Recognized Publishers

The following is a list of ITW-recognized publishers. If your publisher is not recognized by ITW and meets all ITW criteria for a commercial publisher, either you or they may apply to ITW for recognition.

To apply, please click and download the appropriate application form. Once completed, mail it along with any additional requested information to:

ITW Publisher Application
P.O. Box 1402
Medina, OH 44258

Publisher Questionnaire (.docx format, MicroSoft Word 2007 and up)

Publisher Questionnaire (.pdf format)

Qualified Publishers are those which do not contractually obligate their authors to pay for such services as advertising, sales, marketing, editing, or promotion of their books. A qualified publisher would normally acquire rights to a publication because it is investing capital; undertaking marketing efforts with a sales and/or marketing force; and utilizing the sale of books as means of recouping capital outlays and realizing a profit.

There are varying means of accomplishing these goals. Qualified publishers invest in their authors in a variety of different and imaginative ways. In deciding whether a publisher is qualified, ITW may consider samples of the publisher’s contracts with authors; whether and how the publisher pays advances; does the publisher charge fees to authors for any service; is there a sales force; the publisher’s distribution practices, are the publisher’s books reviewed in recognized publications; documented complaints against any publisher; and does the publisher expend money for marketing and advertising for either the author and/or the work. Again, no one factor is determinative, nor would the lack of one be fatal. Recognizing that good judgment and reasonableness should always govern, any and all determinations of whether a publisher is qualified will be made on a case-by-case basis.

With particular regard to self-published books, where there is no publisher beyond the author, any determination of the author being a qualified publisher shall be on a case-by-case basis and such factors as the work itself, the breadth of its marketing, the extent of its distribution, the editorial process, its sales, the author’s personal history, reviews in recognized publications, and any other factor relevant to the particular situation may be considered in making such determination. Self published writers are not automatically excluded from being a qualified publisher, but they bear a higher burden to demonstrate their status.

By definition, vanity and hybrid presses do not qualify as recognized publishers. However, should an author employ the services of a third party to assist in the publication of their book, they are encouraged to apply as an indie author as these services are considered work for hire.

ITW reserves the right to modify and/or revoke the status of any recognized publisher at any time, based on new information or any change in circumstances that may occur.

Note: Imprints of ITW-recognized publishers are not automatically included on the ITW recognized-publisher list and must obtain their own separate recognition. Depending on the circumstances, however, imprints may qualify for a more streamlined application process. If you are seeking recognition for an imprint of a previously-recognized publisher that is currently on the ITW recognized-publisher list, before submitting a full application, please contact us at: info@thrillerwriters.org

Please note that inclusion in this list does not signify that the publisher has received ITW’s stamp of approval. While these publishers and imprints have met ITW’s vetting requirements, we encourage all authors to conduct their own independent research to determine the best fit.