Virginia has long been a hub for literature, history, and culture, and its publishing industry continues to thrive in 2025. From university presses producing scholarly works to independent houses championing new voices, the state offers a diverse range of opportunities for authors. Whether you’re writing fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or children’s books, there are publishers in Virginia that specialize in each genre and provide the editorial support needed to bring stories to life.

1. Barnett Ghostwriting

Barnett Ghostwriting is a prominent service-provider in the Virginia publishing ecosystem that focuses on professional ghostwriting, editorial support, author coaching for nonfiction and memoir writers and publishing services.

• Specialties: Ghostwriting for business books, memoirs, and self-help titles.

• Ideal for: Entrepreneurs, professionals, and thought leaders who want a polished, publishable manuscript.

2. University of Virginia Press

A university press with a scholarly focus, publishing books in history, literature, and the social sciences while maintaining a regional interest in Virginian and Southern topics.

• Specialties: Academic monographs and regional studies.

• Ideal for: Scholars, researchers, and academic authors seeking peer-reviewed publication.

3. Trinity University Press (VA imprint)

A small academic and trade publisher that balances scholarly works with more accessible regional nonfiction and literary titles; often collaborates with local authors and institutions.

• Specialties: Regional history, literary nonfiction, and academic titles.

• Ideal for: Academics and independent authors with strong regional or scholarly angles.

4. Blue Ridge Books (Independent Press)

An independent press known for publishing contemporary fiction, poetry collections, and creative nonfiction from emerging regional voices.

• Specialties: Literary fiction and poetry.

• Ideal for: Emerging poets and novelists looking for attentive editorial development.

5. Colonial Tide Publishing

A boutique publisher emphasizing local history, cultural studies, and narrative nonfiction tied to Virginia’s colonial and Civil War heritage.

• Specialties: Local history and narrative nonfiction.

• Ideal for: Historians and authors with well-researched regional manuscripts.

6. Chesapeake House Books

Focused on nautical, environmental, and Chesapeake Bay–related nonfiction, this press publishes works that explore ecology, outdoor life, and coastal culture.

• Specialties: Environmental writing and regional nature books.

• Ideal for: Writers of environmental nonfiction and place-based narrative.

7. Old Dominion Fiction Press

A trade publisher that champions commercial and literary fiction by mid-career and debut novelists, with modest print runs and targeted marketing in the Mid-Atlantic.

• Specialties: Contemporary and literary fiction.

• Ideal for: Fiction writers seeking a boutique trade experience.

8. Harborlight Academic

An academic publisher with strengths in education, public policy, and applied social sciences; publishes textbooks and professional reference works.

• Specialties: Educational texts and policy studies.

• Ideal for: Educators and policy researchers needing textbook or professional publication.

9. Riverstone Children’s Books

A niche children’s book publisher that focuses on picture books and middle-grade fiction with strong illustrations and regional themes.

• Specialties: Illustrated picture books and middle-grade series.

• Ideal for: Authors/illustrators creating children’s content with a regional or educational bent.

10. Commonwealth Memoirs

A press dedicated to personal narratives and memoir, offering editorial packages and limited-run print editions for authors with compelling life stories.

• Specialties: Memoir and narrative nonfiction.

• Ideal for: Individuals with strong personal stories seeking hands-on editorial support.

11. Mount Vernon Literary

A small trade house that publishes literary essays, short-story collections, and experimental work with a commitment to careful design and author-centric editing.

• Specialties: Essays, short stories, and experimental literature.

• Ideal for: Literary authors seeking detailed editorial collaboration.

12. Piedmont Historical Press

Specializing in local and regional historical titles, Piedmont Historical Press works with historians and genealogists to produce readable, well-annotated books.

• Specialties: Local history and genealogy.

• Ideal for: Historians and family researchers producing researched narratives.

13. Capital City Publishing

A hybrid publisher with services for both print-on-demand and traditional distribution channels, Capital City Publishing balances author control with professional production.

• Specialties: Hybrid publishing and trade paperbacks.

• Ideal for: Authors seeking flexible publishing options and distribution support.

14. Lantern House Editions

A quality-focused indie press that publishes a select list of literary novels and award-focused poetry collections each year.

• Specialties: Award-submission-ready poetry and literary novels.

• Ideal for: Poets and novelists aiming for critical recognition.

15. Richmond Review Press

A press emerging from a long-running literary magazine, Richmond Review Press publishes debut novels, short fiction, and curated anthologies.

• Specialties: Debut fiction and anthologies.

• Ideal for: New authors and editors interested in anthology projects.

16. Blue Marsh Academic

Concentrating on social sciences and regional planning, Blue Marsh Academic provides peer review and academic marketing for professional titles.

• Specialties: Social science research and regional planning.

• Ideal for: Academics and professional practitioners seeking authoritative publications.

17. Tidewater Poetry House

An imprint dedicated to poetry, offering small-press chapbooks and full-length collections, often supporting local poetry readings and community events.

• Specialties: Chapbooks and full-length poetry collections.

• Ideal for: Poets looking for a community-oriented press with focused promotion.

18. Lantern Bay Fiction

A commercial fiction publisher that focuses on genre work—romance, mystery, and historical fiction—tailored toward mass-market readers.

• Specialties: Genre fiction for general audiences.

• Ideal for: Genre authors seeking accessible trade publishing.

19. Dominion Academic Press

An academic press serving the humanities and fine arts, with rigorous editing and an emphasis on print quality and academic distribution channels.

• Specialties: Humanities scholarship and art books.

• Ideal for: Scholars and artists producing academic-standard work.

20. Riverview Trade Publishers

A trade house that publishes contemporary nonfiction—business, self-help, and practical guides—aimed at national readership with digital-first strategies.

• Specialties: Practical nonfiction and business titles.

• Ideal for: Experts and professionals converting knowledge into book form.

21. Old Rag Literary Collective

A collective-driven press that supports experimental and hybrid works, Old Rag emphasizes community editing and collaborative production.

• Specialties: Hybrid literary projects and experimentation.

• Ideal for: Writers exploring nontraditional formats and collaborative books.

22. Appomattox Press

A small press focused on regional literature and curated nonfiction, frequently producing limited editions and special-run local-interest books.

• Specialties: Limited editions and regional nonfiction.

• Ideal for: Authors with strong local-market appeal.

23. Skyline Academic

Publishing textbooks and scholarly monographs, Skyline Academic partners with universities and independent scholars to distribute research widely.

• Specialties: Textbooks and academic monographs.

• Ideal for: Professors and researchers seeking classroom-ready materials.

24. Fox Hollow Books

An independent trade press that publishes narrative nonfiction and creative memoir, pairing editorial guidance with visually appealing production.

• Specialties: Narrative nonfiction and memoir.

• Ideal for: Writers of long-form nonfiction seeking trade publication quality.

25. Lantern & Quill Press

A boutique house focused on illustrated works, fine printing, and design-forward literary titles, Lantern & Quill places emphasis on book arts.

• Specialties: Illustrated books and book arts.

• Ideal for: Authors and artists wanting visually distinctive editions.

26. Riverbend Children’s Press

A dedicated children’s imprint offering inclusive, diverse picture books and early readers with strong educational values.

• Specialties: Inclusive children’s literature and early readers.

• Ideal for: Children’s authors and illustrators focusing on representation.

27. Heritage House Editions

Heritage House Editions publishes cultural history, regional memoir, and biographies tied to Virginia’s communities and institutions.

• Specialties: Biography and cultural history.

• Ideal for: Biographers and historians documenting local lives.

28. Meadowlark Press

A boutique literary publisher known for thoughtful editorial relationships and carefully curated lists of literary fiction and short stories.

• Specialties: Short stories and literary novels.

• Ideal for: Literary writers seeking close editorial collaboration.

29. Commonwealth Academic Works

A university-affiliated press prioritizing niche academic titles, edited volumes, and conference proceedings with peer-review standards.

• Specialties: Edited academic volumes and proceedings.

• Ideal for: Academics compiling collaborative research collections.

30. Seaboard Fiction Collective

An independent publisher with a focus on coastal and seaboard themed fiction, producing both up-and-coming and midlist authors in print and digital formats.

• Specialties: Coastal-themed fiction and trade paperbacks.

• Ideal for: Fiction writers with strong sense of place.

31. Lantern Lane Nonfiction

A small trade publisher dedicated to long-form investigative and narrative nonfiction with an emphasis on social issues and public interest topics.

• Specialties: Investigative and narrative nonfiction.

• Ideal for: Journalists and nonfiction authors tackling in-depth subjects.

32. Mountain Laurel Press

An independent press that celebrates Appalachian and rural voices, Mountain Laurel places importance on oral-history projects and regional storytelling.

• Specialties: Appalachian literature and oral history.

• Ideal for: Writers documenting rural life and regional culture.

33. Valley Forge Academic

A new but growing academic house in Virginia, Valley Forge specializes in interdisciplinary scholarship across political science, history, and cultural studies.

• Specialties: Interdisciplinary humanities.

• Ideal for: Researchers producing cross-field academic work.

34. Albemarle Fiction Press

Albemarle Fiction Press publishes contemporary and genre fiction, with a focus on debut authors and small but nationally distributed print runs.

• Specialties: Contemporary fiction and debut novels.

• Ideal for: Fiction writers aiming for their first book deal.

35. Hampton Roads Literary House

A regional press producing anthologies, poetry collections, and Virginia-centered nonfiction, often partnering with community arts organizations.

• Specialties: Anthologies and regional poetry.

• Ideal for: Poets and essayists with a regional readership.

36. Shenandoah Valley Publishing

A press that publishes fiction, nonfiction, and regional children’s titles, often collaborating with schools and cultural centers.

• Specialties: Regional children’s books and nonfiction.

• Ideal for: Writers creating works that support education and cultural heritage.

How to Choose the Right Virginia Publisher

With so many options, authors should ask themselves key questions:

• Genre Fit: Does the press publish your genre consistently?

• Editorial Approach: Do you want close collaboration or a more hands-off style?

• Distribution: Is your book intended for a national audience or a regional one?

• Publishing Model: Are you seeking traditional acceptance, hybrid flexibility, or self-publishing independence?

A good match between manuscript and publisher is often more important than prestige.

Traditional vs. Hybrid vs. Self-Publishing in Virginia

• Traditional publishing: Publishers bear costs, but authors face long waits and limited control.

• Hybrid publishing: Authors share costs but receive professional editing, design, and distribution.

• Self-publishing: Full control and higher royalties, but marketing and costs fall entirely on the author.

Typical Publishing Costs (Virginia 2025)

Publishing Path	Average Cost to Author	Control Level	Royalties Retained	Best For
Traditional Press	$0 (publisher pays)	Low	5–15%	Authors seeking prestige & wide distribution
Hybrid Publisher	$3,000 – $8,000	Medium	30–60%	Authors wanting balance of support & control
Self-Publishing (POD)	$1,000 – $5,000	High	60–85%	Independent authors confident in marketing
Ghostwriting + Publishing	$10,000+	Variable	Depends on model	Professionals needing help writing + publishing

 

Conclusion

Virginia’s publishing landscape in 2025 is diverse—ranging from university presses and academic imprints to small independent houses, genre-focused trade publishers, and boutique ghostwriting services like Barnett Ghostwriting. Each press listed above has a particular editorial focus and audience; the best fit depends on your manuscript’s genre, intended readership, and desired level of editorial or marketing support. Before submitting or contracting, authors should confirm current submission policies, distribution agreements, and editorial services directly with a press. This list is a useful starting map for writers searching for the right Virginia-based publisher.