Chicago is home to a vibrant and diverse publishing industry with a long history of producing some of the most influential books, magazines, and newspapers in the United States.
From the early days of printing in the city, Chicago has been a hub of creative energy and literary innovation. Its publishing companies continue to shape the country’s cultural landscape.
If you are a Chicago-based author looking to get a published book published, continue reading. This might be the best post you will see today,
Because in this blog post, we will be taking a closer look at some of the top publishing companies in Chicago, exploring their histories, current offerings, and contributions to the world of literature and media.
What are the Book Publishing Companies Operating In Chicago?
1. University of Chicago Press
The University of Chicago Press is one of the country’s oldest and most respected publishing companies, which has been in operation since 1891.
This leading academic publisher is run majorly and operated by the prestigious University of Chicago after initial operations by Boston publishing house fell through.
The University of Chicago Press has gone on to produce and publish a wide range of scholarly works and advanced monographs in various academic fields like humanities, social sciences, and physical sciences.
In addition to its academic offerings, the press also publishes several general interest books, including fiction and nonfiction.
2. Haymarket Books
Haymarket Books is an independent, nonprofit publisher based in Chicago, Illinois, focusing on social justice and progressive politics.
The company was founded in 2001 by Julie Fain Anthony Arnove and Ahmed Shawkiand, who went ahead to name it after the Haymarket affair of 1886, where civilians and police officers died from open gunfire.
Haymarket Books is known for its commitment to promoting a more just and equitable society through the power of the written word and has since published several luential pieces on topics ranging from labor rights to climate change.
3. Poetry Foundation
The Poetry Foundation is a nonprofit organization that publishes poetry and promotes the art form through various initiatives, including events, workshops, and educational programs.
The foundation also publishes Poetry magazine, one of the country’s oldest and most respected literary journals.
With its focus on cultivating a love of poetry and supporting poets at all stages of their careers, the Poetry Foundation plays a vital role in the Chicago literary scene and beyond.
The Poetry Foundation Press also finds ways to award poets and poetry with occasional award events. It also hosts seminars, readings, exhibitions, and a poetry library.
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4. Chicago Review Press
Chicago Review Press is an independent publisher specializing in books on history, literature, popular culture, and nonfiction.
The company was founded in 1973 and had since published hundreds of titles, 60 on an annual basis and over 900 titles to date, many of which have received critical acclaim and become bestsellers.
Chicago Review Press has a commitment to publishing works that engage, inform, and inspire readers of all ages and backgrounds.
5. Agate Publishing
Agate Publishing is a multicultural, independent publisher founded in 2003 by President Doug Seibold and based in Evanston, Illinois.
This publishing house focuses on books by and about African Americans and people of color.
The company was and has since published a wide range of works, including fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books, and some of its notable writers include Leonard Pitts and Tadd Waddington.
Agate Publishing has a commitment to promoting diversity and social justice through the power of storytelling, and its books have won numerous awards and accolades.
6. Sourcebooks
Sourcebook is a leading independent publisher of fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books. They operate from Naperville, Illinois, and make the list of the state’s 20 most significant publishing houses.
The company was founded in 1987 and has since become one of the country’s largest independent publishers, focusing on innovative and creative works that capture the imagination and engage readers.
Sourcebooks commit to publishing books that inspire, educate, and entertain, and their titles have won numerous awards and critical acclaim.
If you are a voracious and eclectic reader with a few lines on romance and adult fiction, you may want to check them out.
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7. Northwestern University Press
Northwestern University Press is an academic publisher that partners with Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
They specialize in works of scholarship, fiction, and poetry, and it publishes an average of 70 new titles each year around the topics above.
The press was founded in 1893 and has since published a wide range of works that explore the human experience in all its complexity.
Northwestern University Press commits to promoting a deeper understanding of the world through the power of the written word, and its books have won numerous awards and accolades.
8. Chicago Tribune Media Group
The Chicago Tribune Media Group, or Tribune Company, is a multimedia company that produces a wide range of content, including newspapers, magazines, websites, and mobile applications.
The company was founded in 1847 and has become one of the world’s largest and most respected media companies.
9. Joshua Tree Publishing
Joshua Tree Publishing is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and has been in active business since 1985 after being founded by John Paul Owles.
This publishing house specializes in titles that inspire the human spirit, motivate individuals to achieve more meaningful goals, and leave a lasting impact on readers.
Some of their notable authors include Marvin O’Neal, Vesna Dimoska, and Joshua M. Turk.
10. Tyndale House Publishers
Tyndale House Publishers is a Christian publisher based in Carol Stream, Illinois.
The mission of Tyndale House Publishers is to minister to the spiritual needs of people, primarily through literature consistent with biblical principles.
Founded in 1962 by Kenneth N. Taylor and endorsed by Billy Graham a year later.
Since then, the company has published hundreds of best-selling Biblical titles, and with time, they also started publishing quality work in fiction and nonfiction.
One of their works includes The Holiness of God by R.C Sproul.
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11. The University of Illinois Press
The University of Illinois Press was established in 1918 and is a go-to publishing house for nonfiction that promotes research and education and enriches cultural and intellectual life.
Since their inception, they have published several award-winning works on scholarly, film studies, and communications topics.
12. Crossway Books
Crossway is a not-for-profit Christian ministry that publishes the ESV Bible and gospel-centered books. This press has published more than 1,500 titles evangelical Christian titles.
Some best-selling works include Sing a New Song by Lydia Brownback, The Whole Armor of God by Iain M. Duguid, and Transformed by Truth by Katherine Forster.
13. InterVarsity Press
InterVarsity Press is an American publisher of Christian books founded in 1947 by the parent company, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
This press focuses on publishing thoughtful Christian books for the church.
14. Dramatic Publishing Company
Located in Woodstock, Illinois, Dramatic Publishing Company is an American publishing committed to developing and serving the authors, artists, and educators who comprise the world of theatre, plays, and musicals.
Their catalog includes a spectrum of plays for every cast size, skill level, and audience representing classic works and contemporary comedies, dramas, and musicals of distinction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) On Book Publishing Companies In Chicago
The most popular book publishing company is HarperCollins.
The median cost of publishing a book in the US is between $200 and $2500. However, this varies according to the type of publisher you choose.
The best publishing houses for authors releasing their first books are the University of California Press, Stone Pier Press, and DAQ Books.
Authors that publish their books traditionally earn about 10% to 12% royalties per book. On the other hand, authors that publish their books themselves earn about 40% to 60% royalties per book.
Conclusion
A lot goes into writing a book, and as an author, you must have done your due diligence in birthing an idea or insight and communicating this in print, no matter the time it takes.
We understand that publishing a book is a rather lengthy and often tiring process; this is why finding the exact right publisher for your book demands a lot of research,
With that, we believe this list of top book publishing companies in Chicago will enable you to find the most suitable one for your book.
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