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
Fiction and non-fiction
Fiction: literary prize-winners to upmarket reading group, well-written crime, ambitious/surprising, messy family stories, longing/relationships. Non-fiction: art, culture, music, food, nature, mental health
Submit via the online portal at https://felicitybryan.com or submissions or submit-your-work/ — upload a synopsis or proposal and the first 3–4 chapters.
Fantasy, science fiction, horror, thriller, crime, romantasy, young adult, nonfiction, technology, politics, education, true crime, cookbooks, food writing
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, comparable books, first twenty pages, full proposal
Charlie is building a genre-fiction and selective nonfiction list, especially fantasy, science fiction, horror, adult thrillers, crime fiction, YA horror, romantasy with a twist, and nonfiction on hard truths, new technology, political intrigue, restaurants, lesser-known people or situations, education and true crime.
Submit through Charlie Serabian's QueryTracker form. Query only one Martin-Newens representative at a time.
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's nonfiction, horror, fantasy, mystery, thriller, historical fiction, adult fantasy
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, sample pages
Christa is actively acquiring for all age groups in children's, is taking picture books sparingly, and prioritizes BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, and disabled writers. She is interested in contemporary, horror, fantasy, mystery/thriller, historical, and very sparse adult fantasy.
Query Christa through her official QueryManager link. For children's and YA, include query letter, synopsis, first three consecutive chapters up to 25 pages, author bio, and any relevant illustrations.
Practical nonfiction, business, health, wellness, mind body spirit, psychology, parenting, technology, narrative nonfiction, memoir, biography, history, pop culture, current affairs, women's interest, social trends, sports, fitness, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, suspense, thriller
Wants: Query letter, author bio
Dana is interested in practical nonfiction by authors with smart, unique perspectives and established platforms, compelling narrative nonfiction, memoir, biography, history, pop culture, current affairs, women's interest, social trends, sports and fitness, plus select literary fiction, upmarket fiction, and suspense/thriller.
Email dananewmanliterary@gmail.com with QUERY and the title in the subject line. Send a one-page query letter in the body of the email with category, title, word count, project overview, credentials, publishing history, contact details, and disclosure of simultaneous submissions. Do not send attachments.
Young adult, middle grade, picture books, contemporary fiction, contemporary fantasy, fantasy, speculative fiction, suspense, romance, historical fiction
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, sample pages
Daniele is open to YA, middle grade, and picture books. She prioritizes contemporary but is also open to contemporary fantasy, selective fantasy/speculative, suspense, romance, and historical, especially lyrical, literary, voice-driven work by diverse authors.
Query Daniele through her official QueryManager link. For children's and YA, include query letter, synopsis, first three consecutive chapters up to 25 pages, author bio, and any relevant illustrations.
Fiction and non-fiction, estates
Fiction: originality/style, literary to commercial, imaginative setting, strong voice, compelling premise, active SFF list, high concept, intelligent crime/thrillers, genre-transcending. Not taking new YA/children's, no plays/film scripts. Non-fiction: politics, narrative history, sport, natural history, quirky memoir, popular culture, inventive angles
Email - ed@johnsonandalcock.co.uk
Commercial women's fiction, psychological thrillers, popular science, true crime
Fresh commercial women's fiction with big hooks/diverse characters, pacy psychological thrillers, cutting-edge non-fiction (popular science to true crime)
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.
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.
Mystery, thriller, suspense, historical fiction, young adult
Wants: Query letter
Ella Marie is looking for adult mysteries, thrillers, suspense, historical fiction, and YA thriller, suspense, mystery, detective fiction, and historical fiction. She is looking for diverse authors and fast-paced stories.
Submit through Ella Marie's official QueryManager route. Belcastro asks writers to read each agent's wishlist, submit to one agent at a time, and use the Submit a Story button to reach the query form.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
Fiction and non-fiction, children's
Projects with wide international appeal. Fiction: general, mystery, romance, suspense-thriller, fantasy/SF, own voices, children's. Non-fiction: biography, history, mind-body-spirit, health, lifestyle, science
Email - submissions@sheilland.co.uk
Children's fiction, ya, middle grade, chapter books, graphic novels, cosy crime, crime fiction
Wants: See agent page for currently-open genres; query must match listed genres. does not represent picture books
Big-concept commercial series fiction for children and YA, with particular interest in middle grade across all subgenres — mystery, fantasy, historical, funny, adventure, verse, illustrated, animal perspectives — especially with a strong voice or hook. Chapter books with series potential for ages 7 and up, and graphic novels across all children's and YA age ranges. In YA, contemporary novels including rom-coms with a hook, high-concept stories with strong friendships or sibling relationships, mysteries, thrillers, and light speculative fiction; will consider historical YA with action. For adult, only open to cosy crime, smart contemporary crime with humour, crime with a fantasy twist, and crime with a sci-fi element — nothing dark or gritty, no child death or gratuitous violence. Not open to picture books, YA fantasy, contemporary adult fiction, adult non-fiction, literary novels, romance, or poetry.
Email gemmaqueries@gemmacooperliterary.com with the book title, a short pitch, a brief author bio, and the first ten pages pasted into the body of the email — no attachments. Graphic novel or illustrated non-fiction submissions may include a link to a website or social media where work is shared, or attach up to five low-res images. Emails sent to info@gemmacooperliterary.com will be deleted unread.
Women's fiction, book club fiction, fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, horror, romance, memoir, narrative nonfiction, true crime, cultural issues, lgbtq and, young adult, middle grade
Wants: Query letter
Haley is building a list in adult women's fiction, book club fiction, grounded genre fiction, romance, memoir, narrative nonfiction, true crime, cultural, LGBTQ+ and women's issues, plus young adult and middle grade across contemporary, mystery, fantasy, science fiction and horror.
Submit through Haley Casey'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.
Fiction (primarily)
Commercial and book club fiction with a strong hook, genre-crossing, dystopia, elevated sci-fi, big love stories, domestic suspense, horror (incl social commentary)
Email submissions@janklow.co.uk with your full name, the title of your work, and Hayley Steed's name in the subject line. Include a covering letter in the body of the email. Attach a synopsis and either the first three chapters or the first fifty pages (Word or PDF). All documents should be double-spaced, size 12, in a reasonable font. Do not include external links, attach all materials directly.
Fiction, children's books, nonfiction, thriller, suspense, historical fiction, literary fiction, book club fiction, young adult, middle grade, romantasy, memoir, cookery, lifestyle, narrative nonfiction
Wants: Covering letter, synopsis, first three chapters, first fifty pages, outline, sample chapter, bio
Hellie Ogden is co-head of WME UK Books and represents fiction, children's books, and nonfiction. She is actively taking on new clients and wants bold storytelling, moving prose, vivid thought-provoking characters, standout debut work, high-concept thrillers and suspense with fresh hooks and daring twists, historical fiction with original courageous ideas, page-turning literary fiction about millennial experience, nostalgia, sexuality and family complexities, upmarket book club fiction with commercial hooks, female-led mysteries, emotionally deep fiction, YA with big heart and voice, romantasy, middle grade adventure with magic, memoir, standout cookery, lifestyle writers, moving narrative nonfiction, and work with social following and cross-media potential.
Submit through Hellie Ogden's official WME profile or query button. Include the author full name and work title in the email subject line. Fiction submissions should include a covering letter, synopsis, and either the first three chapters or first fifty pages. Nonfiction submissions should include a covering letter, full chapter outline, and if possible a sample chapter. Include a bio with all submissions. Query one WME agent at a time.
Literary fiction, speculative fiction, gothic fiction, thriller, psychological horror, noir, non-fiction, history, popular science, political writing, investigative journalism, cultural criticism, memoir, biography, nature, food
Provocative, morally ambiguous fiction charged with darkness and desire — exploring themes of shame, obsession, and power — often blending literary fiction with thriller, noir, or psychological horror. Speculative and gothic novels haunted by grief, repressed desire, climate, technological dread, colonialism, or history. Voice-driven, humorous fiction with emotional heft, including messy family dramas, campy queer tragedies, and rural romances with a self-aware take on identity and community. In non-fiction, academics and journalists writing on history, popular science, politics, investigative journalism, cultural criticism, memoir, biography, nature, and food — particularly writers who can marry vivid narrative with deep research. Also political and cultural commentary, mind-bending science writing, narrative biography, landscape and history memoir, insider accounts, and obsessive literary true crime.
Email submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk with your covering letter in the body of the email and submission materials as Word Document attachments. Include Imogen Morrell's name in the subject line. Fiction: first three chapters or around fifty pages, plus a one-to-two page synopsis that reveals the ending. Non-fiction: three sample chapters or around fifty pages, plus a proposed chapter summary or synopsis — a completed manuscript is not required. No postal submissions accepted. AI-generated or AI-edited submissions will not be considered.
Nonfiction, illustrated books, fashion, biography, autobiography, crafts, health, cookery, children's picture books, history, natural history, popular culture, true crime, select fiction, illustrators
Wants: Publishing history, CV, synopsis, three sample chapters
Isabel Atherton is an experienced literary agent and founder of Creative Authors. The agency represents commercially strong titles in fashion, biography especially music, autobiography, crafts, health, cookery, children's picture books, history, natural history, popular culture, true crime, select fiction, and illustrators. Creative Authors is not currently looking for new fiction clients but is considering well-crafted nonfiction and illustrated books. It is not looking for fantasy, science fiction, poetry, short stories, plays, scripts, or fiction at present.
Submit through the Creative Authors Join Us form with publishing history and CV, synopsis, and three sample chapters. Creative Authors does not accept paper submissions, does not charge a reading fee, and asks writers not to telephone about unsolicited submissions.
Fiction and non-fiction
Contemporary, historical and literary fiction, crime and thrillers, memoir, biography, narrative history
Email isobel@blakefriedmann.co.uk with a cover letter in the body of the email. Attach a synopsis of 250-300 words and the first three chapters or first 10,000 words as Word documents (.doc or .docx). Include the book title and your name in the subject line. For non-fiction, attach a synopsis of up to 500 words, a chapter plan, and two sample chapters.
Speculative fiction, historical fiction, upmarket crime and thriller, memoir, narrative-led non-fiction, nature, food, sport, psychology, business, craft and design, social sciences, investigative journalism
Wants: Quality and commercial fiction and non-fiction (no children's). fiction: first 3 chapters/50pp and synopsis. non-fiction: pitch and sample chapter
In fiction, books combining compelling storytelling, engaging characters and strong plotting, especially novels of ambition and scope with big-hearted characters. Particularly interested in speculative fiction with a real-world edge or near-future settings. In non-fiction, broad tastes including memoir, narrative non-fiction with deep focus that expands outward to explain a culture or subculture, immersive journalism, and books where subject-matter expertise meets great writing. Does not represent children's books.
Fiction: first 3 chapters or 50 pages and synopsis. Non-fiction: pitch and sample chapter
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.
Romance, romantasy, fantasy, science fiction, dystopian, thriller, mystery, suspense, horror, women's fiction, memoir, nonfiction
Wants: Query letter, sample pages, author bio
Jeanne is interested in romance, romantasy, thrillers, mysteries, suspense, horror, women's fiction, fantasy, science fiction, dystopian and post-apocalyptic fiction, plus selective character-driven memoir and expert-led nonfiction.
Submit through Jeanne De Vita's QueryTracker form. Query only one Martin-Newens representative at a time.
Adult fiction, young adult, middle grade, narrative nonfiction, memoir, commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, magical realism, horror, rom-com, women's fiction, science fiction
Wants: Pitch
Jen represents adult, YA and middle-grade fiction, plus narrative nonfiction and memoir. She does not represent picture books, novellas or high fantasy.
Email Jen Nadol with a pitch at Jen.Nadol@theunteragency.com. If there is no response within three months, consider it a pass.
Fiction, nonfiction, memoir, food writing, cookbooks, nature, environment, biography, pop culture, travel, adventure, true crime, politics, health, fitness, picture books, middle grade, young adult
Wants: Pitch
The Unter Agency is interested in quality fiction and general nonfiction, especially memoir, food/cooking, nature/environment, biography, pop culture, travel/adventure, true crime, politics and health/fitness, plus all types of children's literature.
Email Jennifer Unter with a pitch at Jennifer@theunteragency.com. If there is no response within three months, consider it a pass.
Picture books, cookbooks, middle grade, young adult, science fiction, fantasy, horror, suspense, contemporary fiction, upmarket women's fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir
Jennifer Wills is a literary agent at The Seymour Agency. She is interested in a wide range of picture books and cookbooks, especially author-illustrators of sweet and wacky picture books and cookbooks with health-conscious, budget-friendly, or celebrity-chef recipes. In fiction she is interested in middle grade and YA with a sci-fi/fantasy, horror/suspense, or contemporary bent, and upmarket women's fiction with a sense of humor. In nonfiction she welcomes narrative nonfiction and memoir. She wants a great hook, a distinct voice, and work that can make her laugh out loud or ugly cry.
Query Jennifer Wills through her official Seymour QueryManager link: https://querymanager.com or query or JenniferWills. The current Seymour profile also lists jennifer@theseymouragency.com as a contact email, but the public query route is QueryManager.
Adventure, survival, historical fiction, literary fiction, women's fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, suspense, nonfiction
Wants: Query letter, first three chapters, synopsis, author bio
Jessica represents everything from novelty board books to adult science fiction and political thrillers, and is drawn to atmospheric adventure and survival stories, historical fiction, literary fiction, women's fiction, hard-science or literary magical realism SFF, adult thrillers and suspense, and selected nonfiction.
Send a query letter and the first three chapters pasted into the body, plus complete synopsis, author bio, social media links, a short description of other completed works, and contact information. Attachments are not opened unless requested.
Literary fiction, crime fiction, thriller, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, commercial fiction, book club fiction, upmarket fiction, history, sport, popular science
Entertaining and diverse fiction with well-told stories, big ideas, emotional hooks and gripping plots. In commercial fiction, particularly interested in crime, thriller, book group and upmarket titles, as well as historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy. In non-fiction, looks for expertise, fresh ideas and genuine passion for the subject, working across history, sport and popular science.
Direct queries about submissions to Isobel@rcwlitagency.com.
Fiction and non-fiction
Eclectic: bestselling fiction/non-fiction including history/medicine/memoir/illustrated, edgy detective novels, fast-paced thrillers, big stories, smart one-sentence hooks, not SFF/fantasy
Email - sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com
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.
Historical fiction, crime, thrillers, book club fiction, science fiction, fantasy, children's
Historical fiction, crime/thrillers, book club, science fiction and fantasy (actively building list)
Email julieacrisp@gmail.com. The contact page also hosts a form and notes responses within one week.
Fiction and non-fiction
Literary/book club/romantic fiction, character-led "gentler" crime in communities, non-fiction including relationships, pop culture, social history, food, some cookery/illustrated. Not currently considering memoir
Email juliet@blakefriedmann.co.uk with your cover letter as the body of the email. Attach a full synopsis of 250-300 words and the first three chapters or first 10,000 words as Word documents (.doc or .docx). Name each attachment with the book title and your name. Include your title and name in the subject line. Do not send PDFs or external links.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, food writing, journalism
Wants: Query letter, first five pages, author bio
Kate is particularly interested in literary and upmarket fiction, memoir and narrative nonfiction that contributes to conversations that move society forward, with strong narrative voices and clear confidence of intention.
Submit through Kate Garrick's QueryManager form. Submit to only one SLM agent at a time, no response within 12 weeks means pass.
Young adult, adult fiction, science fiction, fantasy, romance, women's fiction, horror, domestic suspense, psychological thriller, speculative thriller, queer, bipoc
Wants: Query letter
Kiana represents young adult and adult fiction across genres, especially high-concept commercial stories with queer BIPOC characters. Her wishlist includes science fiction, fantasy, romance, women's fiction, horror, domestic suspense, psychological and speculative thrillers, adult and YA horror, YA fantasy, and selected romantasy/dark academia with a twist.
Submit through Kiana Nguyen's QueryTracker or QueryManager link from her official wishlist page. Her personal site says the listed contact email is not for queries.
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