67 crime publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts in November 2024
Now that you’ve written your crime novel, it’s time to pitch it to a book publisher! All of the publishers listed here are currently accepting manuscripts without a literary agent, and I’ve done my best to weed out any suspicious or vanity publishers.
Don’t forget to check out my developmental editing services or pre-querying package if you want to make sure your novel is in top shape before you sent it to a publisher for consideration. I offer a variety of services to suit all budgets, from writers looking for the standard developmental editing experience to those seeking high-level feedback and a quick turnaround time.
Storm Publishing
Storm Publishing believes in the power of storytelling to transport readers to other worlds.
Genre: Fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Second Story Press
Second Story Press is a feminist publisher who focuses on publishing Canadian authors.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction looking at the lives of girls and women, social justice and children's empowerments from Canadian authors.
Word count: Not stated.Amble Press
Amble Press publishes fiction from writers who identify as people of color or those writing across the broader queer spectrum.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: 45,000 to 100,000 words.Crooked Lane Books
Crooked Lane Books was founded in 2014 and publishes high quality crime fiction.
Genre: Crime fiction.
Word count: 60,000 to 100,000 words.Joffe Books
Joffe Books is one of the UK’s leading independent publishers of commercial fiction, especially crime and mystery.
Genre: Primarily crime and mystery but also accepts women's fiction, fantasy, historical, and romance.
Word count: Over 60,000 words.The Brucedale Press
The Brucedale Press is the publishing division of Broad Horizons Books and was established in 1976.
Genre: Literary and historical works by Canadian authors with a focus on the Queen's Bush and Bruce Peninsula area of Ontario, Canada.
Word count: Not stated.Amara
Amara is the single-title adult romance imprint of Entangled Publishing.
Genre: Single-title romance including contemporary, historical, suspense, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal.
Word count: 70,000 to 120,000 words.Pan Macmillan Australia
Pan Macmillan Australia is committed to investing in Australian authors and publishes a variety of bestselling books.
Genre: Fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Open Books
Open Books started in 2007 and publishes high-quality books in eBook formats.
Genre: Literary fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.ECW Press
ECW Press has published close to 1,000 books, including nonfiction, poetry and fiction.
Genre: Fiction, poetry and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Romance.ink
Romance.ink has been in business since 1991 and is the oldest web-based romance publisher.
Genre: Romance in a variety of sub-genres. They have an extensive list of things they are looking for and not looking for on their website.
Word count: Not stated.Text Publishing
Text Publishing is an independent Melbourne-based publisher of fiction and nonfiction. They accept submissions from citizens or residents of Australia and New Zealand.
Genre: General fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: 40,000-120,000 words.Fahrenheit Press
Fahrenheit Press is a London-based publisher who specializes in crime fiction.
Genre: Crime and thrillers.
Word count: Not stated.Siren-BookStrand
Siren-BookStrand is an ebook publisher with over 8,000 romance novels under their belt and over 700 authors writing for them.
Genre: Romance in a variety of sub-genres with ménage, M/M, and M/F (only if it includes BDSM) pairings.
Word count: 20,000 words and over.Pulp Literature
Pulp Literature's motto is 'good books for the price of a beer'. They publish magazines of short stories and novels.
Genre: Most genres of fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Black Rose Writing
Black Rose Writing is a Texas-based publisher who strongly believes in developing a personal relationship with their authors.
Genre: Literary fiction, nonfiction and genre fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Roundfire Books (Collective Ink)
Roundfire Books is the general fiction imprint of Collective Ink.
Genre: General fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Harlequin Intrigue
Harlequin Intrigue focuses on high-stakes contemporary crime stories with a strong romance storyline.
Genre: Contemporary crime with romance.
Word count: 55,000 to 60,000 words.Bookouture
Bookouture is a division of Hachette UK that publishes digital commercial fiction.
Genre: Commercial fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Decadent Publishing
Decadent Publishing is a romance fiction publisher. They are always looking for submissions for their main line as well as ongoing series and special calls.
Genre: Romance in a variety of sub-genres.
Word count: 15,000 words and over.Akan Books
Akan Books is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers led by June Sarpong, accepting submissions from underrepresented groups in the UK.
Genre: Literary and genre fiction.
Word count: Not stated.WildBlue Press
Wildblue Press was founded by two college friends who recognized that the publishing world was changing. They strive to create a unique and engaging process for authors.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Pegasus Publishers
Pegasus Publishers have been publishing high-quality Christian books for over 25 years, offering traditional and hybrid contracts.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Kensington Publishing Corp.
Kensington Publishing Corp. is an independent publisher based in New York City, releasing over 300 titles per year in a range of popular genres.
Genre: Each editor has their preferences across various genres of fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Carina Press
Carina Press is Harlequin’s digital-first adult fiction imprint.
Genre: Contemporary, erotic, paranormal, sci-fi/fantasy, suspense, historical, and mystery romance.
Word count: 50,000 to 125,000 words.Literary Wanderlust
Literary Wanderlust strives to help new and experienced authors achieve their dreams of publishing.
Genre: Genre fiction.
Word count: 60,000 to 100,000 words.Ringwood Publishing
Ringwood Publishing is an independent Scottish publisher based in Glasgow.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction from Scottish authors or residents.
Word count: 50,000 words and above.HarperNorth
HarperNorth is a Manchester-based publisher connecting northern writers to readers.
Genre: Adult fiction and nonfiction. They are not accepting fantasy currently.
Word count: Over 80,000 words.Bloodhound Books
Bloodhound Books is a leading publisher of commercial fiction. They take pride in working closely with their authors to create international bestselling books.
Genre: Crime & thriller, literary, romance and historical fiction.
Word count: Over 60,000 words.Penguin Random House New Zealand
Penguin Random House New Zealand celebrates writers, stories and ideas that entertain and inspire.
Genre: Adult fiction and nonfiction. Children's submissions are closed until 2025.
Word count: Around 80,000 words.Casablanca (Tell-tale Publishing)
Casablanca is Tell-tale Publishing's mystery imprint.
Genre: Mystery.
Word count: 55,000 to 75,000 words.Sunbury Press
Sunbury Press is a rapidly growing publisher with six imprints.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Penmore Press
Penmore Press is an Arizona-based independent publisher.
Genre: Adult fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: 75,000 to 150,000 words.Asabi Publishing
Asabi Publishing is an innovative publishing company who takes pride in establishing honest and sincere relationships with their authors.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Penguin Random House Australia
Penguin Random House Australia comprises an adult and children’s publishing division. They accept manuscripts from Australian and New Zealand residents or citizens.
Genre: Fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Sparkling Books
Sparkling Books is an independent publishing house and a member of the Independent Publishers Guild. Please note they require manuscripts to be independently edited prior to submission. They don't specify how they check this, but it's worth noting!
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Schaffner Press
Schaffner Press was founded in 2001 and has since published over 50 books.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: 60,000 to 100,000 words.Legend Press
Legend Press is a London-based publisher who aims to produce books of the highest quality on a global platform.
Genre: Original fiction, crime thrillers, and historical.
Word count: Not stated.Suspense Magazine
Suspense Magazine publishes some of the best titles in suspense, thriller, mystery and horror.
Genre: Suspense, thriller, mystery and horror.
Word count: 5,000 words and less.Brother Mockingbird
Brother Mockingbird is a small, independent publisher committed to the discovery of talented writers.
Genre: Fiction. They will not consider erotica.
Word count: Not stated.Bold Strokes Books
As an LGBTQ+ publisher, Bold Strokes Books strives to ensure their authors represent the cultures, backgrounds, and viewpoints of our world.
Genre: A variety of genres such as romance, contemporary, historical, erotic, and speculative.
Word count: 45,000 to 120,000 words.Camel Press
Camel Press is the genre imprint of Epicentre Press, specializing in popular and genre fiction.
Genre: Romance, especially contemporary, historical, and suspense.
Word count: 50,000 to 100,000 words.Wakefield Press
Wakefield Press is a leading independent publishing company based in Adelaide.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Torrey House Press
Torrey House Press publishes books focusing on environmental advocacy.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Bella Books
Bella Books believes stories about women-loving-women are essential to our lives.
Genre: Novels that reflect and celebrate the diversity of the lesbian, sapphic, queer, bisexual, and gender non-conforming community.
Word count: At least 60,000 words.Red Adept Publishing
Red Adept Publishing is a small fiction publisher with multiple USA Today Bestsellers. Please note they only accept submissions from US authors.
Genre: Fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Canelo
Canelo was founded in 2015 to bring the best commercial storytelling to a wide audience.
Genre: Various, including saga, action, adventure, romance, commercial women's fiction, crime, and psychological thrillers.
Word count: Over 80,000 words.City Owl Press
City Owl Press is an indie publisher specializing in speculative fiction and romance.
Genre: Fantasy romance, paranormal romance, dark fantasy, and urban fantasy.
Word count: 50,000 words and above.Renaissance Press
Renaissance is a Canadian publisher who is dedicated to publishing novels from diverse Canadian voices.
Genre: Fiction, narrative nonfiction and memoirs.
Word count: Not stated.Blind Eye Books
Blind Eye Books publishes science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and romance novels featuring LGBTQ protagonists.
Genre: Science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and romance with LGBTQ protagonists.
Word count: 70,000 to 150,000 words.Triplicity Publishing
Triplicity Publishing is a Lesbian Fiction publisher.
Genre: Lesbian fiction.
Word count: 40,000 words and above.Launch Point Press
Launch Point Press is dedicated to publishing high-quality fiction books that center on the experiences of lesbian characters.
Genre: Fiction manuscripts where the main characters are lesbians.
Word count: 65,000 to 100,000 words.Blueberry Lane Books
Blueberry Lane Books publishes novels and anthologies.
Genre: Novels that tend toward science fiction and fantasy, women's fiction, and off-beat mysteries.
Word count: Not stated.Bancroft Press
Bancroft Press is a publisher without a niche! They publish titles they're passionate about.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Birlinn
Birlinn is an independent publishing house based in Edinburgh, Scotland. They accept direct submissions but encourage seeking a literary agent.
Genre: Literary and commercial fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Beacon Publishing Group
Beacon Publishing Group is based in New York.
Genre: All genres of fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Crippen and Landru
Crippen and Landru is a small business operation publishing short mystery fiction.
Genre: Mystery fiction.
Word count: Short stories.Bywater Books
Bywater Books primarily publishes lesbian and feminist fiction.
Genre: Lesbian and feminist fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: At least 60,000 words.The Book Folks
The Book Folks strive to give readers compelling fiction at affordable prices while giving fair returns to their authors.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.Partridge Island Publishing
Partridge Island Publishing is a small press located in New Brunswick.
Genre: Literary and commercial fiction.
Word count: Full-length novels and novellas.Allen & Unwin
Allen & Unwin are an Australian-owned and operated publisher. They were named 2023 Publisher of the Year and have won the title twelve times since 2000, and they accept submissions every Friday during their The Friday Pitch sessions.
Genre: Fiction. They are not interested in category romance, fantasy, science fiction, or short stories.
Word count: Full length works.HQ
HQ, a boutique division under HarperCollins, publishes a broad range of fiction.
Genre: Adult fiction.
Word count: At least 70,000 words.CamCat Books
CamCat Publishing opened in 2019 and takes pride in facilitating and engaging communication between their readers and writers.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction. They will not publish erotica or books with strong religious or political slants.
Word count: 60,000 to 100,000 words.Severn House
Severn Press prides themselves in being the home of the very best genre fiction. Please note Severen House does not publish debut authors.
Genre: Fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Hera
Hera was launched in 2018 with the mission to be "unashamedly commercial, always inclusive".
Genre: Crime and thriller, romance, saga, and general fiction.
Word count: Over 80,000 words.AK Press
AK Press believes that the voices of the disenfranchised must be heard and that speculative fiction is the perfect tool for exploring paths to bring forth a just and free world.
Genre: Fantasy, science fiction, steampunk, horror, and mystery.
Word count: 25,000 to 55,000 words.Two Dollar Radio
Two Dollar Radio is a family-run publisher striving to reaffirm the cultural and artistic spirit of the publishing industry.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction.
Word count: Not stated.
Best of luck with your manuscript submissions! If you want to ensure your manuscript is in the best position to be accepted, check out my developmental editing services, pre-querying package or my free writing advice. Otherwise, take a look at my genre-specific list of publishers for romance, fantasy and science fiction.