The Big Five Publishers and Their Romance Imprints: A Guide for Writers
For writers looking to publish traditionally, understanding the major players in the industry is essential. The "Big Five" publishing houses dominate the market, each with a range of imprints that cater to different genres, including romance. If you’re an aspiring romance author, knowing which imprints are most receptive to your work can help you target your submissions effectively. Below, we break down the five major publishing houses, where they’re based, what distinguishes them, and their most notable romance-focused imprints.
Most of the Big 5 publishing houses are based in Midtown Manhattan.
1. Penguin Random House
Headquarters: New York, NY, USA
Penguin Random House (PRH) is the largest trade book publisher in the world, formed from the merger of Penguin and Random House in 2013. PRH has a vast network of imprints that cater to a wide array of genres, and its romance-focused imprints are among the most prestigious in the industry.
Notable Romance Imprints:
Berkley – Known for publishing some of the biggest names in romance, including Jasmine Guillory, Helen Hoang, and Emily Henry. Berkley focuses on contemporary, historical, and romantic comedy subgenres.
Jove – A long-standing romance imprint with a strong backlist of classic and contemporary romance authors.
Dell – Publishes romance alongside general fiction, with a focus on bestselling and commercial fiction.
Loveswept (formerly active, now digital-only under PRH) – An imprint that initially focused on category romance and has since transitioned into digital-first publications.
The Dial Press – An imprint of Random House that focuses on upmarket and book club fiction with strong emotional cores. They’ve published contemporary romance and women’s fiction, including books by Sophie Kinsella and Josie Silver (One Day in December). While they publish more broadly than just romance, their books often include strong romantic themes.
2. HarperCollins
Headquarters: New York, NY, USA
HarperCollins is one of the oldest publishing houses in the world, known for its strong romance presence through several of its imprints.
Notable Romance Imprints:
Avon Books – One of the most recognizable romance imprints, publishing authors like Sarah MacLean, Tessa Bailey, and Julia Quinn (Bridgerton series). Avon specializes in historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance.
Harlequin (acquired by HarperCollins in 2014) – A powerhouse in category romance, Harlequin has multiple lines catering to everything from sweet to steamy romance. Popular sub-imprints include Harlequin Desire, Harlequin Historical, and Harlequin Presents.
William Morrow Paperbacks – Publishes a mix of commercial fiction and romance, often focusing on contemporary women's fiction with romantic elements.
One More Chapter – A digital-first imprint under HarperCollins that publishes contemporary romance, rom-coms, and historical romance. They focus on highly commercial, binge-worthy books, and they’ve had success with authors like Lorna Cook and Catherine Miller. This imprint is especially appealing to authors looking for a digital-first strategy with global reach.
3. Simon & Schuster
Headquarters: New York, NY, USA
Recently acquired by KKR, Simon & Schuster (S&S) continues to be a significant player in the romance space, particularly through its Gallery Books imprint.
Notable Romance Imprints:
Gallery Books – Publishes bestselling romance authors like Colleen Hoover, Christina Lauren, and EL James. It’s known for its focus on contemporary romance, women's fiction, and book club-friendly titles.
Pocket Books (historically significant, now folded into Gallery Books) – Once a leader in mass-market romance, Pocket Books housed authors like Jude Deveraux and Julie Garwood.
Atria Books – Publishes some romance-adjacent books with strong love story elements, particularly in the realm of contemporary and women's fiction.
4. Hachette Book Group
Headquarters: New York, NY, USA (parent company: Hachette Livre, France)
Hachette Book Group (HBG) is a global publishing force with a growing presence in romance through its imprints.
Notable Romance Imprints:
Forever (Grand Central Publishing) – Hachette’s primary romance imprint, publishing authors like Abby Jimenez, Lucy Score, and Emily Sullivan. Forever specializes in contemporary, rom-com, and historical romance.
Redhook – While primarily known for sci-fi and fantasy, Redhook occasionally publishes speculative romance and crossover genres.
Orbit (for romantasy fans) – Hachette’s sci-fi/fantasy imprint, which has begun dabbling in romantic fantasy, publishing authors like Rebecca Yarros (Fourth Wing).
5. Macmillan Publishers
Headquarters: New York, NY, USA (parent company: Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, Germany)
Macmillan is a major international publisher with a selective but strong romance presence.
Notable Romance Imprints:
St. Martin’s Press – Publishes a range of commercial fiction, including romance by authors like Sally Thorne and Christina Lauren. They lean toward contemporary and rom-com romances.
Tor Books (for romantasy and speculative romance) – Primarily a sci-fi and fantasy imprint, Tor publishes crossover romantic fantasy titles like A Court of Thorns and Roses (Sarah J. Maas was originally published by Bloomsbury but is now a major figure in romantasy).
Wednesday Books – A newer imprint focusing on young adult and new adult fiction, including romance-heavy titles.
Final Thoughts
Each of the Big Five publishers has a unique approach to romance publishing, with imprints that cater to different subgenres and reader preferences. Whether you’re writing swoon-worthy rom-coms, steamy contemporary romances, or lush historical love stories, targeting the right imprint can increase your chances of landing a traditional publishing deal. If you’re considering querying, researching specific editors within these imprints and following their submission guidelines is key.
Which romance imprint is your dream publisher? Let me know in the comments! And don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more writing tips and industry insights.
