The book publishing industry in California is a dynamic sphere, home to both traditional houses and modern innovators. These companies cater to a variety of audience, publishing books across multiple genres - from fiction and fantasy to nonfiction and graphic novels. As publishing houses, they do more than just print books; they offer comprehensive services like book editing, marketing, copyrights protection, and authors' platforms among others. The industry appears poised for healthy growth, continually embracing the digital age while preserving traditional literary values.

Top 23 book publishing companies in California

1. Perseus Books Group

• Website: perseusbooks.com
• Headquarters: Berkeley, California, United States
• Headcount: 501-1000
• LinkedIn

Perseus Books is a publishing company that offers a wide range of books across various genres, including fiction, nonfiction, romance, sci-fi, fantasy, and children's literature. They have multiple imprints under their umbrella, such as Grand Central Publishing, Voracious, and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

2. The Book Masters

• Website: thebookmasters.com
• Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, United States
• Headcount: 1001-5000
• LinkedIn

The Book Masters is a book publishing company that offers a wide range of services such as book editing, marketing, copyrights protection, author website, professional audio book, book video trailer, book cover design, and custom book illustration.

3. BOOM! Studios

• Website: boom-studios.com
• Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, United States
• Founded: 2005
• Headcount: 11-50
• Latest funding type: Series C
• LinkedIn

BOOM! Studios is an entertainment company based in Los Angeles, CA that specializes in publishing comics and graphic novels. They offer a wide range of titles, including popular series like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Magic. With a dedicated team of talented creators, BOOM! Studios brings exciting stories to life for fans of all ages.

4. Smashwords

• Website: smashwords.com
• Headquarters: Los Gatos, California, United States
• Founded: 2008
• Headcount: 11-50
• Latest funding type: Acquired
• LinkedIn

Smashwords is an online platform where users can purchase and distribute ebooks. They offer a wide range of genres including erotica and mainstream literature. They provide support to authors and publishers, helping them sell their works in the Smashwords store. Smashwords also offers resources such as blogs and podcasts for authors/publishers to improve their skills and troubleshoot any issues.

5. Epic for Kids

• Website: getepic.com
• Headquarters: Redwood City, California, United States
• Founded: 2014
• Headcount: 51-200
• Latest funding type: Acquired
• LinkedIn

Epic is a kids' eBook subscription service that offers thousands of high-quality books from well-known publishers like HarperCollins and National Geographic.

6. University of California Press

• Website: ucpress.edu
• Headquarters: Oakland, California, United States
• Founded: 1893
• Headcount: 51-200
• LinkedIn

UC Press is a publishing company affiliated with the University of California. They offer a wide range of books and journals in various disciplines such as anthropology, history, psychology, sociology, and more.

7. New Harbinger Publications

• Website: newharbinger.com
• Headquarters: Oakland, California, United States
• Founded: 1973
• Headcount: 51-200
• LinkedIn

New Harbinger Publications is a leading publisher of evidence-based self-help books and workbooks in the field of mental health and well-being. They offer a wide range of resources for professionals and individuals alike, including therapy resources, educational materials, and tools for personal growth.

8. Level 4 Press, INC.

• Website: level4press.com
• Headquarters: Jamul, California, United States
• Founded: 2006
• Headcount: 51-200
• LinkedIn

Level 4 Press is a publishing company that offers a wide range of novels and collections across various genres such as historical fiction, mystery/crime, science fiction/fantasy, and more.

9. FastPencil

• Website: fastpencil.com
• Headquarters: Campbell, California, United States
• Founded: 2008
• Headcount: 11-50
• Latest funding type: Debt Financing
• LinkedIn

FastPencil is an all-in-one solution for creating, distributing, and selling print or eBooks. They offer a platform where authors can easily write, collaborate, and format their books. FastPencil also provides distribution and sales services, allowing authors to track their sales and calculate royalties. With FastPencil, authors can publish in any format from a single source and have their books distributed and sold worldwide.

10. Stanford University Press

• Website: sup.org
• Headquarters: Redwood City, California, United States
• Founded: 1892
• Headcount: 11-50
• LinkedIn

Stanford University Press is a renowned publishing house that offers a wide range of books in various fields, including security studies, literature, cultural studies, and more. They are known for publishing high-quality academic and scholarly works.

11. Scapegoat Publishing

• Website: scapegoatpublishing.com
• Headquarters: Gardena, California, United States
• Headcount: 51-200

Scapegoat Publishing is a company that publishes books in various genres like art, music, literature, and erotica.

12. City Lights Publishers

• Website: citylights.com
• Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States
• Founded: 1955
• Headcount: 11-50
• LinkedIn

Citylights.com is a website that lists City Lights Publishers, a San Francisco-based indie bookstore and publishing company specializing in Beat poetry and literature. The company sells books and offers publishing services.

13. HarperOne Publishers (an imprint of HarperCollins)

• Website: harperone.com
• Headquarters: New York, California, United States
• Founded: 1977
• Headcount: 11-50
• LinkedIn

HarperOne is a publisher under HarperCollins Publishers that specializes in books on religion, spirituality and wellness.

14. TSEHAI Publishers

• Website: tsehaipublishers.com
• Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, United States
• Founded: 1998
• Headcount: 11-50
• LinkedIn

Tsehai Publishers is a book publishing company that focuses on literature and academic works related to African studies, history and politics.

15. Argus Enterprises

• Website: a-argusbooks.com
• Headquarters: Escondido, California, United States
• Headcount: 11-50
• LinkedIn

W & B Publishers is a book publishing company that focuses on publishing new and exciting authors. They accept well-written and well-edited manuscripts in every category, and offer free shipping in the USA.

16. Select Books

• Website: selectbooks.com
• Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States
• Headcount: 11-50
• LinkedIn

SelectBooks is a book publishing house that offers a diverse range of titles authored by industry experts in the fields of politics, business administration, alternative medicine, and fiction. The company also provides submission instructions for prospective authors.

17. Amazon Publishing Pros

• Website: amazonpublishingpros.com
• Headquarters: Irvine, California, United States
• Headcount: 51-200

Amazon Publishing Pros is a full-service book publishing agency offering writing, editing, designing, publication, and marketing solutions. They specialize in all genres and formats and excel in creating quality content that engages readers.

18. Foglifter Press

• Website: foglifterjournal.com
• Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States
• Founded: 2016
• Headcount: 11-50
• LinkedIn

Foglifter Journal is a literary magazine and publisher of e-books that provides a platform for diverse writing and queer points of view.

19. Zenosbooks

• Website: zenosbooks.com
• Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States
• Headcount: 11-50

Zenos Books is an online bookstore offering an extensive collection of old and rare books on various subjects.

20. Horizon Research Publishing Co.,Ltd.

• Website: hrpub.org
• Headquarters: San Jose, California, United States
• Founded: 2013
• Headcount: 51-200
• LinkedIn

HRPUB is an open access publisher that provides unrestricted access to peer-reviewed academic journal articles, scholarly monographs, and book chapters. All original research papers published by HRPUB are freely accessible online immediately after publication. Their publication model offers high availability, high visibility, rigorous peer review, faster publication with lower cost, and higher citation rates. HRPUB is committed to maintaining the highest quality research materials and operates under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY).

21. Classic Press Inc

• Website: classiccomicspress.com
• Headquarters: Yucaipa, California, United States
• Headcount: 11-50
• LinkedIn

Classic Comics Press is a company that specializes in publishing and distributing classic comic books. They offer a wide range of titles from various genres and time periods, catering to both collectors and casual readers.

22. Paragon House

• Website: paragonhouse.com
• Headquarters: Beverly Hills, California, United States
• Founded: 2022
• Headcount: 51-200
• LinkedIn

Paragon House is a publishing company that offers books on a variety of subjects, including biography, philosophy, literature, and social sciences.

23. Community Literature Initiative

• Website: communitylit.org
• Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, United States
• Founded: 2013
• Headcount: 11-50
• Latest funding type: Grant
• LinkedIn

Community Lit is a non-profit organization that teaches writers of color how to write and publish books. They offer classes and workshops for poetry, children's books, and manuscript development. They also have an online shop and publish alumni publications. Get involved with their initiatives and support their cause.

Want to find more book publishing companies?

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• Ownership: Which of these are private equity backed? Which are family-owned?
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...and a lot more!