16 UK crime and mystery publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts in May 2025
Now that you’ve written your crime or mystery novel, it’s time to pitch it to a publisher! All of the publishers listed here are currently accepting manuscripts without a literary agent. I update this list at the start of every month so be sure to check back if you don’t find a publisher that suits your needs.
I also have a worldwide list of crime and mystery publishers if you don’t find what you’re looking for here!
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 send 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 with a quick turnaround time.
Good luck with your manuscript submissions!
Ringwood Publishing
Ringwood Publishing is an independent Scottish publisher based in Glasgow. Please note that they only accept authors who are Scottish or are a resident of Scotland.
Genre: Literary fiction, genre fiction and nonfiction from Scottish authors or residents.
Word count: 50,000 words and above.Birlinn
Birlinn is an independent publishing house based in Edinburgh, Scotland. They have an imprint of the same name which publishes Scottish and general UK interest books. They accept direct submissions but encourage seeking a literary agent.
Genre: Nonfiction, including biography, history, military, politics and Scottish Gaelic that relates to Scotland and the UK.
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: Genre fiction, including crime, mystery, suspense, thriller, detective, romance, women's fiction, new adult, urban fiction and drama. For nonfiction, they accept finance, business and current politics.
Word count: Not stated.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: Genre fiction, including crime, mystery, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, romance, saga, suspense, spiritual, noir, police procedural, cozy mystery and adventure.
Word count: Not stated.HarperNorth
HarperNorth is a Manchester-based imprint of HarperCollins Publishers and their aim is to connect northern writers to readers.
Genre: Genre fiction, especially upmarket, crime, thriller, historical and romance. For nonfiction, they consider memoir, politics, history, sport, music, nature, popular science, smart thinking and popular economics.
Word count: Over 80,000 words.Roundfire Books (Collective Ink)
Roundfire Books is the general fiction imprint of Collective Ink.
Genre: Literary and genre fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Bookouture
Bookouture is a division of Hachette UK that publishes digital commercial fiction.
Genre: Commercial fiction, especially crime, thriller, suspense, police procedural, women's fiction, contemporary romance, bookclub, cozy mystery, historical, multicultural, science fiction and fantasy.
Word count: Not stated.Storm Publishing
Storm Publishing believes in the power of storytelling to transport readers to other worlds.
Genre: Genre fiction, including crime, thriller, mystery, psychological thrillers, historical, multicultural fiction, romance, women's fiction, science fiction, fantasy and upmarket.
Word count: Not stated.Honno
Honno is an independent co-operative press committed to bringing the world the best in Welsh women's writing.
Genre: Fiction and nonfiction written by women of Wales. For nonfiction, they consider food writing, women's history, Welsh history, Welsh interest and nature writing. For fiction, they consider crime, thriller, romance, historical, humour, literary, horror, fantasy and science fiction.
Word count: Not stated.Joffe Books
Joffe Books is one of the UK’s leading independent publishers of commercial fiction, especially crime and mystery.
Genre: Genre fiction, including crime fiction, mysteries, psychological thrillers, cosy crime, police procedurals, chillers, suspense, domestic noir, women’s fiction, fantasy, historical fiction and romance novels, including WWII romances and sagas.
Word count: Over 60,000 words.Legend Press
Legend Press is a London-based publisher who aims to produce books of the highest quality on a global platform.
Genre: Genre fiction, crime thrillers, and historical.
Word count: Not stated.Hera
Hera was launched in 2018 with the mission to be "unashamedly commercial, always inclusive".
Genre: Genre fiction, including crime, thriller, romance, saga, and general.
Word count: Over 80,000 words.Akan Books
Akan Books is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers led by June Sarpong, accepting submissions from underrepresented groups in the UK (especially ethnic minority backgrounds, those who identify as working class and those with a disability).
Genre: Genre fiction, including crime, thriller, psychological suspense, romance, historical, contemporary/book club and family drama. For nonfiction, the accept self-help, smart thinking, memoir and parenting.
Word count: Not stated.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: Literary fiction and genre fiction, including crime & thriller, suspense, police procedural, cozy crime, sagas, true crime, women's fiction, contemporary romance, romantic comedy and historical fiction.
Word count: Over 60,000 words.Fahrenheit Press
Fahrenheit Press is a London-based publisher who specializes in crime fiction.
Genre: Crime and thrillers.
Word count: Not stated.Canelo
Canelo was founded in 2015 to bring the best commercial storytelling to a wide audience.
Genre: Genre fiction including saga, action, adventure, romance, commercial women's fiction, crime, and psychological thrillers.
Word count: Over 80,000 words.
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.