Michael Brooks
Getting published as a Catholic author can be a challenging process. There are a number of Catholic publishers, each with their own submission guidelines and preferences. For example, some publishers like Ignatius Press do not accept fiction, children's books, poetry, or prayer books, while others like Loyola Press welcome submissions that help people experience God or explain the richness of Catholic faith. Authors should also be aware of the competitive nature of the Catholic publishing market, with a new book being published every three minutes. To increase their chances of getting published, authors should ensure their manuscripts are in the best shape possible and consider how their work stands out from other Catholic literature. Resources such as the Association of Catholic Publishers (ACP) can also help authors expand their professional skills and learn about trends in the Catholic publishing industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Emmaus Road Publishing, Ave Maria Press, Ignatius Press, Catholic Book Publishing Corp., Loyola Press, Paraclete Press, Paulist Press, Sophia Institute Press, Cluny Media, Arouca Press, Ascension, Roman Catholic Books |
| Submission requirements | Query letter and synopsis, carefully proofread manuscripts |
| Types of books accepted | Scripture and Tradition-based Catholic resources, spiritual non-fiction, educational books, books on Catholic life, theology, spirituality, prayer, current affairs, fiction, children's books, poetry, devotionals, books that help people experience God in their lives, books that explain the richness of Catholic faith |
| Standout factors | Unique manuscripts, modern standards of readability, attractive covers |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic publishers accepting submissions
There are a number of Catholic publishers accepting submissions. Loyola Press, for instance, welcomes manuscripts that help people experience God and books that explain the richness of the Catholic faith. They publish under two categories: books for laypeople and those for the clergy.
Paraclete Press, the publishing house of the Community of Jesus, publishes a wide range of Catholic books, as well as those of other Christian traditions. They publish fiction, non-fiction, poetry, devotionals, and children's books.
Emmaus Road Publishing, based in Ohio, has been producing Catholic content for almost 20 years. They publish books on marriage, family life, apologetics, theology, spirituality, and religious education. They also publish content for children and teens. They are currently accepting submissions via email, which must include three sample chapters, a synopsis, target audience information, and a brief author biography.
Ave Maria Press, based in Notre Dame, Indiana, is a Catholic publishing company that serves the spiritual and educational needs of individuals, groups, and the Church. They do not accept unsolicited manuscripts in fiction, children's books, poetry, and accounts of personal conversion or private revelation. They are currently welcoming submissions in the form of book proposals, which can be submitted via email.
Ignatius Press, founded by Father Joseph Fessio in 1978, publishes books on apologetics, history, philosophy, spiritual growth, biographies, memoirs, theology, current issues, science and faith, and more. They also occasionally publish fiction and children's books. They are currently accepting submissions, but they are not interested in poetry, prayer books, dissertations, or pamphlets.
Other Catholic publishers that are currently accepting submissions include Our Sunday Visitor, a non-profit publisher based in Huntington, Indiana, and Rafka Press, which publishes children's fiction with strong moral conclusions.
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How to make your manuscript stand out
The Catholic publishing world is a small one, with a limited number of publishers and a loyal readership. To get your manuscript noticed, it needs to stand out. Here are some ways to make that happen:
Know your publisher
Research your chosen publisher thoroughly. Read their submission guidelines and study their existing catalogue. Understand the type of books they publish, their style, and their target audience. This will help you tailor your manuscript and pitch it effectively. For example, publishers like Loyola Press focus on books that help people experience God and explain the richness of Catholic faith. On the other hand, Paraclete Press publishes a wider range of Christian faith expressions, including Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Evangelical perspectives. Knowing these nuances will help you pitch your manuscript to the right publisher.
Make it unique
Editors and publishers are always on the lookout for something new and unique. Ask yourself, what makes your book different from the dozens of similar titles already on the shelves? Is there a new perspective, a fresh voice, or an innovative approach that sets your manuscript apart? Sophia Institute Press, for instance, has built a reputation for resurrecting forgotten Catholic classics and making them accessible to modern readers. They also publish new titles by contemporary authors, offering a unique blend of old and new.
Quality and precision
Ensure your manuscript is of the highest quality. A well-written, carefully proofread, and meticulously edited manuscript is essential. Pay attention to detail, from the structure and grammar to the tone and language. Make your manuscript the best it can be before submitting it. Some publishers, like Ignatius Press, have very precise submission guidelines, and they will not consider manuscripts that do not meet their standards. A professional proofread before submission is always a good idea.
Understand the market
Familiarize yourself with the Catholic book market. What are the current trends? What are readers looking for? Are there gaps in the market that your manuscript can fill? Publishers like Ascension focus on books for people who want to learn more about the Catholic faith, while Roman Catholic Books specializes in reprinting out-of-print Catholic titles. Knowing the market will help you position your manuscript effectively and identify publishers who are the best fit for your work.
Build relationships
Attend Catholic publishing events, webinars, and conferences to network with publishers, editors, and other authors. The Association of Catholic Publishers (ACP), for instance, offers resources and insights into the Catholic publishing industry. Building relationships can provide valuable insights, feedback, and connections that can help your manuscript stand out and find the right home.
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The importance of proofreading
The publishing world is a competitive one, especially in the niche market of Catholic literature. With a new book published every three minutes, it is crucial that your work stands out from the crowd. So, how do Catholic authors get published? Well, there are a number of Catholic publishers accepting submissions, but authors should be aware of the specific submission guidelines of each publisher. For example, Ignatius Press does not accept fiction, children's books, poetry, prayer books, or pamphlets, and Ave Maria Press does not accept unsolicited submissions of children's books, fiction, or personal accounts of conversion. Loyola Press accepts submissions that help people experience God or explain the richness of the Catholic faith. It is important to do your research and carefully select the publishers you submit your work to.
Once you have identified the publishers you wish to submit your work to, it is vital that your manuscript is in the best shape possible. This is where proofreading comes in. Proofreading is the process of carefully reading through your work to identify and correct any errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting. It is a crucial step in the publishing process, as it ensures that your work is clear, consistent, and free of errors.
As a Catholic author, it is essential that your work adheres to Catholic doctrine and tradition. Proofreading can help ensure that your work accurately represents Catholic teachings and does not contain any errors or misinterpretations. It can also help you to express your ideas clearly and effectively, ensuring that your message is conveyed accurately to your readers.
In addition to ensuring accuracy and clarity, proofreading can also enhance the overall quality of your work. A well-proofread manuscript is polished and professional, making it more likely to be taken seriously by publishers. It demonstrates to publishers that you have taken the time and care to present your work in the best possible light, increasing your chances of publication.
Finally, proofreading can also save you time and hassle in the long run. By identifying and correcting errors before submission, you can avoid the time-consuming and potentially costly process of having to make revisions at the publisher's request. This can expedite the publishing process and get your work into the hands of readers more quickly.
In conclusion, proofreading is an essential step in the publishing process for Catholic authors. It ensures accuracy and clarity of message, enhances the quality of your work, and can expedite the path to publication. By taking the time to carefully proofread your manuscript, you increase your chances of success in the competitive world of Catholic publishing.
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Publishers with a focus on republishing
While there is a wealth of publishers accepting submissions from Catholic authors, only a handful of them focus on republishing.
Cluny Media is a Catholic publisher that exclusively focuses on republishing old, forgotten titles. Etienne Gilson's books, for example, had been out of print for a long time before Cluny Media republished them.
Some publishers, such as Ignatius Press, emphasise that they are not seeking certain genres, including fiction, children's books, poetry, prayer books, or pamphlets. However, they do not specify whether they republish titles.
Ave Maria Press, a very selective press that publishes spiritual non-fiction and educational books for Catholics and Catholic institutions, has a line that reprints classic fiction.
Finally, it is worth noting that some publishers, such as Loyola Press, Paraclete Press, and Paulist Press, do not explicitly state whether they republish titles. However, they do accept submissions within specific categories, which may include republishing opportunities.
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Publishers that accept fiction
Publishing a book can be a daunting task, and it is important to find the right publisher for your work. While some of the "'Big 5' publishing companies may be appealing, they often do not accept unsolicited submissions without a literary agent. Smaller publishers are more likely to accept unsolicited submissions, and this can be a realistic and worthwhile route to publication.
If you are a Catholic author, there are a number of publishers that accept fiction. Loyola Press, for example, welcomes submissions that help people experience God in their lives and books that explain the richness of the Catholic faith. Based in Massachusetts, Paraclete Press is the publishing house of the Community of Jesus. They publish a wide range of Catholic books, including fiction. Liturgical Press is another publisher that offers a very wide array of subjects, including parish life, academic titles, monastic traditions, Christian living, and prayer and spirituality. They accept submissions by email or snail mail.
If you are looking for a publisher that publishes fiction for children, then Rafka Press might be a good option. They only accept submissions from Catholic authors and are currently most interested in children's fiction that ends with a strong moral conclusion. Tumblar House is another small press that publishes fiction and nonfiction. However, they have not published a book since 2017 due to their focus on their podcast and bookstore.
It is important to note that some publishers have specific requirements and guidelines for submissions, so be sure to review these before submitting your work. Additionally, it is always recommended to have your manuscript professionally proofread before submission to increase your chances of acceptance.
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Frequently asked questions
Some Catholic publishers that are accepting submissions include Loyola Press, Paraclete Press, Orbis Books, Ave Maria Press, Paulist Press, and Rafka Press.
It is important to carefully review the submission guidelines of the publisher. Some publishers have specific requirements for the type of content they are looking for, such as manuscripts that are unique or that fall under specific categories. It is also recommended to have your manuscript carefully proofread before submission.
Loyola Press publishes books that help people experience God and explain the richness of the Catholic faith. Paraclete Press publishes a wide range of Catholic books, including fiction, non-fiction, daily devotionals, and poetry. Orbis Books publishes books on Catholic life, theology, spirituality, prayer, and current affairs. Ave Maria Press publishes spiritual non-fiction and educational books for Catholics. Paulist Press publishes books on faith, personal growth, worship, philosophy, theology, and spirituality. Rafka Press publishes children's fiction with strong moral conclusions.
In addition to submitting to the publishers mentioned above, you can also consider reaching out to Catholic publishers directly or networking with members of the Association of Catholic Publishers (ACP) to learn more about the industry and expand your professional skills. It is also important to ensure that your manuscript stands out and offers something different to capture the attention of editors.
