Kingston has long been the publishing center of Jamaica, and in 2025 it continues to support a mix of traditional presses, academic publishers, and author-service companies. Writers in different genres—whether educational, cultural, literary, or professional—can find publishers that match their goals. While some companies focus on textbooks and scholarly works, others offer editing, production, or full-service publishing support for new and established authors.
1. Barnett Ghostwriting
Barnett Ghostwriting operates primarily as a ghostwriting and full-service author support firm. Rather than functioning as a conventional trade house with a catalog of in-house imprints, Barnett focuses on taking author projects from concept through manuscript, production, and publishing support. Their model suits authors who want heavy hands-on help with writing and production rather than a traditional publisher-led editorial route.
- Focus: Ghostwriting, manuscript development, editing, design, and end-to-end self-publishing support.
- Strengths: Full production services and guided support for authors who prefer to outsource writing and publishing logistics.
- Cautions: Not a traditional publisher in the sense of acquiring rights and investing in long-term distribution; terms and rights should be reviewed carefully.
- Best for: First-time authors seeking comprehensive help to produce a finished book quickly and authors who value a managed, service-driven process.
2. Ian Randle Publishers
Ian Randle Publishers is an established Kingston-based independent press with a strong reputation in Caribbean non-fiction, academic, and cultural publishing. Since the early 1990s they have published books on politics, history, development, and cultural studies and remain one of the region’s most respected imprints for serious scholarship and cultural writing.
- Focus: Scholarly and general non-fiction about the Caribbean—history, social sciences, biography, and cultural studies.
- Strengths: Editorial credibility, institutional recognition, and a catalog that serves academics, policymakers, and culturally engaged readers.
- Cautions: Submissions can be selective; turnaround timelines may be slower than commercial houses.
- Best for: Academics, researchers, and authors of serious non-fiction on Caribbean topics.
3. LMH Publishing (Limited)
LMH Publishing is known across the region as a major general-interest publisher based in Kingston. They publish widely across trade categories—fiction, cookery, children’s, travel, and culture—and often manage production logistics for titles destined for both local and diasporic markets.
- Focus: Trade books across genres (fiction, non-fiction, children’s, cookery, travel) with an eye toward Caribbean audiences.
- Strengths: Range of genres and experience with overseas production and distribution arrangements.
- Cautions: Authors should clarify marketing and distribution commitments at the contract stage.
- Best for: Trade authors seeking an established regional house that handles multiple genres.
4. The University of the West Indies Press (UWI Press)
UWI Press is the university press affiliated with the University of the West Indies; it publishes peer-reviewed academic titles and accessible general works that advance Caribbean scholarship and public knowledge. As a university press, it emphasizes strong editorial standards and academic rigor.
- Focus: Scholarly monographs, edited collections, textbooks, and public-facing works in Caribbean history, education, cultural studies, and related fields.
- Strengths: Institutional backing, peer review processes, and a mission aligned with scholarly excellence.
- Cautions: Slower editorial timelines and a focus on scholarship rather than mass-market commercial fiction.
- Best for: Academics, researchers, and authors of rigorous non-fiction tied to Caribbean studies.
5. Carlong Publishers (Caribbean) Limited
Carlong is a major presence in educational publishing in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean, particularly for school textbooks and curriculum support materials. Their focus on teaching resources and e-learning supplements makes them a go-to for authors working in education and curriculum design.
- Focus: Textbooks and educational materials across early childhood, primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
- Strengths: Deep knowledge of Caribbean curricula and strong distribution relationships with schools and educators.
- Cautions: Less emphasis on trade fiction or experimental literature.
- Best for: Authors of textbooks, classroom resources, and pedagogical guides for Caribbean schools.
6. Jamaica Publishing House (JPH)
Jamaica Publishing House, operating in Kingston, publishes academic and professional works with a focus on local and regional scholarship. It also supports projects that aim to raise public awareness of Jamaican history and culture.
- Focus: Academic, reference, and professional titles by Jamaican and Caribbean authors.
- Strengths: Local grounding and a mission to promote Jamaican scholarship and knowledge.
- Cautions: Resources and reach may be more limited compared with larger commercial houses.
- Best for: Local scholars, educators, and practitioners producing Jamaica-focused academic or reference material.
7. Surge Publishing
Surge is an author-oriented publishing company in Kingston that offers a hybrid mix of editing, formatting, print and digital publication, and marketing support. It fills the growing demand for flexible publishing services that combine professional production with author control.
- Focus: Full-service publishing and author support—editing, design, digital publishing, and marketing.
- Strengths: Accessible, flexible packages and experience getting Caribbean writers onto global platforms.
- Cautions: Marketing reach can vary with the scale of investment and partnerships.
- Best for: Emerging and mid-career authors who want professional production while retaining more control over rights and marketing.
8. Pelican Publishers Limited
Pelican Publishers is a boutique house in Kingston that offers publishing and production services, often serving trade authors and groups looking for local publishing expertise. Their profile in local listings and social channels indicates an active presence in the Kingston book scene.
- Focus: Trade and general interest books, local production and distribution services.
- Strengths: Local knowledge, hands-on service, and the ability to manage production end-to-end.
- Cautions: Smaller scale means authors should discuss distribution plans carefully.
- Best for: Writers of local interest fiction, memoir, religious/inspirational titles, and short-run trade projects.
9. Jaxam Press (and related independent imprints)
Small independent and boutique presses such as Jaxam Press play an important role in Kingston’s literary ecosystem by focusing on regional voices and experimental or niche work. Jaxam appears on recent lists of Jamaican publishers and typifies the boutique approach: more editorial intimacy and closer author relationships.
- Focus: Regional fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and children’s titles; support for emerging Caribbean voices.
- Strengths: Personal editorial attention, openness to new and diverse authors, and flexible publishing approaches.
- Cautions: Limited marketing budgets and smaller print runs compared to larger houses.
- Best for: Writers seeking an intimate editorial relationship and a press that prioritizes Caribbean storytelling.
10. Alpha Book Publisher (small/independent listings)
Alpha Book Publisher appears on regional publisher directories and lists that aggregate smaller presses and publishing service providers. Such organizations typically offer edit/design/print packages and sometimes act as micro-imprints for trade titles. While visibility varies, they are part of the broader Kingston/Jamaican publishing ecosystem.
- Focus: Editing, formatting, print and publishing services for trade books and niche projects.
- Strengths: Flexibility and service packages for authors who need production help.
- Cautions: Verify previous titles and distribution reach when evaluating offers.
- Best for: Authors who want turnkey production support and are comfortable working with smaller imprints.
Trends & Practical Advice for Authors
- Hybrid & service models are growing. A rising number of Kingston outfits now combine editorial services with author-funded or hybrid publishing models; these help authors bring books to market even when traditional acquisitions are limited. Surge and similar companies highlight this shift.
- Educational publishing remains strong. Houses that serve school markets—Carlong, for instance—continue to enjoy steady demand because textbooks and curriculum materials form a dependable revenue stream.
- University presses retain scholarly authority. UWI Press remains the main route for academic, peer-reviewed Caribbean scholarship. Authors with research-based books should prioritize university press routes for credibility and appropriate distribution.
Submission and negotiation tips:
- Learn each publisher’s submission policy—many established presses prefer proposals or vetted introductions rather than unsolicited full manuscripts.
- Clarify rights and royalties in writing (territorial rights, ebook rights, audio rights).
- Ask about marketing commitments and distribution channels (local bookstores, diaspora markets, online platforms).
- If approached by a service/hybrid publisher, request clear contracts that detail costs, timelines, and who controls ISBNs and rights.
Conclusion
Kingston in 2025 offers a mix of traditional, academic, educational, boutique, and service-oriented publishing options. Whether your priority is scholarly credibility (UWI Press, Ian Randle), classroom reach (Carlong, Jamaica Publishing House), broad trade exposure (LMH, Pelican), or hands-on author services (Barnett Ghostwriting, Surge), there is a publishing path that suits a range of author goals. Carefully review submission guidelines and contracts, match your project to a publisher’s strengths, and be ready to participate in marketing efforts to ensure your book finds its audience.
