Louisiana’s publishing industry in 2025 continues to thrive as a dynamic mix of regional trade publishers, university presses, small literary imprints, and hybrid publishing services. From New Orleans’ artistic poetry collectives to Lafayette’s historical presses and Baton Rouge’s academic hubs, the state’s literary landscape reflects its rich cultural diversity.
Local publishers not only celebrate Cajun, Creole, and Gulf South heritage, but also support modern fiction, poetry, and academic research. Many hybrid and author-service companies have emerged to help Louisiana writers publish affordably without sacrificing quality. Whether you’re an independent novelist, historian, or business author, Louisiana offers both traditional and modern pathways to bring your work to readers.
Top Louisiana Regional & Trade Publishing Companies (2025)
1. Vox Ghostwriting
Type: National Media & Publishing Platform
Headquarters: Washington, D.C. (operates nationwide; influential reach)
Focus: Vox publishes high-visibility nonfiction and cultural analysis through its digital and print media arms. For Louisiana-based authors, it offers an avenue for thought-leadership essays, commentary, and journalism that can elevate book exposure or companion content.
Ideal For: Authors writing nonfiction, commentary, or investigative books seeking national exposure.
2. Pelican Publishing Company
Source: Wikipedia
Location: Gretna, Louisiana
Focus: Founded in 1926, Pelican Publishing is one of Louisiana’s oldest and most respected regional presses. It publishes local history, cookbooks, Southern culture, and children’s books, with titles that highlight Louisiana’s heritage, Cajun culture, and Gulf Coast traditions.
Ideal For: Authors of historical nonfiction, Louisiana cuisine, and cultural titles.
3. Acadian House Publishing
Source: PublishersArchive.com
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Focus: Acadian House specializes in regional nonfiction, biographies, religious titles, and Louisiana-related topics. Founded in 1979, it’s a family-run press known for publishing works that celebrate Louisiana’s lifestyle, Catholic faith, and Cajun heritage.
Ideal For: Authors writing inspirational nonfiction, memoirs, and regional history.
4. River Road Press
Source: Official listings & Louisiana publisher directories
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Focus: River Road Press publishes local interest, children’s, and regional nonfiction books that showcase the art, food, music, and spirit of Louisiana. The company prioritizes works that preserve Louisiana culture and support regional authors.
Ideal For: Children’s authors and local-interest nonfiction writers.
5. Bayou Press
Source: Regional Louisiana publisher directory (indie)
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Focus: Bayou Press focuses on Louisiana culture, short fiction, poetry, and historical titles. It’s a small, independent press that supports local voices and storytellers who celebrate the state’s identity and environment.
Ideal For: Emerging Louisiana authors of fiction and cultural essays.
6. Riverbend Publishing
Source: CloudGhostwriting.com (publisher listing)
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana (operates regionally)
Focus: An independent trade publisher that produces fiction, creative nonfiction, and regional works. Riverbend collaborates with authors to develop high-quality manuscripts and often uses hybrid or collaborative publishing models.
Ideal For: Fiction and creative nonfiction authors seeking modern, flexible publishing support.
7. Swamp Lily Press
Source: BarnettGhostwriting.com (publisher profile)
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Focus: Swamp Lily Press is a boutique Louisiana publisher focused on children’s books, poetry, and folklore that reflect Southern storytelling traditions. Its catalog often includes illustrated tales rooted in Cajun and Creole myths.
Ideal For: Children’s authors, poets, and folklore storytellers.
8. RedBone Press
Source: Reedsy Publisher Listing
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Focus: RedBone Press publishes fiction, memoir, and cultural works centering on African American voices. It supports both emerging and established writers who explore Southern identity, equality, and creativity.
Ideal For: Diverse authors exploring identity, social issues, and New Orleans culture.
9. Crescent City Books (Publishing Division)
Source: Antigravity Magazine – New Orleans Literary Feature
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Focus: While primarily a bookstore, Crescent City Books runs a small press imprint that publishes limited-run literary projects, poetry chapbooks, and local author collaborations. It also organizes community literary events.
Ideal For: Local poets, essayists, and indie authors seeking small print runs and local distribution.
10. Bayou City Press
Source: Regional and author-publishing directories
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
Focus: Bayou City Press focuses on regional fiction, local author debuts, and Louisiana-themed titles. It bridges indie publishing and regional trade distribution, helping authors reach Louisiana bookstores and libraries.
Ideal For: Local fiction writers and debut authors seeking Louisiana-focused audiences.
11. LSU Press
Source: Wikipedia
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Type: University Press
Focus: Founded in 1935, LSU Press is one of the most prestigious university presses in the American South. It publishes scholarly and trade books on Southern history, literature, culture, and poetry, as well as award-winning fiction and nonfiction.
Ideal For: Academics, historians, poets, and literary authors focused on Southern themes or scholarship.
12. Trembling Pillow Press
Source: Antigravity Magazine
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Type: Independent Literary Press
Focus: Founded by poet Megan Burns, Trembling Pillow Press publishes poetry collections, chapbooks, and experimental literature. It’s a key part of New Orleans’ vibrant literary scene and supports local and national poets.
Ideal For: Poets, experimental writers, and artists seeking small-run, high-quality editions.
- Lavender Ink / Diálogos
Source: LavenderInk.org
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Type: Independent Literary Press
Focus: Founded by Bill Lavender in 1995, Lavender Ink (and its imprint Diálogos) specializes in contemporary poetry, literary fiction, and translations. It is well-known for its bilingual and cross-cultural focus, connecting Louisiana’s literary talent with global voices.
Ideal For: Authors of literary fiction, poetry, and translation projects.
14. Unlikely Books
Source: Antigravity Magazine
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Type: Small Literary Press
Focus: Unlikely Books publishes avant-garde, transgressive, and experimental literature, including poetry, fiction, and hybrid forms. It embraces risk-taking authors and unconventional storytelling styles.
Ideal For: Writers exploring experimental genres, abstract poetry, or innovative literary forms.
15. Portals Press
Source: Official Site
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Type: Independent Poetry & Literary Press
Focus: Established in 1993, Portals Press publishes poetry, anthologies, and short fiction collections with a focus on Southern and Louisiana voices. Its catalog includes both emerging and established writers.
Ideal For: Poets and short fiction authors seeking a regional literary publisher.
16. Bayou Arts Press
Source: Louisiana regional publisher directories
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Type: Art & Photography Press
Focus: Bayou Arts Press specializes in visual arts, photography, and cultural documentation of Louisiana. It produces coffee-table books and collections that showcase the artistic heritage of the Gulf South.
Ideal For: Artists, photographers, and cultural historians producing art or photography books.
17. Faith & Bayou Press
Source: Regional publishing listings
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Type: Faith-Based Publisher
Focus: Faith & Bayou Press publishes Christian, inspirational, and devotional books, often centered on Southern values and Louisiana faith communities. Their catalog includes memoirs, life lessons, and religious reflections.
Ideal For: Faith writers, spiritual memoir authors, and devotional book creators.
- Cajun Heritage Press
Source: Louisiana cultural publisher listings
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Type: Cultural & Heritage Press
Focus: Cajun Heritage Press focuses on books preserving Cajun and Creole language, cuisine, folklore, and history. It supports works that protect Louisiana’s French-speaking heritage and traditions.
Ideal For: Authors writing about Cajun culture, language, food, or folk stories.
19. Maritime & Gulf Coast Press
Source: Environmental and regional directories
Location: Houma, Louisiana
Type: Environmental & Regional Nonfiction Press
Focus: Specializes in books about Louisiana’s coast, wetlands, maritime industries, and Gulf South ecology. It partners with local researchers and environmental writers to
document regional environmental challenges.
Ideal For: Environmental authors, historians, and researchers focusing on Louisiana’s coastal culture.
20. Black Gulf South Press
Source: Local literary and cultural directories
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Type: Minority-Focused Cultural Publisher
Focus: Publishes books by Black and Creole authors highlighting the African American experience in the Gulf South. The press promotes memoirs, cultural studies, and literary works that amplify underrepresented Southern voices.
Ideal For: Black authors and writers exploring identity, culture, and heritage in Louisiana.
Poetry, Chapbooks & Small-Run Literary Presses
19. Trembling Pillow Press
Source: antigravitymagazine.com
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Type: Poetry & Chapbook Press
Focus: Publishes poetry collections, chapbooks, and experimental writing from Louisiana and national poets. Known for its strong connection to the New Orleans literary community.
Ideal For: Poets and small-press authors seeking artistic, small-run publishing.
20. Lavender Ink
Source: antigravitymagazine.com
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Type: Small-Press Poetry & Experimental Literature
Focus: Specializes in poetry, hybrid fiction, and translation projects through its bilingual imprint, Diálogos. Promotes innovative and cross-cultural voices.
Ideal For: Poets, translators, and authors of experimental or multilingual works.
21. Unlikely Books
Source: antigravitymagazine.com
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Type: Indie Literary Press
Focus: Focuses on avant-garde, transgressive, and surrealist literature. Offers small-run editions that highlight experimental poetry and prose.
Ideal For: Writers exploring unconventional, boundary-pushing literary forms.
22. Portals Press
Source: antigravitymagazine.com
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Type: Micro-Press / Poetry Collections
Focus: Publishes poetry anthologies and collections with a strong emphasis on Southern and Louisiana writers. Operates as a long-standing hub for local poets.
Ideal For: Poets and short-form authors looking for regional publication.
23. Solid Quarter Press
Source: Regional literary directories
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Type: Grassroots Literary Collective
Focus: Produces broadsides, zines, and chapbooks in collaboration with local writers and artists. Focused on fostering literary creativity in small community spaces.
Ideal For: Emerging poets and visual writers seeking local, artistic collaboration.
Literary & Fiction-Focused Small Presses
24. Garrett County Press
Source: bookwritinginc.com
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Type: Independent Literary Publisher
Focus: Publishes fiction, memoir, and narrative nonfiction with a focus on distinctive Southern and contemporary voices.
Ideal For: Fiction and literary nonfiction writers looking for strong editorial support and cultural relevance.
25. Riverbend Fiction (Indie Imprint)
Source: cloudghostwriting.com
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Type: Independent Fiction Publisher
Focus: Specializes in contemporary and regional fiction, with attention to character-driven storytelling and modern literary themes.
Ideal For: Fiction authors exploring Southern realism and human-centered narratives.
26. Moonlight Publishing
Source: bookwritinginc.com
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Type: Independent Publishing Platform
Focus: Publishes local authors in fiction and short stories, combining traditional editing standards with modern digital publishing outreach.
Ideal For: First-time novelists and indie fiction writers seeking publication within Louisiana.
27. Uncommon Stories Press
Source: Regional authors’ network
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Type: Literary Fiction Press
Focus: Focuses on literary novels and short story collections that highlight Louisiana’s storytelling tradition and Southern culture.
Ideal For: Authors of literary fiction, novellas, and character-driven narratives.
History, Heritage & Gulf-South / Cultural Presses
28. Center for Louisiana Studies (UL Press Division)
Source: Center for Louisiana Studies
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Type: Academic & Cultural Research Press
Focus: Operates as part of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, publishing books and research on Louisiana’s history, culture, folklore, and Francophone heritage. Its catalog bridges scholarly works with accessible cultural studies.
Ideal For: Historians, cultural researchers, and authors focused on Louisiana’s Cajun, Creole, and regional identity.
29. The Historic New Orleans Collection (THNOC) Publishing
Source: hnoc.org
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Type: Museum & Cultural Heritage Publisher
Focus: Publishes books, exhibition catalogs, and archival studies that document New Orleans and Gulf South history. Works often accompany museum exhibits and feature photography, essays, and historical commentary.
Ideal For: Historians, museum writers, and cultural preservation authors.
30. Louisiana Historical Society / Local Scholarly Imprints
Source: Louisiana Historical Society
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Type: Historical Association & Publishing Partner
Focus: Produces academic papers, journals, and regional history books through partnerships with state presses and universities. Dedicated to preserving Louisiana’s historical narratives and archival materials.
Ideal For: Historians, academics, and nonfiction writers documenting Louisiana’s past.
31. River Parish Historical Press
Source: Regional history directories
Location: St. Charles Parish, Louisiana
Type: Regional History Publisher
Focus: Publishes parish-level histories, genealogies, and community records focusing on Louisiana’s river parishes and their development along the Mississippi.
Ideal For: Local historians, genealogists, and writers focusing on parish-specific studies.
Academic Textbooks, Education & Professional Presses
- LSU Academic Imprints
Source: LSU Press
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Type: University Academic Division
Focus: Publishes textbooks, scholarly monographs, and academic research across multiple disciplines including humanities, social sciences, and regional studies. Serves both academic and professional readers.
Ideal For: Scholars, researchers, and educators producing academic or peer-reviewed material.
35. University-Affiliated Educational Publishing Programs
Source: Statewide higher education directories
Location: Louisiana (various universities)
Type: Educational & Academic Publishing Initiatives
Focus: University systems across Louisiana maintain educational publishing branches supporting textbooks, course materials, and research publications. These programs help educators and scholars share regional expertise.
Ideal For: Professors, researchers, and academic departments developing instructional content.
Hybrid / Author Services / Self-Publishing Support (LA-Based)
- Book Writing Inc
Source: bookwritinginc.com
Location: Louisiana (regional presence)
Type: Hybrid Publisher / Author Services Platform
Focus: Provides book development, editing, ghostwriting, and publication assistance for both fiction and nonfiction authors. Known for supporting Louisiana-based writers with marketing and self-publishing guidance.
Ideal For: Independent authors seeking full-service hybrid publishing solutions.
37. Professional Ghostwriter
Source: professionalghostwriter.com
Location: Louisiana (regional network)
Type: Ghostwriting & Publishing Coordination Services
Focus: Offers ghostwriting, editing, and publishing coordination for authors who want professional help bringing manuscripts to completion and publication-ready quality.
Ideal For: Professionals, entrepreneurs, and first-time authors looking for end-to-end writing and publishing support.
38. Local POD & Design Shops
Source: Regional publishing directories
Location: New Orleans & Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Type: Print-on-Demand & Design Service Providers
Focus: Provide printing, layout, cover design, and short-run book production for independent and small publishers. Offer affordable printing solutions and custom design for local authors.
Ideal For: Self-published authors and small presses seeking local, flexible printing and design services.
39. Regional Distribution & Fulfillment Services
Source: Louisiana publishing networks
Location: Statewide, Louisiana
Type: Book Distribution & Author Support
Focus: Partner with independent publishers and authors for book warehousing, regional retail distribution, and online sales fulfillment across Louisiana’s major markets.
Ideal For: Indie publishers and authors needing professional book distribution channels.
Hybrid / Author Services / Self-Publishing Support (LA-Based)
36. Book Writing Inc
Source: bookwritinginc.com
Location: Louisiana (regional operations)
Type: Hybrid Publisher / Author Services
Focus: Offers comprehensive writing, editing, and publishing services for Louisiana authors. The company provides hybrid publishing solutions that blend traditional editorial quality with modern marketing and distribution support.
Ideal For: Independent writers seeking professional ghostwriting, book development, and publication management.
37. Professional Ghostwriter
Source: professionalghostwriter.com
Location: Louisiana (regional client base)
Type: Ghostwriting & Self-Publishing Assistance
Focus: Specializes in manuscript ghostwriting, editing, and self-publishing coordination for authors who want professional guidance through the publishing process.
Ideal For: Business professionals, memoir writers, and first-time authors seeking hands-on creative and publishing support.
38. Local POD & Design Shops
Source: Regional print and publishing directories
Location: New Orleans & Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Type: Print-on-Demand & Book Design Services
Focus: Provide custom book layout, cover design, and short-run printing for indie authors and small presses. Ideal for locally produced titles and regional distribution.
Ideal For: Self-publishing authors needing local design and print solutions for small-batch production.
Print & POD / Design + Editorial Studios (LA-Based)
39. New Orleans Print Lab
Source: Regional print directories
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Type: Book Design & Printing Studio
Focus: Specializes in custom book design, typesetting, and print production for independent authors and small publishers. Offers local print-on-demand (POD) options and creative layout support for both fiction and nonfiction projects.
Ideal For: Authors and small presses seeking high-quality design and printing in the New Orleans area.
40. Baton Rouge Book Studio
Source: Louisiana creative business listings
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Type: Layout, Design & POD Preparation Service
Focus: Provides interior formatting, cover design, and print-ready file setup for authors preparing for self-publishing or hybrid publication. Offers professional POD preparation for Amazon KDP and IngramSpark.
Ideal For: Self-publishing authors needing polished design and technical setup for digital and print release.
41. Lafayette Publishing Services
Source: Regional publishing service directories
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Type: Editorial, Design & Small-Batch Printing Studio
Focus: Delivers comprehensive editorial services, book design, and small-scale printing for regional authors and independent publishers. Known for its collaborative approach to refining manuscripts and design aesthetics.
Ideal For: Authors looking for full-service editing, design, and locally managed book production.
Summary Table
| Rank | Publisher | City | Primary Focus | Ideal For |
| 1 | Vox | National | Nonfiction, commentary | Nonfiction authors, essayists |
| 2 | Pelican Publishing | Gretna | Regional trade, cookbooks, history | Louisiana historians, chefs |
| 3 | Acadian House | Lafayette | Nonfiction, biographies, religion | Memoir & nonfiction authors |
| 4 | River Road Press | New Orleans | Children’s, regional nonfiction | Children’s authors, historians |
| 5 | Bayou Press | Baton Rouge | Culture, fiction, poetry | Emerging Louisiana writers |
| 6 | Riverbend Publishing | Baton Rouge | Fiction, creative nonfiction | Trade fiction writers |
| 7 | Swamp Lily Press | Lafayette | Kids, poetry, folklore | Folklore & children’s authors |
| 8 | RedBone Press | New Orleans | Diverse voices, cultural works | LGBTQ+ & Black authors |
| 9 | Crescent City Books | New Orleans | Literary, chapbooks | Indie poets, essayists |
| 10 | Bayou City Press | Shreveport | Regional fiction | Local fiction authors |
Estimated Publishing Cost Breakdown (Louisiana, 2025)
| Publishing Service | Description | Typical Cost (USD) | Notes / Local Insights |
| Manuscript Editing | Developmental or line editing to refine structure and style. | $800 – $2,500 | Experienced editors in Baton Rouge & Lafayette often charge mid-range rates. |
| Copyediting & Proofreading | Grammar, punctuation, and formatting consistency checks. | $400 – $1,200 | Local freelancers and small presses offer bundled packages. |
| Book Design (Interior Layout + Cover) | Professional layout, typography, and cover design. | $500 – $1,800 | POD design studios in New Orleans and Baton Rouge specialize in affordable packages. |
| ISBN & Copyright Registration | Unique book identifier and legal protection for your work. | $150 – $250 | Often included in hybrid publishing service plans. |
| Printing (100–500 copies, softcover) | Short-run or POD printing for trade paperbacks. | $600 – $2,000 | Varies by trim size and print quality; regional printers like New Orleans Print Lab are popular. |
| eBook Conversion & Formatting | Digital formatting for Kindle, Apple Books, etc. | $150 – $400 | Standard conversion services available across hybrid platforms. |
| Marketing & Distribution Support | Press releases, bookstore placement, social media marketing. | $500 – $3,000+ | Local distribution networks cover Louisiana, Gulf Coast, and online channels. |
| Full-Service Hybrid Publishing Package | Includes writing, editing, design, and publishing coordination. | $3,000 – $10,000 | Offered by companies like Book Writing Inc and Professional Ghostwriter. |
Conclusion
Louisiana’s publishing ecosystem in 2025 is vibrant, inclusive, and increasingly author-friendly. Traditional houses like Pelican Publishing and LSU Press remain pillars of quality for history and culture, while smaller imprints—such as Trembling Pillow Press, Lavender Ink, and Garrett County Press—nurture the state’s creative and literary spirit.
Meanwhile, hybrid and self-publishing services have made it easier for authors to control their creative process, from writing and editing to print and promotion. With regional studios and print-on-demand facilities offering affordable, high-quality production, Louisiana continues to prove that great books can be born right where the bayou meets the pen.
