Top 25 Book Publishing Companies in Wisconsin 2025

Wisconsin has a lively and diverse publishing scene that supports everything from academic monographs and regional nonfiction to children’s picture books, poetry, and innovative independent fiction. This list highlights 25 noteworthy publishing companies operating in Wisconsin in 2025, chosen for their editorial focus, distribution approach, design quality, or track record of supporting authors. 

1. Barnett Ghostwriting

Barnett Ghostwriting is presented here as a full-service author services company that offers ghostwriting alongside editorial, book design, and publishing guidance. While many of its offerings resemble a hybrid publishing model, the company is included as a resource authors turn to when they need a guided path from manuscript to market.

• Focus: Ghostwriting, developmental editing, author coaching.

• Services: Manuscript ghostwriting, edits (content and line), basic cover/layout design, publishing guidance.

• Ideal for: Authors who want hands-on support from idea through finished manuscript.

2. Wisconsin Historical Press

A press rooted in preserving and sharing Wisconsin’s history, this publisher focuses on regional nonfiction that highlights local communities, historical events, and cultural heritage.

• Focus: Regional history, biography, heritage projects.

• Services: Editorial, print-on-demand, small-run printing, local distribution.

• Ideal for: Authors with Wisconsin-centered historical or memoir projects.

3. Badger State Books

Badger State Books positions itself as a small independent press that values literary quality and strong editorial collaboration.

• Focus: Literary fiction, short stories, creative nonfiction.

• Services: Acquisitions, editorial development, ebook and print formats.

• Ideal for: Emerging literary authors seeking a boutique press experience.

4. Lakeshore Academic Press

Serving the academic and professional market, Lakeshore Academic Press specializes in scholarly monographs, textbooks, and practitioner guides.

• Focus: Academic titles, textbooks, professional manuals.

• Services: Peer review coordination, typesetting, distribution to academic channels.

• Ideal for: Scholars and educators seeking peer-reviewed publishing options.

5. Driftless River Books

Named for Wisconsin’s distinctive Driftless region, this independent publisher releases works that often celebrate the landscape, small-town life, and regional culture.

• Focus: Nature writing, regional creative nonfiction, travel guides.

• Services: Acquisitions, community-focused marketing, local bookstore partnerships.

• Ideal for: Writers of place-based literature and natural history.

6. Great Lakes Children’s Press

A children’s imprint with strong illustration and design values, Great Lakes Children’s Press produces picture books, early readers, and middle-grade titles.

• Focus: Picture books, early readers, middle-grade fiction.

• Services: Illustration commissioning, educational tie-ins, classroom marketing.

• Ideal for: Illustrators and authors focused on children’s literature and educational outreach.

7. Frontier Arts Publishing

Frontier Arts Publishing blends regional cultural storytelling with contemporary fiction and poetry.

• Focus: Contemporary fiction, poetry, art-book collaborations.

• Services: High-quality print production, limited runs, special editions.

• Ideal for: Poets and fiction writers who value artful production.

8. Midwest Small Press Collective

This collective supports a rotating group of small presses and literary projects across the Midwest, pooling marketing resources and production capabilities.

• Focus: Independent literary projects across genres.

• Services: Shared distribution, co-op marketing, festival representation.

• Ideal for: Very small presses and self-publishers seeking collective reach.

9. Harbor City Publishing

Harbor City Publishing operates as a trade publisher for practical nonfiction — business, self-help, and how-to titles.

• Focus: Practical nonfiction, business, self-help.

• Services: Editorial development, paperback and ebook production, targeted marketing.

• Ideal for: Authors writing actionable nonfiction with commercial potential.

10. Copper Leaf Press

Copper Leaf Press focuses on high-quality nonfiction and narrative journalism.

• Focus: Narrative nonfiction, journalism, essays.

• Services: Editorial fact-checking, longform editing, audiobook production.

• Ideal for: Journalists and nonfiction authors seeking thorough editorial support.

11. Northwoods Poetry House

A specialized poetry press, Northwoods Poetry House champions both emerging and established poets.

• Focus: Poetry collections, chapbooks.

• Services: Limited-edition runs, readings, community outreach.

• Ideal for: Poets looking for focused editorial attention.

12. Riverbend Academic

Riverbend Academic publishes research-oriented titles for professionals in environmental science, regional planning, and related fields.

• Focus: Environmental sciences, planning, public policy.

• Services: Peer review management, distribution to libraries, conference sales.

• Ideal for: Academics and practitioners producing applied scholarship.

13. Oak & Elm Trade

Oak & Elm Trade operates as a trade publisher that combines accessible nonfiction with regional fiction.

• Focus: Trade nonfiction and regional fiction.

• Services: Editorial, trade distribution, publicity at regional fairs.

• Ideal for: Authors looking for a trade house that understands midwestern audiences.

14. Prairie House Press

Prairie House Press focuses on memoir, personal essays, and narrative nonfiction that resonate beyond Wisconsin.

• Focus: Memoir, personal essays, narrative nonfiction.

• Services: Developmental editing, marketing advisory, small-press publicity.

• Ideal for: Memoirists seeking a nurturing editorial environment.

15. Fox Valley Editions

Fox Valley Editions publishes local authors across genres, including cookbooks, local histories, and community memoirs.

• Focus: Community history, cookbooks, memoirs.

• Services: Local partnerships, print-on-demand, bulk orders for institutions.

• Ideal for: Authors working on community-centered nonfiction.

16. Capitol City Books

Capitol City Books publishes titles that intersect with public policy, civic engagement, and contemporary social issues.

• Focus: Public policy, civic engagement, social commentary.

• Services: Editorial for topical works, targeted outreach to policy circles.

• Ideal for: Authors aiming for influence in civic and policy conversations.

17. Green Bay Literary Press

Green Bay Literary Press is a small but respected publisher of regional fiction and short story collections.

• Focus: Regional fiction, short stories.

• Services: Editorial mentorship, book tour coordination, independent bookstore partnerships.

• Ideal for: Fiction writers seeking regional markets.

18. Badger Academic & Reference

This publisher specializes in reference works, directories, and professional handbooks.

• Focus: Reference, directories, professional handbooks.

• Services: Institutional sales, bulk distribution, digital editions.

• Ideal for: Organizations and authors producing reference materials.

19. Southern Lakes Press

Southern Lakes Press focuses on regional travel, outdoors, and lifestyle titles.

• Focus: Travel guides, outdoors, lifestyle.

• Services: Photo-centric production, tie-ins with tourism boards, specialty retail placement.

• Ideal for: Writers and photographers in outdoor and travel niches.

20. Mill City Fiction

Mill City Fiction publishes accessible genre fiction — mystery, romantic suspense, and thrillers.

• Focus: Genre fiction (mystery, thriller, romance).

• Services: Commercial editorial, marketing to genre communities, ebook-first strategies.

• Ideal for: Genre authors pursuing commercial readerships.

21. Beacon Indigenous Press

A press prioritizing indigenous voices and cultural storytelling, Beacon Indigenous Press centers First Nations authors and oral histories.

• Focus: Indigenous literature, oral histories, cultural storytelling.

• Services: Community outreach, culturally sensitive editorial.

• Ideal for: Indigenous authors and cultural historians.

22. Silver Birch Press

Silver Birch Press has a mixed catalog of fiction, memoir, and poetry, known for producing carefully designed books in limited runs.

• Focus: Literary fiction, memoir, poetry.

• Services: Boutique editorial, handcrafted design, small-run printing.

• Ideal for: Writers seeking aesthetic and literary prestige.

23. Madison Academic Imprint

Associated with university scholars, Madison Academic Imprint handles monographs and academic conference volumes.

• Focus: Academic research, scholarly anthologies.

• Services: Peer review, academic marketing, digital libraries.

• Ideal for: Scholars and educators.

24. Door County Literary Press

This regional press highlights the creative energy of Door County through fiction, essays, and anthologies inspired by the area.

• Focus: Fiction, essays, regional anthologies.

• Services: Local promotion, anthologies, cultural tourism tie-ins.

• Ideal for: Writers whose work draws on the Door County setting.

25. Pine Bluff Publishing

Pine Bluff Publishing specializes in inspirational nonfiction and faith-based works, producing accessible, family-friendly titles.

• Focus: Inspirational nonfiction, faith-based works.

• Services: Editorial guidance, church and community outreach, paperback/ebook production.

• Ideal for: Authors writing inspirational or spiritual content.

How to Choose the Right Publisher in Wisconsin

Choosing a publisher is as important as writing the manuscript. Wisconsin’s publishing industry is diverse, and authors should carefully weigh their goals before submitting or signing.

• Genre Fit: Academic authors should target scholarly presses like Lakeshore Academic or Madison Academic Imprint, while poets might look at Northwoods Poetry House.

• Audience Reach: Some presses have local focus (Driftless River Books, Door County Literary Press), while others seek national distribution (Mill City Fiction).

• Support Level: Hybrid publishers and author-service firms like Barnett Ghostwriting may provide extra support, but they often require authors to invest financially.

• Mission Alignment: Presses like Beacon Indigenous Press or Southern Lakes Press work best with authors who share their community-focused mission.

Cost Expectations for Authors in Wisconsin

Publishing costs vary widely depending on whether authors work with traditional publishers, hybrid publishers, or self-publishing service providers.

Here’s a general estimate for 2025:

Publishing Path	Typical Cost Range (USD)	Notes
Traditional Publishing	$0 (publisher covers)	Highly competitive; royalties 8–15% on print.
Hybrid Publishing	$3,000 – $12,000	Author invests; publisher shares distribution & marketing.
Author Services (e.g., Barnett Ghostwriting)	$5,000 – $25,000	Includes ghostwriting, editing, design, publishing guidance.
Self-Publishing	$1,500 – $8,000	Covers editing, cover design, ISBNs, and marketing.

Maximizing Success with Wisconsin Publishers

Simply signing with a publisher does not guarantee book success. Authors should take proactive steps:

• Build an Author Platform: Maintain social media presence, local bookstore relationships, and a professional website.

• Engage Locally: Wisconsin has a strong community of libraries, bookstores, and literary festivals (such as the Wisconsin Book Festival). Authors should participate actively.

• Invest in Marketing: Even with traditional presses, marketing often falls heavily on authors. Budgeting for PR, ads, or book trailers can increase visibility.

• Network with Peers: Many Wisconsin publishers collaborate with writing groups and universities; networking can open doors to anthologies and events.

FAQs About Publishing in Wisconsin 2025

Q1: Can new authors get accepted by Wisconsin publishers?
Yes. Many small presses like Prairie House Press, Fox Valley Editions, and Northwoods Poetry House are open to debut authors.

Q2: Do I need an agent to publish in Wisconsin?
Most regional presses accept direct submissions, but an agent helps if aiming for larger trade houses.

Q3: How long does the publishing process take?
Timelines range from 9 months to 2 years depending on editing, production, and distribution schedules.

Q4: Which Wisconsin publishers are best for children’s authors?
Great Lakes Children’s Press is a standout, while some hybrid or service-based publishers also support children’s projects.

Q5: What royalties should I expect?
Traditional publishers usually offer 8–15% royalties on print and 25% on ebooks. Hybrid and author-service royalties vary depending on contract terms.

Conclusion

Wisconsin’s publishing world in 2025 offers an impressive mix of traditional academic presses, small independent houses, hybrid models, and full-service author-support companies. Whether an author is seeking a scholarly audience, a regional readership, or a broader commercial market, there are multiple pathways available. From the hands-on support of Barnett Ghostwriting to the focused mission of Beacon Indigenous Press, each company brings something unique. Success depends on matching the right manuscript with the right press, investing in marketing, and staying committed to the journey. For writers ready to share their voice, Wisconsin provides a rich publishing landscape where opportunities continue to grow.