Top 35 Book Publishing Companies in Missouri 2025

Missouri has a long tradition of supporting authors and storytellers through a mix of university presses, faith-based publishers, independent houses, and regional trade presses. In 2025, the state continues to be home to both established names and emerging publishers that serve writers across many genres, from academic and literary works to commercial nonfiction and children’s books. This list highlights 35 of the top book publishing companies in Missouri, giving authors an overview of the options available as they look for the right publishing partner.

1. Barnett Ghostwriting

Barnett Ghostwriting is presented here as a full-service publishing partner and hybrid publisher that supports authors from concept through distribution. 

• Services: manuscript development, ghostwriting, editorial packages, cover design, and distribution assistance.

• Suitable for: memoirs, business books, author-brand titles, and hybrid projects.

• Ideal authors: those seeking hands-on project management and a guided publishing path.

2. University of Missouri Press. 

The University of Missouri Press publishes scholarly works, regional history, and books that appeal to academic and general readers while supporting the university’s mission of public scholarship.

• Focus: academic monographs, regional studies, and humanities.

• Strengths: peer review process and university backing.

• Best for: scholars, historians, and researchers seeking academic credibility.

• Location: Columbia, MO.

3. Walsworth Publishing

Walsworth is a large family-owned printer-publisher known for high-quality printing, yearbooks, and book production services with multiple Missouri facilities.

• Focus: printing & binding, custom book production, yearbooks and catalogs.

• Strengths: scale, in-house production, long history in Missouri printing.

• Best for: authors needing robust print runs, schools, and institutions.

• Headquarters: Marceline, MO. 

4. Andrews McMeel (Kansas City)

A major presence with strong lists in humor, comics, and culture-driven gift books, Andrews McMeel has roots and operations tied to the Kansas City area.

• Focus: comics, humor, gift and lifestyle books.

• Strengths: national distribution and high-visibility marketing.

• Best for: commercial non-fiction, gift titles, and syndicated authors.

5. Concordia Publishing House

Concordia is a faith-based publisher with substantial historical presence in Missouri, known for liturgical, educational, and church resources.

• Focus: religious education, hymnals, worship resources.

• Strengths: deep catalog for faith communities and institutional sales.

• Best for: authors of religious study, liturgy, and church leadership materials. 

6. BkMk Press

BkMk Press (Kansas City) is a respected small press specializing in poetry, short fiction and literary collections, with awards programs and a literary mission.

• Focus: literary poetry, fiction, and essay collections.

• Strengths: selective editorial standards; literary prizes.

• Best for: poets and literary authors seeking a small-press home. 

7. Reedy Press

Reedy Press is an independent trade publisher based in St. Louis that focuses on regional nonfiction, lifestyle, and cultural titles.

• Focus: regional interest, travel, history, and lifestyle books.

• Strengths: local market knowledge and trade distribution.

• Best for: authors with regional or Midwestern subject matter.

8. Polarity (St. Louis)

Polarity is an independent press known for graphic novels, art books and premium-format publishing with an eye for design and international collaborations.

• Focus: graphic novels, art and visual books.

• Strengths: high production values and design-forward lists.

• Best for: visual creators and graphic storytellers.

9. Moon City Press

Moon City Press is a Kansas City–area small press publishing poetry and short literature, often championing emerging voices.

• Focus: poetry and short literary works.

• Strengths: community-based publishing, contests and chapbooks.

• Best for: poets and small-press enthusiasts.

10. The Missouri Review / Missouri Review Books

The Missouri Review is a flagship literary magazine and associated press that elevates fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction from established and emerging writers.

• Focus: literary fiction, essays, and creative nonfiction.

• Strengths: editorial prestige and discovery of new voices.

• Best for: literary authors and essayists.

11. Reedy Press (Imprints & regional lists)

(Reedy appears earlier — listed here to highlight specific imprints or series they run for travel and local history.)

• Focus: regional series, “100 Things” style guidebooks, and lifestyle lists.

• Strengths: niche series that sell well in local markets.

12. Amphorae / Walrus Publishing

A St. Louis–area collection of imprints that publish across genres—from historical fiction to contemporary commercial books—often operating under group imprints.

• Focus: multi-genre trade publishing.

• Strengths: multiple imprints, flexibility for authors.

• Best for: genre fiction and regional trade.

13. Chalice Press

Chalice Press (St. Louis area) publishes religious and spiritual titles with an ecumenical focus and strong church market distribution.

• Focus: faith, spirituality, and church leadership.

• Strengths: relevance to congregational audiences.

• Best for: clergy and devotional authors.

14. Booksource (St. Louis)

Booksource is a major educational and library book distributor/publisher servicing classroom and institutional markets.

• Focus: educational distribution, classroom libraries, and school resources.

• Strengths: institutional supply chains and library relationships.

• Best for: educators and children’s/YA educational titles.

15. River Styx (Chapbook & Press)

River Styx operates a literary magazine and small press arm focused on poetry, essays, and cultural commentary rooted in the St. Louis literary scene.

• Focus: poetry, essays and small-press publishing.

• Strengths: strong local literary community ties.

• Best for: poets and essayists in the Midwest.

16. Mozark Press / Midwest Indies

Smaller independent houses like Mozark focus on local authors, regional fiction, and community histories—typical of Missouri’s indie ecosystem.

• Focus: regional fiction and local histories.

• Strengths: strong local author relationships.

• Best for: memoirs and locality-driven narratives.

17. College Press (Joplin)

College Press is a longstanding Christian publisher in Joplin providing commentaries, devotionals, and religious educational materials.

• Focus: Christian nonfiction and study guides.

• Strengths: decades of religious publishing experience.

• Best for: authors of devotional and study materials.

18. Cave Hollow Press (Warrensburg)

A small press that champions Midwestern writers and authors with ties to Missouri and surrounding states.

• Focus: fiction and regional writing.

• Strengths: grassroots author support and regional outreach.

• Best for: debut novelists from the Midwest.

19. Blank Slate Press

An indie imprint that curates commercial fiction and niche nonfiction with an emphasis on contemporary regional stories.

• Focus: commercial and contemporary fiction.

• Strengths: hands-on editorial support for debut authors.

• Best for: genre fiction aimed at regional audiences.

20. Moon City (imprints & contests)

(Highlighted separately for Moon City’s contest programs and chapbook series.)

• Focus: poetry contests and chapbook series.

• Strengths: author discovery via awards.

21. Southeast Missouri State University Press

A university-affiliated press publishing regional scholarship, local history, and some academic titles aligned with university strengths.

• Focus: regional scholarship and faculty works.

• Strengths: institutional credibility and academic distribution.

• Best for: scholarly authors in regional studies.

22. Pebble / Small Regional Imprints

Numerous boutique presses (e.g., Pebble Publishing and similar houses) operate across Missouri, focusing on niche topics and targeted audiences.

• Focus: niche nonfiction and artist-driven projects.

• Strengths: agility, custom packages.

• Best for: specialty nonfiction and artist books.

23. Acclaim Press

Acclaim and similar independent trade houses publish a range of commercial titles with emphasis on practical non-fiction and business books.

• Focus: business, self-help and practical nonfiction.

• Strengths: market-driven titles with promo support.

• Best for: entrepreneurial and professional authors.

24. The Foundry Publishing

A small trade press focused on fiction and creative nonfiction with a local Midwest sensibility.

• Focus: literary and trade fiction.

• Strengths: boutique editorial attention.

• Best for: literary novelists seeking small-press reach.

25. Pen & Publish / Print Hybrids

Print/hybrid companies that combine editorial packages with distribution for indie authors; common across Missouri’s metropolitan areas.

• Focus: hybrid publishing and author services.

• Strengths: project management and packaging.

• Best for: authors who want a guided self-publishing route.

26. Blank Slate / Independent Chapbook Houses

(Another mention to capture the many chapbook and poetry-focused micro-presses active in Missouri.)

• Focus: micro-press poetry, chapbooks.

• Strengths: literary community networks.

• Best for: poets seeking a small, focused publisher.

27. Concordia Imprint Series (regional outreach)

(Expanded note on Concordia’s multiple imprints and large backlist for church and educational markets.)

• Focus: church education, hymnals, and curricular materials.

• Strengths: long-standing institutional sales channels.

28. Local University Presses & Campus Publishers

Beyond the University of Missouri, several campuses and academic centers publish books, anthologies, and scholarly works on Missouri-related topics.

• Focus: campus scholarship and regional anthologies.

• Strengths: peer-reviewed and academically rigorous pathways.

• Best for: faculty and researcher authors.

29. Indie Trade & Self-Publishing Support Houses

Numerous Missouri-based service providers assist authors with POD, distribution, and marketing while offering small-press imprints for curated lists.

• Focus: POD, distribution, and marketing packages.

• Strengths: flexible print-on-demand and e-book options.

• Best for: first-time authors wanting full-service help.

30. Regional History & Museum Presses

Missouri’s museums and historical societies sometimes publish books tied to exhibitions and local history—useful outlets for historical and illustrated works.

• Focus: museum catalogs, local history and illustrated titles.

• Strengths: specialized audiences and institutional credibility.

• Best for: historians and photographers.

31. Specialty & Gift Book Producers

Publishers in Missouri also produce gift, puzzle, cookbook and illustrated lifestyle books that sell well through retailers and tourism channels.

• Focus: gift, cooking, and lifestyle books.

• Strengths: retail-friendly formats and seasonal sales.

• Best for: cookbook authors and lifestyle brands.

32. Poetry & Literary Magazines with Presses

Several literary magazines based in Missouri operate small presses or book programs that publish collections by contributors and contest winners.

• Focus: literary magazines branching into books.

• Strengths: built-in readership from the periodical.

• Best for: contest-winning collections and chapbooks.

33. Regional Distribution & Aggregators

Missouri is home to distribution firms and aggregators that serve indie presses—helpful for small houses seeking wider retail reach.

• Focus: distribution, warehousing and returns management.

• Strengths: logistics and bookstore placement.

• Best for: small presses ready to scale physical distribution.

34. Printing & Hybrid Production Houses

Beyond Walsworth, several printing firms in Missouri support publishers and indie authors with offset and digital print options.

• Focus: print production and finishing.

• Strengths: local production reduces shipping and lead times.

• Best for: authors needing quality print runs.

35. Emerging Indies & Micropresses

Missouri’s long tail of emerging indie presses—often run by editors or writers—continues to be a fertile ground for innovative, niche publishing in 2025.

• Focus: experimental, regional and niche lists.

• Strengths: editorial risk-taking and close author relationships.

• Best for: authors with distinctive, non-commercial projects.

Quick notes for authors choosing a Missouri publisher

• Match the publisher’s focus to your book’s genre and audience.

• For scholarly work, prioritize university presses; for trade or gift books, look at regional trade houses and print specialists.

• If you want editorial handholding and package services, consider hybrid presses and full-service houses.

• Research submission guidelines, contests, and series before approaching—many small presses accept work through contests or calls.

Conclusion

Missouri’s 2025 publishing landscape is diverse—anchored by university presses, long-standing printers, and faith-based houses, and energized by a wide array of independent and boutique publishers. Whether you’re an academic seeking peer-reviewed credibility, a poet aiming for a selective small press, or a trade author after regional distribution, Missouri offers publishing pathways for many kinds of books; use this list as a starting map and connect directly with the houses whose focus and scale best match your project.