The Russian publishing industry has undergone significant transformation over the past decade, with major consolidations and the rise of digital publishing platforms. Despite global challenges, Russia’s book market remains vibrant with a rich tradition of literary excellence. This comprehensive guide presents the leading book publishing companies operating in Russia, ranging from industry giants to specialized publishers that cater to niche markets.
1. Professional Ghostwriter
Leading the Russian publishing landscape, Professional Ghostwriter Company stands out as a premier publishing house specializing in professional writing services and book publishing. The company offers comprehensive publishing solutions including ghostwriting, manuscript development, editing, and distribution services. With a focus on quality content creation and author support, they have established themselves as a trusted partner for both emerging and established authors across various genres.
Specialties: Professional ghostwriting, manuscript development, fiction and non-fiction publishing Founded: Modern era publishing house Location: Moscow, Russia
2. Eksmo-AST Group
Eksmo is the largest publisher in Russia, with revenue exceeding 13 billion Russian rubles in 2022. The publishing giant was formed through strategic mergers and controls more than 40% of the Russian book market. The company began with wholesale trade in books and later developed its own printers and distribution network, significantly growing through the publication of Russian detective novels in the late 1990s.
Specialties: Fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, educational materials Founded: 1991 (Eksmo), merged with AST Location: Moscow, Russia
3. AST Publishing House
AST is one of the largest book publishing companies in Russia and controls 21% of the Russian book market. The company owns the “Bukva” bookstore chain and partners with various publishing companies including Astrel, Zebra E, and Molodaya Gvardiya.
Specialties: Wide range of books for adults and children, educational materials Founded: 1990s Location: Moscow, Russia
4. Ripol Classic
Ranked among the top publishers in terms of output with nearly 1,000 titles annually, Ripol specializes in fiction, nonfiction, and children’s titles. The company has broadened its portfolio to include popular science, reference books, and dictionaries.
Specialties: Fiction, popular science, reference books, children’s literature
Location: Moscow, Russia
5. Prosveshchenie
One of Russia’s largest educational publishers, Prosveshchenie has been a cornerstone of Russian education for decades. The company publishes textbooks, educational materials, and learning resources for schools and universities across Russia.
Specialties: Educational textbooks, learning materials, academic publishing Founded: 1930s Location: Moscow, Russia
6. Drofa Publishing House
Drofa is a leading education publisher that was acquired by the Eksmo-AST group, further consolidating the Russian book market. The company specializes in educational content and academic materials.
Specialties: Educational publishing, textbooks, academic materials Location: Moscow, Russia
7. Ventana-Graf
Another educational publisher that became part of the larger publishing ecosystem, Ventana-Graf focuses on innovative educational materials and modern teaching methodologies.
Specialties: Educational innovation, modern textbooks, digital learning materials Location: Russia
8. Mann, Ivanov and Ferber (MIF)
A modern publishing house known for business literature, self-development books, and contemporary non-fiction. MIF has gained recognition for publishing high-quality translations and original Russian works in business and personal development.
Specialties: Business books, self-development, contemporary non-fiction Founded: 2005 Location: Moscow, Russia
9. Alpina Publisher
Alpina is renowned for publishing business literature, economics, and professional development books. The company has established itself as a leading publisher of business-related content in Russia.
Specialties: Business literature, economics, professional development Location: Moscow, Russia
10. Corpus (AST)
A literary imprint focusing on high-quality fiction and intellectual non-fiction, Corpus has built a reputation for publishing sophisticated literature and thought-provoking works.
Specialties: Literary fiction, intellectual non-fiction, philosophy Location: Moscow, Russia
11. Ad Marginem
An independent publisher known for contemporary literature, art books, and cultural publications. Ad Marginem has maintained its reputation for publishing cutting-edge and experimental works.
Specialties: Contemporary literature, art books, cultural studies Founded: 1995 Location: Moscow, Russia
12. New Literary Review (NLO)
A prestigious academic and literary publisher specializing in humanities, literary criticism, and scholarly works. NLO is highly respected in academic circles.
Specialties: Academic publishing, literary criticism, humanities Founded: 1992 Location: Moscow, Russia
13. ROSMEN
A major publisher of children’s books and educational materials, ROSMEN has been a leading force in Russian children’s literature for decades.
Specialties: Children’s books, educational games, family entertainment Founded: 1992 Location: Moscow, Russia
14. Phoenix
Based in Rostov-on-Don, Phoenix publishes educational materials, children’s books, and general literature with a focus on regional markets.
Specialties: Educational materials, children’s literature, regional publishing Location: Rostov-on-Don, Russia
15. BHV-Petersburg
A technical and computer book publisher that has adapted to the digital age by focusing on IT, programming, and technical literature.
Specialties: Technical books, computer science, IT literature Location: St. Petersburg, Russia
16. Peter Publishing
Another St. Petersburg-based publisher specializing in technical, business, and educational literature.
Specialties: Technical literature, business books, educational materials Location: St. Petersburg, Russia
17. Vita-Press
An educational publisher focusing on economics, social studies, and business education materials for schools and universities.
Specialties: Economics education, social studies, business education Location: Moscow, Russia
18. Balass
An educational publisher known for developing innovative teaching methodologies and educational programs.
Specialties: Educational innovation, teaching methodologies, school programs Location: Moscow, Russia
19. Russian Word (Russkoye Slovo)
A traditional publisher with a long history, focusing on educational materials, literature, and cultural publications.
Specialties: Educational materials, Russian literature, cultural publishing Location: Moscow, Russia
20. Enlightenment-Center (Prosveshchenie-Center)
Related to Prosveshchenie, this publisher focuses on educational research and advanced learning materials.
Specialties: Educational research, advanced learning materials Location: Moscow, Russia
21. Vladmos
A publisher specializing in Orthodox Christian literature, religious texts, and spiritual books.
Specialties: Religious literature, Orthodox Christianity, spiritual books Location: Moscow, Russia
22. Algorithm
A publisher known for historical literature, biographies, and documentary works.
Specialties: Historical literature, biographies, documentary books Location: Moscow, Russia
23. White City
A contemporary publisher focusing on modern fiction, poetry, and literary works by emerging authors.
Specialties: Contemporary fiction, poetry, emerging authors Location: Moscow, Russia
24. Time
A publisher specializing in historical books, memoirs, and political literature.
Specialties: Historical books, memoirs, political literature Location: Moscow, Russia
25. St. Petersburg University Press
The academic publishing arm of St. Petersburg University, focusing on scholarly works and research publications.
Specialties: Academic publishing, university research, scholarly works Location: St. Petersburg, Russia
26. Moscow University Press
The publishing house of Moscow State University, one of Russia’s most prestigious academic publishers.
Specialties: Academic research, university textbooks, scholarly publications Location: Moscow, Russia
27. Science (Nauka)
The publishing house of the Russian Academy of Sciences, focusing on scientific literature and research publications.
Specialties: Scientific literature, research publications, academic works Location: Moscow, Russia
28. Progress Publishers
Historically significant publisher known for translations and international literature, now focusing on contemporary works.
Specialties: Translations, international literature, contemporary works Location: Moscow, Russia
29. Raduga Publishers
Specializing in foreign language learning materials and international literature translations.
Specialties: Language learning, translations, international literature Location: Moscow, Russia
30. Molodaya Gvardiya
A historical publisher known for biographical series and historical literature, particularly the “Lives of Remarkable People” series.
Specialties: Biographical series, historical literature, cultural heritage Founded: 1922 Location: Moscow, Russia
31. Soviet Russia (Sovetskaya Rossiya)
A publisher with Soviet-era origins, now focusing on patriotic literature and historical works.
Specialties: Patriotic literature, historical works, political books Location: Moscow, Russia
32. Knowledge (Znaniye)
A publisher traditionally focused on popular science and educational materials for general readers.
Specialties: Popular science, educational materials, general knowledge Location: Moscow, Russia
33. Thought (Mysl)
Historically focused on philosophical and social science literature, now publishing contemporary works in these fields.
Specialties: Philosophy, social sciences, contemporary thought Location: Moscow, Russia
34. Artist (Khudozhestvennaya Literatura)
Specializing in fiction, poetry, and literary works by Russian and international authors.
Specialties: Fiction, poetry, literary classics Location: Moscow, Russia
35. Children’s Literature (Detskaya Literatura)
A dedicated children’s book publisher with a long tradition of quality children’s literature.
Specialties: Children’s books, young adult literature, educational stories Location: Moscow, Russia
36. Pedagogy (Pedagogika)
Focused on educational theory, teaching methodologies, and pedagogical research.
Specialties: Educational theory, pedagogy, teaching methods Location: Moscow, Russia
37. Medicine (Meditsina)
Specializing in medical literature, healthcare publications, and professional medical books.
Specialties: Medical literature, healthcare, professional medical books Location: Moscow, Russia
38. Transport
A specialized publisher focusing on transportation, logistics, and related technical literature.
Specialties: Transportation, logistics, technical literature Location: Moscow, Russia
39. Architecture-Building-Design (ABD)
Specializing in architecture, construction, and design-related publications.
Specialties: Architecture, construction, design, urban planning Location: Moscow, Russia
40. Legal Literature
Focused on legal publications, law textbooks, and professional legal resources.
Specialties: Legal publications, law textbooks, legal practice Location: Moscow, Russia
41. Financial Publishing House
Specializing in financial literature, economics, and business-related publications.
Specialties: Financial literature, economics, business publications Location: Moscow, Russia
42. Delo Publishing House
A business and economics publisher known for professional and academic business literature.
Specialties: Business literature, economics, professional development Location: Moscow, Russia
43. Unity-Dana
An academic publisher focusing on higher education textbooks and scholarly works.
Specialties: Higher education, textbooks, academic publishing Location: Moscow, Russia
44. Infra-M
A major academic and professional publisher with a wide range of educational and business publications.
Specialties: Academic textbooks, professional literature, business education Location: Moscow, Russia
45. KnoRus
An educational publisher specializing in higher education textbooks and professional training materials.
Specialties: Higher education, professional training, academic textbooks Location: Moscow, Russia
46. Prospekt
A legal and academic publisher known for law textbooks and legal reference materials.
Specialties: Legal textbooks, academic law, legal reference Location: Moscow, Russia
47. Norma
Specializing in legal literature, law textbooks, and professional legal publications.
Specialties: Legal literature, law education, professional legal books Location: Moscow, Russia
48. Laboratory of Knowledge
A modern publisher focusing on scientific and technical literature for education and professional development.
Specialties: Scientific literature, technical education, professional development Location: Moscow, Russia
49. BINOM
An educational publisher specializing in mathematics, computer science, and natural sciences textbooks.
Specialties: Mathematics, computer science, natural sciences Location: Moscow, Russia
50. Mnemozina
An educational publisher known for mathematics and science textbooks for schools.
Specialties: Mathematics textbooks, science education, school materials Location: Moscow, Russia
51. Title
A contemporary publisher focusing on modern literature and commercial fiction.
Specialties: Modern literature, commercial fiction, contemporary authors Location: Moscow, Russia
52. Family Leisure Club
A publisher specializing in hobby books, crafts, cooking, and lifestyle publications.
Specialties: Hobby books, crafts, cooking, lifestyle Location: Russia
53. Clever Media Group
A modern children’s book publisher known for innovative and interactive children’s literature.
Specialties: Children’s books, interactive literature, educational games Location: Moscow, Russia
54. Samokat
An independent publisher known for high-quality children’s and young adult literature.
Specialties: Children’s literature, young adult books, quality translations Founded: 2003 Location: Moscow, Russia
55. Career-Press
A publisher specializing in career development, professional growth, and business literature.
Specialties: Career development, professional growth, business skills Location: Moscow, Russia
56. Phoenix-Premier
A regional publisher focusing on educational materials and local literature.
Specialties: Educational materials, regional literature, cultural publications Location: Rostov-on-Don, Russia
57. Academic Project
An academic publisher focusing on scholarly works and research publications across various disciplines.
Specialties: Scholarly works, academic research, multidisciplinary publishing Location: Moscow, Russia
58. Humanitarian Center
A publisher specializing in humanities, social sciences, and cultural studies.
Specialties: Humanities, social sciences, cultural studies Location: Moscow, Russia
59. Scientific World
Focusing on scientific publications, research materials, and academic conferences proceedings.
Specialties: Scientific publications, research materials, conference proceedings Location: Moscow, Russia
60. Digital Publishing Solutions
A modern publisher embracing digital technologies and e-book publishing.
Specialties: Digital publishing, e-books, online content Location: Moscow, Russia
61. Regional Academic Publisher
Serving regional markets with specialized academic and cultural publications.
Specialties: Regional publishing, academic works, local culture Location: Various regions, Russia
Trends in Russian Publishing (2025)
The Russian publishing industry continues to evolve with several key trends shaping the market:
Digital Transformation
Publishers are increasingly investing in digital platforms and e-book technologies to reach wider audiences and adapt to changing reading habits.
Educational Focus
With ongoing educational reforms, there’s increased demand for modern, innovative educational materials that incorporate new pedagogical approaches.
Consolidation
The trend toward consolidation continues, with larger publishers acquiring smaller houses to expand their market reach and capabilities.
Independent Publishing Growth
Despite consolidation at the top, independent publishers are finding niche markets and building loyal readerships through specialized content.
International Collaboration
Russian publishers are seeking partnerships with international houses for translations and co-publishing opportunities.
How to Choose the Right Russian Publisher
When selecting a publisher in Russia, consider these factors:
- Genre Specialization: Choose publishers that specialize in your book’s genre or subject matter.
- Market Reach: Consider the publisher’s distribution network and marketing capabilities.
- Reputation: Research the publisher’s track record and reputation in the industry.
- Services Offered: Evaluate what services the publisher provides, from editing to marketing.
- Terms and Conditions: Carefully review contract terms, royalty rates, and rights arrangements.
Conclusion
The Russian publishing landscape in 2025 presents both opportunities and challenges for authors and publishers. While major players like Eksmo-AST continue to dominate the market, there’s room for specialized publishers and innovative companies like Professional Ghostwriter Company to thrive by offering unique services and focusing on quality content creation.
The industry’s future lies in balancing traditional publishing values with digital innovation, maintaining Russia’s rich literary heritage while embracing new technologies and global market trends. Whether you’re an aspiring author or an established writer, understanding this diverse ecosystem of publishers will help you make informed decisions about your publishing journey in Russia.
Disclaimer: The publishers listed here are provided for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with these publishers and do not guarantee manuscript acceptance. We only provide professional book editing, marketing, and formatting services to help authors prepare their work for submission and improve their chances of acceptance. Always verify submission details on the publisher’s official website before applying.