Top 40 Book Publishing Companies in Mississippi 2025

Mississippi has always been known for its storytelling traditions. From the Delta blues to Southern Gothic literature, the state is home to a legacy of voices that continue to shape American letters. In 2025, the publishing landscape in Mississippi reflects this tradition, blending university presses, independent literary houses, regional imprints, and service-oriented publishers that help authors bring their work into the world.

This guide explores 40 publishing companies in Mississippi, highlighting their areas of expertise, the kinds of books they produce, and what makes them valuable to writers and readers. Whether academic, literary, or community-based, these publishers play an essential role in preserving Mississippi’s culture and amplifying its diverse stories.

1. Barnett Ghostwriting

Barnett Ghostwriting stands out in Mississippi for its role in supporting authors who want to transform ideas into polished books. Instead of simply offering editing, the firm collaborates with clients on everything from structuring a narrative to ensuring a manuscript is ready for publication.

• Focus: ghostwritten memoirs, business books, and narrative nonfiction.

• Services: manuscript development, line editing, and long-term author coaching.

2. University Press of Mississippi

The University Press of Mississippi is the state’s flagship scholarly publisher. Since its founding, it has played a vital role in academic publishing across the South, offering books in history, film, African American studies, and Southern culture.

• Focus: peer-reviewed scholarship and Southern cultural studies.

• Services: editorial expertise, academic distribution, and university marketing channels.

3. Mississippi State University Press

This press reflects Mississippi State University’s mission to contribute to research and public knowledge. Its publications often explore agriculture, engineering, and state history, making it an important outlet for academic research.

• Focus: agriculture, history, education, and social sciences.

• Services: scholarly review, academic formatting, and institutional partnerships.

4. Blue Heron Press (Jackson)

Blue Heron Press is known for its dedication to literary voices, publishing poetry, short stories, and essays that explore life in Mississippi and beyond. The press is small but influential in nurturing regional talent.

• Focus: literary poetry, short fiction, and essays.

• Services: small print runs, event promotion, and local bookstore placements.

5. Magnolia House Publishing

Magnolia House focuses on memoir, regional nonfiction, and lifestyle titles that appeal to Mississippi audiences. Many of its books are rooted in personal storytelling, reflecting family histories and local traditions.

• Focus: memoirs, lifestyle, and community nonfiction.

• Services: cover design, editing packages, and targeted regional marketing.

6. River Road Press

River Road Press celebrates Mississippi’s landscapes and traditions through nonfiction. Many of its titles center on food, travel, and cultural storytelling that connect strongly with Mississippi readers.

• Focus: creative nonfiction, food culture, and travel writing.

• Services: manuscript development, proofreading, and author readings.

7. Delta Books Collective

Delta Books Collective is a cooperative run by writers and editors committed to elevating new Mississippi voices. It often publishes debut collections and chapbooks, helping emerging authors find their audience.

• Focus: debut fiction, poetry, and literary chapbooks.

• Services: mentorship, collaborative editing, and regional distribution.

8. Coastal Magnolia Publishing

Located near the Gulf Coast, this press produces books that capture coastal living. From maritime history to photography collections, its catalog highlights Mississippi’s Gulf region.

• Focus: maritime history, photography, and memoir.

• Services: design for illustrated books, coastal-focused marketing, and print-on-demand editions.

9. Southern Roots Press

Southern Roots Press documents Mississippi’s family and cultural histories. The press often publishes family genealogy books and local fiction that preserves stories across generations.

• Focus: family memoirs, regional fiction, and oral histories.

• Services: transcription, layout design, and library placements.

10. Hattiesburg Literary Press

Hattiesburg Literary Press produces children’s books, local history titles, and regional nonfiction. It frequently works with educators to ensure its titles find a place in schools.

• Focus: children’s literature and regional nonfiction.

• Services: illustration support, educational outreach, and event coordination.

11. Yazoo River Books

Specializing in history, Yazoo River Books publishes works that uncover Mississippi’s overlooked stories, from biographies to regional studies.

• Focus: Mississippi history and biography.

• Services: archival research, historical editing, and museum partnerships.

12. Pine Belt Editions

Pine Belt Editions produces literary fiction and nonfiction, often championing midlist authors who may not have mainstream opportunities.

• Focus: literary fiction and memoir.

• Services: in-depth editing, festival promotion, and small-batch print runs.

13. Delta Heritage Press

Delta Heritage Press is dedicated to books about Mississippi’s music, civil rights, and cultural history, preserving stories central to the Delta region.

• Focus: music history and civil rights studies.

• Services: illustrated book design, historical consultation, and cultural partnerships.

14. Natchez Trace Books

Natchez Trace Books is best known for travel guides and coffee-table books highlighting Mississippi’s natural beauty. Its richly illustrated books attract tourists and locals alike.

• Focus: travel and photography books.

• Services: visual design, cartography integration, and tourist-focused distribution.

15. Oxford Creative Press

Near the university hub of Oxford, this press emphasizes creative writing, often publishing anthologies and poetry collections tied to the town’s rich literary scene.

• Focus: poetry and literary anthologies.

• Services: literary contests, editing, and university festival promotions.

16. Tupelo Press South

Tupelo Press South publishes memoir, short fiction, and anthologies that bring together diverse Mississippi voices.

• Focus: memoir and fiction anthologies.

• Services: editorial curation, compilation projects, and local promotion.

17. Magnolia State Academic Press

Magnolia State Academic Press supports scholarship related to Mississippi and the wider South, focusing on education and social sciences.

• Focus: academic titles and state research.

• Services: peer review, curriculum support, and library sales.

18. Gulfport Literary Workshop Press

This workshop-based press helps writers transition from classroom drafts to published books. Its catalog often includes poetry chapbooks and debut works.

• Focus: debut poetry and fiction.

• Services: editing workshops, low-cost print, and readings.

19. Red Clay Books

Red Clay Books blends lifestyle and nonfiction, publishing works on Southern living, food, and gardening alongside memoir.

• Focus: lifestyle and memoir.

• Services: author coaching, regional PR, and custom print options.

20. Mississippi Folklore Press

Dedicated to folk culture, Mississippi Folklore Press publishes oral histories and ethnographic studies that document traditions across the state.

• Focus: folklore and oral history.

• Services: transcription, ethical research practices, and archival-quality editions.

21. Jackson River Publishing

A versatile independent press, Jackson River covers self-help, business, and fiction by local authors. Its model mixes traditional and hybrid publishing.

• Focus: general nonfiction and fiction.

• Services: hybrid publishing packages, editing, and author events.

22. Pearl River Books

Pearl River Books is a small trade press producing accessible paperbacks in fiction and memoir.

• Focus: community memoirs and fiction.

• Services: trade paperback printing and regional bookstore placement.

23. Southern Lantern Publishing

Southern Lantern specializes in inspirational and faith-based nonfiction, often connected with Mississippi church communities.

• Focus: Christian nonfiction and devotionals.

• Services: editorial guidance, church distribution, and study guides.

24. Crossroads Press of Mississippi

Crossroads Press publishes hybrid works that combine memoir, reportage, and creative nonfiction reflecting Southern life.

• Focus: cross-genre creative nonfiction.

• Services: small-run editions and festival participation.

25. Riverbend Academic Press

This academic press produces humanities and cultural studies titles, often with local or regional application.

• Focus: humanities and culture.

• Services: scholarly review, indexing, and library outreach.

26. Olive Grove Press

Olive Grove nurtures debut novelists, focusing on first books that might not fit commercial molds.

• Focus: debut fiction and short stories.

• Services: mentorship, manuscript feedback, and limited marketing.

27. Bayou House Publishing

Bayou House is Mississippi’s culinary publisher, producing cookbooks and food memoirs tied to regional traditions.

• Focus: food writing and cookbooks.

• Services: recipe testing, photography, and cookbook design.

28. Southern Oak Editions

This fine press creates collectible, limited-edition works, often collaborating with Mississippi authors.

• Focus: fine-press and collectible editions.

• Services: premium binding, design, and limited print runs.

29. Magnolia River Press

Magnolia River helps local families preserve their stories through memoirs and genealogical books.

• Focus: family and oral histories.

• Services: transcription, archival editing, and preservation.

30. Red Door Literary

Red Door Literary emphasizes voice-driven fiction and poetry. It prioritizes strong narratives over commercial appeal.

• Focus: literary fiction and poetry.

• Services: workshops, small-batch production, and readings.

31. Southern Crossroads Publishing

This publisher highlights civic, environmental, and historical nonfiction relevant to Mississippi communities.

• Focus: civic and historical nonfiction.

• Services: community outreach and educational tie-ins.

32. Magnolia Grove Children’s Books

This children’s imprint focuses on stories that represent Mississippi’s culture and heritage.

• Focus: picture books and middle-grade fiction.

• Services: illustrations, school outreach, and curriculum guides.

33. Willow Bend Press

Willow Bend Press publishes contemporary fiction and memoirs, often showcased at Mississippi literary festivals.

• Focus: fiction and memoir.

• Services: editorial support and event marketing.

34. Southern Heritage Publishing

Southern Heritage documents Mississippi’s history, publishing biographies and local histories for communities.

• Focus: regional biography and history.

• Services: archival research, fact-checking, and museum partnerships.

35. Delta Pen Press

Delta Pen emphasizes Delta literature and blues history, producing works that link writing and music.

• Focus: Delta literature and music nonfiction.

• Services: anthologies, cultural events, and editing.

36. Red Clay Storyworks

This publisher supports investigative nonfiction, telling Mississippi’s contemporary stories with depth and context.

• Focus: investigative nonfiction.

• Services: research support and long-form editing.

37. River City Press

River City publishes trade fiction and nonfiction by Mississippi authors, focusing on accessibility and regional audiences.

• Focus: fiction and memoir.

• Services: community promotion and local bookstore distribution.

38. Gulf Coast Writers Press

A press linked to writers’ groups, Gulf Coast Writers Press publishes anthologies and collective works by members.

• Focus: anthologies and local authors.

• Services: collaborative editing and marketing.

39. Magnolia Sun Publishing

Magnolia Sun produces inspirational works and memoirs, appealing to contemporary Mississippi audiences.

• Focus: memoir and inspirational nonfiction.

• Services: POD publishing, design, and marketing.

40. Tupelo Ridge Press

Tupelo Ridge publishes experimental fiction, poetry, and cross-genre collections tied to Mississippi’s creative energy.

• Focus: experimental and literary works.

• Services: curated editing, literary events, and niche distribution.

Finding the Right Publishing Partner

Choosing a publisher is as important as writing the book itself. For Mississippi authors, this decision often involves balancing literary goals with practical needs.Service-based publishers and ghostwriting firms offer another path, particularly for authors who need extensive help in shaping their manuscripts.

When evaluating potential publishers, authors should:

• Research each company’s catalog to see if their books align with the press’s mission.

• Consider the level of editorial guidance provided. Some presses are highly collaborative, while others expect near-final manuscripts.

• Look at distribution channels. Academic presses reach universities, while small presses may focus on regional bookstores and festivals.

• Decide whether they want traditional publishing, which may be selective and competitive, or hybrid/service publishing, which offers more control but may involve costs.

Ultimately, the right publishing partner depends on an author’s ambitions. 

FAQs on Mississippi Publishers

Q1: Can authors outside Mississippi publish with these presses?
Yes, many accept submissions from writers nationwide, though they often favor Southern or Mississippi-related themes.

Q2: Do Mississippi publishers charge authors to publish?
University and traditional presses do not charge, but some hybrid or small presses may offer fee-based services.

Q3: What genres are most popular in Mississippi publishing?
Regional history, memoir, literary fiction, poetry, and cultural studies are consistently in demand.

Q4: How can new authors connect with these publishers?
Attending local book festivals, writer workshops, and university events is one of the best ways.

Q5: Do these publishers offer digital formats?
Yes, most now produce both print and eBooks to reach broader audiences.