Are you looking for a list of true crime publishing companies?
Below are 16 true crime publishers and we have highlighted those which are currently accepting submissions.
1. Kensington Publishing Corp.
Headquartered in New York City, Kensington Publishing Corp. was founded in 1974 and is now known as ‘America’s Independent Publisher’. They have seven imprints which allow them to produce books in numerous genres, among which we can name true crime as well (Pinnacle is the imprint which publishes horror, western, and true crime titles). However, their books fit the standards of romance, commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, and many other genres as well.
They are currently not accepting poetry, young adult, middle grade, and children’s submissions.
If you are a true crime writer and you’re interested in working with them, feel free to send your manuscript here.
2. Quirk Books
A Philadelphia-based publisher established in 2002, Quirk Books produces around 25 books per year. Some of their most renowned titles are the Edgar Award-winning mystery ‘Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children’, ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’, and ‘William Shakespeare’s Star Wars’. Besides true crime, their preferred genres are humor and gift, pop culture, horror, mystery, and science fiction.
They have several editors available, depending on what standards your book fits. For instance, Jhanteigh Kupihea and Rebecca Gyllenhaal are specialized in true crime, mystery, thriller, and suspense. Jhanteigh prefers manuscripts that also have a psychological twist as well. If you would like to collaborate with them, their Submission Guidelines are available here – they do not mention any additional criteria, so you can send them directly, without having to find a literary agent.
3. Genius Book Publishing
Focused on serial killings, heinous crimes, and mass murders, Genius Book Publishing promotes true crime authors that have the ability to put these events into perspective and help the readers understand their psychological and behavioral aspects.
Good storytelling and accurate representation are two of their main interests in terms of books – they wish to publish high-quality works which convey the truth in its raw, awful beauty. No happy or convenient endings are expected – as long as it depicts life properly, they are interested in your book.
True crime titles, research, and expertise are welcome – the writers of Genius Book Publishing will receive the visibility needed, as they collaborate with podcasters, media professionals, bloggers, and many other experts.
If you have a true crime non-fiction project of any length which you want to submit, you are free to do so after reading the Guidelines available here.
4. The Mysterious Press
In 1975, Otto Penzler decided to establish The Mysterious Press, an imprint which publishes renowned crime, suspense, and thriller books. In time, they have managed to publish bestselling authors like James Elroy, Isaac Asimov, Ed McBain, P. D. James, and many others.
The press now produces books in digital formats, which are available on MysteriousPress.com. However, although they are out of print, the books are still protected by copyright. True crime is one of their most popular genres, but there are numerous others in which they are interested – some of these are short stories, private detective, noir, hard boiled, pulp, and traditional American.
You can’t find many details regarding their Submission Guidelines on the website, but if you’re interested in collaborating with them, you can still contact them here for more information.
5. Black Lyon Publishing
An Oregon-based independent publishing house, Black Lyon Publishing was founded in 2007 and recognized by the Romance Writers of America. With offices in both Canada and the United States, they have a varied staff that includes illustrators, cover models, photographers, and others.
In terms of non-fiction, Black Lyon is interested in publishing true crime, self-help, personal transformation, how-to, and spirituality. When it comes to fiction, their main focus consists of romantic adventure, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, historical and inspirational romance, as well as literary fiction.
If you would like to publish your book with them, you have to send a query first, as they do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. The details which should be included in the email are mentioned here.
6. Joffe Books
A leading independent publisher in the UK, Joffe Books is based in East London and has promoted bestselling authors such as Faith Martin, Taylor Adams, and Joy Ellis. They have also been featured in ‘The Hollywood Reporter’ and ‘The Bookseller’, and their estimates show that their books sell once every 12 seconds. Crime fiction, mysteries, and thrillers are their main focus, and the works they choose to publish are available in both print and digital formats.
Luckily, their success has not determined them to impose additional standards in terms of submissions. Therefore, if you’re interested in working with them, you can send your manuscript directly, as long as your work involves the previously mentioned genres, psychological thrillers, or detective books.
7. Black & White Publishing
Campbell Brown and Alison McBride founded Black & White Publishing in 1999, managing to turn it into one of the most renowned independent publishers in Scotland. They currently have two imprints, respectively Itchy Coo and Broons Books, through which they publish a wide range of genres.
Although they are highly interested in crime and psychological thrillers, they also publish commercial women’s fiction, general fiction, young adult and new adult fiction, sports books, celebrity memoirs, lifestyle, humor, gift, and activity books, as well as food and drink titles.
Even though they have a broad range of genres available, they do not publish poetry, drama, short stories, and any type of work written in other language than English. If you feel like they are the appropriate choice for your writings, you can contact them here.
8. Pen and Sword Books
With a vast experience in publishing, Pen and Sword Books produced its first titles due to public demand – Dark Peak Aircraft Wrecks and the Barnsley Pals books, which treat the history of two Kitchener battalions. Although its core interest lies in military history, the house has managed to add several imprints to the list, thus widening the range of topics.
True crime, aviation, local and social history, transport, archaeology, discovery, and exploration are just some of their preferred genres – the true crime titles include ‘A History of Torture in Britain’, by Simon Webb and ‘Britain’s Unresolved Murders’, by Kevin Turton.
If you’re a non-fiction writer, feel free to submit your work here – Pen and Sword Books have collaborated with authors from various backgrounds, such as journalists, lecturers, and freelance writers.
9. No Exit Press
Founded in 1987, No Exit Press is mainly a crime fiction imprint of Oldcastle Books based in the UK, with sales representations in several other countries. They have several recently published titles, among which are ‘No Place of Refuge’, by Ausma Zehanat Khan and ‘Paris in the Dark’, by Robert Olen Butler as well.
Although their unique focus determines many aspiring writers to submit their work on the website, their small staff does not allow them to properly respond to all of the enquiries. Because of this, they do not accept unagented manuscript submissions at the moment. However, if you have high-quality crime stories which you would like to publish, their digital-first sister company, Verve Books, is accepting submissions. You can find more information about this here.
10. Allen & Unwin Book Publishers
Australia’s leading independent publisher, Allen & Unwin produces approximately 250 titles yearly, and has been voted ‘Publisher of the Year’ for 13 times, among other achievements. They have several imprints which allow them to cover a broad range of genres – these include literary and commercial fiction, topics of Australian interest, biography, food, health, sport, history, lifestyle, and many others.
They have some of the leading crime fiction publications, written by authors like Peter Corris, Michael Connelly, and Chris Hammer. A list of true crime books which they have already produced is available here.
The only criterion which has to be met in terms of submissions is that of correctly sending your manuscript online. In order to be able to do this, you can submit your true crime writings here.
11. Melbourne University Press
Founded in 1922, the goal of this press was initially that of selling books and stationery for the students. However, since 1944, publishing books has become the main focus for them. They currently have 3 imprints through which they publish books from a broad range of genres, among which true crime can be named. Other topics available are science, history, arts, design and lifestyle, literature, and many others.
They currently do not publish poetry, children’s literature, or fiction – however, if your true crime non-fiction work is available for publication, you should consider sending a submission online. This can be done here, once you finish reading the Submission Guidelines.
12. Pan Macmillan Australia
Publishing under the imprints Pan, Macmillan, Plum, Picador, and Macquarie Dictionary Publishers, this house is dedicated to promoting talented Australian authors and their stories.
Since their range of preferred genres is limitless, it includes true crime, military history, commercial and literary fiction, biography, lifestyle, sports, and cooking as well. Whether it’s academic or non-fiction publishing, Pan Macmillan Australia is renowned for producing high-quality books.
If you are passionate about true crime, thrillers, crime fiction, or any other popular genre, you can check the rules for their Manuscript Monday and submit your work.
13. Flanker Press
Ever since 1994, Flanker Press is its province’s most active publisher when it comes to trade books, now producing around 20 titles per year. The main focus of this press consists of regional non-fiction and historical fiction, yet they are open to numerous other genres.
True crime, crime fiction, ghost stories, wartime history and novels, politics, religion and spirituality, sea stories, and humor are just some of the categories available on their website.
If you’re interested in submitting a manuscript, you will have to indicate your work’s genre in a cover letter, include a synopsis and a bio, and a self-addressed stamped envelope in case you want the material to be returned. For more information, you can click here.
14. ECW Press
According to Publishers Weekly, ECW Press is one of the most versatile independent publishers in North America. They have produced around 1,000 books so far, and their wide range of preferences has allowed numerous authors to receive the publicity they deserve.
Although the genres mentioned in their About section are fiction, poetry, sports, pop culture, political analysis, biography, and travel guides, they feature several other categories, such as mystery and crime. The true crime genre is not specifically named, but, due to the fact that they impose no limits whatsoever in terms of non-fiction, you have the possibility of sending them your manuscript. In order to do so, you first have to describe the genre in a cover letter, to provide a bio, as well as a sample of your work. Anyhow, the instructions you have to follow are available here.
15. Heritage House
Founded in 1969 by Art Downs, Heritage House has always followed the same goal – that of supporting and publishing authors with extraordinary talent from Western Canada, who have something to say and whose stories deserve to be heard.
You can discover their true crime category in the Amazing Stories section – here you can find titles like ‘The Bulldog and the Helix’, by Shayne Morrow, ‘The Law and the Lawless’, by Art Downs, and ‘The Man Who Was Hanged by a Thread’, by Cecil Clark. However, their preferences include many other genres, such as history, art and photography, indigenous studies, young adult fiction, and biography and memoir.
Since January 2019, they no longer accept paper/hard-copy submissions, so, regardless of your work, you will have to send the query or manuscript electronically. The Submission Guidelines you have to follow are available online.
16. Dundurn Press
One of the most renowned Canadian publishers of non-fiction and children’s fiction, Dundurn Press began its journey in 1972, and it now has over 2,500 titles in print and 1,700 eBooks on the market. Presently, the press manages to produce more than 100 books per year. In 2012 and 2014, it was nominated for the Libris Award for the Publisher of the Year. Dundurn Press is highly interested in young adult fiction, mystery, biography, business, current affairs, history, and many other genres.
In terms of submissions, they have multiple topics of non-fiction on which they want to publish books. The most relevant are true crime, paranormal, Canadian politics, history, and current affairs, as well as health and well-being. Your submission has to include a cover letter, a one-page synopsis, a literary CV, at least three sample chapters of the book, an estimated word count, and the status of the manuscript, along with the date when it will be finished. For more information, you can access their website here.
Are there any other true crime publishing companies you know of? Please tell us about them in the comments box below.
I am a content writer from Romania. My projects involve non-fiction writing, academic writing, product reviews, as well as technical writing. Although I have a personal preference for articles regarding social issues and human rights, I can provide content on any other topic.