If you’ve dipped your toes into the book world at all, you know there are the big 5 publishers. Specifically, these publishers work with literary agents to purchase manuscripts to traditionally publish them. They’re the major publishers getting out the bulk of what you see from traditionally published books.
Knowing their details is important for anyone who wants to be a part of this industry—whether you traditionally publish or self-publish.
Here’s what we’ll cover with each:
Why are there the big 5 publishers?
There was a time when it wasn’t just the big 5 publishers. There used to be many “smaller” (by today’s revenue standards) publishers that made names for themselves. But over the years, those publishing houses have either merged or expanded globally to become what we know today as the major book publishers.
You can see that from the names alone:
Penguin Random House – the result of a 2013 merger.
Harper Collins – the result of the merging of Harper & Row and William Collins.
Hachette Book Group – part of the French company Hachette Livre, which expanded internationally
It becomes more profitable for these big publishing houses to buy-out smaller houses and add to their mass than it is to compete with them.
Of course, there are many other smaller publishing houses in existence. The ones we’ll touch on today are just, by far, the largest 5 publishers out there for traditionally published books.
Penguin Random House
You’ve likely heard of this publisher before, and that’s because they’re massive. You can see in the image below that this major publisher is made up of dozens of imprints that exist within different segments of the house itself.
So if you see names like “Dutton” or “Puffin Books” or “Hogarth” on books, they’re a part of the Penguin Random House umbrella. Imprints exist to help further segment certain types of books, like if they’re for kids, teens, or nonfiction types.
History of Penguin Random House
Penguin Random House was formed in 2013 through the merger of Penguin and Random House, both of which had long histories in publishing, dating back to 1935 and 1927, respectively.
Penguin Books was founded in 1935—almost 100 years ago!— by Sir Allen Lane with the vision of making literature more accessible to the public. At the time, books were often expensive and primarily available in hardcover, limiting readership to those who could afford them. Lane sought to change this by introducing high-quality paperback books that could be sold at the same price as a pack of cigarettes. This revolutionary idea helped democratize literature, bringing classic and contemporary works to a much wider audience. Over the years, Penguin expanded by acquiring other publishers, including Viking Press, Dorling Kindersley, and Puffin Books, the latter of which became a major force in children’s publishing.
Random House, on the other hand, was founded in 1927 by Bennett Cerf and Donald Klopfer. It began as a small New York-based publishing firm before quickly expanding its reach. It gained prominence by acquiring prestigious literary works and becoming the home of many Nobel Prize-winning authors. In 1960, the company made a significant move by acquiring Alfred A. Knopf, known for its literary fiction, and Pantheon Books, which specialized in academic and international literature. These acquisitions helped establish Random House as one of the most respected and influential publishing houses in the world, with a reputation for championing high-quality writing across various genres.
Imprints
There are dozens of imprints within the Penguin Random House umbrella due to the various acquisitions it’s made over the years. The most notable imprints include Knopf, Viking, Crown, Bantam, Del Rey, Puffin Books, and Berkley.
Primary Types of Books Published
Penguin Random House publishes literary fiction, genre fiction (romance, fantasy, science fiction, thrillers), nonfiction (memoirs, biographies, self-help, business, history), and children’s books. Because it’s so big, they have a little bit of everything.
That said, there is a certain tonality to their books, just like there is for other publishing houses. This is often how they compete, and if you want to get published, can help you determine which agents to query because they might have a track record (and connections) at this bit 5 publisher.
Here’s what you’ll often find if you shop from this major publisher:
- Literary, intellectual, and high-brow (award-winning fiction, classics, literary nonfiction).
- Engaging, emotionally compelling, and commercial (bestsellers, thrillers, contemporary fiction, memoirs).
Top 3 most popular books
You’ll recognize these books almost certainly. They’re the top selling books by this top 5 publisher:
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
- Becoming by Michelle Obama
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Annual Revenue
Penguin Random House is the largest of the big 5 publishers, bringing in approximately $4 billion.
Notable Literary Agents
While not guaranteed, these literary agents may have connects at this specific publishing house. Keep in mind that you can’t just send pitches willy nilly. Agents will often advertise if they’re taking on new clients or not.
- Kristin Nelson (Nelson Literary Agency)
- Ethan Ellenberg (Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency)
- Suzie Townsend (New Leaf Literary & Media)
HarperCollins
Just like the other major publishers, HarperCollins started as one thing and acquired many others to become what it is today. The image below shows just how many smaller houses—like Avon, Harper, Harlequin—make up the total of books published through this house.
History of HarperCollins
HarperCollins traces its origins to Harper & Brothers, founded in 1817 in New York—very, very old!—and William Collins & Sons, established in 1819 in Scotland. Harper & Brothers became a major force in American publishing, introducing literary classics by authors like Mark Twain and Herman Melville, while Collins initially focused on religious and educational books before expanding into fiction. In 1987, News Corporation, owned by Rupert Murdoch, acquired Harper & Row (the successor to Harper & Brothers), and in 1989, it purchased William Collins & Sons.
This merger formed HarperCollins, blending Harper’s literary prestige with Collins’ strength in education and religious publishing.
Since its formation, HarperCollins has grown through acquisitions, including Zondervan (Christian publishing), Avon Books (romance and fantasy), and Harlequin Enterprises (mass-market romance). With operations in 18 countries, it publishes over 10,000 books per year, balancing commercial success with literary prestige. Its catalog includes J.R.R. Tolkien, Agatha Christie, Neil Gaiman, and Harper Lee, making it one of the world’s most influential publishing houses.
Imprints
Notable imprints include Avon, Harlequin, William Morrow, Harper Voyager, and Amistad, though again, there are dozens of imprints that contribute to the HarperCollins catalog.
Primary Types of Books Published
HarperCollins publishes literary fiction, commercial fiction, romance, fantasy, nonfiction (business, memoirs, self-help), and children’s books. They tend to have a wide tonal range due to the diversity of genres they cover, but overall, their books are known for being emotionally resonant, engaging, and accessible, often blending literary depth with broad commercial appeal.
Top 3 most popular books
Here are a few books you likely recognize as their most popular sells:
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
- The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Annual Revenue
Still one of the biggest publishing houses, doing around $2 billion a year, which is roughly half what Penguin Random House does.
Notable Literary Agents
These agents have a reputation for publishing books through HarperCollins. But as always, make sure agents are open to queries before trying to contact.
- Jennifer Laughran (Andrea Brown Literary Agency)
- Mollie Glick (Creative Artists Agency)
- Donald Maass (Donald Maass Literary Agency)
Simon & Schuster
This is another one of the big 5 publishers out there. Interestingly enough, you may know of them from a recent (2020) situation in which the publishing world was up in arms about a possible merger with Penguin Random House.
In 2020, Penguin Random House made a bid to acquire Simon & Schuster approximately $2.18 billion. The merger would have combined two of the big 5 publishers, making Penguin Random House the dominant player in the publishing industry, with significant control over book distribution and rights.
The main concern here was a monopoly-style culture which would have caused issues in an already difficult-to-enter publishing world.
History of Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster was founded in 1924 by Richard L. Simon and M. Lincoln Schuster in New York City. The company initially began as a music publisher, producing sheet music for pianists and composers. However, in 1927, Simon & Schuster revolutionized the publishing world by creating the first-ever book-and-record combination—a groundbreaking idea that led to the publication of their first major success, The Modern Home Library series. Their innovation helped the company grow rapidly, and by the mid-20th century, Simon & Schuster became a significant player in the American publishing landscape.
Now, it’s known for its diverse range of books, including bestsellers in fiction, nonfiction, and reference.
Imprints
Notable imprints include Scribner, Atria, Gallery Books, and Pocket Books. Above, you can see many more imprints within this house, although much fewer than HarperCollins or PenguinRandom House.
Primary Types of Books Published
Simon & Schuster publishes literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction (memoirs, business, history, self-help), and children’s books. Overall, they balance literary prestige with commercial appeal, making their books engaging, thought-provoking, and often emotionally resonant.
They have a reputation for bold publishing choices, whether it’s releasing hard-hitting political exposés, blockbuster thrillers, or deeply personal memoirs.
Top 3 most popular books
Stephen King’s publisher is Simon and Schuster, among other well renowned authors. Here are more books you probably recognize from them:
- Carrie by Stephen King
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Annual Revenue
Over $1 billion in sales, only about a quarter of what Penguin Random House does per year. But obviously, they still do plenty well for themselves.
Notable Literary Agents
If you’re looking for agents that publish with Simon & Schuster often, here they are. As always, querying etiquette matters here.
- Janet Reid (New Leaf Literary & Media)
- Kristin Nelson (Nelson Literary Agency)
- Ethan Ellenberg (Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency)
Hachette Book Group
Some highly viral, bestselling books have come out of Hachette, which is known more for its fiction than most else. While they publish a variety of books through the imprints you see below, it relies heavily on its fiction work to bring in their annual revenue.
History
Another of the big 5 publishing houses with an extensive history! Meaning, it’s old. Hachette Book Group traces its origins to the French publishing company Hachette Livre, which was founded in 1826 by Louis Hachette. Initially, the company focused on educational materials and travel guides, quickly expanding into literature and reference books.
Over time, Hachette Livre became one of France’s most influential publishers, acquiring multiple imprints and growing its presence in international markets. In the 20th century, the company expanded beyond Europe.
Hachette’s presence in the United States was solidified in 2006, when it acquired Time Warner Book Group from Time Warner and rebranded it as Hachette Book Group (HBG). This acquisition brought major imprints like Little, Brown and Company, Grand Central Publishing, and Orbit Books under its umbrella, strengthening its foothold in the U.S. publishing industry. Since then, Hachette has continued to grow through strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of Perseus Books Group in 2016 and Workman Publishing in 2021. Today, Hachette Book Group is one of the “Big Five” publishers, known for its bestselling fiction, nonfiction, and genre books, as well as its commitment to innovative publishing strategies.
Imprints
Notable imprints include Little, Brown and Company, Grand Central Publishing, and Orbit. Orbit is a highly recognizable imprint you’ll find a number of well known books under. Many recognize imprints for this major book publisher more than they do the main name of Hachette.
Primary Types of Books Published
Hachette publishes literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction (self-help, history, memoirs), and children’s books. Because of its heavy European roots and expansion to the U.S., you’ll find they have a little bit of everything.
Hachette’s books range from deeply literary to highly commercial, often striking a balance between intelligent storytelling and mass appeal.
Top 3 most popular books
The books on this list are what you can call “viral” books. They went off and had mass appeal, mainly to the female demographic. Also notable is that the top three for Hachette are fiction books, whereas a few other big 5 publishers have at least one nonfiction in their top 3.
- Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
- Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Annual Revenue
Approximately $2.5 billion, making it a bit larger than both Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins.
Notable Literary Agents
These agents have been known to work with and get their clients work published at Hachette:
- Suzie Townsend (New Leaf Literary & Media)
- Mollie Glick (Creative Artists Agency)
- Donald Maass (Donald Maass Literary Agency
Macmillan
You’ve got a number of recognizable imprints through Macmillan books. Personally, the one that stands out to me is Tor, because of the fantasy and science fiction they publish, along with Tor Teen. You may also recognize others from the image below.
History
Another of the very old houses, Macmillan Publishers was founded in 1843 in London by Scottish brothers Daniel and Alexander Macmillan. The company quickly became known for publishing works by some of the greatest literary figures of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Charles Kingsley, Thomas Hardy, and Rudyard Kipling. Macmillan expanded internationally, establishing offices in India, Canada, Australia, and the United States, solidifying its reputation as a global publishing powerhouse.
In the early 20th century, it became a key player in educational and scientific publishing, further diversifying its catalog beyond literary fiction.
Macmillan Publishers operates as a major trade publisher in the United States and the UK, with well-known imprints such as Farrar, Straus and Giroux, St. Martin’s Press, and Tor Books. It is particularly recognized for science fiction and fantasy (through Tor, Game of Thrones among their most popular series), bestselling commercial fiction, and high-quality nonfiction. Despite changes in ownership and structure, Macmillan has maintained a reputation for publishing literary excellence and innovative storytelling across a wide range of genres.
Imprints
Notable imprints include St. Martin’s Press, Tor, Henry Holt & Company, and Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Primary Types of Books Published
Macmillan publishes literary fiction, science fiction, fantasy, nonfiction (biographies, history, politics), and children’s books.
Macmillan books often carry a smart, boundary-pushing, and well-crafted tone, whether in literary fiction, sci-fi/fantasy, or serious nonfiction. The company balances intellectual rigor with commercial appeal, making its catalog diverse, engaging, and thought-provoking for a wide range of readers.
Top 3 most popular books
As mentioned above, a significant chunk of this publishing house’s income stems from fantasy novels. All three of their top sellers are fantasy books:
- A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Annual Revenue
Estimates vary, but revenues are typically over $1 billion, making it the smallest of the big 5 publishers.
Notable Literary Agents
The agents below are known for having authors publish through Macmillan imprints. Just keep in mind that they’re not always taking new clients.
- Jennifer Laughran (Andrea Brown Literary Agency)
- Janet Reid (New Leaf Literary & Media)
- Ethan Ellenberg (Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency)
How to get published at one of the big 5 publishers
If you’re not choosing to go the self-publishing route (there are pros and cons depending on your goals), then you may want to get published with one of the big 5 publishers.
Why? Because they have a wide reach and a lot of access.
But before we get into those steps, just remember that part of what will get your book published in one of these houses is creating evidence of sellable books. No publishing house wants to risk buying a book they can’t sell.
So if you can prove that your books do in fact sell, you’re more likely to get published with one. Just like the book The Martian by Andy Weir. It was originally self-published and later published through Crown Publishing, an imprint of Penguin Random House, in 2014.
Getting published by Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, or Macmillan is a highly competitive process, but with the right approach, it’s possible. Below are the essential steps to maximize your chances.
1. Write a High-Quality, Marketable Book
Before approaching a publisher, ensure your manuscript is polished, well-structured, and marketable. Big 5 publishers prioritize books with strong commercial appeal, unique perspectives, or literary excellence.
- If writing fiction, develop a compelling hook, well-developed characters, and a strong narrative arc.
- If writing nonfiction, focus on expertise, a unique angle, and a clear target audience.
2. Research Your Genre and Target Publisher
Each Big 5 publisher has different imprints specializing in various genres. Research which imprint is the best fit for your book.
- For example, Tor (Macmillan) focuses on sci-fi and fantasy, while Atria Books (Simon & Schuster) specializes in commercial fiction.
- Study successful books similar to yours and note their publishers and agents.
3. Find a Literary Agent (Required for Big 5 publishers)
Big 5 publishers do not accept unsolicited manuscripts, meaning you must secure a literary agent to submit your book on your behalf.
- Look for agents who represent books in your genre and style.
- Use resources like:
- Manuscript Wish List (MSWL) – agents list their preferred genres.
- Publishers Marketplace – tracks deals and agents.
- Writer’s Market & Literary Agency Websites – find agent submission guidelines.
4. Write a Strong Query Letter & Book Proposal
A query letter is a one-page pitch to an agent, and for nonfiction books, you may also need a book proposal (which includes market analysis and sample chapters). Your query should include:
- A compelling hook that grabs attention.
- A brief synopsis (2-3 sentences summarizing the book).
- Your credentials (if applicable).
- A reason why you’re querying that specific agent.
5. Submit to Literary Agents and Revise if Needed
- Follow each agent’s submission guidelines carefully.
- If you receive rejections with feedback, consider revising your query or manuscript.
- If an agent offers representation, ensure they have experience selling to Big 5 publishers.
6. Agent Pitches Your Book to Editors
Once you have an agent, they will:
- Pitch your manuscript to editors at Big 5 imprints.
- Handle negotiations for advances, royalties, and rights.
- Guide you through revision requests from editors if needed.
7. Get a Book Deal & Work with a Publisher
If a publisher makes an offer:
- Your agent will negotiate the contract terms.
- You’ll work with an editor on structural edits, cover design, and marketing plans.
- The publisher will handle printing, distribution, and promotion (though authors are expected to contribute to marketing).
8. Build an Author Platform (Before and After Publishing)
Big 5 publishers expect authors to have a marketing presence to help sell their books.
- Grow your social media following (Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.).
- Create an author website.
- Network with other authors, book bloggers, and industry professionals.
Ultimately, the big 5 publishers have a lot of reach. They can put serious marketing power behind books they believe have the potential to sell well. But just remember that a very small fraction of traditionally published authors make enough money to support themselves through traditional publishing, and it’s much harder.
