Top 10 publishing houses in Singapore

With the ever-growing book industry worldwide, it is quite natural that publishing houses will continue to face constant pressure from authors and budding writers. Although publishing books online has become a trend, there is no denying that a traditional book publishing method is more powerful. It not only gives the authors a new platform to show their skills to others, but the publishing houses also play a crucial role in bringing the author closer to their readers.

What is book publishing?

Book publishing is a method through which a well-written manuscript is converted into a collection of information, placed or arranged together in the form of a book. A book can be published in paperback form, electronic book or hardcover. It depends completely on the publishing house in which the book will be published for the public to read the author’s content.

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Challenges faced by Authors in Singapore to find a publisher

1. Limited Publishing Opportunities: The publishing industry in Singapore may have limited opportunities for authors, especially for those writing in niche or specialized genres. Publishers might prioritize certain types of content or authors with established platforms, making it challenging for new or emerging writers to find suitable publishing opportunities.
2. Competitive Market: The publishing market in Singapore can be highly competitive, with numerous aspiring writers vying for limited spots. Getting noticed among the abundance of submissions can be difficult, particularly for authors without prior publishing experience or a strong literary background.
3. Genre Preferences: Some publishers in Singapore may have specific preferences for certain genres that align with current market trends or local readers’ interests. Authors whose works fall outside these preferences may face challenges in finding a publisher willing to take on their projects.
4. Marketing Support: Authors might find that some publishers in Singapore offer limited marketing and promotional support, especially for first-time or lesser-known writers. Without adequate marketing efforts, it can be challenging for authors to reach their target audience and achieve significant book sales.
5. Negotiating Contracts: Authors who lack experience in the publishing industry may face challenges in negotiating favorable contracts with publishers. Understanding the intricacies of publishing contracts, including royalty rates, rights management, and distribution terms, is crucial for ensuring that authors secure fair and beneficial agreements.
6. Establishing Author Platform: Building a strong author platform, including a dedicated readership and online presence, is increasingly important in the modern publishing landscape. Authors who have yet to establish a substantial platform may find it challenging to convince publishers of their potential market appeal and may face difficulties securing publishing deals as a result.

To overcome these challenges, authors in Singapore can consider seeking representation from literary agents, conducting thorough market research to understand publisher preferences, and actively building their author platform through networking, social media engagement, and participation in literary events. Additionally, authors can enhance their chances of finding a publisher by ensuring that their manuscripts are well-edited, professionally formatted, and aligned with the specific requirements and interests of potential publishers in Singapore.

Advantages of book publishing

Book publishing has multiple benefits that only authors approaching their publishing houses can experience. However, if you are not yet associated with the publisher or are sceptical about approaching a publishing house, these below advantages of book publishing will clarify all your doubts.

1. Once your book is published, you will get a new readers platform that will be more versatile and wider.
2. Published books are often considered within several categories: award-winning, best-selling, highest rated, and so on.
3. Book publishing is the fastest way to make your book viewable by more readers in a short time.
4. You don’t have to worry about spending a huge amount of money for publishing your book because most of the work is done by the publisher itself.

Time taken to publish a book

Publishing a book traditionally is a very lengthy process. Therefore the time taken to complete the entire work is approximately one year to 1 ½ year. Sometimes, the time may increase according to the publisher house you have chosen and the content you have written. As the chief editors and other professionals working with the publishing house have to verify your manuscript and send the same for printing, the time is taken to publish the book automatically increases.

Steps to follow for book publishing

1. You first have to commit your manuscript to the publishing house, along with other documents, as stated.
2. The publishing house editors will review your work and make possible changes.
3. The modified copy will be sent to you for final confirmation that you are happy with whatever changes they have made.
4. Once they get the confirmation from your side, they will start working on designing the entire front and back covers of the book.
5. After all this work is completed, the mad script will be sent to printing.

What are the best publishing houses in Singapore?

• Asiapac

Considered one of the best publishing houses in Singapore, Asiapac mainly focuses on three categories: adult trade fiction, children, and young adult. It was established in 1983, and since then, the house has been dealing with both Chinese and English languages, ensuring to give Singapore authors an equal chance to highlight their skills to the readers. Every year, they receive a huge volume of submissions from various authors in various genres.

• Balestier Press

Balestier Press has caught the eye of many aspiring authors, focusing mainly on publishing adult trade fiction. From the famous Chili Bean Paste Clan to the Unrest, this publishing house has brought forth some of the best narratives from domains like social sciences and contemporary literature. Moreover, the editorial team at this publishing house offers guidance and different ideas to the authors concerning the content that the usually deal with.

• Candid Creation

Established in 1999, candid creation deals with both Chinese and English languages, owing to which it has a huge reader base and that of the authors. Like other publishing houses in Singapore, it is also focused on dealing with adult trade fiction books. Over the years, the house has collaborated with several authors worldwide, like Abdul Rasheed Doad and Angeline Chan. Once you’re done with your manuscript, reach out to this publishing house and submit all the required documents along with the content.

• Epigram

Although Epigram was founded in 2011, this independent publishing company in Singapore boasts a wide range of catalogues. The three main categories you find here are children, nonfiction, and the young adult. Apart from these three categories, the publishing house also deals with adult trade fiction. In the past decade, the publishing house has published several inspiring and motivational titles from different categories that never have a lasting impression on the readers.

• Ethos Books

Unlike others, this publishing house accepts unsolicited manuscripts, which is why it has become so preferred amongst new and aspiring authors. It was established in 1997, and since then, the publishing house has produced some of the best and award-winning titles. It accepts manuscripts written in multiple languages, preferably English, from different people across Singapore. The loyalty provided by this publishing house is quite hefty, and it’s completely based on the author’s merit.

• Kitaab Publishing

Founded by Zafar Anjum, Kitaab Publishing is one of the top publishing houses in Singapore. It works in three languages, namely Hindi, English, and Urdu, nearby, offering many opportunities to authors within Singapore. Mainly focused on Asian culture, this publishing house deals with essays, poetries, fiction, and short stories. In addition, it offers four different printing modes: hardcover, paperback, electronic books, and print on demand formats. Therefore, once you analyze the market properly, you can choose the best format in which you want to publish a book.

• Landmark Books

Despite being a small publishing house, it has gained a lot of appreciation, thanks to its published collection on Asian culture and heritage. Moreover, it offers excellent opportunities for various authors of various genres.

• Straits Times Press

This publishing house is known for the nonfiction collection it has published so far, like finance, memories, history, current affairs, and politics. Working tirelessly for 20 years, we have associated with The Strait Times. This is one of the topmost newspaper companies in Singapore. It publishes books in Chinese and English, offering outstanding opportunities to different types of authors. Their in-house editorial team is highly experienced and will help you with the entire process of publishing a book.

• Talisman Publishing

Having an experience of 35 years, this publishing house specializes in history, economics, travel, culture, politics, and self-help. They also publish books in multiple languages, especially Malay and English. Any aspiring author wishing to publish their books to get more exposure, contact this publishing house in Singapore. 

• Armor Publishing

Established in 1991, this publishing house in Singapore is more focused on publishing books based on general market concepts. Apart from this, they also have published several books in children’s and nonfiction categories.

Conclusion

Singapore is the beacon of some of the best publishing houses in entire Southeast Asia. From independent houses to global branches, you will come across a myriad of names in the book publishing industry. So, get your manuscripts ready and reach out to the best publisher whose terms and conditions are at par with your content.

 

Disclaimer: The list furnished in this article does not indicate any ranking based on quality of services provided by these companies. This is just a collated list of companies operating in this industry. We do not claim any ownership of the accuracy of the data furnished in this article. The readers are requested only to use this as an information for reference and is requested to get in touch with the companies directly to understand their services and service quality. The information provided here is curated based on existing information available on public domain. Any discrepancies in data observed and suggested by readers or the companies directly shall be ammended.