Everything's Bigger in Texas Publishing

Top Book Publishing
Companies in Texas, USA

Your complete guide to Texas's publishing scene. Compare traditional publishers, hybrid services, and self-publishing companies.

Top Publishers Listed Updated January 2025 Unbiased Reviews
Texas Publishing Industry Overview

Texas's Thriving Literary Landscape

Texas boasts a thriving and diverse publishing landscape, with major hubs in Houston, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio. The state's independent spirit, cultural diversity, and strong economy have fostered a vibrant community of traditional, hybrid, and self-publishers.

From Latino literature and Western history to business books and contemporary fiction, Texas publishers serve both regional and national markets. The state's literary festivals, writing organizations, and university presses provide robust support for authors at all stages of their careers.

Publishers Listed

Comprehensive directory of Texas's top publishing companies

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Books Published Annually

Combined output from Texas publishers each year

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Genres Covered

From fiction to academic, covering all publishing needs

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Publishing Services

Editing, design, marketing, distribution, and more

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Complete Directory

Book Publishers in Texas

Browse our comprehensive list of Texas publishing companies.

1

Arte Público Press

Nation's largest publisher of contemporary Hispanic literature, based at University of Houston.

Latino Literature
Poetry
Children's Books

2

University of Texas Press

Leading academic publisher with strengths in Latin American studies and Texas history.

Academic
Latin American Studies
Regional History

3

Greenleaf Book Group

Austin-based hybrid publisher known for business and nonfiction titles.

Business
Memoir
Hybrid Publishing

4

Brown Books Publishing Group

Dallas independent publisher with diverse catalog.

Business
Memoir
Independent

5

Deep Vellum Publishing

Dallas nonprofit literary arts organization publishing international literature.

Translation
International Fiction
Literary

6

BenBella Books

Dallas publisher of health, pop culture, and business titles.

Health
Pop Culture
Business

7

Trinity University Press

San Antonio academic and regional publisher.

Academic
Regional
Cultural Studies

8

Texas A&M University Press

Leading publisher of military history and Texas topics.

Military History
Western History
Natural Science

9

Bright Sky Press

Houston publisher celebrating Texas culture and heritage.

Regional
Cookbooks
Texas Culture

10

TCU Press

Fort Worth academic publisher focusing on Texas and Western studies.

Western History
Regional
Literature

11

Wings Press

San Antonio independent publisher of diverse voices.

Poetry
Multicultural
Literary Fiction

12

University of North Texas Press

Academic publisher with focus on Texas and military history.

Academic
Military History
Texas Studies

13

Texas Tech University Press

Publisher of Joseph Conrad studies and regional titles.

Literary Criticism
Regional
Natural History

14

Atmosphere Press

Austin hybrid publisher with author-first model.

Fiction
Nonfiction
Hybrid

15

Host Publications

Austin publisher of diverse literary voices.

Literary Fiction
Poetry
Translation

16

Defiance Press

Houston publisher of provocative nonfiction.

Political
Controversial Topics
Nonfiction

17

Strategic Book Publishing

Houston full-service publisher for fiction and nonfiction.

Fiction
Nonfiction
Marketing Services

18

Cinco Puntos Press

El Paso publisher of border literature and bilingual children's books.

Bilingual
Border Literature
Children's Books

19

Texas Review Press

Huntsville literary publisher affiliated with SHSU.

Poetry
Literary Fiction
Regional

20

Lamar University Press

Beaumont publisher of regional literature and poetry.

Poetry
Regional Fiction
Texas Gulf Coast

21

Langdon Street Press

Self-publishing services with Texas presence.

Self-Publishing
Print-on-Demand

22

Monument Press

Independent publisher focused on Texas authors.

Fiction
Nonfiction
Regional

23

Eakin Press

Austin publisher of Texas history and regional books.

Texas History
Regional
Biography

24

Shearer Publishing

Texas publisher of regional and children's books.

Regional
Children's
Texas Topics

25

Hendrick-Long Publishing

Dallas publisher of Texas-themed books for young readers.

Children's
Texas History
Educational

26

Pelican Publishing

New Orleans publisher with Texas distribution focus.

Regional
Children's
Cookbooks

27

Republic of Texas Press

Publisher of Texas history and Western topics.

Texas History
Western
True Crime

28

Wordware Publishing

Plano technology and computer book publisher.

Technology
Computer Books
Programming

29

Sunbelt Media

El Paso regional publisher.

Regional
Border Studies

30

Texas State Historical Association

Austin publisher of Texas history.

Texas History
Academic
Reference

Browse Publishers by State

Publishing Options

Understanding Your Publishing Options

Choose the publishing model that best fits your goals and budget

Traditional Publishing

Traditional publishing involves submitting your manuscript to a publishing house for consideration. If accepted, the publisher covers all costs and provides an advance against royalties.

Pros:
  • No upfront costs
  • Professional editing and design
  • Established distribution networks
  • Credibility and prestige
Cons:
  • Highly competitive (low acceptance rates)
  • Lengthy process (12-24 months)
  • Limited creative control
  • Lower royalty rates (5-15%)

Best for: Authors seeking prestige, established authors, genre fiction

Hybrid Publishing

Hybrid publishing combines elements of traditional and self-publishing. Authors share costs with the publisher while maintaining creative control and receiving professional services.

Pros:
  • Professional quality standards
  • Faster turnaround (3-6 months)
  • Creative control and ownership
  • Royalty Free Setup
Cons:
  • Upfront investment required
  • Requires research to find reputable publishers
  • Quality varies by publisher

Best for: Authors wanting professional quality, first-time authors, niche markets

Self-Publishing

Self-publishing gives authors complete control over every aspect of the publishing process. Authors handle all aspects from editing to marketing, or hire freelancers for specific services.

Pros:
  • Complete creative control
  • Highest royalty rates (60-70%)
  • Fastest time to market (1-3 months)
  • Full ownership and rights
Cons:
  • Requires significant time investment
  • Need to manage multiple vendors
  • Quality depends on author's choices
  • Limited marketing support

Best for: Authors with budget and time, established authors, entrepreneurs

Making the Right Choice

How to Choose the Right Publishing Company

Key factors to consider when selecting a publisher for your book

1. Define Your Goals

Before choosing a publisher, clarify what you want to achieve with your book. Are you looking for prestige and credibility? Do you want to maximize profits? Are you publishing for personal fulfillment or business purposes? Your goals will determine the best publishing path for you.

Questions to Ask:
  • What is my primary motivation for publishing?
  • How important is creative control to me?
  • What is my budget for publishing?
  • How quickly do I want to publish?
2. Research Publisher Reputation

Not all publishers are created equal. Research each publisher's reputation, read author reviews, and check for any red flags. Look for publishers with a track record of quality work and satisfied authors.

Red Flags to Watch For:
  • No clear pricing structure
  • Pressure to sign quickly
  • No author testimonials or reviews
  • Unprofessional website or communication
3. Understand the Contract

Always read and understand the publishing contract before signing. Pay attention to rights ownership, royalty rates, termination clauses, and any hidden fees. Don't hesitate to ask questions or seek legal advice if needed.

Key Contract Terms:
  • Author retains copyright ownership
  • Clear royalty structure and payment schedule
  • Right to terminate contract with notice
  • No hidden fees or additional charges
4. Compare Services and Pricing

Compare what each publisher offers and at what price. Look beyond the base price to understand what's included in the package. Consider the value of services like editing, design, marketing, and distribution support.

What to Look For:
  • Transparent, itemized pricing
  • Professional editing services
  • Quality cover design and formatting
  • Marketing and distribution support
5. Evaluate Author Support

A good publisher should provide ongoing support throughout the publishing process and beyond. Look for publishers who offer guidance, answer questions promptly, and provide resources to help you succeed.

Support Services:
  • Dedicated project manager
  • Regular progress updates
  • Marketing guidance and resources
  • Post-publication support
6. Request Samples and References

Ask for sample books published by the company and contact references from previous authors. Seeing the quality of their work and hearing from other authors can give you valuable insights into what to expect.

What to Request:
  • Sample books or portfolio
  • Contact information for 2-3 authors
  • Published books in your genre
  • Marketing materials and case studies
Common Questions

Texas Book Publishing FAQs

Texas combines strong regional identity, Hispanic cultural influence, Western heritage, and independent business spirit, creating a distinctive publishing ecosystem that values both traditional and innovative approaches.

Absolutely. Texas leads the nation in Hispanic literature publishing, with Arte Público Press and many others actively seeking Latino voices and bilingual content.

Austin is known for innovation and hybrid publishing, Houston for diversity and Hispanic literature, Dallas for commercial publishing, and San Antonio for regional and academic titles. Each offers unique opportunities.

Yes, most Texas publishers work with authors nationwide, though they may have special interest in Texas-related themes or authors with Texas connections.

Texas excels in Latino literature, Western history, business books, memoirs, regional fiction, children's books, and politically conservative nonfiction.

Yes, particularly in Dallas, Houston, and Austin, though the concentration is smaller than New York or California. Many Texas authors work with agents nationwide.

Hybrid publishing costs typically range from $5,000-$20,000 in Texas, depending on services included. Texas costs are often slightly lower than coastal markets.

Major events include Texas Book Festival (Austin), Houston Book Fair, Lit Fest (San Antonio), and numerous regional festivals, plus active writing organizations like Writers' League of Texas.