8 Best Book Publishers In Kansas City (With Links)

Let’s step into Kansas City’s literary landscape, where imagination knows no bounds and the written word takes flight.

In this article, we share eight book publishers in Kansas City, complete with links to their respective websites and submission guidelines. And when we say Kansas City here, we are talking about the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, a bi-state metropolis that encompasses both Kansas City, Kansas (KCKS) and Kansas City Missouri (KCMO), along with other suburbs and smaller communities. This unique region is a melting pot of culture, commerce, recreational opportunities, and creative expressions. Building upon our subject, please also consider my extensive collection of publishing entities.

Submission policies change without notice, so confirm on the publisher’s own page before you send anything, and never pay a reading fee. Last verified: October 3, 2026.

Here are the top book publishers in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area:

1. SDC Publications

SDC Publications is a leading publisher of textbooks and training materials for engineering and 2D and 3D computer-aided drafting and design. It was founded in 1988 and is based in Mission, KS, a part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. The company provides high-quality educational resources of constructive discourse and materials for various fields, with its main categories and focus turned on computer-aided design (such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and Revit), engineering, and architecture. Their publication encompasses an extensive selection of educational textbooks, training materials, and cutting-edge digital resources that cater to the diverse learning needs of students, educators, and professionals. SDC Publications has established a strong reputation for producing authoritative and comprehensive educational content for various subjects, including 3D animation, BIM, CAD, CAM, Programming, Interior Design, Engineering Graphics, and many others. SDC invites textbook authors to get in touch, pays on a royalty basis, and expects authors to revise their books with each new software release. Submission guidelines.

2. Hadley Rille Books

Situated in Overland Park, KS, right in the heart of Kansas City Metro, Hadley Rille Books stands tall as a distinguished independent book publisher. With unwavering dedication, Hadley Rille Books specializes in bringing to life captivating novels and thought-provoking anthologies, including historical and archeological fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and horror. The publishing house is known for its commitment to showcasing diverse voices and unique storytelling. Hadley Rille Books seeks out works that push the boundaries of traditional genre conventions and offer fresh perspectives to readers. They aim to provide readers with engaging narratives that transport them to imaginative worlds and explore thought-provoking themes. Its submissions page currently says the press is closed to new submissions, so check back before you send anything. Submission guidelines.

3. Andrews McMeel Publishing

Andrews McMeel Publishing is a renowned publishing house in Kansas City, MO, that specializes in a wide range of literary and creative works. Founded by Jim Andrews and John Mcmeel, the company prides itself on its rich history dating back to the 1970s and for remaining a prominent force in the publishing industry. This establishment is an integral part of the Andrews McMeel Universal Global Media company. They publish a wide range of literary genres, including humor, comics, poetry, short stories, literary fiction, illustrated children’s books, and lifestyle titles. One of the notable aspects of Andrews McMeel Publishing is its emphasis on humor and comic strips. They have published popular comic collections such as “Calvin and Hobbes” by Bill Watterson, “The Far Side” by Gary Larson, and “Big Nate” by Lincoln Peirce. These beloved comics have garnered a wide readership and have become iconic in the world of comics. AMP considers submissions from creators and literary agents by email or regular mail. Submission guidelines.

4. Moon City Press

Moon City Press got its name from a newspaper commentary in the 1800s, that criticizes the long-delayed railroad construction in the Ozarks. The press is currently housed at the Missouri State University in Springfield, particularly in its English Department. It operates with a focus on publishing fine literary writing and discovering new talents that contribute to the region’s expanding literary landscape. Moon City Press actively seeks out innovative and thought-provoking works that push the boundaries of traditional literature. Their catalog encompasses a wide range of genres, including poetry, creative nonfiction, and hybrid forms. For books, the press is currently limiting submissions to its existing contests: the Moon City Poetry Award and the Moon City Short Fiction Award, whose winners are published. They also released an annual literary journal called Moon City Review. Each edition features works of both established and emerging authors of flash fiction, graphic narratives, poetry, and other literature. Submission guidelines.

5. Foundry Publishing

The Foundry Publishing is widely known for its focus on producing and distributing Christian resources and materials. It is a Christian book publisher with a deep commitment to serving evangelical churches and the global community of Christ believers. The company aims to provide insightful and transformative content that nurtures spiritual growth and supports the work of ministries, Sunday school curricula, and individuals. They publish and distribute copies of Bibles, devotionals, study guides, curriculum resources, multi-media products, and various Christian books. These published resources cover a wide array of topics, including theology, biblical studies, spiritual formation, Christian living, leadership, discipleship, and worship. Their catalog reflects a commitment to excellence in content, ensuring that the materials are biblically sound, intellectually engaging, and relevant to the needs of individuals, churches, and educational institutions. Submission guidelines.

6. Woodneath Press

Woodneath Press is the publishing imprint of The Story Center at Mid-Continent Public Library in the Kansas City area, and it works as a library-as-publisher, focused on local authors and local content. It is accepting full-length, single-author manuscripts of 60,000 to 100,000 words from authors who meet its eligibility requirements. There are no subject restrictions, but manuscripts should be narrative driven, and it is not taking poetry, short story collections, children’s books or previously published work. Selected books get promotion across the library system. Submission guidelines.

7. BkMk Press

BKMK Press is a well-regarded literary press headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Established in 1971, it operates in affiliation with the University of Missouri-Kansas City and has gained a reputation for its dedication to producing exceptional works of poetry, short fiction, and creative essays. BKMK Press strives to showcase diverse voices and foster the growth of contemporary literature. They have published international series including “Wild Bouquet” and other series from Carl Dennis, a Pulitzer Prize winner whose poems have been chosen for The Best American Poetry award. Their publications encompass a wide range of genres, styles, and themes, reflecting the vibrant and ever-evolving landscape of literary expression. BkMk is not accepting open submissions at the moment and announces new reading periods on its submissions page. Submission guidelines.

8. Flying Ketchup Press

Flying Ketchup Press is a dynamic and forward-thinking artist-run publishing company based in Kansas City, Missouri. Founded in 2018 by Alice Hixson and Polly McCann, two resilient Midwestern single mothers with a rich heritage in publishing and storytelling. They encourage critical thinking and promote new and diverse literary works that foster creativity, nurture artistic communities, and prevent exceptional writing from languishing unread. Each year the press publishes one poetry anthology and one short story anthology, with black-and-white art in its paperbacks, and it looks for strong voices in poetry and short stories with deep characters and surprising worlds. Calls run through its Submittable page, which currently shows no open calls. Submission guidelines.

Names you may be looking for

ACE Publishing LLC

ACE Publishing LLC’s old web address now leads to an unrelated site, and we could not find a current official page for it.

Miraclaire Publishing

Miraclaire Publishing’s domain is now parked, and we could not find a current official page for the press.

Final Thoughts

Kansas City’s publishers cover a lot of ground, from SDC’s CAD textbooks and Andrews McMeel’s humor and calendars to the literary work of BkMk, Moon City and Flying Ketchup. Several of them open only for contests or set reading periods, and Woodneath Press is reserved for eligible local authors, so read each publisher’s current guidelines before you send your manuscript. Next up, you may want to explore a guide on publishing companies in Grand Rapids.