True crime Literary Agents
Literary agents who represent true crime. Browse verified listings with submission guidelines, open status, and direct links to agency websites.
23 agents · 13 currently open to submissions
Represents
Fiction, children's, non-fictionWants: Literary and genre fiction (incl historical, horror, speculative); multi-generational; high-concept book club; domestic dramas; crime/thrillers with a twist; non-fiction incl history/true crime/current affairs/travel/food/psychology/feminism/memoir; children's high-concept with humour/heart
Looking for
Literary and genre fiction (incl historical, horror, speculative), multi-generational, high-concept book club, domestic dramas, crime/thrillers with a twist, non-fiction including history/true crime/current affairs/travel/food/psychology/feminism/memoir, children's high-concept with humour/heart
How to submit
Email veroniquemanuscripts@davidhigham.co.uk with a covering letter, a 1-2 page synopsis, and the first 3 chapters.
Via Email
Represents
Literary fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, historical fiction, romantic comedy, gothic, horror, crime, psychological thriller, speculative fiction, ya, middle grade, memoir, narrative non-fiction, true crime
Looking for
Literary and upmarket commercial fiction of all kinds, especially meditative or moving novels about modern life with warmth and heart alongside sharpness. Historical and period fiction that sheds light on untold stories, ambitious cross-centuries narratives, and historical mysteries. High-concept love stories and romantic comedies with depth. Gothic, horror, murder mysteries, ghost stories, psychological thrillers, speculative and magical realist fiction, and novels with a true-crime feel. A small list of YA and middle grade that feels current and contemporary with a real conversation at its core — not currently seeking fantasy or anything younger than middle grade. On the non-fiction side: memoirs of extraordinary people, narrative non-fiction on subjects the author is passionate about, books on mental health, untold stories across popular science, history and popular culture, and a brilliant true crime book. Particularly keen on LGBTQI+ stories and diverse voices from across the globe. Not currently looking for cookery, wellness, or lifestyle.
How to submit
Email submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk with your covering letter in the body of the email. Include the agent's name in the subject line. Fiction: attach the first three chapters or around fifty pages plus a one-to-two page synopsis that reveals the ending, as Word documents. Non-fiction: attach three sample chapters or around fifty pages plus a chapter summary or synopsis, and explain why you are best placed to write the book and who the intended readership is. AI-generated or AI-edited content is not accepted. No postal submissions.
Via Email
Represents
Fiction and non-fictionWants: High-concept, character/plot-driven thrillers; crime series; book club love stories; contemporary romcoms (diverse/own voices); sweeping book-club historical; true crime (no child-related); narrative nf (science/environment/psychology/nature/wellbeing/memoir); self-development for women
Looking for
High-concept, character/plot-driven thrillers, crime series, book club love stories, contemporary romcoms (diverse/own voices), sweeping book-club historical, true crime (no child-related), narrative non-fiction (science/environment/psychology/nature/wellbeing/memoir), self-development for women
How to submit
Email - amandasubmissions@lbabooks.com
Via Email
Represents
Fashion, biography, autobiography, crafts, health, cookery, children's picture books, history, natural history, popular culture, true crime, select fiction, illustratorsWants: Currently considering well-crafted non-fiction and illustrated books; not currently looking for new fiction clients (per join US page)
Looking for
Currently considering well-crafted non-fiction and illustrated books, not currently looking for new fiction clients
How to submit
Online form - https://www.creativeauthors.co.uk or join-us/
Via Online Form
Represents
Commercial fiction, literary fiction, romance, crime, thriller, historical fiction, narrative non-fiction, true crime, cookery and food writingWants: Commercial to accessible literary fiction; plot-driven stories exploring big emotions; romance; family/friendship sagas; twisty crime/thrillers; grounded dystopian; narrative-led non-fiction (true crime/untold histories etc.)
Looking for
Plot-driven fiction from commercial to the accessible end of the literary spectrum, including romance and rom-coms (particularly with queer love or interesting backdrops), sweeping family and friendship sagas, unputdownable crime and thriller standalones, upmarket psychological crime, contemporary and historical fiction (especially based on real events, with gothic elements, or focusing on underrepresented lives), narrative non-fiction that reads like fiction, literary true crime, untold histories, accessible books on complex topics, and cookery and food writing with uncomplicated recipes. Keen to hear from authors whose voices are underrepresented in publishing. Not currently taking YA, children's, poetry, fantasy, romantasy, science fiction, diet, or business projects.
How to submit
Email sian@blakefriedmann.co.uk
Via Email
Represents
Fiction and non-fictionWants: Commercial women's fiction with strong hook/twisty plots/emotion/drama; eclectic list. agency also considers crime/mystery/suspense/thrillers, horror, historical, commercial and literary; non-fiction incl politics/current affairs, environment, lifestyle, popular science, self-help/how-to, true crime.
Looking for
Commercial women's fiction with strong hook/twisty plots/emotion/drama, eclectic list. Agency also considers crime/mystery/suspense/thrillers, horror, historical, commercial and literary, non-fiction including politics/current affairs, environment, lifestyle, popular science, self-help/how-to, true crime
How to submit
Email submissions@cmm.agency with a one-paragraph author biography, a one-paragraph blurb or hook including genre and audience, a short synopsis covering plot, setting, theme and characters, and the first three chapters as an attachment. Manuscript must be double or 1.5 line-spaced, with wide margins, in a font no smaller than 12-point (preferably Times New Roman), fully page-numbered, with your name, address, contact number and email on the first page.
Via Email
Represents
Commercial women's fiction, psychological thrillers, popular science, true crimeWants: Fresh commercial women's fiction with big hooks/diverse characters; pacy psychological thrillers; cutting-edge non-fiction (popular science to true crime).
Looking for
Fresh commercial women's fiction with big hooks/diverse characters, pacy psychological thrillers, cutting-edge non-fiction (popular science to true crime)
How to submit
Email submissions@cmm.agency with: a one-paragraph author biography (including whether the manuscript has been sent to other agents or publishers), a one-paragraph blurb with hook, genre and audience, a short synopsis covering plot, setting, theme and characters, and the first three chapters as an attachment. The manuscript must be double or 1.5 line-spaced, with wide margins, in at least 12-point font (preferably Times New Roman), fully paginated, and with name, address, contact number and email on the first page.
Via Email
Represents
Fiction and non-fictionWants: Non-fiction: experts/journalists with fresh takes (esp lifestyle/current affairs/health/sport); smart true crime; books about women/family issues. fiction: broad; looking for high-concept/hooky crime and thriller etc (see agent page).
Looking for
Non-fiction: experts/journalists with fresh takes (especially lifestyle/current affairs/health/sport), smart true crime, books about women/family issues. Fiction: broad, looking for high-concept/hooky crime and thriller etc
How to submit
Email your submission to submission@bell-lomax.co.uk. For fiction, children's, YA, and narrative non-fiction include: a short synopsis covering the entire plot, the first three chapters (no more than 50 pages, double spaced), and a covering letter with details of any previously published work. For illustrated non-fiction include: a detailed outline, sample material if available, and previously published work information. Do not address submissions to more than one agent at the agency.
Via Email
Represents
Fiction, non-fiction, poetryWants: Story-led and character-driven novels; rich worldbuilding (realist/speculative; contemporary/historical). non-fiction: history, politics, philosophy, psychology, true crime, narrative sports writing, literary biography; academics/journalists/critics
Looking for
Story-led and character-driven novels, rich worldbuilding (realist/speculative, contemporary/historical). Non-fiction: history, politics, philosophy, psychology, true crime, narrative sports writing, literary biography, academics, journalists, critics
How to submit
Email submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk with the subject line marked FAO Emma Paterson. For fiction, attach the first three chapters or fifty pages plus a short synopsis as Word-compatible files. For narrative non-fiction, send a short overview and up to 10,000 words of sample writing, for subject-led non-fiction, send a proposal of approximately 5,000 words outlining the book and your credentials, plus at least 5,000 words of sample writing. Include a cover letter with a brief book description, any writing credits or relevant qualifications, and a short biographical note. Note whether you are submitting simultaneously to other agencies.
Via Email
Represents
Literary fiction and narrative non-fictionWants: Literary fiction with distinctive/off-kilter voice; high-concept literary; realist novels exploring moral/philosophical/political questions; non-fiction bold voices, investigative/essayistic work, cultural histories, literary true crime
Looking for
Literary fiction with distinctive/off-kilter voice, high-concept literary, realist novels exploring moral/philosophical/political questions, non-fiction bold voices, investigative/essayistic work, cultural histories, literary true crime
How to submit
Email - seren@lexingtonliterary.co.uk
Via Email
Represents
Fiction and non-fictionWants: Non-fiction: history; popular science; social issues; nature; money/life management; music; sport; film; technology; memoir; true crime; experts with wide appeal. fiction: literary and well-written commercial; boundary-pushing style with emotional heart and plot; upmarket with satisfying arc; historical or contemporary; genre-mixing.
Looking for
Non-fiction: history, popular science, social issues, nature, money/life management, music, sport, film, technology, memoir, true crime, experts with wide appeal. Fiction: literary and well-written commercial, boundary-pushing style with emotional heart and plot, upmarket with satisfying arc, historical or contemporary, genre-mixing
How to submit
Email submissions@watsonlittle.com with a cover letter in the body of the email, a synopsis, and approximately 10,000 words from the beginning of the manuscript for fiction, or a proposal including a sample chapter and chapter summaries for non-fiction. Address one agent only. No AI-originated or AI-edited material.
Via Email
Represents
Commercial fiction, commercial non-fiction, food writing, cookery, memoir, biography, true crime, lifestyle, health, parentingWants: Commercial non-fiction and fiction, with focus on health and cookery (agency focus). submissions start with a brief email explaining book and target audience; no attachments.
Looking for
Commercial non-fiction, food writing and cookery, memoir, biography, true crime, lifestyle, health, parenting, and commercial fiction
How to submit
Brief email explaining book and target audience, no attachments initially
Via Email
Represents
Fiction and non-fictionWants: Fiction: high-concept crime/thrillers; female-led commercial; upmarket commercial; book club; contemporary women's stories; romance; underrepresented voices; fresh-take historical; funny smart romcoms; sagas; gothic; sweeping love stories. non-fiction: humour; memoir; lifestyle; social justice/polemic; cookery. not horror/ghosts; not SFF; not YA/children; not sport/true crime; no short stories/novellas; no poetry/screenplay.
Looking for
Fiction: high-concept crime/thrillers, female-led commercial, upmarket commercial, book club, contemporary women's stories, romance, underrepresented voices, fresh-take historical, funny smart romcoms, sagas, gothic, sweeping love stories. Non-fiction: humour, memoir, lifestyle, social justice/polemic, cookery. Not horror/ghosts, not SFF, not YA/children, not sport/true crime, no short stories/novellas, no poetry/screenplay
How to submit
Email db.submission@dhhliteraryagency.com with a cover letter, first 3 chapters, and a 1-page synopsis as Word attachments.
Via Email
Represents
Non-fiction, autobiography and biography, health, fitness and personal development, humour and language, inspirational real lives, popular culture, history and current affairs, true crime, war and military, crime fiction
Looking for
Nonfiction across a wide range of categories including autobiography and biography, health, fitness and personal development, humour and language, inspirational real lives, popular culture, history and current affairs, true crime, war and military, and crime fiction.
How to submit
The Robert Smith Literary Agency is currently closed to new submissions and is not accepting any new book proposals at this time.
Via Email
Represents
Commercial or crossover fiction, memoirWants: Distinctive storytelling with emotional heart; predominantly commercial/crossover fiction and memoir. does not represent sci-fi/fantasy/horror/true crime. currently closed for submissions (per about-US).
Looking for
Distinctive storytelling with emotional heart, predominantly commercial/crossover fiction and memoir. Does not represent sci-fi/fantasy/horror/true crime. Currently closed for submissions
How to submit
Email lisa@jennybrownassociates.com directly. Currently closed for submissions.
Via Email
Represents
Fiction and non-fictionWants: Beautifully written but accessible fiction; darker book club with suspense; crime/thrillers; accessible horror; speculative/dystopian; smart contemporary romcom; selective non-fiction (pop science/psychology; narrative history; true crime; investigative)
Looking for
Beautifully written but accessible fiction, darker book club with suspense, crime/thrillers, accessible horror, speculative/dystopian, smart contemporary romcom, selective non-fiction (pop science/psychology, narrative history, true crime, investigative)
How to submit
Email marilia@theplotagency.com when open to submissions
Via Email
Represents
Fiction and non-fictionWants: Agency interests: non-fiction (craft/cookery/biography/memoir/health/mind body spirit/travel/history/natural history/true crime/pop culture); fiction (commercial women's; crime; thrillers; literary (not experimental); YA; children's)
Looking for
Non-fiction: craft, cookery, biography, memoir, health, mind body spirit, travel, history, natural history, true crime, pop culture. Fiction: commercial women's, crime, thrillers, literary (not experimental), YA, children's
How to submit
Agency is currently closed to new clients and not accepting submissions.
Via Other
Represents
Narrative nonfiction, true crime, psychology, pop culture, technology, pop science, parenting, crime fiction, mystery
Looking for
Victoria is most interested in expert-driven narrative nonfiction in the areas of true crime, psychology, pop culture, technology, and pop science. She is also looking for investigative deep dives, illuminating books about parenting (either prescriptive or narrative), and anything geared toward a millennial audience. While nonfiction makes up the bulk of her list, she is also willing to consider crime fiction or mysteries that involve a murder.
How to submit
Email your chosen agent using the address indicated on their page, or via QueryManager if listed. Include the title in the subject line. Paste the first ten pages of your manuscript in the body of the email — no attachments. For picture books, include the complete text, for illustrated work, include a link to your portfolio or two to three PDFs or JPEGs. Do not query multiple Bent Agency agents simultaneously.
Via Email
Jess Molloy
Curtis Brown
Closed
Represents
Fiction and narrative non-fictionWants: Fantasy and romance; irish fiction; crime/true crime with focus on victim/family impact; issues-led narrative non-fiction with personal story; psychology and therapy. drawn to unique concepts, complex characters, and family dynamics
Looking for
Fantasy and romance, Irish fiction, crime/true crime with focus on victim/family impact, issues-led narrative non-fiction with personal story, psychology and therapy; with a particular draw to unique concepts, complex characters, and family dynamics
How to submit
Jess Molloy is currently closed for submissions.
Via Email
Represents
Fiction and non-fictionWants: Crime/thrillers/mysteries; addictive hooky commercial fiction; grounded speculative; twisty horror; high-concept love story; crime-family epic; big-idea narrative nf (sport/pop science/humour/true crime/memoir)
Looking for
Crime/thrillers/mysteries, addictive hooky commercial fiction, grounded speculative, twisty horror, high-concept love story, crime-family epic, big-idea narrative non-fiction (sport/pop science/humour/true crime/memoir)
How to submit
Email - submissions@watsonlittle.com
Via Email
Represents
Ya fiction, middle grade fiction, cookbooks, food writing, memoir, true crime, narrative nonfiction, pop culture
Looking for
Cookbooks, food writing and history, young adult and middle grade fiction, memoir, pop culture, true crime, and narrative nonfiction
How to submit
Submit your query through the contact and submissions form on the Aevitas Creative Management website. Include a cover letter, synopsis, and sample material as appropriate for your project.
Via Online Form
Represents
Self-help, pop culture, music, memoir, history, science, politics, social justice, narrative food writing, faith, true crime, commercial fiction, psychological thrillers, horror thrillers, children's books, picture books, ya
Looking for
Rick Richter represents self-help, pop culture and music, memoir, history, science, politics and social justice, narrative food writing, and faith. He is also interested in select true crime, commercial fiction, and psychological/horror thrillers and diverse voices in all categories. He has extensive experience in children's books and represents illustrators and children's authors writing fiction and non-fiction from picture books through YA.
How to submit
Rick Richter only accepts queries through Query Manager. Please check his Query Manager profile for more information.
Via QueryManager
Represents
Fiction and non-fictionWants: Upmarket-commercial fiction; series crime/thrillers; historical fiction; high-concept fiction; narrative non-fiction; true crime; memoir; popular science/psychology; serious history
Looking for
Upmarket-commercial fiction, series crime/thrillers, historical fiction, high-concept fiction, narrative non-fiction, true crime, memoir, popular science/psychology, serious history
How to submit
Email agauntlett@pfd.co.uk with a cover letter, full synopsis, and first three chapters (approximately 50 pages). Non-fiction submissions should include a detailed proposal and a cover letter with CV.
Via Email
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