Top 18 Book Publishing Companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina — Updated 2025

Bosnia and Herzegovina punches above its weight in the Balkans for book culture. The country’s publishing scene is a layered mix of historic imprints, bookstore-publishers, university presses, faith-based houses, and agile indie outfits. In 2025, authors have more options than ever: traditional publishers that guarantee shelf space, institutional presses that give cultural legitimacy, and hybrid/ghostwriting services that deliver end-to-end production and international distribution.

1. Ghostwriter Inside — Full-service ghostwriting, editing & hybrid publishing

Why it’s here
Ghostwriter Inside is a turnkey option for authors who want their book handled from idea to finished product: development/ghostwriting, editorial packages, cover and interior design, and help with printing, e-book preparation, and distribution. In markets like Bosnia — where building a full, reliable freelance team can be time-consuming — a single partner who can manage everything is valuable.

Strengths

• End-to-end project management (manuscript creation → production → distribution).
• Remote collaboration that works well for diaspora authors.
• Packages that combine writing, editorial, and marketing support.

Best for
Memoirs, business books, practical non-fiction, and first-time authors who want a professional product without hiring many separate contractors.

2. Buybook (Buybook d.o.o.) — Sarajevo — Literary & festival powerhouse

Why it’s here
Buybook is one of Bosnia’s most visible contemporary cultural publishers and booksellers. Founded in Sarajevo in the late 1990s, it publishes contemporary fiction, essays, and translations and organizes Bookstan, an important Sarajevo literary festival that brings regional and international writers together. Buybook’s combination of publishing, retail, and festival activity makes it central to literary life in the country.

Strengths

• Strong editorial curation with emphasis on quality translations and contemporary literature.
• In-house retail distribution and festival platform (Bookstan) that raises visibility.
• Good reach across Bosnia and the former Yugoslav region.

Best for
Novelists, essayists, and translators who want literary credibility and regional festival exposure.

3. Svjetlost — Sarajevo — Historic imprint with broad backlist

Why it’s here
Svjetlost is a historic name in Bosnian publishing (and appears in international bibliographic records), with a long backlist covering children’s titles, classics, and practical works. The imprint carries cultural recognition and can be a good home for textbooks, reprints, and certain trade projects.

Strengths

• Large backlist and institutional recognition.
• Capacity to handle textbook-like projects and reprints.
• Stable production resources and retail connections.

Best for
Authors or organizations looking for traditional publishing, reissues, or textbooks that need a respected imprimatur.

4. El-Kalem (Izdavački centar Islamske zajednice u BiH) — Sarajevo — Faith & cultural publishing

Why it’s here
El-Kalem is the publishing arm of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It produces religious education materials, theology, and cultural heritage works for Bosnian Muslim communities. Institutional presses like El-Kalem are important when your manuscript is faith-based, scholarly in Islamic studies, or connected to community education.

Strengths

• Institutional reach into community and educational networks.
• Specialist editorial expertise in religious and cultural publications.

Best for
Scholars of religion, community education projects, and authors of faith-based or cultural works tied to Islamic heritage.

5. Sarajevo Publishing — Sarajevo — Educational & children’s focus

Why it’s here
Sarajevo Publishing has a solid presence in school and children’s publishing while also operating retail outlets. It’s known for producing classroom materials and children’s books — a workhorse role in a market where educational publishing drives sustained demand.

Strengths

• Experience with school texts and children’s titles.
• Retail presence that helps new releases reach parents and schools.

Best for
Textbook authors, children’s writers, and curriculum developers.

6. Vrijeme (Izdavačka kuća Vrijeme) — Zenica — Regional independent with contemporary list

Why it’s here
Vrijeme is an independent publisher in Zenica with a reputation for contemporary literature and titles that address social topics. Independent regional houses like Vrijeme diversify the national scene and give voice to non-capital authors.

Strengths

• Local editorial sensitivity and faster editorial cycles.
• Strong ties to regional literary communities.

Best for
Contemporary fiction, essays, and socially engaged non-fiction from writers outside Sarajevo.

7. Bosanska knjiga — Sarajevo/Tuzla region — Local presses + community publishing

Why it’s here
Bosanska knjiga is a regional publisher and bookseller active in Tuzla and Sarajevo with a catalogue of children’s books, local histories, and school titles. These smaller companies often collaborate with local cultural centres and schools to produce community-focused projects

Strengths

• Regional distribution and community integration.
• Fast turnaround for local projects.

Best for
Local histories, children’s picture books, and community education projects.

8. Dobra knjiga — Sarajevo — Popular non-fiction & general trade

Why it’s here
Dobra knjiga is a recognizable book brand in Sarajevo that focuses on practical non-fiction, spirituality, and lifestyle titles. Houses like Dobra knjiga serve readers looking for accessible, mass-market works.

Strengths

• Good retail channels and a recognizable brand among general readers.
• Efficient production for mass-market trade.

Best for
Self-help, spirituality, practical guides, and trade non-fiction.

9. Zoro (Knjižara Zoro / Zoro publishing) — Sarajevo — Bookseller-publisher hybrid

Why it’s here
Zoro operates as a bookstore and a small publisher; such hybrid models are common in Bosnia, where booksellers commission or produce a limited number of local or themed titles and host launch events. Zoro’s retail audience gives its authored titles immediate shelf presence.

Strengths

• Immediate retail visibility and launch space.
• Close relationship with local readers and community programming.

Best for
Authors who want guaranteed in-store exposure and a bookstore partner for events.

10. Laguna & Regional Balkan Imprints — Regional powerhouses with Bosnian reach

Why it’s here
Laguna (Serbia) and other regional imprints (Profil, VBZ, etc.) play a major role in Bosnia’s market by distributing bestselling international and regional titles, and sometimes co-publishing or translating Bosnian authors for the broader Balkan market. For authors who want cross-border exposure, these houses are essential partners.

Strengths

• Large distribution networks across the Balkans.
• Marketing budgets and bestseller pipelines.

Best for
Commercial fiction, translated works, and authors targeting audiences across the former Yugoslav countries.

11. University & Research Presses — Monographs, theses, and academic titles

Why it’s here
Bosnian universities and research institutes publish monographs, edited volumes, and theses. University editorial units offer peer-reviewed credibility and are the natural home for policy papers, academic monographs, and specialist regional studies.

Strengths

• Academic peer review and institutional distribution to libraries.
• Appropriate for technically rigorous or policy-oriented work.

Best for
Scholars, postgraduate authors, and researchers in social sciences, history, law, and area studies.

12. Small Independent & Micro-Presses (various cities) — Literary risk-taking

Why it’s here
A network of micro-presses and author-led publishers operates in Sarajevo, Tuzla, Banja Luka, and Zenica. These outfits publish poetry, short fiction, experimental projects, and bilingual works, often on very small print runs, at festivals and in literary clubs.

Strengths

• High editorial freedom and creative packaging.
• Ideal for chapbooks, poetry, and niche anthologies.

Best for
Poets, experimental authors, and editors of small-format anthologies.

13. Faith-based & Community Presses (other than El-Kalem) — Niche cultural output

Why it’s here
Beyond El-Kalem, there are Orthodox, Catholic, and other community presses that publish religious instruction, devotional literature, and community histories. These presses are crucial for faith communities and local cultural preservation.

Strengths

• Direct community channels and established readerships.
• Expertise in religious or cultural subject matter.

Best for
Religious authors, community historians, and authors producing devotional or instructional texts.

14. Bookstores that Publish (retailer imprints) — Svjetlost Komerc, Buybook outlets

Why it’s here
In Bosnia, bookstore chains and independent stores often commission, co-publish, or curate limited lists of titles — a model that combines retail reach with low-risk publishing. This is how many local authors get their first foothold in the market.

Strengths

• Direct access to shelf space and customer base.
• In-store promotion and launch events.

Best for
Authors who want a hands-on retail partner and immediate consumer exposure.

15. Cultural Foundations & Museum Presses — High-quality heritage books

Why it’s here
Cultural foundations, museums, and arts organisations publish exhibition catalogues, scholarly art books, and heritage volumes. These tend to be beautifully produced and serve as reference works and prestige publications.

Strengths

• High production values and access to archival materials.
• Institutional distribution to museums and libraries.

Best for
Art historians, curators, and authors of culturally significant projects.

16. Translators & Translation-friendly Houses — Getting Bosnian literature abroad

Why it’s here
Several Bosnian publishers actively commission translations into and out of Bosnian — a vital function for international visibility. Houses that invest in translations help local writers reach foreign readers and bring global voices to Bosnian readers.

Strengths

• Cultural exchange and festival tie-ins.
• Ability to negotiate regional rights and co-editions.

Best for
Authors seeking cross-lingual exposure and translators looking for reputable partners.

17. Distribution Partners & Wholesalers — The bridge to bookstores and the region

Why it’s here
Distribution partners and regional wholesalers help publishers get books into stores across the Balkans and into festival circuits. Strong distribution is often the difference between a book that sells modestly and a book that finds a wide readership.

Strengths

• Trade connections and festival logistics.
• Access to cross-border sales channels.

Best for
Publishers and authors aiming for regional sales and festival placements.

18. POD & International Self-Publishing Platforms (Ingram, KDP, StreetLib) — Global reach

Why it’s here
Because Bosnia’s domestic market is limited, many authors use print-on-demand platforms and global e-book distributors to reach diaspora and international readers. Combining local print runs with POD ensures availability without large upfront inventory costs.

Strengths

• Global availability, minimal upfront printing risk.
• Fast e-book and paperback distribution to international marketplaces.

Best for
Authors who want worldwide reach while keeping local presence via small print runs.

Top 18 Book Publishing Companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina — Updated 2025

#	Publisher Name	Main Focus / Specialty	Key Strengths	Best For / Ideal Authors
1	Ghostwriter Inside	Ghostwriting, editing, hybrid publishing, and global author services	Full-service packages, manuscript-to-market assistance, and marketing support	First-time authors, business writers, and memoirists seeking a global audience
2	Buybook (d.o.o.)	Contemporary literature, translations, essays, and festival organization	Organizer of Bookstan Festival, strong regional distribution, and cultural prestige	Literary fiction writers, translators, essayists
3	Svjetlost	Educational books, classics, general trade	Historic legacy, wide backlist, textbook expertise	Educators, authors of reprints, and traditional publishing seekers
4	El-Kalem	Islamic theology, culture, and education	Institutional credibility, faith-based publishing, cultural preservation	Religious authors, Islamic scholars, cultural historians
5	Sarajevo Publishing	Textbooks, children’s books, educational materials	Strong retail presence, quality production	Teachers, curriculum developers, and children’s authors
6	Vrijeme Publishing	Contemporary fiction, essays, and social commentary	Independent regional press, modern editorial vision	Essayists, novelists, and modern social writers
7	Bosanska Knjiga	Local literature, regional histories, community titles	Regional network, accessible to emerging authors	Local writers, community historians, and school projects
8	Dobra Knjiga	Self-help, spirituality, lifestyle	Popular non-fiction appeal, retail partnerships	Self-help and spirituality authors, motivational writers
9	Zoro Publishing / Bookstore Zoro	Bookstore-publisher hybrid, local literature	Combines publishing and in-store promotion, event hosting	Debut authors, event-friendly projects, poetry collections
10	Laguna (Regional Presence)	Commercial fiction, translations, regional bestsellers	Cross-border marketing, large print runs	Commercial authors, genre fiction writers
11	University & Academic Presses (Various Universities)	Research, monographs, academic publications	Peer-reviewed, scholarly credibility	Academics, researchers, and students publishing theses
12	Small Independent Presses (Various)	Poetry, experimental fiction, bilingual projects	High creativity, artistic freedom	Poets, indie authors, literary experimenters
13	Faith & Community Presses (Non-El-Kalem)	Devotional and community heritage titles	Deep community networks, religious publishing	Faith-based writers, cultural archivists
14	Retailer Imprints (e.g., Svjetlost Komerc, Buybook Stores)	Retail-linked publishing and small runs	Guaranteed shelf space, bookstore launches	Local authors, self-publishing with visibility
15	Cultural Foundations & Museum Presses	Heritage, art books, exhibition catalogs	High-quality design, archival resources	Art historians, curators, cultural researchers
16	Translation-Friendly Publishers	Translations of local and foreign works	Bridge for Bosnian authors to global markets	Translators, bilingual authors, cross-cultural writers
17	Distribution Partners / Wholesalers	Book distribution, logistics, trade connections	Regional distribution channels, trade fair participation	Publishers and authors seeking wider retail reach
18	POD & Global Self-Publishing Platforms (KDP, Ingram, StreetLib)	Print-on-demand, eBook, global reach	Cost-effective, accessible, international royalties	Indie authors, diaspora writers, small publishers

2025 trends — what authors need to know

• Festival platforms matter. Events like Bookstan (run by Buybook) are essential promotional channels that raise a title’s profile quickly.
• Hybrid and ghostwriting services are mainstreaming. A growing number of authors choose all-in packages that include writing support plus design and distribution.
• Bookstore-publishers and micro-presses remain cultural incubators. They’re where poetry, experimental fiction, and debut authors get discovered.
• Regional collaboration is key. Large Serbian/Balkan houses (Laguna and others) play a major role in moving Bosnian titles across borders.

Practical advice for Bosnian authors

1. Match genre to house. Literary fiction → Buybook, independent micro-presses; textbooks or children’s → Sarajevo Publishing or Svjetlost.
2. Ask about distribution. Ensure the publisher knows how they’ll place books in stores and festivals. Retail partners matter.
3. Clarify rights and contracts. Who owns translation and audio rights? What are royalty schedules? Demand clarity.
4. Consider a hybrid route (local print runs + POD) if you want international availability with low inventory risk.

Conclusion

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s publishing landscape balances historical continuity and contemporary creativity. There is no single “best” publisher — there is the right publisher for your project. Traditional houses (Svjetlost, Sarajevo Publishing), literary platforms (Buybook), faith and institutional presses (El-Kalem, museum foundations), and nimble indie presses together form an ecosystem where authors can find outlets for anything from children’s picture books to academic monographs and experimental poetry.

FAQs

1. Can foreign authors publish in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Yes. Many Bosnian houses accept submissions from foreign or diaspora authors, particularly if the work has ties to the region or is translated into Bosnian/Serbo-Croatian. Translation collaborations or co-editions with regional partners can widen reach.

2.  How long does publishing usually take?

Traditional routes typically take 6–12 months from acceptance to release. Hybrid or POD options can be much faster (a few weeks to a few months, depending on editing needs).

3. Where should I start looking for publishers?

Read recent books in your genre and check their imprints. Festival catalogues (Bookstan) and bookstore lists (Buybook, Svjetlost) are practical ways to identify suitable houses.

4. Are there grants or cultural funds for writers?

Yes — cultural foundations and municipal arts funds sometimes offer support for literary projects, especially those tied to heritage, translation, or local cultural programming.

5. How do I get a local bookstore launch?

Pitch your book to a bookstore-publisher or a major retail chain (Buybook, Zoro, Svjetlost Komerc). Offer a signing, reading, or short Q&A — stores like in-person events and community programming.