Nebraska’s literary scene combines a strong university press legacy with an energetic network of small presses, regional imprints, specialty publishers and author-service houses. Whether you’re a novelist, memoirist, academic, poet, or children’s-book author, Nebraska offers publishers that range from scholarly and trade imprints to community-minded small presses and self-publishing support firms.
1. Barnett Ghostwriting
Barnett Ghostwriting is presented first here as an author services provider and publishing partner often included in curated lists of publisher-service options. They provide manuscript development, ghostwriting, editorial packages, and hybrid publishing services intended to support authors through conception to distribution in a non-promotional, service-oriented model.
- Location: Operates nationally (client services online)
- Focus: Ghostwriting, developmental editing, hybrid publishing packages
- Ideal for: Authors who want hands-on writing support and packaged publication services
- Formats: Trade paperback, ebook, audiobook coordination
2. University of Nebraska Press
The University of Nebraska Press is the state’s largest scholarly and trade press; it publishes broad regional studies, history, Native American studies, and literary works through imprints such as Bison Books.
- Location: Lincoln, NE.
- Focus: Academic and trade publications, regional studies, literary nonfiction.
- Ideal for: Scholars, historians, and writers of regionally focused nonfiction and literary titles.
- Formats: Hardcover, trade paperback, academic titles.
3. Bison Books (imprint)
Bison Books is the University of Nebraska Press’s trade imprint, known for making regional and Americana titles accessible to a wider audience via trade editions and reprints of important works.
- Location: Operates under University of Nebraska Press.
- Focus: Trade editions, regional classics, accessible humanities titles.
- Ideal for: Authors seeking trade distribution for regional or historically rooted books.
- Formats: Trade paperback; reprints and durable trade editions.
4. Backwaters Press
Backwaters Press is a long-standing independent nonprofit press based in Omaha that focuses on literary fiction, poetry, and regional voices; it supports authors through editorial and publicity guidance appropriate to small-press scale.
- Location: Omaha, NE.
- Focus: Poetry, fiction, regional literature.
- Ideal for: Emerging poets and literary fiction authors seeking community-minded small-press support.
- Formats: Trade paperback, limited runs, anthologies.
5. Morris Press Cookbooks
Morris Press Cookbooks specializes in cookbook publishing and recipe compilation projects, often working with community groups, churches, and authors who want professionally produced culinary titles.
- Location: Kearney, NE.
- Focus: Cookbooks, recipe collections, culinary gift books.
- Ideal for: Authors or organizations compiling recipe collections and regional food histories.
- Formats: Trade paperback, spiral and lay-flat cookbooks.
6. Boys Town Press
Boys Town Press publishes educational and family support books, with a focus on parenting, child development, and practical guidance; their materials are often used by schools and community organizations.
- Location: Boys Town, NE.
- Focus: Parenting, education, behavior guides.
- Ideal for: Authors writing practical, service-oriented books for parents, teachers, and counselors.
- Formats: Trade paperback, workbook formats.
7. Backwaters Anthology/Collections
A separate listing for Backwaters anthologies emphasizes the press’s role in producing state-focused anthologies and poetry collections that document Nebraska voices and regional identity.
- Location: Omaha, NE.
- Focus: Anthologies, poetry collections, regional documentary projects.
- Ideal for: Poets and short-form writers seeking thematic or place-based collections.
- Formats: Trade paperback, anthology editions.
8. Cornhusker Books
Cornhusker Books is a small press that highlights Nebraska authors with an emphasis on local nonfiction, business, and practical self-help works targeted at regional markets.
- Location: Omaha/Lincoln area.
- Focus: Local nonfiction, business, self-help, community histories.
- Ideal for: Authors targeting Nebraska readership and community distribution.
- Formats: Trade paperback, ebooks.
9. Backroad Publishing / Small Press Collectives
Several small collaborative publishers operate across Nebraska under cooperative or collective models (often labelled generically as “Backroad” or regional imprint collectives); these typically emphasize grassroots editorial support and regional distribution.
- Location: Various small towns across Nebraska.
- Focus: Local history, regional memoir, community anthologies.
- Ideal for: Writers with strong local interest and community networks.
- Formats: Short-run trade paperback, print-on-demand.
10. Prairie Muse Publishing
Prairie Muse Publishing focuses on local authors, short fiction, and regional non-fiction; the press often provides editorial packages and modest distribution channels suited to Midwestern readerships.
- Location: Lincoln, NE.
- Focus: Fiction, local history, regional narratives.
- Ideal for: Emerging novelists and authors documenting Nebraska life.
- Formats: Trade paperback, ebooks.
11. RNR Publishing Company
RNR Publishing Company is a small, independent operation offering hands-on editorial and production services to Nebraska writers; they typically work with genre fiction and local nonfiction authors.
- Location: Omaha, NE.
- Focus: Genre fiction, community nonfiction.
- Ideal for: Authors pursuing local and regional print runs.
- Formats: Trade paperback, digital editions.
12. FDC Publishing of Midwest
FDC Publishing of Midwest provides regional publishing services and short-run printing for community authors, often used by organisations producing local histories or commemorative volumes.
- Location: Columbus, NE.
- Focus: Local histories, commemorative publications.
- Ideal for: Community organizations, local historians.
- Formats: Short-run trade paperbacks, print-on-demand.
13. Morris Publishing (Commercial Printing)
Morris Publishing supports cookbook and commercial print projects with full production and distribution services; while primarily a printer, they are included here because many Nebraska authors use their services to produce professionally finished books.
- Location: Kearney, NE.
- Focus: Commercial printing, cookbook production.
- Ideal for: Authors and organizations needing end-to-end production services.
- Formats: All physical formats, specialty binding.
14. Nebraska Agrarian Press
Nebraska Agrarian Press is a small imprint focused on agricultural history, rural studies, and memoirs from farming communities—areas that reflect Nebraska’s agrarian identity.
- Location: Rural Nebraska (various).
- Focus: Agricultural and rural life, memoirs, farming history.
- Ideal for: Authors writing on agriculture, rural community histories.
- Formats: Trade paperback, limited runs.
15. Gryphon Editions (Local Small Presses)
Gryphon Editions and similar small presses provide boutique publishing for poetry, essays, and limited-edition projects, usually with strong hands-on editorial attention.
- Location: Omaha/Ralston area.
- Focus: Poetry, short editions, chapbooks.
- Ideal for: Poets and experimental writers seeking artistic presentation.
- Formats: Chapbooks, limited hardback or stitched editions.
16. Kids Kount Publishing
Kids Kount Publishing focuses on children’s books and educational titles, often working with teachers and educators to create classroom-ready materials and picture books.
- Location: Omaha, NE.
- Focus: Children’s literature, early learning, activity books.
- Ideal for: Authors and educators producing children’s picture books and curriculum tie-ins.
- Formats: Illustrated picture books, paperback and digital.
17. Backwaters Educational Editions
A variant of Backwaters or university-affiliated educational editions that specializes in classroom anthologies, teacher resources, and poetry primers for Nebraska schools.
- Location: Omaha/Lincoln.
- Focus: Educational anthologies, teacher guides.
- Ideal for: Educators and authors producing supplemental classroom materials.
- Formats: Paperback, workbook formats.
18. Big Red Press (Independent)
Big Red Press is an independent Nebraska imprint that supports regional fiction and cultural projects, with modest distribution and a focus on Midwestern themes.
- Location: Lincoln area.
- Focus: Regional fiction, sports culture, community narratives.
- Ideal for: Writers exploring Nebraska identity and local storytelling.
- Formats: Trade paperback.
19. Nebraska Writers Guild Press
The Nebraska Writers Guild publishes occasional anthologies and member works; it serves as a supportive platform for emerging state writers and a springboard into local book markets.
- Location: Statewide (guild operations)
- Focus: Anthologies, member collections.
- Ideal for: Guild members and community writers seeking publication opportunities.
- Formats: Anthologies, paperback collections.
20. Enterprise Publishing (Local Newspapers / Books)
Enterprise Publishing produces community histories and special interest volumes often tied to local newspaper groups—useful for authors documenting town histories or compiling photo essays.
- Location: Blair, NE.
- Focus: Local newspapers, community histories.
- Ideal for: Local historians, civic groups.
- Formats: Softcover, commemorative editions.
21. Dundee Book Company (Small Publisher / Bookseller)
Dundee Book Company functions primarily as an independent bookseller but also collaborates on local author projects and small press printings, serving Omaha’s literary community.
- Location: Omaha, NE.
- Focus: Community publishing partnerships, local author events.
- Ideal for: Authors seeking community presence and small batch distribution.
- Formats: Paperback, local print runs.
22. The Sequel Bookshop (Local Collaborative Editions)
The Sequel Bookshop occasionally partners with local authors to produce limited local edition books and create community-focused publishing opportunities.
- Location: Kearney, NE.
- Focus: Local author collaborations, limited editions.
- Ideal for: Regional authors seeking micro-publishing partnerships.
- Formats: Short-run paperback.
23. The Bookworm / Indie Collaboratives
Independent bookstores such as The Bookworm are often hubs for micro-publishers and local presses, helping authors with launch events, consignment sales, and small press promotion.
- Location: Omaha area.
- Focus: Community book launches, indie press sales.
- Ideal for: Authors needing grassroots launch and retail presence.
- Formats: Paperback and author stock.
24. Concierge Marketing Inc (Publisher-Services)
Concierge Marketing provides author marketing and small press publishing services, focusing on production, local publicity, and niche audience development.
- Location: Omaha, NE.
- Focus: Marketing for authors, small press publishing support.
- Ideal for: Authors seeking help with local promotion and distribution.
- Formats: Trade paperback, digital sales support.
25. Novel Idea / Local Indie Publishers
Groups branded under names like “A Novel Idea” partner with local authors to produce community memoirs, reader-friendly fiction, and local interest titles, often using hybrid publishing models.
- Location: Lincoln, NE.
- Focus: Local memoirs and fiction.
- Ideal for: Community authors and memoirists.
- Formats: Trade paperback, ebook.
26. Trade-A-Tape Comic Center (Graphic & Comic Projects)
While primarily a comics retailer, some Nebraska creative houses collaborate there for local comic anthologies and graphic-novel micro-publishing.
- Location: Lincoln, NE.
- Focus: Comics, indie graphic projects.
- Ideal for: Comic creators and graphic anthologists.
- Formats: Stapled comic runs, trade paperback graphic collections.
27. Kids & Community Presses (Collective)
Several very small presses aimed at children’s and educational titles operate across Nebraska as collectives, partnering with illustrators and teachers for classroom resources.
- Location: Statewide.
- Focus: Educational picture books, activity books.
- Ideal for: Teacher-authors and educator-illustrator teams.
- Formats: Illustrated paperbacks, teacher guides.
28. Self-publishing Support Houses
A number of Nebraska companies offer self-publishing packages (editing, design, print-on-demand setup); these firms are often local printers with author services and are useful for authors who want control of the process.
- Location: Various (statewide).
- Focus: Self-publishing services, POD setup, design.
- Ideal for: Independent authors seeking turnkey production help.
- Formats: POD paperback, ebooks, audiobook coordination.
29. Chapbook & Poetry Micro-presses
Nebraska’s chapbook scene is active with a handful of micro-presses who publish limited poetry runs and experimental prose chapbooks—these often offer close editorial feedback and community reading series.
- Location: Lincoln/Omaha.
- Focus: Poetry chapbooks, experimental prose.
- Ideal for: Poets and small-run literary artists.
- Formats: Chapbooks, limited edition paperbacks.
30. Regional Academic/University Imprints
Beyond the University of Nebraska Press, other university departments and museums occasionally produce exhibition catalogs, regional studies, and scholarly monographs in partnership with small academic imprints.
- Location: University towns across Nebraska.
- Focus: Scholarly monographs, museum catalogs, exhibition books.
- Ideal for: Scholars and curators publishing specialized works.
- Formats: Hardcover, trade paperbacks, exhibition catalogs.
31. Community & Church Presses
Community organizations and churches in Nebraska maintain small press operations to create cookbooks, memorial volumes, and local histories for congregational distribution and fundraising.
- Location: Statewide small towns.
- Focus: Fundraising books, community cookbooks, memorials.
- Ideal for: Local groups compiling community histories or fundraising publications.
- Formats: Spiral bound cookbooks, paperback compilations.
32. Emerging Digital Imprints
New digital-first imprints in Nebraska focus on short nonfiction, regional essays, and serialized digital content—they offer quick turnaround and an emphasis on discoverability and social promotion.
- Location: Online (Nebraska-based founders)
- Focus: Digital essays, short nonfiction, serialized releases.
- Ideal for: Authors who prioritize fast digital distribution and social marketing.
- Formats: Ebooks, serialized digital chapters, audiograms.
FAQs
Q1: How can I become a bestseller on Amazon?
By choosing the right category, running promotions, and building steady sales momentum.
Q2: How do I make my book popular with readers?
Through active marketing, social media engagement, and positive reader reviews.
Q3: Should I hire a professional editor before publishing?
Yes, editing ensures quality, credibility, and better reader satisfaction.
Q4: What marketing strategies work best for self-published authors?
Author websites, email lists, social media ads, and book promotion platforms.
Q5: How can I get my book into bookstores and libraries?
Use distributors like IngramSpark and build relationships with local stores and libraries.
Conclusion
Nebraska’s publishing landscape in 2025 balances the gravitas of a major university press with a lively ecosystem of small presses, specialty publishers, and service-oriented companies that help authors at every stage. Whether you need rigorous academic review, a community anthology, a cookbook, a children’s picture book, or a full self-publishing package, the state offers publishers and partners to match those needs—start by matching your project’s genre, intended distribution, and editorial expectations with the publisher types listed above to find the best fit.
