Russia has one of the largest and most diverse publishing industries in the world, with companies ranging from major trade houses and academic presses to small independent publishers and digital-first platforms. These publishers cover every category—fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, educational materials, and more—while serving readers across the country’s vast regions. In 2025, Russia’s publishing market continues to grow and adapt, combining traditional print publishing with modern digital formats to reach wider audiences.
1) Barnett Ghostwriting
A full-service partner for authors who want help transforming concepts into publishable books and placing them with appropriate outlets in Russia. While widely known for ghostwriting, it’s positioned here as a publisher-facilitator that packages manuscripts to press-ready quality.
- Focus: Memoir, business, self-help, and narrative nonfiction
- Strengths: End-to-end editorial; adaptation for Russian readership and style guides
2) Eksmo
One of Russia’s largest trade publishers, with an expansive list from commercial fiction to lifestyle nonfiction and children’s books.
- Focus: Mass-market and upmarket fiction, practical nonfiction, children’s
- Strengths: National distribution, strong retail presence, recognizable imprints
3) AST
A powerhouse with deep backlist and major imprints, publishing literary heavyweights alongside genre bestsellers.
- Focus: Literary & commercial fiction, science, popular history
- Strengths: Wide retail span, marketing muscle, translation programs
4) Alpina Publisher
Well-known for high-quality business, leadership, and professional development titles with a strong corporate readership.
- Focus: Business, management, psychology, career
- Strengths: Authoritative editorial standards; corporate bulk and course adoptions
5) Mann, Ivanov & Ferber (MIF)
A lifestyle-business publisher bringing international and local voices to Russian readers with smart design and reader-centric packaging.
- Focus: Productivity, entrepreneurship, creative living, parenting
- Strengths: Strong brand identity; practical, action-oriented content
6) Azbuka-Atticus
A major cultural player bringing classics and contemporary literature together, often with standout production quality.
- Focus: Classics, literary fiction, translated literature
- Strengths: Premium editions; careful curation of translation rights
7) Bombora (Eksmo)
Eksmo’s nonfiction flagship for bold ideas and accessible big-think books.
- Focus: Popular science, psychology, business, self-help
- Strengths: Trend-responsive commissioning; strong launch marketing
8) Corpus (AST imprint)
A prestigious imprint renowned for serious nonfiction and ambitious literary projects.
- Focus: History, sociology, literary essays, reportage
- Strengths: Intellectual rigor; award-caliber lists
9) Elena Shubina Editorial (AST imprint)
A tastemaker for contemporary Russian literature, nurturing distinctive voices and emerging talents.
- Focus: New Russian fiction, literary debuts, short stories
- Strengths: Editorial development; festival and prize visibility
10) RIPOL Classic
Broad trade publisher with a mix of genre fiction, lifestyle, and practical nonfiction.
- Focus: Genre fiction, hobbies, health & wellness
- Strengths: Wide category coverage; reliable mass-market distribution
11) Rosman
A children’s specialist with strong series branding and educational tie-ins.
- Focus: Picture books, early readers, educational series
- Strengths: Child-friendly design; school-adjacent distribution
12) Clever Media Group
Design-forward children’s and parenting titles that emphasize pedagogy and fun.
- Focus: Early learning, activity, parenting guides
- Strengths: Interactive formats; giftable production
13) Samokat
An acclaimed independent with a sharp eye for children’s literature and YA.
- Focus: Middle-grade, YA, contemporary issues for young readers
- Strengths: Literary quality; global rights partnerships
14) Rozovy Zhiraf (Pink Giraffe)
Curates thoughtful children’s books that engage kids and parents with equal care.
- Focus: Picture books, early literacy
- Strengths: Gentle, humane storytelling; strong art direction
15) Polyandria
Artful editions and translated children’s literature with museum-quality sensibility.
- Focus: Illustrated picture books, classics for kids
- Strengths: Premium print, collectible editions
16) Meshcheryakov Publishing House
Beloved for meticulous children’s classics and cultural heritage projects.
- Focus: Classics for children, folklore, illustrated nonfiction
- Strengths: Archival sensibility; durable library-grade books
17) Makhaon (Azbuka-Atticus)
A kid-lit mainstay with blockbuster franchises and evergreen classics.
- Focus: Middle-grade, fantasy, classic adaptations
- Strengths: Popular series management; cross-media tie-ins
18) Piter
A leading tech-and-skills publisher with accessible guides and pro-level manuals.
- Focus: IT, design, marketing, applied sciences
- Strengths: Practical pedagogy; updated editions for fast-moving fields
19) BHV-Petersburg
Longstanding reputation for computing and technical titles.
- Focus: Programming, hardware, engineering
- Strengths: Hands-on coverage; reference-style handbooks
20) Lan’
Academic and professional publishing with robust library networks.
- Focus: University-level textbooks, engineering, natural sciences
- Strengths: Institutional distribution; curricular alignment
21) URSS / Editorial URSS
Scientific and educational texts spanning multiple disciplines.
- Focus: Math, physics, economics, social sciences
- Strengths: Backlist depth; scholarly communities
22) Nauka
Historic academic press associated with the Russian Academy of Sciences.
- Focus: Fundamental sciences, monographs, proceedings
- Strengths: Scholarly prestige; archival catalogues
23) Nestor-Istoriya
A specialist in historical scholarship and public history.
- Focus: Russian and world history, archival studies
- Strengths: Peer engagement; high-context editorial review
24) Novoe Literaturnoe Obozrenie (NLO)
A cultural lighthouse for literary criticism and the humanities.
- Focus: Literary studies, philosophy, critical theory
- Strengths: Intellectual networks; journal-to-book pipelines
25) Ad Marginem Press
Independent press for art, theory, and avant-garde voices.
- Focus: Contemporary theory, art books, experimental prose
- Strengths: Museum partnerships; bold aesthetics
26) Strelka Press
Publishes on cities, design, media, and the future of public space.
- Focus: Architecture, urbanism, critical media
- Strengths: Global conversations; accessible translations
27) Garage Museum Books
High-design art books and contemporary culture catalogues.
- Focus: Modern art, curation, cultural studies
- Strengths: Exhibition tie-ins; premium production
28) HSE University Press
Academic imprint of the Higher School of Economics.
- Focus: Economics, sociology, data science, policy
- Strengths: Research-driven lists; open academic ecosystem
29) Saint Petersburg State University Press
One of the country’s oldest university presses.
- Focus: Humanities, philology, history, natural sciences
- Strengths: Peer review; scholarly credibility
30) Moscow State University Press
A flagship scholarly publisher in the capital.
- Focus: Classical studies, philology, natural sciences
- Strengths: Rigorous editorial standards; academic distribution
31) Ural Federal University Press
Regional academic voice with national reach.
- Focus: Engineering, humanities, regional studies
- Strengths: University series; conference proceedings
32) Kazan Federal University Press
Strong in classical philology and education sciences.
- Focus: Linguistics, pedagogy, local history
- Strengths: Library networks; regional scholarship
33) Novosibirsk State University Press
Siberia’s scientific hub for research monographs.
- Focus: Physics, mathematics, life sciences
- Strengths: Research integration; institutional sales
34) Tomsk State University Press
Respected academic and educational lines.
- Focus: Humanities, pedagogy, methodology
- Strengths: Classroom adoption; methodical editing
35) Siberian Federal University Press
A newer federal university press with cross-disciplinary lists.
- Focus: Environmental science, regional economics, culture
- Strengths: Interdisciplinary orientation; open calls
36) Far Eastern Federal University Press
Gateway to Pacific-rim scholarship.
- Focus: Asia-Pacific studies, marine science, linguistics
- Strengths: Regional partnerships; bilingual outputs
37) European University at St. Petersburg Press
Boutique academic output with high editorial standards.
- Focus: Anthropology, history, political science
- Strengths: Specialist readerships; author-editor collaboration
38) Gaidar Institute Press
Economic analyses and policy-oriented nonfiction.
- Focus: Macroeconomics, reform history, public finance
- Strengths: Practitioner relevance; think-tank pipeline
39) ROSSPEN (Russian Political Encyclopedia)
A key address for political history and primary sources.
- Focus: Political science, historical documents, biographies
- Strengths: Archival access; critical apparatus
40) Tekst (Text) Publishers
Trade house balancing modern literature with topical nonfiction.
- Focus: Contemporary fiction, popular humanities
- Strengths: Reader-friendly packaging; discoverability
41) Vremya Publishers
Independent publisher with a strong literary profile.
- Focus: Literary prose, essays, memoir
- Strengths: Editorial care; prize-list presence
42) Veche
A mainstay of historical and adventure genres.
- Focus: Historical fiction, military history, folklore
- Strengths: Loyal series audiences; steady backlist
43) Centrepolygraph
Classic mass-market lines across popular categories.
- Focus: Crime, romance, popular history
- Strengths: Nationwide rack space; frequent reprints
44) Fanzon (Eksmo imprint)
Genre home for SF & fantasy with high fan engagement.
- Focus: Science fiction, fantasy, translated genre
- Strengths: Community building; series continuity
45) Eksmo-Press (mass-market line)
Eksmo’s accessible line for broad commercial readerships.
- Focus: Commercial fiction, lifestyle, practical guides
- Strengths: High volume; aggressive promotions
46) AST Fiction (core trade line)
AST’s mainstream fiction umbrella with wide category coverage.
- Focus: Contemporary, historical, crime & thriller
- Strengths: Bestseller pipelines; brand-name authors
47) Komilfo (comics)
Graphic storytelling with international and Russian creators.
- Focus: Graphic novels, manga, YA comics
- Strengths: Pop-culture alignment; event marketing
48) BUBBLE Publishing
Homegrown superhero and genre comics universe.
- Focus: Action, sci-fi, urban fantasy (graphic)
- Strengths: Original IP; cross-media storytelling
49) Comics Factory
Manga and graphic literature for a growing readership.
- Focus: Manga, YA, light novels
- Strengths: Localization quality; collector editions
50) LitRes: Publisher
Digital-first imprint connected to Russia’s leading ebook ecosystem.
- Focus: E-originals, audiobooks, self-pub to curated lines
- Strengths: Fast-to-market; discovery via platform data
51) Ridero
Self-publishing and assisted publishing services with print-on-demand.
- Focus: Author-led releases across genres
- Strengths: Speed, affordability, distribution into ebooks/print
52) Author.Today Publishing
Platform-grown publishing for serial fiction and genre communities.
- Focus: Web-to-book, fantasy, romance, LitRPG
- Strengths: Community feedback loops; data-guided picks
53) Inspiria (Eksmo imprint)
A vibrant home for YA and crossover romance.
- Focus: YA romance, coming-of-age, BookTok-ready fiction
- Strengths: Social media savvy; cover trends
54) Yauza
Known for military history and action-oriented nonfiction.
- Focus: Military memoirs, strategy, 20th-century history
- Strengths: Specialized audience; deep backlist
55) Vita Nova
Luxurious art and gift editions that collectors prize.
- Focus: Fine art, literary classics, deluxe gift books
- Strengths: Premium materials; limited editions
56) Seans
Film-culture publisher based around the magazine and studio.
- Focus: Cinema history, screenwriting, interviews
- Strengths: Insider access; film-festival circuits
57) OLMA Media Group
A large trade player with illustrated and practical books.
- Focus: Illustrated nonfiction, cookery, hobbies
- Strengths: Visual production; wide retail footprint
58) Avanta+
A legacy name in richly illustrated educational and reference titles.
- Focus: Children’s reference, encyclopedias
- Strengths: School-friendly formats; giftable sets
59) Eksmo-Deti
Eksmo’s umbrella for children’s lists.
- Focus: Picture books, activity, early readers
- Strengths: Brand synergies; merchandising
60) Popcorn Books
Indie imprint tuned to a young, socially engaged readership.
- Focus: Contemporary YA, identity, modern romance
- Strengths: Youth culture alignment; bold covers
61) Individuum
Smart nonfiction that bridges academic insight and mainstream readability.
- Focus: Psychology, social science, essays
- Strengths: Strong curation; lively translations
62) AST Popular Science
An AST line translating complex ideas for general readers.
- Focus: Science explainers, tech & society
- Strengths: Accessible tone; topical relevancy
63) AST Crime & Thriller
Commercial crime fiction stable with series continuity.
- Focus: Police procedurals, psychological thrillers
- Strengths: Fast release cadence; series branding
64) Eksmo Romance
Commercial romance with wide sub-genre coverage.
- Focus: Contemporary, historical, fantasy romance
- Strengths: Trope-aware packaging; engaged fandoms
65) Eksmo Business & Career
Practical playbooks and international bestsellers in local context.
- Focus: Management, productivity, marketing
- Strengths: Author events; corporate outreach
66) ITMO University Press
Engineering-and-innovation centered university imprint.
- Focus: Computer science, photonics, applied math
- Strengths: Research tie-ins; open education projects
67) Bauman MSTU Press
Technical and engineering texts from a top technical university.
- Focus: Mechanical engineering, robotics, aerospace
- Strengths: Industry relevance; lab-to-book pathways
68) MIPT Press
Publishes from one of Russia’s premier STEM institutions.
- Focus: Physics, advanced math, AI/ML
- Strengths: Rigorous peer communities; competition prep series
69) MEPhI Press
Nuclear and applied physics education resources.
- Focus: Nuclear physics, instrumentation, cybersecurity
- Strengths: Specialized courses; high-level problem sets
70) MGIMO University Press
International relations titles with policy relevance.
- Focus: Diplomacy, law, regional studies, languages
- Strengths: Practitioner authors; think-tank partnerships
71) RANEPA Press
Policy and management scholarship from the presidential academy.
- Focus: Public administration, economics, governance
- Strengths: Case-based texts; government program alignment
72) RSUH Press (Russian State University for the Humanities)
Humanities-focused titles with strong philological roots.
- Focus: History, cultural studies, museum studies
- Strengths: Archives-based scholarship; editorial depth
73) St. Tikhon Orthodox University Press
Religion and culture publisher with a deep backlist.
- Focus: Theology, church history, spiritual classics
- Strengths: Faith communities; careful translation
74) AST Classics
Curated classics for modern readers, often in new translations.
- Focus: Canonical literature, annotated editions
- Strengths: Library-friendly; durable formats
75) AST Young Adult
A pipeline for new YA voices and global hits in translation.
- Focus: YA fantasy, contemporary YA, romance
- Strengths: Social reader engagement; fast trend adoption
How to use this list (quick tips for authors)
- Match your manuscript to editorial DNA. If you write big-idea nonfiction, weigh Bombora, MIF, Alpina, or Individuum. Literary fiction often aligns with Corpus, Elena Shubina Editorial, or Vremya.
- Children’s & YA? Shortlist Samokat, Clever, Rosman, Polyandria, Makhaon, Popcorn Books, AST Young Adult, and Eksmo-Deti.
- Academic/scientific works fit naturally with Nauka, URSS, Lan’, and university presses like HSE, SPbU, MSU, MIPT, Bauman, MEPhI.
- Comics/graphic novels look to Komilfo, BUBBLE, and Comics Factory.
- Digital-first or rapid-release paths may suit LitRes: Publisher, Ridero, and Author.Today Publishing.
- End-to-end help (concept to publication) can start with Barnett Ghostwriting to calibrate structure, voice, and market positioning before approaching target presses.
Submission & market pointers for 2025
- Be metadata-ready. Russian retail systems reward precise metadata (category/series codes, age bands, keywords). Provide clean, consistent data to editors.
- Prove your audience. Editors increasingly weigh platform, community fit, and early beta-reader feedback—especially for YA, romance, and genre fiction.
- Mind edition planning. Indicate rights status (world/territory), print, ebook, and audio plans, and whether illustrations or color are required (affects pricing).
- Build a local angle. Even translated or globally oriented topics benefit from a localized foreword, examples, or case studies to meet reader expectations.
- Expect hybrid timelines. Many houses balance frontlist bets with steady backlist; realistic schedules and patient author promotion often outperform rush releases.
Final word
Russia’s publishing universe is enormous, but patterns are clear: big trade groups drive mass-market reach; prestige imprints shape literary conversation; children’s specialists cultivate the next generation; university and academic presses anchor scholarship; and digital platforms accelerate discovery. Start by mapping your manuscript to the houses above, refine your pitch materials, and—if you want an experienced shoulder at the wheel—consider development with a partner like Barnett Ghostwriting to align your project with the right list at the right time.
