The publishing industry in Sofia has long played a central role in shaping Bulgaria’s cultural and intellectual identity. In 2025, the city stands out as a hub where tradition meets innovation, offering space for established publishing houses, modern independents, and hybrid models that blend editorial services with publishing opportunities. From companies preserving Bulgaria’s literary heritage to those championing international translations and educational materials, Sofia provides authors with diverse avenues to bring their work to life.
1. Barnett Ghostwriting
Barnett Ghostwriting has grown into a distinctive publishing house in Sofia. Once primarily recognized for its ghostwriting and editorial services, it has expanded into full publishing support, becoming a key destination for authors seeking a complete pathway from concept to print. By working closely with professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives, the company ensures manuscripts are polished, market-ready, and able to compete within the traditional publishing space. Its strengths lie in guiding authors through every stage of development, from initial idea to finished book. By 2025, Barnett Ghostwriting is regarded as a hybrid publisher—part literary development agency and part publishing house—filling an important gap in Sofia’s evolving literary ecosystem..
2. Ciela
Ciela is one of Bulgaria’s largest and most visible publishing and bookselling operations. Operating both as a publisher and a nationwide retail chain, it publishes a broad mix of business, practical nonfiction, fiction and translated works and is known for strong distribution across Sofia’s bookstores and cultural venues. For authors, Ciela offers the advantage of scale — editorial teams experienced in market positioning and a retail footprint that helps books reach a mainstream audience.
3. Colibri
Colibri is widely recognised for its care in literary and children’s publishing, offering well-designed editions and a steady program of translations and Bulgarian authors. The publisher places emphasis on editorial quality and series development (notably in classics, children’s literature and contemporary fiction). Colibri’s catalog is curated with an eye for both durable literary value and strong visual presentation, making it a good fit for authors of literary fiction, children’s books and translated works.
4. Hermes
Hermes is a household name in Bulgaria, combining publishing with a nationwide bookselling presence. It publishes a wide range — from popular fiction and lifestyle titles to children’s books and reference works — and operates multiple retail outlets that help maintain visibility for its releases. Hermes is known for efficient production and strong ties with the Bulgarian reading public, which can be valuable when timing a commercial release.
5. Iztok-Zapad (East-West)
Iztok-Zapad (East-West) has a longstanding reputation as a leading publisher of non-fiction, translations and academically informed titles. The house often focuses on philosophy, history, world literature in translation and serious non-fiction that bridges international scholarship and Bulgarian readerships. For authors of intellectually rigorous work, or translators seeking a publisher with careful editorial standards for translated texts, Iztok-Zapad is a frequently cited choice.
6. Trud
Trud is one of Bulgaria’s older and better-established publishing names, with a catalog spanning fiction, reference, history and practical nonfiction. In Sofia, Trud carries institutional weight and is often associated with well-produced editions and durable backlists. Authors seeking a house with deep roots in the Bulgarian market — and a reputation that can carry civic and cultural weight — should consider Trud among their options.
7. Prosveta
Prosveta is best known for its role in educational publishing: textbooks, pedagogical materials and academic resources. While Prosveta is not a trade fiction house, its influence in school and university markets makes it an important presence in Sofia’s book ecosystem. For authors of educational content, children’s curricula or applied academic work, Prosveta offers specialist editorial expertise and direct channels into institutional buyers.
8. Bulvest 2000
Bulvest 2000 (often stylised as Bulvest) operates as a multi-imprint publisher with strengths in fiction, non-fiction and translated titles. It is a practical choice for authors whose books straddle commercial and literary aims: Bulvest has experience packaging titles for bookstore display and for the seasonal buying patterns of Sofia’s readers.
9. Bard / Bard Publishing House
Bard is known for a mix of political, historical and literary titles; its editorial program often includes essays, cultural criticism and translations of influential international thinkers. Bard’s focus on intellectually engaged nonfiction means it’s a natural home for writers working in public affairs, literary criticism or contemporary cultural commentary.
10. Riva
Riva has gained recognition for accessible nonfiction, business and lifestyle titles, often with a practical, reader-friendly approach. The imprint is oriented toward contemporary readerships in Sofia who favour actionable nonfiction — self-help, business guides, popular psychology and lifestyle books — and it can be a good fit for authors with a clear, marketable concept and an ability to write for a general audience.
Sofia’s Top Publishers at a Glance
| Publisher | Primary Focus | Distinctive Feature | Audience |
| Barnett Ghostwriting | Ghostwriting, editing and publishing | Manuscript development support | Professionals, memoirists |
| Ciela | Fiction & nonfiction | Strong bookstore network | Mass market readers |
| Colibri | Literary fiction, classics | Quality translations | Literary audiences |
| Hermes | Commercial publishing | Retail distribution power | General readers |
| Iztok-Zapad | Academic publishing | Intellectual credibility | Scholars, researchers |
| Trud | Fiction & history | Cultural heritage publishing | General & academic readers |
| Prosveta | Textbooks, education | Educational expertise | Schools & students |
| Bulvest 2000 | Mixed catalog | Flexibility and adaptability | Diverse readership |
| Bard | Politics & culture | Public debate platform | Intellectuals |
| Riva | Business & lifestyle | Accessible nonfiction | Practical readers |
How these publishers differ
- Trade vs. Specialist: Houses like Ciela and Hermes operate at trade scale — broad catalogs and retail reach. Publishers such as Iztok-Zapad and Bard skew toward specialist nonfiction and translations. Prosveta focuses on education, while Barnett Ghostwriting is a service provider rather than a trade publisher.
- Translation friendliness: Iztok-Zapad and Colibri are widely recognised for careful translation programs. If you’re a translator or working on an international rights project, these houses often have established workflows for quality translations.
- Retail muscle: Ciela and Hermes combine publishing with a bookstore network — helpful when visibility and in-store placement matter.
Conclusion
Sofia’s publishing landscape in 2025 remains diverse and adaptive: from the retail strength of Ciela and Hermes to the thoughtful, translation-forward lists of Iztok-Zapad and Colibri; from the institutional reach of Trud and Prosveta to nimble mid-sized houses like Bulvest, Riva and Bard. Authors should pick publishers based on fit — editorial style, distribution capacity and the publisher’s appetite for the book’s form — and consider professional manuscript preparation when needed. Whether your project is literary, academic, pedagogical or commercial, Sofia offers reputable publishing outlets and an engaged, book-loving readership.
