12 Publishers That Consistently Offer Advances to Authors

An advance is a signing bonus paid to an author before their book is published. It is essentially an upfront payment against future royalties—meaning that before an author earns additional royalty payments, they must first "earn out" the advance through book sales. It is important to note that most independent publishers do not offer advances to first-time authors. According to NY Book Editors, independent publishers typically provide advances ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, with amounts exceeding $20,000 being uncommon.

While some of the publishers we review may offer advances to select authors, particularly those with a strong publishing track record, most do not provide advances to the majority of their authors. For many writers, the appeal of an advance isn’t just financial—since they would eventually earn that amount through royalties—but rather the validation that comes with it. An advance signals that a publisher is making a bet on their success. The prestige associated with an advance can be significant, especially when considering that the average advance for debut authors varies widely. As reported by Mary Adkins, adult fiction authors receive an average advance of $65,908, memoirists average $90,686, young adult authors receive $50,718, and middle-grade authors earn around $35,406.

Unfortunately, the hard truth is that most publishers on this list do not publicly disclose the typical range of their advances. Where ballpark figures are available, we’ve included them. Data from Josh Bernoff shows that 85% of traditionally published nonfiction authors receive some level of advance, with 40% receiving at least $25,000, and 23% securing advances of $100,000 or more.

Every publisher on this list offers advances to most of their authors. While not all are currently open to submissions, the majority are. The list is organized alphabetically.

1. Angry Robot

Angry Robot is a well-regarded publisher of science fiction and fantasy, occasionally venturing into related genres such as urban fantasy, steampunk, and horror. Originally funded by HarperCollins, Angry Robot is now part of Watkins Media Ltd. They offer advances and competitive royalty rates, with contracts covering print, ebook, and audiobook rights.

2. BenBella

BenBella is a niche nonfiction publisher led by Glen Yeffeth, who has a background in marketing and a passion for books. Known for strong distribution and a marketing-driven approach, BenBella has earned praise for its editorial team. The company publishes 30–40 books per year, with fourteen of its titles reaching the No. 1 spot on The New York Times Best Sellers list. They offer advances.

3. Bold Strokes Books

Bold Strokes Books specializes in LGBTQ+ fiction, publishing works that feature lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer characters. They release both general and genre fiction and offer advances to their authors.

4. Harlequin

Harlequin is one of the most recognizable names in romance publishing, with wide distribution across bookstores, grocery stores, and online retailers. Many bestselling romance authors, including Mercedes Lackey, Nora Roberts, and Christopher Rice, got their start with Harlequin. Now owned by HarperCollins, they continue to offer advances.

5. Soft Skull Press

Soft Skull Press, based in California, is a small yet respected publisher of literary fiction and nonfiction. They specialize in unconventional and well-crafted works, having published notable authors like Maggie Nelson. As an imprint of Counterpoint Press, they offer advances. They accept unsolicited nonfiction queries but require an agent for literary fiction submissions.

6. Tor/Forge

Tor/Forge, an imprint of Macmillan, is one of the most established science fiction and fantasy publishers. Operated by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC, Tor has won the Locus Award for Best SF Publisher 26 years in a row. They offer advances to most authors.

7. Parvus Press

Parvus Press is a relatively new digital-first publisher specializing in science fiction and fantasy novels. They offer advances of up to $3,500, along with quarterly royalty payments.

8. Ulysses Press

Ulysses Press is an independent nonfiction publisher focused on niche markets. They seek books that align with emerging trends, provide fresh perspectives on established topics, or fill an unmet need in the trade book market. They offer advances, though amounts are not disclosed.

These publishers stand out for their willingness to invest in their authors, making them excellent options for writers seeking both financial backing and industry credibility.