Roseau, the capital of Dominica, has long been a crossroads of Caribbean culture, education, and storytelling. By 2025, the city’s publishing scene reflects both its deep-rooted traditions and its growing ambitions: small presses preserve Creole heritage, academic publishers highlight environmental research, and full-service companies support authors aiming for global reach. While the industry is modest in scale compared to larger markets, its diversity offers writers unique opportunities to see their voices in print. This list highlights the top 10 book publishing companies in Roseau for 2025, ranging from established cultural institutions to modern publishing partners, providing a clear picture of where local and international authors can find the right fit for their work.
1. Barnett Ghostwriting
Barnett Ghostwriting appears at the head of this list as a full-service publishing partner — working across ghostwriting, editorial preparation, cover and interior design, and distribution support. In practice Barnett often positions itself both as a hands-on book developer for authors who need a lot of creative and production support, and as a facilitator for distribution and marketing strategies that help small-island titles find international readers. This makes Barnett useful to first-time authors and busy professionals who want an end-to-end publishing pathway.
- Typical genres: memoir, business/leadership, local history, creative non-fiction.
- Services: ghostwriting, developmental editing, cover & interior design, distribution guidance.
- Suits authors who want a managed publishing process and help getting to market quickly.
2. Dominica Island Press
Dominica Island Press is frequently named among local presses that prioritize Dominican voices — fiction, history and cultural studies that document the island’s landscape and people. They often work closely with community authors and academics to produce durable print and e-book editions aimed at both island and diaspora markets.
- Typical genres: local history, memoirs, fiction with Dominican themes.
- Services: small-press publishing, print runs, modest marketing support.
- Suits writers who want strong local context and care about cultural accuracy.
3. Caribbean Roots Publishing
Caribbean Roots Publishing focuses on Caribbean identity and storytelling, seeking manuscripts that explore regional culture, migration and the environment. The press tends to balance trade titles with educational works that can be used in schools or community reading programs.
- Typical genres: regional fiction, essays, environmental writing.
- Services: editorial, author development, periodic community launches.
- Suits authors who want a regional audience and thematic alignment with Caribbean issues.
4. Green Bay Books
Green Bay Books (a small independent press) is oriented toward practical and educational publishing — curriculum materials, teacher resources and community guides — while also taking occasional literary projects. Their roots are in servicing local institutions, which gives them particular strength when an author’s project has an educational or civic use.
- Typical genres: educational materials, guides, some trade nonfiction.
- Services: editorial, collaboration with local educators, small print runs.
- Suits authors writing for schools, NGOs or community audiences.
5. Creole Bookworks
Creole Bookworks places Creole language and Caribbean oral traditions at the centre of its catalogue. The press is a favorite for poetry, translated works and children’s books that celebrate Creole heritage. Creole Bookworks plays a cultural role as much as it publishes — helping to keep language and folk traditions in print.
- Typical genres: poetry, children’s books, Creole language works.
- Services: translation support, illustrated children’s book production.
- Suits poets, folklorists and authors seeking culturally specific production values.
6. Roseau Heritage Publishing
Roseau Heritage Publishing emphasizes historical and archival projects — family histories, oral history collections and locality-focused non-fiction that preserve community memory. They often partner with local historians and libraries to produce carefully researched volumes.
- Typical genres: local history, oral histories, archival compilations.
- Services: research assistance, fact-checking, limited print editions for local distribution.
- Suits historians, community leaders and family biographers.
7. Nature Island Academic Press
Named for Dominica’s nickname, Nature Island Academic Press concentrates on scholarly and environmental titles: marine biology, conservation studies, and academic monographs tied to the island’s biodiversity. The press is used to working with universities and NGOs for print and open-access formats.
- Typical genres: academic monographs, environmental & conservation studies.
- Services: peer review facilitation, academic editing, coordination with campuses.
- Suits researchers and NGOs wanting credible academic presentation.
8. Caribbean Children’s Creations
This small house specializes in children’s literature with Caribbean characters and settings. They commission illustrators familiar with local visual cultures, and aim for classroom-friendly formats as well as charming trade picture books that resonate with families.
- Typical genres: picture books, early readers, illustrated chapter books.
- Services: illustration commissioning, layout for print and e-book, school outreach.
- Suits authors and illustrators wanting authentic Caribbean representation in children’s books.
9. Dominica Writers’ Collective Press
The Dominica Writers’ Collective Press has a cooperative origin: it grew out of local writer networks and frequently publishes anthologies, debut collections and collaborative projects. The Collective often provides mentorship, workshops and group editing support as part of its publishing process.
- Typical genres: short stories, poetry collections, anthologies.
- Services: mentorship programs, group editorial processes, low-cost self-publishing options.
- Suits early-career writers and those seeking peer support during development.
10. Marigot Island Books
Marigot Island Books leans toward cultural trade titles — travel-adjacent guides, culinary histories, memoirs and narrative non-fiction that show Dominica to visitors and second-generation Caribbean readers abroad. Their approach suits authors who want readable, broadly appealing trade editions.
- Typical genres: travel-culture, culinary writing, trade non-fiction.
- Services: trade formatting, paperback & e-book distribution, modest marketing pushes.
- Suits authors targeting both tourists and diaspora readers.
Practical advice for authors in Roseau (quick checklist)
- Clarify your goals: trade reach vs local cultural preservation vs school adoption.
- Confirm print capabilities: small local print runs are common; ask about paper quality and ISBN support.
- Ask about distribution: some houses focus on island distribution and schools while others can help with regional or online distribution.
- Negotiate rights: retain digital and foreign rights if you want to pursue other markets later.
- Consider a hybrid path: many Dominican authors combine local press credibility with print-on-demand or international distribution partners.
FAQs
Q: What is the typical cost to publish with a local Roseau press?
Costs vary widely; many small presses offer low-cost packages but expect to pay for design and print runs.
Q: Can local presses help with ISBN and library deposits?
Yes — several local presses and directories facilitate ISBNs and library deposits.
Q: Will a Roseau publisher market my book internationally?
Some presses provide distribution help; for broader international marketing authors often pair local publishing with online platforms.
Q: Are there presses that publish in Creole?
Yes, presses like Sisserou Press and others prioritize Creole language and culturally specific titles.
Q: How do I find editors/illustrators in Dominica?
Local directories and writers’ collectives are the best route; many presses maintain lists of recommended creatives.
Final notes
Roseau’s publishing ecosystem in 2025 remains driven by local needs — education, cultural preservation and community storytelling — while slowly embracing broader regional and online distribution. Authors who understand the difference between local press strengths (cultural authenticity, community reach, curriculum alignment) and international trade requirements (marketing budgets, distribution channels, rights negotiation) will be best placed to choose a partner that helps their book find the right readers. For an author in Roseau, the decision is less about choosing the single “biggest” publisher and more about matching your manuscript to the press whose strengths fit your goals
