295+ crime & thriller literary agents whose current PairPi record says they are open to submissions. Each listing includes a source link and last-checked date.
295+ verified agents · 295 currently open
Genre fiction, ya, translation rights
Genre fiction (SFF/speculative/crime/horror) and YA, atmospheric settings, big hooks, snappy dialogue, gothic romantasy, teen slasher/YA horror, dark academia
Email - sandra@marjacq.com
Suspense, literary fiction, commercial fiction, current affairs, politics, history
Wants: Query letter, sample chapter
Will is looking for original and unpredictable suspense novels, both literary and commercial, plus nonfiction focused on current affairs, politics, and history.
Email info@thegernertco.com with a query letter describing the work, author information, and a sample chapter if appropriate. Indicate which agent you are querying, do not email agents directly.
Thriller, mystery, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, romance, science fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, biography, middle grade
Wants: Query letter, first chapter
Ronald is focused on cinematic stories with strong hooks and relatable characters, and is actively looking for thriller and mystery, historical and contemporary fiction, romance, grounded science fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir and biography, and middle grade.
Email a query letter to assistant@bookhaven.com with the word "Query" in the subject line and the first chapter attached as a Word document.
Literary fiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, romance, mystery, suspense, memoir, narrative nonfiction, history, current affairs
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, sample pages
Elizabeth is interested in literary fiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, romance, mystery/suspense, memoir, narrative nonfiction, history, and current affairs.
Submit electronically to the appropriate agent at the address listed on the official submissions page. For adult fiction, send query letter, synopsis, author bio, and first three consecutive chapters up to 30 pages pasted in the email. Only query one agent at a time.
Fiction, nonfiction, mystery, crime, self-help, psychology, how-to, crafts, cooking, business, historical nonfiction, science
Wants: Query letter, first chapter
Barbara has represented fiction and nonfiction across a long-running boutique list, including bestselling mystery, business, historical nonfiction, science, psychology, self-help, how-to, crafts and cooking titles.
Email a query letter to assistant@bookhaven.com with the first chapter attached as a Word document. Paper queries are discarded.
Commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, mystery, romance, children's books, women's fiction, general fiction, literary fiction, trade nonfiction
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, sample pages
The agency works with commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers and mysteries, romance, children's books, women's fiction, general fiction, literary fiction with a strong narrative hook, and trade nonfiction.
Email agent@ethanellenberg.com, indicating the agent, manuscript title, and genre in the subject line. Paste all materials in the body: for fiction, query letter, 1-2 page synopsis, and first 50 pages, for nonfiction, query letter, outline, and sample chapters up to 50 pages.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, psychological thriller, practical nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, food, lifestyle
Wants: Query letter, sample chapter
Anna represents smart literary and commercial fiction, psychological thrillers, practical and narrative nonfiction, food and drink, and lifestyle.
Email info@thegernertco.com with a query letter describing the work, author information, and a sample chapter if appropriate. Indicate which agent you are querying, do not email agents directly.
Fiction, nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, romance, mystery, thriller, memoir, narrative nonfiction, self-help, health, wellness, cookbooks, business, biography
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages
Denise says she will look at anything, with emphasis on strong writing and storytelling across fiction and nonfiction. Her stated interests include literary and commercial fiction, women's fiction, romance, mystery, thriller, memoir, narrative nonfiction, self-help, health and wellness, cookbooks, business, and biography.
Submit through the Barone Literary online submissions form. Include a query letter, synopsis, and sample pages as requested by the form.
Fiction and non-fiction
Commercial and upmarket fiction (book club, crime and thriller, historical, contemporary), commercial women's/romantic fiction, some lifestyle/personal development non-fiction
Email hattiesubmissions@theblairpartnership.com
Fiction
Character-driven speculative fiction, female-led literary and crossover, book club fiction, contemporary rom-coms, sweeping love stories (historical/contemporary), crime and psychological thrillers, female-led fantasy, romantasy, retellings. Not: children/YA, police procedurals, cosy crime, epic sci-fi, poetry, plays, screenplays, any non-fiction
Elena is currently open for submissions. Send your cover letter, one-page synopsis, and first three chapters as attachments, not in the body of the email. Submit to submission@dhhliteraryagency.com. Only submit to one agent at DHH Literary Agency
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
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.
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.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.
Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.
Adult fiction, adult nonfiction, commercial horror, fantasy, grounded science fiction, mystery, thriller, pop culture, cultural history, spiritual, occult, cookbooks, food writing
Wants: Query letter, creator bio, first ten pages
Alexandra Grana is an associate literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency representing adult fiction and nonfiction. In fiction, she is looking for commercial horror, fantasy, grounded science fiction, mysteries, thrillers, gothic horror, atmospheric stories, inventive stories with big hooks, dramatic and messy feelings, diverse stories from marginalized perspectives, and stories inspired by folklore. In nonfiction, she is looking for pop culture, cultural history, spiritual, occult, cookbooks, and food writing from creators with fresh approaches to their subject matter.
Email query@psliterary.com and address the query to Alexandra Grana. P.S. Literary asks for a query in the email body with an introduction, brief overview, and creator bio. For adult fiction, adult memoir, adult nonfiction essay collections, and children's fiction or nonfiction, include the first ten pages in the body of the email. Do not send attachments, full manuscripts, phone queries, paper queries, social media queries, original screenplays, poetry, or AI-generated work. Query one P.S. Literary agent at a time.
Narrative nonfiction, memoir, self-help, pop culture, social justice, literary fiction, book club fiction, thriller, historical fiction, horror, jewish issues, young adult
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio
Alicia is seeking narrative nonfiction from writers with diverse voices, memoir with big concepts, self-help, pop culture, social justice, literary fiction, book club fiction, thrillers, historical fiction, horror, Jewish issues, and YA fiction and nonfiction.
Submit through the Alicia Brooks Literary Agency contact form with a query letter, project synopsis, author bio, contact information, genre, subgenre, word count, and a subject formatted as project title by author name. A full manuscript or proposal will be requested if there is interest.
Nonfiction, cultural criticism, history, investigative journalism, popular science, social science, true crime, literary fiction
Wants: Query letter, first ten to fifteen pages, proposal
Alison Lewis represents nonfiction across cultural criticism, history, investigative journalism, popular science, social science, literary true crime, and select literary fiction. She is drawn to distinctive voice and perspective, excellent prose, social or political imagination, vivid narratives, hidden or forgotten worlds, and writers challenging entrenched power.
Submit to only one Frances Goldin Literary Agency agent at a time. Alison Lewis is not accepting unsolicited queries for fiction and memoir. For other nonfiction, send a query to atl@goldinlit.com. For fiction, memoir, essays, or narrative nonfiction the agency asks for a query letter and first 10-15 pages in the body of the email, for other nonfiction send a query letter and attach a prepared proposal if available.
Adult fiction, book club fiction, women's fiction, romance, romantic comedy, thriller, suspense, memoir, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, women's issues
Wants: Query letter, bio, comparable books, first twenty pages or proposal
Allison Hunter is acquiring literary and commercial adult fiction, especially upmarket book club and women's fiction, romance and rom-coms, thrillers, and domestic suspense. She likes great storytelling, unforgettable characters, female friendship stories, campus novels, love stories, family epics, class and cultural identity, smart beach reads by underrepresented authors, select memoir, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, women's issues, and books speaking to the current cultural climate.
Submit through Allison Hunter's official QueryManager form. Trellis accepts unsolicited submissions only through QueryManager and asks writers not to submit to multiple Trellis agents during the 8-12 week review window. Her form asks for author bio, why Trellis, title, word count, genre, query letter, comparable books, and the first 20 pages or full nonfiction proposal.
Young adult, horror, science fiction, fantasy, romance, women's fiction, commercial fiction, book club fiction, speculative fiction, thriller, nonfiction
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages, one sentence pitch
Amy wants fiction with messy characters, unreliable narrators, diverse casts, social commentary, and big twists. She is interested in YA horror, grounded science fiction/fantasy and gothic; adult and new-adult romance, women's fiction, horror/speculative fiction, thrillers, and selected platform-driven nonfiction.
Submit through Amy's official QueryManager route with a query letter, synopsis, one-sentence pitch, and first 10 pages pasted into the form. Review her current exclusions before querying.
Women's fiction, historical fiction, grounded speculative fiction, contemporary romance, thriller, psychological suspense, book club fiction, commercial fiction
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters, proposal, sample chapters, bio, publishing history
Amy Tannenbaum represents women's fiction, historical fiction, grounded speculative fiction, contemporary romance, thriller, psychological suspense, fiction in the sweet spot between literary and commercial, and works by marginalized voices.
Send queries for Amy Tannenbaum to atannenbaum@janerotrosen.com. Include all material in the body of the email with no attachments. Jane Rotrosen Agency asks writers to query one agent at the agency and include a concise description, relevant bio, publishing history, and for fiction a synopsis and first three chapters or for nonfiction a proposal and sample chapters.
Fantasy, romantasy, romance, speculative fiction, magical realism, thriller, science fiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books
Wants: Query letter
Andie is building a list in adult fantasy, romantasy, romance, speculative fiction, thriller, grounded near-future science fiction, young adult fantasy, contemporary, mystery/thriller, eco-fiction, middle grade, and picture books with nature, science, STEM, humor or hopeful themes.
Submit through Andie Smith's QueryManager form. CMA asks writers to query only one CMA agent at a time and to review each agent's bio, wishlist, and QueryManager page before submitting.
Literary fiction, popular fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, cookbooks, current affairs, true crime, women's issues, men's issues, multicultural issues, global issues
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio
Andrea represents Spanish, Portuguese, and English-language authors. Indent is interested in literary and popular fiction, memoirs, narrative nonfiction, cookbooks, current affairs, true crime, women's and men's issues, and multicultural or global issues, with a primary focus on Latino and Latin American authors.
Email a query letter to info@indentagency.com. Include a 1-2 page synopsis, author information, publishing background if any, and contact information. Do not send a full manuscript unless requested.
Fiction and narrative non-fiction
Fiction: literary and genre including historical/speculative/crime/romance, distinctive voice/worldbuilding, moral dilemmas, families/relationships, darkness and humour. Non-fiction: history/memoir/current affairs/cultural criticism/popular science/travel/food, experts with surprising takes
Email anna@johnsonandalcock.co.uk with a short covering letter including a blurb and author info. For fiction, include a synopsis of no more than two pages and the opening 50 pages. For non-fiction, include a proposal with introduction, chapter breakdown, and sample material totalling around 50 pages. Attachments in Word .doc or .docx format, at least 1.5 line spaced, page-numbered, A4. Submit to one agent only, do not blind-copy.
Thriller, literary fiction, serious nonfiction, science, history, public policy, medicine, women's issues
Wants: Query letter, author bio, first three chapters, book proposal
Anne has an eclectic list ranging from thrillers to literary fiction to serious nonfiction, with particular interests in science, history, public policy, medicine, and women's issues.
Email a brief query letter directly to ahawkins@jhalit.com, or send a general query to jha@jhalit.com. Include genre, summary or synopsis, word count, and writing background. Fiction should include the first three chapters or opening chapter as one Word attachment, nonfiction should include a proposal as one Word attachment.
Adult fiction, science fiction, fantasy, horror, thriller, mystery, historical fiction, romance, commercial fiction, literary fiction
Wants: Query letter
Anne represents adult fiction, with public listings and author-facing materials emphasizing genre and commercial fiction including science fiction, fantasy, horror, thriller, mystery, historical, romance, commercial, and literary fiction.
Submit through Anne Tibbets' QueryTracker or QueryManager form. Do not query Anne at the same time as another Donald Maass Literary Agency agent.
Fiction (adult)
Commercial and literary, crime/thriller, historical
Email - enquiries@aforauthors.co.uk
Thriller, mystery, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, young adult, adult fiction, horror, suspense
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
Barbara is looking for high-octane thrillers, edgy mysteries, literary, upmarket and commercial YA and adult fiction, suspense, horror and anything with a unique voice.
Email Barbara.queries@wordonelit.com with the query letter and first 10 pages of the work in the body of the email.
Commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, mystery, romance, children's books, women's fiction, general fiction, literary fiction, trade nonfiction
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, sample pages
The agency works with commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers and mysteries, romance, children's books, women's fiction, general fiction, literary fiction with a strong narrative hook, and trade nonfiction.
Email agent@ethanellenberg.com, indicating the agent, manuscript title, and genre in the subject line. Paste all materials in the body: for fiction, query letter, 1-2 page synopsis, and first 50 pages, for nonfiction, query letter, outline, and sample chapters up to 50 pages.
Fiction and non-fiction
Crime, thriller, general fiction, literary fiction, non-fiction proposals (case-by-case)
Email - bill@billgoodall.co.uk
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, suspense, historical fiction, biography, memoir, narrative history, pop culture, sports, travel, health, medicine, science, multicultural
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, author bio
BJ Robbins represents quality fiction, both literary and commercial, and general nonfiction, with particular interest in memoir, biography, narrative history, pop culture, sports, travel and adventure, medicine and health. The agency is especially looking for literary/commercial crossovers with book-club potential, smart speculative fiction, and multicultural stories.
Email BJ Robbins with a succinct description of the work, relevant bio information, and the first ten pages in the body of the email. Do not send attachments unless requested.
Fiction, narrative nonfiction, current affairs, memoir, food, culture, american west, literary fiction, thriller
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
Bonnie represents writers of fiction and narrative nonfiction. She is looking for narrative nonfiction covering the natural world, current events, memoir, food and culture, and stories focused on the American West; in fiction her taste runs to literary, voice-driven and genre-bending fiction and smart thrillers.
Submit through Bonnie Nadell's official online query form. Do not query two Hill Nadell agents simultaneously. Hard-copy queries are also accepted with a query letter, first 10 pages, and SASE.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.
Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.
Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.
Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.
Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.
Crime fiction, thriller, mystery, psychological thriller, supernatural suspense, ghost stories, romantic suspense, historical fiction, women's fiction, middle grade, ya, horror, non-fiction, self-help, narrative non-fiction, memoir
Crime fiction encompassing thriller, mystery, and psychological thriller; supernatural suspense; ghost stories; romantic suspense; historical fiction; women's fiction; children's fiction at middle grade and YA level; horror; and non-fiction including topical, accessible works such as self-help, narrative non-fiction, and memoir. Does not represent science fiction, fantasy, short stories, poetry collections, erotica, or picture books.
Submit by email only. Fiction submissions should include a cover letter in the body of the email, a short bio, a synopsis, and three sample chapters as separate attachments. Non-fiction submissions should include a cover letter in the body of the email, a short bio, a proposal with chapter breakdown, and three sample chapters as separate attachments. Use the submissions page at https://shesto-literary.com or submissions or to send your materials.
Adult fiction, contemporary fiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, historical fiction, grounded speculative fiction, thriller, suspense, horror, romance, mystery, adult nonfiction, spirituality, mind body spirit, food, agriculture, science, stem, natural living, animals, pets, community, culture, pop culture, health, wellness
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages
Carleen is building a list in adult fiction and nonfiction. In fiction she likes contemporary genres, upmarket or literary voices, commercial work, historical genre blends, grounded speculative stories, thrillers, suspense, horror, mysteries, and romance with a strong subplot. In nonfiction she is interested in niche topics with wide appeal, including spirituality, food, agriculture, science, natural living, animals, culture, pop culture, and health/wellness.
Submit through Carleen Geisler's QueryManager form. The form asks for a query letter, synopsis, genre, word count, comparable books, AI-use disclosure, publication history, and the first 10 pages, or a book outline for nonfiction.
Fiction and non-fiction
Fiction: literary, upmarket commercial, book club, historical, crime, thrillers (no sci-fi/fantasy/children's). Non-fiction: serious/pop science, psychology, feminism, big ideas/current affairs, health/body/mind, personal development, selective lifestyle, narrative/memoir
Email submissions@hardmanswainson.com. Name your chosen agent in the cover email. For fiction, attach a one-page synopsis and the full manuscript. For non-fiction, attach a proposal and a sample chapter, or the whole work if complete. Submit to one agent only.
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