10 Exciting Independent Crime Publishers In 2023
Crime is a genre of storytelling that will never lose its popularity. While readers are still excited to get their dose of all things crime in the world of literature, it’s good to be aware of the tantalizingly high abundance of independent publishers championing new titles and keeping the genre fresh and interesting. The deeper you dig, the more you will find.
Alongside the reassuringly vast number of independent publishers releasing traditional crime novels with all the nuances that readers know and love, and to an exceptionally high standard, there are also publishers working overtime to reinvent the genre in a number of ways. Many of the names on this list represent writers from diverse backgrounds, allowing for untold crime stories from unique perspectives, all with the goal of redefining what a good crime novel should be.
It’s all here in 2023. So if you are seeking a lowdown of the best crime reads in indie publishing, be they traditional, noir, cozy, mystery, or something altogether different, then feast your eyes on the following names…
Visit the Red Dog Press website and you will see that their tagline reads “Great Crime, Mystery and Thrillers from unique voices”, and there is no doubt that they live up to that summary. Their catalogue continues to grow with an increasing number of exciting authors and titles, and the rest of 2023 looks to be no exception.
Current releases include Gordon J Brown’s 1970’s Glasgow-based thriller, No More Games, the psychological suspense story, You Need Me by Sharon Bairden, and the bestselling 30-story strong anthology Gone, which features stories from some of today’s best crime writers.
You can visit the Red Dog Press site to discover many more titles. Fans of their books also have the opportunity to sign up for one of their many tier systems, where they can gain exclusive access to e-books, paperback editions, discounts and gifts. You can learn more about their subscription services here.
Bitter Lemon Press pride themselves on showcasing high-quality books which cover crime from all around the world, both in fiction and non-fiction. With 20 years worth of titles to their name, and regular updates made to their newsletter, it’s easy to keep track of the latest announcements and titles represented under the Bitter Lemon Press banner.
Possibly the most famous title published by Bitter Lemon, is Petra Hammesfahr’s gripping psychological thriller, The Sinner, which was originally published in 2007, but is now a hit TV show both in the UK and US. Other titles include Harriet Cawley’s new Cold War thriller, The Translator, and the poignant non-fiction memoir from Vesna Goldsworthy, Chernobyl Strawberries.
As Bitter Lemon Press promises to have something for every crime book and mystery book reader, those interested are advised to visit their website and check out the large array of titles on offer, and get all the updates on future releases.
Viper Books is an offshoot of Serpent’s Tail, and one which deals specifically in all things crime. You can sign up to their newsletter to unearth all the latest goings on with this exciting new publisher, suffice to say there is a lot for readers to sink their teeth into. As well as thriller and crime, Viper Books also deals in mysterious gothic fiction titles.
It’s worth mentioning that they have obtained a couple of impressive accolades during their publishing run. Janice Hallet’s Agatha Christie-inspired The Appeal is a Sunday Times bestseller, as is Catroina Ward’s gripping gothic thriller, The Last House on Needless Street. They also offer up other engaging new titles such as the highly acclaimed e-book, You’d Look Better as a Ghost by Joanna Wallace, and Kate Griffin’s Sunday Times Historical Book of 2023, Fynshade.
You can sign up to the Viper Books newsletter to make sure you don’t miss out on future titles. And be sure to keep in touch with them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for all the latest news, press and book tours.
Joffe Books has a truly impressive expanse of titles, and the enthusiasm and passion for the writing craft as demonstrated on their website alone means that avid readers will want to get involved without delay. The publisher’s CEO, Jasper Joffe, first established Joffe Books back in 2014, and the business has earned a wealth of awards in the nine years since.
Most recently, they were awarded the IPG Trade Publisher of the Year in 2023, and have been shortlisted for the Independent Publisher of the Year at the British Book Awards for four years running. Titles include Pauline Rowson’s Inspector Ryga Historical Mystery series, the acclaimed cosy mystery, A False Face by Veronica Heley and also the Detective Rutherford Barnes series, written by real life 20 year police veteran, Adam Lydon.
Those aspiring to join the Joffe Book ranks will be pleased to know that they are currently open to submissions, particularly for those from diverse, differently-abled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds. Likewise, those excited for a good read can explore a list of free ebooks, available to the general masses every single week.
As is clear on first glance at their website, Felony & Mayhem may just about be one of the most stylish and entertaining independent crime publishers you’ll see all year. But there is a great deal more to its history. It was established in 2005 by New York-based bookstore owner, Maggie Topkis, and since that time, has acquired more than 100 printed titles.
These are composed mainly of reissues, not only first edition paperback prints of books published previously in hardcover, but also out-of-print books that the business has sought hard to obtain the rights to. This means that many books, previously near-impossible for the customer to find, are now available and freshly packaged under the Felony & Mayhem banner.
There are many categories for readers to choose from, including, Espionage stories, Historical Fiction, and even a Wild Card section, where readers can delight in expecting the unexpected. Also worth checking out is their guide for booksellers, designed to make distributing their wide range of titles that little bit easier for sellers, wherever they are.
Level Best Books’ commitment is simple; to publish quality crime fiction and bring fresh voices to a wide audience. With a wide range of authors and a huge expanse of titles, readers are advised to dive deep into their catalogue, and there is plenty to choose from. As well as representing the best in crime novels, they have a historical fiction imprint and are members of the Historical Novel Society. Alongside this is an imprint aimed specifically at young readers, named Level Elevate.
Most recent titles include Kathleen Ernst’s latest Hanneke Bauer Mystery, A Solace of Stars, the new detective story from K.B. Jackson, Secrets Don’t Sink, the children’s book, Rufus and Magic Run Amok by Marilyn Levinson, and the historical thriller by Marie Parker Wasserman, Path of Peril, which is set around a real-life incident involving Theodore Roosevelt in 1906.
Level Best Books are open to submissions for completed and previously unpublished manuscripts. Readers are also encouraged to check out their bimonthly newsletter, The Dame’s Docket. They also have a new imprint under the name of New Arc Books, which is currently in the works.
Down and Out Books are steadily working their way through another busy year of releasing new titles. Just visit their Twitter page to get a taste of some of their latest offerings! This Tampa, Florida-based independent crime publisher has consistently been publishing high-quality crime novels since 2011, and with no signs of slowing down, readers are encouraged to dive deep into the archives for a wealth of interesting crime novels.
Latest releases include the 6th part of James D.F. Hannah’s Henry Malone series, Because the Night, and the highly acclaimed Gallows Dome, a Los Angeles-based noir thriller written by Nolan Knight. Also recently released is the latest A Sisters in Crime Anthology, titled Crime Under the Sun, which is a collection of short stories written by several authors under the Down and Out Books brand.
You can visit the news section of their website for all the latest blog posts, press releases and author features. Alternatively you can go straight to the bookstore and start checking out titles right away.
It might be true that crime-related books are only a small portion of the Akashic Books resume, but it still has a more than worthy place on this list given the breadth and scope of its material. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Akashic Books boldly and proudly fly the flag for independent publishing and the writers they represent, providing readers with a highly diverse array of urban literary fiction and political nonfiction.
Under their crime print, readers can find stories such as Nelson George’s noir hip-hop culture novels, the D Hunter Mystery series, and the Cuban noir thriller, Adios Muchachos, by Daniel Chavarría. Among the many titles outside the crime category include New-Generation African Poetry book series, A Chapbook Box Set and the widely-praised STEWdio ARTrilogy, a collection of visuals reflecting insights and critiques by legendary hip hop artist and social activist, Chuck D.
Akashic Books regularly keep readers up to date on all the latest news and events. Or you can check out their bookstore to start exploring their huge list of titles across an array of genres, crime included.
As a crime-based offshoot of the OldCastle Books Group, No Exit Press continues to deliver a steady stream of superb crime novels, both in paperback and ebook format. In 2019, they were awarded the Crime Writers Association Dagger Award for Best Crime and Mystery Publisher, and with their catalogue growing ever larger with high-quality crime novels, it’s easy to see why.
Recent titles include Lisa Scottoline's New York Times Bestseller, Eternal, which is a heart-rending story set in the backdrop of World War II, the acclaimed police noir thriller Every Hidden Thing, by Ted Flanagan, and the new Geraldine Steel novel by Leigh Russel, Without a Trace, which has received high praise from reputable crime novelists such was Peter James and Lee Child.
Those interested in digging deep into the sprawling world of No Exit Press are encouraged to sign up to their mailing list and receive regular newsletters regarding all the latest news and releases. Likewise, those looking to gain some valuable experience in the publishing industry at their Harpenden, Herts, headquarters, may want to check out their internships page, and find out more about the opportunities available.
Fahrenheit Press are a charismatic indie publishing house who pride themselves on doing things their way, though they are also quick to remind us that this willingness to defy convention should not be mistaken for unprofessionalism. The company was established by international publishing veteran, Chris McVeigh, a person with more than 25 years experience in the publishing industry.
Alongside their traditional crime imprint, which includes books such as Ian Ayris’ gritty John Sissons series and Seth Lynch’s Paris-based The 3rd Republic series, Fahrenheit Press also has has a category for hard boiled noir and experimental crime stories, named Farenheit 13. These titles include Siara Viola’s chaotic Brit-noir story, Crack, Apple & Pop, and the surreal Charlie & Rose Investigate series by Jo Perry.
On top of the range of titles and special editions available at their website, book-related bloggers, vloggers and content creators may also be interested in their recently established affiliate scheme. Read up on the full article here! You can also visit their merchandise page for an eclectic range of t-shirts, notebooks and other interesting goodies.
