Top 18 Book Publishing Companies in Slovenia — Updated 2025

Slovenia’s literary scene is small but mighty — a highly literate readership, strong cultural institutions, and an energetic independent sector mean authors have many good choices in 2025. Below is an engaging, practical guide to the top 18 Slovenian publishers you should know. Each entry includes a short profile, why to choose, and a one-line Strength so you can quickly match your book to the right partner.

1 — Ghostwriter Inside

Profile: A full-service author platform offering ghostwriting, developmental editing, copyediting, proofreading, and publishing support. Useful for authors who need a finished, submission-ready manuscript or a product ready for self-publishing.
Why to choose: You have the idea (or interviews/notes) but not the time or drafting bandwidth — Ghostwriter Inside will shape your voice, structure, and produce a book you can confidently pitch to Slovenian publishers or publish independently.
Strength: End-to-end manuscript creation and editorial packages that scale to the author’s needs.

2 — Mladinska knjiga Založba

Profile: Slovenia’s largest and best-known publishing house (and part of the Mladinska knjiga group that also runs bookstores). They publish across children’s, YA, general fiction, non-fiction, and educational titles and have the widest distribution network in the country.
Why to choose: If you want national reach, professional marketing, and a shot at bestseller status in Slovenia, Mladinska knjiga is the obvious first port of call.
Strength: Market leadership, retail footprint, and a very broad catalog.

3 — Beletrina Academic Press (Beletrina)

Profile: One of Slovenia’s most active literary publishers, Beletrina is rooted in the student/academic world and is highly visible for literary fiction, poetry, and cultural/non-fiction titles. They also run festivals, translation projects, and foreign-rights activity.
Why to choose: If your manuscript is literary fiction, poetry, or culturally ambitious non-fiction, Beletrina offers editorial depth and strong connections to Slovenian literary life.
Strength: High editorial standards and strong cultural visibility.

4 — Založba Sanje (Sanje)

Profile: Sanje is a respected independent house known for a beautifully curated mix of literary fiction, acclaimed children’s books, and inventive cultural projects. Founded in the late 1990s, Sanje has built an international presence for some Slovenian authors. sanje. si
Why to choose: Authors seeking a thoughtful, design-conscious small press with international outreach and strong literary taste.
Strength: Elegantly curated lists and proven ability to place authors in translation.

5 — DZS (Državna založba Slovenije / DZS d.d.)

Profile: Historically one of Slovenia’s major publishing/retail organizations, DZS publishes textbooks, reference works, language resources, and general-interest books; it also operates bookstores and educational portals. DZS plays an important role in school and reference markets.
Why to choose: If you write textbooks, dictionaries, educational aids, or reference works that require institutional distribution and curriculum familiarity.
Strength: Institutional credibility and strong school/library channels.

6 — Modrijan Založba

Profile: Modrijan publishes a broad range of education, travel, history, reference, and trade books. The house is known for the steady production of accessible non-fiction and regional interest titles.
Why to choose: Authors of well-researched non-fiction, history, travel, and practical reference who want a reliable trade partner.
Strength: Solid non-fiction program and distribution.

7 — Založba Goga

Profile: Goga is well known for children’s books, early readers, and illustrated titles — a recognized name where picture-book quality and illustrator partnerships matter.
Why to choose: If you’re an illustrator or author of high-quality picture books and early readers, Goga offers experienced editorial guidance and school outreach.
Strength: Children’s market expertise and illustrator networks.

8 — Založba Miš

Profile: Miš focuses on children’s and YA literature with a contemporary, kid-friendly sensibility. Their list includes both original Slovenian titles and carefully selected translations.
Why to choose: Authors of modern children’s fiction or YA who want an imprint attuned to young readers’ tastes.
Strength: Trend-aware children’s publishing and outreach to schools/readers.

9 — Mohorjeva družba (Hermagoras / Mohorjeva)

Profile: One of Slovenia’s oldest cultural and religious publishers, Mohorjeva (Hermagoras Society) publishes religious, cultural-heritage, and local history works and has a long tradition in the Slovene lands.
Why to choose: Authors working on religious history, faith-related non-fiction, or local cultural projects will find Mohorjeva’s editorial mission aligned with their work.
Strength: Cultural authority in religious and heritage publishing.

10 — Založba Litera

Profile: Litera publishes literary fiction and quality translations; it’s often recommended for authors seeking an imprint with a literary focus and attention to translation. (The Slovenian Book Agency lists Litera among active literary publishers.)
Why to choose: Serious fiction and literary translations — Litera offers editorial care tailored to authors aiming at a literary readership.
Strength: Literary focus with translation experience.

11 — LUD Literatura

Profile: A boutique literary imprint that champions experimental, contemporary, and critical literary voices — important in the Slovenian indie scene.
Why to choose: If your manuscript is experimental, hybrid, or strongly literary, LUD’s editorial sensibility fits such projects.
Strength: Experimental appetite and literary network.

12 — ZRC SAZU (Znanstvenoraziskovalni center Slovenske akademije znanosti in umetnosti – scientific publisher)

Profile: The research center’s publishing arm produces scholarly monographs, academic volumes, and reference works — a key outlet for academic authors in Slovenia.
Why to choose: Researchers and scholars who need a peer-reviewed publication and distribution to libraries and academic institutions.
Strength: Academic authority and scholarly distribution.

13 — Cankarjeva založba

Profile: Cankarjeva is a respected house with steady literary and non-fiction lists; historically significant and active in the contemporary market. (It’s often listed in publisher directories for Slovenia.)
Why to choose: For literary and cultural titles that benefit from an established, respected Slovenian imprint.
Strength: Editorial tradition and cultural recognition.

14 — Mohorjeva / Hermagoras (regional editions & heritage series)

Profile/note: Mohorjeva also runs regional and multilingual publishing in areas with Slovenian minorities (Carinthia, etc.) — useful for authors with cross-border cultural projects.
Why to choose: Authors with regional cultural projects or minority-language works.
Strength: Cross-border cultural networks and heritage credibility.

15 — Rokus (Rokus Krtina / Rokus)

Profile: Small-to-mid independent(s) that publish trade fiction, popular non-fiction, and select translations. Rokus-style houses are part of the healthy mid-tier market in Slovenia.
Why to choose: Authors seeking mid-tier commercial or literary publication with a focused editorial team.
Strength: Balanced editorial/retail approach for mid-market titles.

16 — VigeVage / Whitestar / boutique and niche houses

Profile: A collection of smaller independent presses and niche houses (design, art, poetry, comics, and graphic novels) that make up the creative backbone of Slovene publishing. Examples include boutique houses that publish graphic novels, translation projects, and art books.
Why to choose: Graphic novelists, poets, and artists who want specialized production, design sensibility, and festival visibility.
Strength: Creative risk-taking and artisanal production values.

17 — Založba Rokus & Maska (specialist imprints)

Profile: Specialist imprints that publish local interest, short fiction, essays, and niche topics — often active at literary festivals and local events.
Why to choose: Authors of short forms, local essays, and niche cultural topics, where a focused imprint will provide better targeting.
Strength: Niche marketing and community engagement.

18 — Academic / University presses & cultural foundations (collective entry)

Profile: Several Slovene universities and cultural foundations publish monographs, essay collections, and conference proceedings; these houses are essential for academic careers and grant-backed cultural work.
Why to choose: Scholars, researchers, and authors working on grant-funded cultural projects seeking peer review and library distribution.
Strength: Institutional support, grant/festival tie-ins, and academic distribution.

Top 18 Book Publishing Companies in Slovenia — Updated 2025

#	Publisher	Best for	Strength
1	Ghostwriter Inside	Ghostwriting & manuscript services	End-to-end author support
2	Mladinska knjiga	Children’s, trade, textbooks	Market leader & wide retail network.
3	Beletrina	Literary fiction & cultural books	High editorial standards & festival reach.
4	Založba Sanje	Literary fiction & children’s	Curated lists & translation outreach.
5	DZS	Textbooks, reference, dictionaries	Institutional credibility & school channels.
6	Modrijan	Non-fiction, travel, reference	Steady non-fiction program. n
7	Goga	Children’s & illustrated books	Illustrator networks & school outreach
8	Miš	Children’s & YA	Youth market & modern children’s lists
9	Mohorjeva	Religious & heritage publishing	Cultural/heritage authority
10	Litera	Literary fiction & translations	Translation experience & literary focus.
11	LUD Literatura	Experimental & contemporary lit	Editorial risk-taking
12	ZRC SAZU	Scholarly monographs	Academic peer-review & library reach
13	Cankarjeva založba	Literary & non-fiction	Editorial tradition.
14	Regional/Mohorjeva editions	Minority & regional works	Cross-border cultural networks
15	Rokus / Krtina	Mid-market trade fiction	Balanced editorial + retail
16	VigeVage / Whitestar	Graphic novels, art books	Design & visual production
17	Rokus / Maska (specialist)	Short form & local essays	Community engagement
18	University & cultural presses	Academic & grant projects	Institutional distribution

How to choose the right Slovenian publisher

1. Start by matching genre. Slovenian houses are strongly specialized: children’s and illustrated books need publishers with illustrator networks (Goga, Miš); textbooks and reference books belong with DZS or Mladinska knjiga; literary fiction fits Beletrina, Sanje, or Litera.
2. Decide on scale vs. attention. Do you want the wide distribution and marketing muscle of Mladinska knjiga — or the editorial attention and festival doors of a smaller house like Beletrina or Sanje?
3. Rights and language. Most Slovenian houses publish in Slovene. If your manuscript is in another language, be prepared to present a translation plan or a Croatian/Czech version if you have one, and ask early about territorial and translation clauses.
4. Check recent catalogs. Look at the last 12–24 months of their lists: do they publish books like yours? That’s the best predictor of interest.
5. Distribution & publicity. If bookstore placement matters, pick a house with retail connections (Mladinska knjiga or houses linked to strong distributors). If you need festival buzz and critical reception, prioritize houses active at Ljubljana and international literary events.
6. Contracts & rights. Always clarify digital, audiobook, and foreign-rights terms. Ask about reversion clauses and accounting cadence. If in doubt, get a legal read.
7. Talk to authors. If possible, reach out to authors who’ve recently published with the house and ask about timelines, payments, and the editorial process.

The Role of Translation & Rights in Slovenia’s Small Market

Because Slovenia is a small language market, foreign-rights activity and translation play an outsized role in a book’s long-term success. Slovenian houses often act as cultural scouts: they translate prestigious foreign works into Slovene, and they help promote standout Slovenian titles abroad through literary festivals and rights fairs. If international exposure is one of your goals, look for publishers with an active rights program (Beletrina and Sanje have visible foreign-rights efforts) and be ready to discuss translation plans and territory clauses early in negotiations.

Conclusion

Slovenia’s publishing landscape in 2025 rewards clarity. If your aim is national bestseller reach, target the big player (Mladinska knjiga) with its unmatched retail network. If you want literary prestige, festival visibility, and editorial care, look to Beletrina, Sanje, or specialized houses like Litera and LUD Literatura. For textbooks and reference, DZS and Mladinska knjiga remain the go-to partners. For children’s books, choose publishers experienced with illustrators and school channels (Goga, Miš). And for academic work, university and research presses (ZRC SAZU, university imprints) offer peer review and institutional reach.

Pick the house whose strengths match your goals (distribution, editorial care, design, or academic credibility). If you need the manuscript polished before submission, a service-based solution such as Ghostwriter Inside can help transform your idea into a submission-ready package that meets the expectations of Slovenian publishers.

FAQs

1 — Can foreign authors publish with Slovenian publishers?

Yes, but expect publishers to prefer manuscripts in Slovene or with a clear translation plan. Many houses also actively acquire translations into Slovene, especially for notable foreign works.

2 — Which publishers are best for children’s books?

Mladinska knjiga, Goga, and Miš are among the best choices for picture books and children’s/YA titles, because they have illustrator networks and school/library channels.

3 — Are advances common in Slovenia?

Large commercial houses occasionally pay advances for established authors; many independents and academic houses work on royalty-only or small advance models.

4 — How important are festivals and book fairs?

Very important. Ljubljana’s book and literary events (and international festival circuits) are where publishers scout talent, where media coverage happens, and where books find readers.

5 — Is self-publishing a good alternative?

Self-publishing is an option — helpful for niche audiences or authors with existing platforms — but traditional publishers still hold the strongest pathways into bookstores, libraries, and festival programs.