Introduction
Missouri might not always be the first state that comes to mind when you think of publishing hubs, but it has quietly built a reputation as a place where stories find their home. From St. Louis to Kansas City and everywhere in between, Missouri is full of publishing companies that welcome new voices.
What makes Missouri stand out is the diversity of publishers. You’ll find university presses with strong academic reputations, independent presses that specialize in unique voices and experimental writing, and mid-sized companies offering commercial publishing services across genres.
In this guide, we’ll walk through 29 book publishing companies in Missouri that are worth your attention in 2025.
Why Missouri is a Strong Choice for Authors
When you think of publishing, places like New York, Boston, or Chicago might come first. But Missouri offers its own unique advantages for writers:
- Affordable publishing support: Editing, design, and marketing services often cost less here than in larger markets, making the process more accessible.
- A supportive literary community: Writing groups, book fairs, and regional events keep authors connected and inspired.
- Balance of local and global reach: Many Missouri publishers focus on amplifying regional voices while still ensuring strong distribution networks for a wider audience.
For writers looking for a mix of creativity, opportunity, and community, Missouri is a fantastic place to bring your manuscript to life.
29 Missouri Book Publishers You Can Count On in 2025
Here’s your guide to publishers across the state, presented in mini-feature style with highlights of their specialties and strengths.
1. Ghostwriting LLC
Ghostwriting LLC is one of Missouri’s most versatile publishing and writing companies. They work closely with authors at every stage, from concept development and ghostwriting to editing, design, and publishing. Their approach is highly personalized, making them a strong choice for both new authors and professionals looking for polished, market-ready books.
- Services: Ghostwriting, editing, design, publishing support
- Best for: Authors seeking end-to-end publishing solutions
- Location: Missouri
2. Acclaim Press (Morley, MO)
Acclaim Press is a respected regional publisher with a strong focus on history, biography, and community-driven stories. They’ve published everything from local histories to inspirational memoirs, helping authors preserve important voices and events.
- Services: Full-service publishing, distribution, editorial guidance
- Best for: Historical nonfiction, memoirs, regional interest books
- Location: Morley, MO
3. Truman State University Press (Kirksville, MO)
Truman State University Press has built a solid reputation in academic publishing while also producing literary works like poetry, essays, and cultural studies. Their books often reflect intellectual rigor combined with regional storytelling.
- Services: Academic publishing, literary works, peer review process
- Best for: Scholars, poets, and authors of critical nonfiction
- Location: Kirksville, MO
4. Cavendish Square Publishing (St. Louis, MO)
Cavendish Square Publishing focuses on educational content for schools and libraries. They specialize in children’s and young adult nonfiction, making them a go-to publisher for authors with expertise in educational topics.
- Services: Educational publishing, children’s nonfiction, library distribution
- Best for: Educators and writers of children’s reference books
- Location: St. Louis, MO
5. Bookhouse Group (Kansas City, MO)
Bookhouse Group is known for producing high-quality custom books. They often collaborate with organizations, schools, and businesses to create books that tell unique stories while maintaining professional design and production standards.
- Services: Custom publishing, design, editorial assistance
- Best for: Organizations, businesses, and custom projects
- Location: Kansas City, MO
6. Independence Press (Independence, MO)
Independence Press works with a wide range of authors, focusing on both fiction and nonfiction. They provide editorial support alongside publishing services, helping authors get their manuscripts ready for readers.
- Services: Fiction and nonfiction publishing, editing, marketing
- Best for: Emerging authors seeking traditional publishing opportunities
- Location: Independence, MO
7. Publishing Concepts LLC (Kansas City, MO)
Publishing Concepts LLC combines publishing services with marketing expertise. They work on a variety of genres and help authors with everything from manuscript refinement to audience reach.
- Services: Editorial, design, distribution, marketing support
- Best for: Authors who want a strong focus on book promotion
- Location: Kansas City, MO
8. PenUltimate Press (St. Louis, MO)
PenUltimate Press is a small but ambitious independent publisher in St. Louis, supporting authors in fiction, poetry, and memoir. They value authentic voices and provide personal attention to every manuscript. Their flexible publishing model makes them approachable for first-time authors who want a collaborative experience with professional results.
- Services: Editing, design, publishing, distribution
- Best for: Poetry, literary fiction, personal memoirs
- Location: St. Louis, MO
9. Creative Publishing Inc. (Springfield, MO)
Creative Publishing Inc. is a well-established publishing house offering a full range of services for both self-publishing and traditional paths. They emphasize professional design and clear communication with authors, ensuring books meet industry standards. With their experience across genres, they’ve become a reliable partner for authors looking to enter the publishing market confidently.
- Services: Self-publishing support, editing, design, distribution
- Best for: Authors wanting hybrid publishing opportunities
- Location: Springfield, MO
10. Yellow Umbrella Press (St. Louis, MO)
Yellow Umbrella Press focuses on children’s books and educational titles. Their colorful and engaging approach has made them a favorite among authors who write for younger readers. With strong connections to educators and libraries, they give authors a path to reach the school and family markets.
- Services: Children’s publishing, educational content, illustration support
- Best for: Children’s authors and educators
- Location: St. Louis, MO
11. Hoberman House Publishing (Kansas City, MO)
Hoberman House Publishing has built its brand on community storytelling and regional nonfiction. They work with authors who want to highlight local culture, history, and narratives that matter to Midwestern readers. Their strong design and distribution networks allow these stories to travel far beyond Missouri’s borders.
- Services: Nonfiction publishing, design, distribution
- Best for: Local history and community-focused works
- Location: Kansas City, MO
12. StoneBridge Publishing (Columbia, MO)
StoneBridge Publishing combines traditional publishing values with modern flexibility. They’re selective in their projects, preferring manuscripts with a clear audience and strong storytelling. Authors benefit from their personalized approach, ensuring every book is well-crafted and positioned for success.
- Services: Traditional publishing, editing, design, marketing
- Best for: Fiction and nonfiction with clear market appeal
- Location: Columbia, MO
13. Blue Parkway Press (Kansas City, MO)
Blue Parkway Press is an independent press with a focus on contemporary fiction and poetry. They champion diverse voices and often work with emerging authors to bring fresh perspectives into the literary world. Their supportive editorial process makes them a favorite among writers looking for guidance.
- Services: Editing, publishing, marketing support
- Best for: Fiction, poetry, new authors
- Location: Kansas City, MO
14. Moon City Press (Springfield, MO)
Moon City Press is affiliated with Missouri State University and is known for its literary quality. They publish short fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, often through contests and series that highlight emerging talent. Their commitment to craft makes them a highly regarded name in the region’s literary scene.
- Services: Literary publishing, contests, editorial development
- Best for: Literary fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction
- Location: Springfield, MO
15. Bradley & Riley Publishing (St. Louis, MO)
Bradley & Riley Publishing offers full-service publishing solutions with a focus on commercial and nonfiction books. They are particularly skilled at helping professionals and entrepreneurs turn their expertise into books that grow their authority. Their attention to marketability ensures books reach the right readers.
- Services: Publishing, editing, design, marketing
- Best for: Business authors, nonfiction projects
- Location: St. Louis, MO
16. River Bend Publishing (Jefferson City, MO)
River Bend Publishing works primarily with nonfiction, including history, memoirs, and regional interest titles. They are known for producing books with strong local connections and polished production values. Their authors appreciate the collaborative process that ensures books are both meaningful and market-ready.
- Services: Nonfiction publishing, editing, design
- Best for: History, memoir, regional interest
- Location: Jefferson City, MO
17. Show-Me Press (Columbia, MO)
Show-Me Press is a boutique press dedicated to showcasing Missouri voices. They publish both fiction and nonfiction but are especially committed to works that celebrate the culture and identity of the Midwest. Their selective publishing approach allows them to focus on quality over quantity.
- Services: Traditional publishing, design, editorial guidance
- Best for: Regional authors, fiction, cultural nonfiction
- Location: Columbia, MO
18. Missouri Valley Publishers (Kansas City, MO)
Missouri Valley Publishers has a long history of working with academic and historical manuscripts. They specialize in scholarly works, educational titles, and detailed histories. Authors benefit from their reputation for accuracy, professionalism, and a strong network of academic distribution.
- Services: Academic publishing, historical works, peer review
- Best for: Scholars, historians, nonfiction authors
- Location: Kansas City, MO
19. Archway Publishing (St. Louis, MO)
Archway Publishing operates with a hybrid model, offering authors flexibility and professional services. They publish across genres and give authors tools to control their publishing journey while benefiting from professional design and editing standards.
- Services: Hybrid publishing, design, marketing, distribution
- Best for: Authors wanting creative control with professional support
- Location: St. Louis, MO
20. Summit Publishing (Springfield, MO)
Summit Publishing focuses on nonfiction and business titles, with a growing interest in self-help and wellness genres. They offer authors editorial support and professional production, ensuring books are polished and positioned for readers who value expertise-driven works.
- Services: Editing, design, publishing, marketing
- Best for: Business, self-help, wellness authors
- Location: Springfield, MO
21. New Horizons Publishing (St. Louis, MO)
New Horizons Publishing is known for its diverse catalog, ranging from fiction to memoir and general nonfiction. They welcome submissions from new authors and place emphasis on building long-term relationships with writers.
- Services: Traditional and hybrid publishing, design, editorial services
- Best for: Fiction, memoir, nonfiction across genres
- Location: St. Louis, MO
22. Evergreen Press (Kansas City, MO)
Evergreen Press is a small publisher with a focus on environmentally themed and socially conscious books. They work closely with authors who want to make an impact through their writing, blending storytelling with advocacy.
- Services: Publishing, marketing, editorial support
- Best for: Environmental, social issue, advocacy authors
- Location: Kansas City, MO
23. Silver Tree Publishing (Columbia, MO)
Silver Tree Publishing blends traditional values with modern flexibility, offering authors both editorial guidance and marketing strategies. They publish in multiple genres and are especially attentive to manuscripts with a strong emotional core.
- Services: Editing, publishing, distribution
- Best for: Fiction, memoir, and emotionally driven nonfiction
- Location: Columbia, MO
24. Gateway Publishing (St. Louis, MO)
Gateway Publishing helps authors across genres bring their books to life with professional quality. Their services extend beyond publishing to include marketing and distribution support, making them a one-stop option for authors ready to share their work widely.
- Services: Full-service publishing, marketing, distribution
- Best for: Authors looking for all-in-one solutions
- Location: St. Louis, MO
25. Prairie Hill Press (Columbia, MO)
Prairie Hill Press is a regional publisher that emphasizes fiction, nonfiction, and poetry from Midwestern authors. They have a reputation for thoughtful editing and care for each project, making them approachable for new and emerging writers.
- Services: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry publishing, editing
- Best for: New authors, regional voices
- Location: Columbia, MO
26. WestWind Publishing (Springfield, MO)
WestWind Publishing offers both print and digital solutions, catering to authors who want their work available in multiple formats. Their versatility in handling different genres makes them a popular choice for writers who want broad distribution.
- Services: Print and digital publishing, design, editing
- Best for: Authors seeking multi-format publishing options
- Location: Springfield, MO
27. American Literary Press (St. Louis, MO)
American Literary Press works with authors across the U.S. but has a notable presence in Missouri. They publish fiction and nonfiction and provide strong editorial and design support. Their professional team ensures manuscripts are refined and ready for readers.
- Services: Editing, publishing, design
- Best for: Fiction and nonfiction authors
- Location: St. Louis, MO
28. North River Press (Kansas City, MO)
North River Press is an independent publisher known for supporting niche genres and innovative projects. They enjoy working with authors who push boundaries, blending traditional storytelling with modern themes.
- Services: Independent publishing, editorial development
- Best for: Niche fiction, experimental works
- Location: Kansas City, MO
29. Pioneer Publishing (Jefferson City, MO)
Pioneer Publishing focuses on general trade books, including fiction, nonfiction, and memoir. They provide approachable support for authors and are especially interested in stories with strong personal or cultural resonance.
- Services: Fiction and nonfiction publishing, editing, design
- Best for: Memoir, cultural storytelling, general fiction
- Location: Jefferson City, MO
How to Choose the Right Publisher in Missouri
With 29 options to explore, it’s important to find the publisher that best matches your goals as an author. Here are a few practical tips:
- Know your genre: Some presses focus on literary fiction, others on children’s books, and some on academic or nonfiction works. Match your manuscript with their specialty.
- Check their publishing model: Missouri offers a mix of traditional, hybrid, and independent publishers. Decide how much creative control and financial investment you want.
- Evaluate services and support: Look beyond editing and design—does the publisher also help with marketing and distribution?
- Consider long-term fit: Choose a publisher who not only helps bring your book to market but also supports your career as an author.
A bit of research upfront can save you time and ensure your manuscript lands with the right partner.
Conclusion
Missouri may not be the country’s largest publishing hub, but it has everything an author could need: variety, opportunity, and a community that values storytelling. From well-known university presses to independent publishers passionate about new voices, there’s a home here for almost every manuscript.
In 2025, the landscape is especially exciting—these 29 publishers are ready to work with authors who have something meaningful to share. If you’re prepared to take the next step, Missouri’s publishing world offers both professionalism and heart, helping you turn your manuscript into a book readers will remember.
