Top 5 Spiritual Book Publishers
A Guide to Choosing Your Book Publisher
If you are looking for a traditional book publisher in the spiritual and personal growth realms, you know how important it is to find a publisher that is aligned with the spirit of your work and your intentions for its reach and impact in the world.
Choosing the right spiritual book publisher has the potential to offer you increased credibility, specialized marketing, a supportive publishing team, access to a broader community, and effective distribution channels.
Each of these spiritual and personal growth publishers listed below brings a unique set of strengths, which you’ll want to consider in light of your genre, values, and vision. Consider the distinctive offerings of each publisher to find the best fit for your spiritual or personal growth book.
Please note that we offer support to those exploring their publishing options and aiming to self or traditionally publish. Our Choose Your Publishing Path on-demand video program is a great way to determine which path is best for you.
We also offer personalized Book Proposal support (coaching and editing) for those looking to traditionally publish, and publishing project management support for those looking to self-publish their spiritual or personal growth book.
Top Five Spiritual Book Publishers
Founded in 1985 by Tami Simon, Sounds True is a leading multimedia book publisher specializing in spiritual wisdom and personal transformation. With a library of over 3,000 titles by renowned spiritual teachers, they collaborate to provide diverse offerings such as books, audio programs, online courses, and events aimed at fostering awakening and personal growth, embodying a mission to "wake up the world" and prioritize authentic connections between authors and readers across genres.
Sounds True publishes books in the following genres: spirituality, religion, mind-body health, transpersonal psychology, spiritually oriented self-help, and science and spirit. They seek to reach broad audiences without sacrificing depth.
Sounds True accepts book proposals from authors directly without an agent (they do not want full manuscripts) and have a specific template they want authors to use, which you can find HERE. Do note that they only respond to queries for books they are interested in and don't provide feedback for all submissions.
Founded in 1984 by Louise Hay, Hay House is a global book publisher headquartered in California, focusing their publishing in Self-Help, Mind-Body-Spirit, New Thought, Spirituality, Psychology, Health, Business, Finance, and Inspirational Memoirs books.
Collaborating with renowned authors like Wayne Dyer and Dr. Joe Dispenza, they emphasize inclusivity and sustainability, prioritizing responsible paper sourcing. The Hay Foundation, established in 1986, extends Louise Hay's mission by supporting organizations that enhance the quality of life for all beings.
Hay House only accepts manuscript submissions through agents or specific membership programs. The company's division, Balboa Press, supports self-publishing. Successful Balboa Press titles may be republished by Hay House. Agents can submit proposals and sample chapters via email or mail.
While Hay House only accepts agented submissions, there is a workaround! Hay House holds a publishing contest multiple times a year through which you can submit your proposal without an agent. You can learn more about the Hay House Writer’s Contest here.
Established in 1974, North Atlantic Books (NAB) is an independent nonprofit book publisher now based in Berkeley, California that specializes in publishing a diverse range of original books in bodywork and somatics, ecology and sustainability, health and healing, Indigenous cultures and anthropology, psychology and personal growth, social justice and engaged activism, and spirituality and liminality.
North Atlantic accepts electronic submissions for agented and un-agented works via email and aims to respond within three months. Currently, they are not accepting new fiction, poetry, academic, or children's book submissions.
A successful proposal should include a cover letter, a brief book intention statement, word count, author qualifications, marketing plan, comparative titles, table of contents, and one to three sample chapters. I recommend going to their submissions page for their most up-to-date instructions on submitting a book proposal.
Shambhala Publications is dedicated to creating transformative books, audio, and immersive courses with the aim of enhancing lives and contributing to the development of a thoughtful, kindhearted, and contemplative society. Guided by the principle of authenticity and integrity, they specialize their publishing to meditation and a wide range of spiritual traditions (e.g. Buddhism, Taoism, contemplative traditions within Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Sufism), wellness, yoga, martial arts, psychology, emotional well-being, and mindfulness.
Inspired by the vision of enlightened society articulated by their first author, Chögyam Trungpa, Shambhala Publications remains selective in their book publishing to uphold these principles.
Submission guidelines include a proposal with a synopsis, chapter outline, biographical statement, and two sample chapters, submitted via email. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, and the review process takes 12 to 15 weeks. Shambala does not accept physical submissions, and inquiries should be sent to submissions@shambhala.com. Authors can submit without an agent.
Established in 1997, Namaste Publishing is an independent book publisher known for promoting spiritual, self-help, and wellness literature, with a notable history of introducing influential works like The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. Their diverse catalog includes transformative books on meditation, parenting, spirituality, conscious business practices, and trauma healing, reflecting their belief in inner change as a catalyst for societal improvement and a commitment to enhancing collective consciousness through their publications, potentially welcoming submissions aligned with their mission.
Namaste Publishing only publishes a small collection of books each year, and they are currently only accepting agented submissions.
Top 5 Spiritual Book Publishers: Runner-Ups
In 1970, Ehud C. Sperling left college to explore his interest in the occult and spiritual traditions, leading him to join Samuel Weiser's bookstore. This connection eventually sprouted Inner Traditions, a publishing house rooted in esoteric and spiritual literature. Over the years, Inner Traditions expanded its diverse catalog, absorbed Bear & Company, and later welcomed imprints like Healing Arts Press, Findhorn Press, and Sacred Planet Books, all contributing to its current status as a prominent global book publisher of over 2,000 titles in spirituality, alternative health, and esotericism.
Findhorn/ Inner Traditions has a specific set of submission guidelines for authors that you can find HERE.
Llewellyn, established in 1901, is a pioneering and expansive independent book publisher in the metaphysical realm, specializing in books for body, mind, and spirit. With acclaimed imprints like Midnight Ink and Flux, Llewellyn has played a crucial role in launching notable literary careers and promoting personal growth. Additionally, the publisher collaborates with international entities like Lo Scarabeo and Blue Angel to bring exquisite tarot and oracle decks to readers worldwide, embodying its vision to lead in personal growth and the transformation of body, mind, and spirit.
They do accept book proposals from authors (including first-time authors) and from literary agents, and have a list of what is to be included HERE.
Monkfish, an independent press since 2002, specializes in spiritual and literary books, covering diverse genres like memoirs, wisdom literature, fiction, and scholarly works. With a focus on authenticity, Monkfish appeals to both devoted spiritual seekers and the general public, distributing its eclectic range of titles globally through various channels, including Consortium Book Sales, Publishers Group Canada, and Raincoast. Renowned contributors such as Ram Dass, Bernie Glassman, and Huston Smith have enriched Monkfish's collection, garnering attention and praise from mainstream media and spiritual publications alike.
To be considered for publication, MonkFish requires the proposal to include a specific criteria of information that you can find HERE.
In conclusion, selecting the right spiritual book publisher for your work extends beyond logistics—it is a decision that influences the impact of your work.
Each of the mentioned spiritual books publishers, Sounds True, Hay House, North Atlantic, Shambhala, Namaste, and the 3 runner-ups, offer a distinctive platform that aligns with many aspects of spiritual authorship. From acient wisdom to multimedia experiences, these publishers serve as beacons of authenticity, inclusivity, and transformation.
As you navigate your options, consider the ethos, values, and genres each book publisher focuses on. This ensures that your work finds not just a publisher but a space where it can resonate with the hearts and minds of those seeking spiritual wisdom, personal growth, and enlightenment.
If you are looking to learn more about your publishing path options to determine whether traditional or self-publishing is best for you and your book, my self-paced course Choose Your Publishing Path offers a comprehensive exploration of traditional and self-publishing options. It empowers participants to make informed choices about their publishing paths and includes bonuses on finding agents and recommendations for transformational non-fiction authors.
If you are looking for support in writing or editing your book proposal or query letter to spiritual book publishers or agents, we also offer these services. Please complete this interest form and we can be in touch about our book proposal services.