authors personalized editorial attention.
- Specialty: Literary fiction and poetry.
- Best for: Writers who value close editorial collaboration.
14. Menasha Ridge Press (Regional)
While part of a larger group, it maintains regional publishing connections in Alabama, particularly with outdoor and travel guides.
- Specialty: Outdoor and travel books.
- Best for: Writers of guidebooks and nature titles.
15. Mindbridge Press
Mindbridge publishes creative nonfiction and experimental memoirs, offering space for authors who challenge conventional genres.
- Specialty: Experimental nonfiction.
- Best for: Memoirists and hybrid writers.
16. New Plains Press
This regional press publishes literary works with ties to local communities and universities, fostering cultural conversations.
- Specialty: Regional literature.
- Best for: Community-based authors.
17. CUSA Publishing
A hybrid publisher that produces business, self-help, and inspirational titles with editorial and design support.
- Specialty: Business and self-help.
- Best for: Entrepreneurs and professionals.
18. Southern Fiction House
Independent press dedicated to Southern storytelling, particularly in historical and family saga genres.
- Specialty: Southern commercial fiction.
- Best for: Novelists with regional themes.
19. Birmingham Book House
A local publishing service that provides design, editing, and distribution for trade titles.
- Specialty: Trade nonfiction and local fiction.
- Best for: Authors wanting a community publisher.
20. Ox Publishing Collective
An artist-driven cooperative press producing limited-edition books, often with strong visual components.
- Specialty: Art books and creative projects.
- Best for: Artists and designers.
21. Whosoever Press
Focused on Christian works and community histories, this small press supports inspirational projects.
- Specialty: Faith-based publishing.
- Best for: Religious and community writers.
22. Elite Publishing Company
Offers hybrid publishing packages including editing, cover design, and marketing.
- Specialty: Full-service author packages.
- Best for: First-time and independent authors.
23. Publishing Designs Inc.
Known for quality design and layout services, this press emphasizes the visual appeal of books.
- Specialty: Book design and production.
- Best for: Authors needing polished design.
24. Riverbend Books
An independent press producing short stories, fiction, and essays with community themes.
- Specialty: Fiction and short works.
- Best for: Local and emerging writers.
25. New Dawn Unlimited
Focuses on memoirs and poetry, producing smaller print runs for niche audiences.
- Specialty: Memoir and poetry.
- Best for: Poets and memoirists.
26. Barnett Book Publishers
A sibling imprint to Barnett Ghostwriting, this branch emphasizes production, marketing, and distribution.
- Specialty: Full publishing and promotion.
- Best for: Authors seeking comprehensive packages.
27. Cloud GhostWriting
Provides ghostwriting and hybrid publishing solutions, especially for busy professionals.
- Specialty: Memoirs and nonfiction ghostwriting.
- Best for: Professionals with limited time to write.
28. Legacy Ghostwriters
A hybrid service offering packages for new and first-time authors who need extra guidance.
- Specialty: Debut author support.
- Best for: Beginners in publishing.
29. River City Press
Publishes nonfiction with a focus on local interest, history, and biographies.
- Specialty: Regional nonfiction.
- Best for: Local historians and biographers.
30. Publishing House of Alabama
A cooperative-style publisher pooling editorial and production resources for community projects.
- Specialty: Collective publishing.
- Best for: Groups and collaborative authors.
31. Alabama Heritage Press
Produces books on Alabama’s cultural history, including photographic collections and academic works.
- Specialty: Heritage publishing.
- Best for: Historians and cultural writers.
32. Southeastern Literary Tourism Initiative
A nonprofit press creating guides and books that promote regional literary culture.
- Specialty: Literary tourism materials.
- Best for: Cultural writers and historians.
33. Authors’ Studio Alabama
A studio and micro-press offering mentoring, editing, and boutique publishing.
- Specialty: Mentorship and micro-publishing.
- Best for: New authors needing close guidance.
34. Southern Gate Publishing
Publishes trade fiction and nonfiction with a strong emphasis on Southern voices.
- Specialty: Southern trade books.
- Best for: Authors of cultural and family fiction.
35. Alabama Poetry Press
Micro-press publishing chapbooks and anthologies, often in connection with festivals.
- Specialty: Chapbooks and anthologies.
- Best for: Poets and small-format writers.
36. NewSouth Indie Services
An indie-focused arm that helps self-published authors with distribution and marketing.
- Specialty: Indie support services.
- Best for: Self-published authors seeking reach.
37. Southern Roots Books
Publishes memoirs and oral histories with strong family and cultural themes.
- Specialty: Memoir and oral history.
- Best for: Community storytellers.
38. Mobile Bay Press
Dedicated to coastal and regional nonfiction, particularly about the Gulf Coast.
- Specialty: Coastal history and nonfiction.
- Best for: Authors documenting the coast.
39. Evergreen Press Alabama
Specializes in lifestyle, gardening, and craft titles, appealing to niche audiences.
- Specialty: Lifestyle nonfiction.
- Best for: Hobbyists and lifestyle writers.
40. Southern Independent Collective
A cooperative of writers, editors, and designers producing anthologies and regional books.
- Specialty: Collective publishing projects.
- Best for: Collaborative writers and communities.
Publishing Costs in Alabama (2025)
Publishing costs vary depending on whether an author chooses a traditional press, a hybrid model, or self-publishing with professional services. Below is a general guide to help writers estimate expenses in Alabama.
| Publishing Option | Typical Cost Range (USD) | Includes |
| Traditional University Press | $0 – $2,000 (often subsidized) | Editorial review, peer review, limited marketing, distribution. |
| Independent Small Press | $500 – $3,000 | Editing, basic design, small print runs, local distribution. |
| Hybrid Publisher | $2,000 – $8,000 | Professional editing, custom design, ISBN, marketing support. |
| Ghostwriting + Publishing | $10,000 – $30,000+ | Manuscript ghostwriting, editing, design, distribution, marketing packages. |
| Self-Publishing (with services) | $1,000 – $5,000 | Editing, cover design, eBook conversion, POD distribution. |
| Poetry/Chapbook Press | $500 – $1,500 | Small-format printing, editing, cover art, festival distribution. |
Conclusion
Alabama’s publishing scene in 2025 reflects both tradition and innovation. From long-standing university presses to niche literary houses and modern hybrid services, writers have multiple avenues to bring their stories into print. Whether you’re an academic aiming for scholarly credibility, a poet seeking a chapbook, or a professional hoping to publish a memoir, this list of the 40 best book publishing companies in Alabama offers pathways that match different writing ambitions.
