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True Crime Literary Agents

61+verified agents43open nowLast reviewed20 Jul 2026

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True crime has shifted in the last decade from a pulpier mass-market label into a serious narrative non-fiction territory, partly through podcasts, partly through long-form journalism, and partly through writers who treat crime as a way into class, race, region, or institutional failure. Truman Capote's In Cold Blood, I'll Be Gone in the Dark, and the broader Serial-era reframing of the form set higher expectations for ethics, structure, and reporter access. Some agents focus on investigative books with public-interest weight; others prefer narrative crime that reads more like literary non-fiction, or memoir-adjacent projects from survivors and people close to the case. 20+ agents on this page show true crime signals. Submissions in this lane benefit from clarity about the access you actually have, the case's ethical complications, and what your version of the story does that a podcast cannot.

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Agents representing true crime

Open agents first
Represents

Commercial fiction, nonfiction, education, self-help, business, technology, fantasy, science fiction, art, film, television, true crime, spirituality, religion

Wants: Query letter, sample chapter, author bio

Looking for

Global Lion says it is accepting submissions for all genres, including commercial fiction and nonfiction, education, self-help, business, technology, fantasy, science fiction, interesting subjects, art, and making-of books on film and television.

How to submit

Submit through the Global Lion site or query route with full name, preferred email, standard query letter including title, genre, word count and audience, a sample chapter of about 20 pages or chapter synopsis, a short author biography, and links to social media or website URLs if available. Global Lion accepts exclusive submissions only.

Last checked 14 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Fiction and non-fiction

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.

Last checked 11 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Commercial fiction, commercial non-fiction, food writing, cookery, memoir, biography, true crime, lifestyle, health, parenting

Wants: 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

Last checked 10 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Young adult fantasy, middle grade, young adult mystery, adult mystery, folk tales, mythology, graphic novels, adult narrative non-fiction, true crime, investigative journalism

Wants: Query letter, first chapter, synopsis, sample chapter

Looking for

She is particularly eager to acquire BIPOC/underrepresented voices and prioritizes stories of joy where identity isn't the focus. She's especially excited about stories rooted in history, mythology, and legends, particularly those that are lesser-known or underrepresented in traditional publishing. She's very interested in stories that explore the intricacies of multicultural identities and loves stories of immigration and first/second generation Americans who struggle balancing values.

How to submit

Submit queries only through QueryManager. For fiction, include a query letter, first chapter, and synopsis with genre and word count. For nonfiction, include a full proposal with query letter and sample chapter.

Last checked 4 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, mystery, crime, thriller, science fiction, horror, western, women's fiction, middle grade, young adult, narrative non-fiction, true crime, memoir

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, first five pages

Looking for

She is a fan of magical realism, contemporary westerns, science fiction and all stories that quicken the pulse and imagination.

How to submit

Make your submission letter to the point and as brief as possible. Include a short synopsis of your work, an author bio, and the first five pages of your manuscript pasted into the body of your email, no attachments please.

Last checked 2 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Nonfiction, lifestyle, current affairs, health, sport, true crime, family issues, crime, thriller, book club fiction, historical fiction, romance

Wants: Synopsis, first three chapters, covering letter, detailed outline, sample material

Looking for

Katie Fulford is looking for authors in both nonfiction and fiction. In nonfiction she wants experts and journalists with something new to say, especially in lifestyle, current affairs, health, sport, smart true crime, and books about female and family issues that put women at the heart of things. In fiction she wants high-concept and hooky crime and thriller, commercial locked-room thrillers, emotional uplit, book club books with big issues, memorable characters and immersive settings, historical fiction about forgotten real people or people connected to more famous figures, and romance. She does not want fantasy, science fiction, children's fiction, or picture books.

How to submit

Email submissions@belllomaxmoreton.co.uk. For fiction, children's and young adult fiction, or narrative nonfiction, send a short synopsis including the full plot for fiction, the first three chapters or no more than 50 pages double spaced, and a covering letter with any previous publications. For illustrated nonfiction send a detailed outline, sample material if available, and previous publication information. Query one Bell Lomax Moreton agent at a time.

Last checked 28 May 2026Via Email
Represents

Nonfiction, how-to, health, wellness, science, technology, nature, outdoors, true crime, history, investigative journalism, international relations, sports, parenting, business, illustrated books, brand books

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

John is building a wide-ranging nonfiction list including how-to, health and wellness, science, technology, nature and outdoors, true crime, quirky history, investigative journalism, international relations, sports, parenting, business, illustrated books, and brand-led book programs.

How to submit

Email john@defliterary.com with QUERY: at the beginning of the subject line, followed by the book title. Include a brief description of yourself and the project. Attachments are not opened unless requested.

Last checked 25 May 2026Via Email
Represents

Women's fiction, commercial fiction, fantasy, young adult, romance, lgbt, middle grade, memoir, narrative nonfiction, personal finance, business, true crime, sports, popular culture, self-help, religion, health, parenting

Wants: Query letter, book proposal for nonfiction

Looking for

High-concept book club fiction, queer fiction, destination novels, emotionally satisfying reads, cozy fantasy, horror with modern commentary, and adult dystopian fiction

How to submit

Use The Knight Agency submissions page and the relevant QueryManager link, do not query multiple TKA agents simultaneously.

Last checked 19 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
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.

Last checked 11 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, new adult, adult fiction, illustrators, contemporary fiction, magical realism, fantasy, horror, romance, romantic comedy, romantasy, women's fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, spirituality, self-help, health and fitness, parenting, business, celebrity, lifestyle, pets, psychology, relationships and dating, true crime, bipoc voices, lgbtq and voices

Looking for

Lynnette Novak is an agent at The Seymour Agency. When she reopens, she is especially excited about BIPOC, diverse, and LGBTQ+ projects; illustrators for board books, picture books, illustrated MG, and illustrated covers; fiction and nonfiction picture books; MG contemporary, magical realism, contemporary or grounded fantasy, and horror; YA romcom, romantasy, fantasy, magical realism, and horror; NA contemporary romance, romcom, and romantasy; adult horror, dark romance, contemporary romance, romcom, romantasy, and women's fiction; and adult nonfiction including memoir, narrative, spirituality/New Age, self-help, health/fitness, parenting/family, motivational/inspirational, business, celebrity, lifestyle, pets, psychology, relationships/dating, and true crime by experts with platforms.

How to submit

Lynnette Novak is currently closed to all queries according to the official Seymour Agency about page. The page says to watch her MSWL page for updates when she reopens, but no current open official query route is listed.

Represents

Adult nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, architecture, history, politics, natural history, true crime, science, environment, women's issues, parenting, cooking, psychology, health, wellness, diet, business, spirituality, picture books, lifestyle, sustainability, reference, sports, travel, gardening

Looking for

Regina Ryan Books is a Manhattan-based boutique literary agency primarily representing adult nonfiction. Its areas of interest include well-written narrative nonfiction, architecture, history, politics, natural history especially birds, true crime, science especially the brain, the environment, women's issues, parenting, cooking, psychology, health, wellness, diet, business, non-religious contemporary spirituality, children's picture books, lifestyle, sustainability, popular reference, sports, narrative travel, and gardening.

How to submit

Regina Ryan Books is currently closed to submissions according to the official submissions page.

Represents

Literary fiction, literary suspense, thriller, book club fiction, speculative fiction, experimental fiction, true crime, upmarket fiction, crime fiction, literary horror

Looking for

Danya Kukafka is interested in literary fiction with propulsive storylines, literary suspense, sophisticated thrillers, book club fiction, speculative fiction, experimental fiction, true crime attuned to cultural conversations, upmarket fiction, crime fiction with a literary bent, literary horror that plays with form and structure, lightly speculative fiction, expansive literary fiction, dark coming-of-age, and fun sophisticated upmarket fiction.

How to submit

Danya Kukafka is currently closed to queries. Her official Trellis profile links to QueryManager, and the linked QueryManager page states that she is not accepting queries at this time and will be closed through the summer.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, thrillers, mystery, historical fiction, young adult, nonfiction, health, science, environment, true crime, memoir, spirituality

Looking for

Elizabeth Kracht represents literary and commercial fiction, women's fiction, thrillers, mysteries, historical fiction, crossover YA, and nonfiction. She appreciates writing with depth, an introspective voice, thematic layers, multicultural themes and characters, and strong settings. Her nonfiction interests include high concept, health, science, environment, prescriptive nonfiction, investigative nonfiction, true crime, voice- or adventure-driven memoir, sexuality, spirituality, and animal or pet stories.

How to submit

Elizabeth Kracht is currently only open to queries and pitches through conferences, online events, workshops, and referrals. Kimberley Cameron and Associates uses QueryManager for submissions and asks writers to tailor submissions to each agent's interests, but her public QueryManager page currently says she is not accepting unsolicited queries.

Last checked 25 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Commercial fiction, upmarket fiction, dark romance, romantasy, romance, speculative fiction, mystery, thriller, gothic, horror, historical fiction, rom com, magical realism, current events, true crime, science, history, narrative non-fiction, sports, politics, health, nutrition, pop culture, humor, music, memoir

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, sample pages

Looking for

Jill seeks fiction and non-fiction by unrepresented voices, BIPOC and Latinx writers, disabled persons, and LGBTQ+ people. She wants commercial and upmarket fiction emphasizing dark romance, romantasy, speculative fiction, mysteries, thrillers, Gothic, horror, and historical fiction, plus food-centric novels and psychological suspense in the vein of Freida McFadden. For non-fiction, she seeks authors with big, timely, smart messages and deep dives into subcultures, social commentary, and historical projects.

How to submit

Submit via QueryManager at QueryManager.com or JillMarr. Include query letter, 1-page synopsis, brief bio with publishing history, and first 10-15 pages for fiction. For non-fiction, include query letter and full book proposal.

Last checked 14 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
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.

Last checked 31 May 2026Via Email
Represents

Investigative nonfiction, true crime, psychology, health, popular science, economics, business, big-idea nonfiction

Looking for

Thought leaders and innovators who bring unique and challenging perspectives to the world of books. He is particularly interested in investigative nonfiction, true crime, psychology, health, and popular science, as well as economics, business, and big-idea nonfiction

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Last checked 19 Jul 2026
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.

Last checked 15 Jul 2026Via 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.

Last checked 12 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Prescriptive nonfiction, self-help, spirituality nonfiction, personal transformation, limited memoir, true crime nonfiction

Looking for

Tina Wainscott is an agent at The Seymour Agency. Official Seymour guidance lists her interest in prescriptive nonfiction, self-help, and spirituality nonfiction. Her official personal site says she is focused on spiritual, self-help, personal transformation, and limited memoir, with a later contact page noting spiritual/self-help and true-crime nonfiction.

How to submit

The official Seymour Agency about page says Tina Wainscott is taking submissions via referral. Her official personal site also says she is only taking queries through referrals and does not handle queries through her author-site contact address.

Last checked 8 Jul 2026Via Referral Only
Represents

Fiction and non-fiction

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.

Last checked 11 Jun 2026Via Email

61+ agents we've verified represent true crime specifically. Many others represent broader categories like commercial fiction or genre fiction — try Smart Search to find those too.

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