Do you write novels full of mystery or suspense?
If so, you’re in the right place!
Make Your Mark in Mystery
Did you know that mystery is one of the fastest growing book genres right now?
In fact, if you check the bestseller lists on Amazon right now, several cozy mysteries and crime thrillers are topping the charts.
Our proprietary research shows that more than 13 million mystery eBooks are being purchased or borrowed every month on Amazon alone.
That means there is a huge opportunity for mystery writers like you to take your stories and passion for writing and turn them into a full-time career if you pursue the right publishing and marketing strategies.
Mystery Book Publishing
If you’re ready to make your mark as a mystery writer, there’s a few things you have to do.
- Have you edited your book, or are you still on the first draft? You’ll need to polish your book so that it’s in pretty good shape before our editors will accept it.
- Have you had your book read by beta readers or trusted first reviewers?
- Fact-checked your work and looked for plot holes?
- Thought about your title?
- Started your author website and email list?
If you answered yes to these questions, congratulations! You’re ready to unleash your mystery or suspense novel on the world, making readers dig deep to figure out the twists and turns you’ve created.
But publishing a novel sometimes seems like it’s even harder than writing one. How do you get your book into the hands of eager readers everywhere?
Let us help!
About TCK Publishing
TCK Publishing is a full-service independent publisher, and we love publishing mystery novels and suspense fiction. We are a no-fee publisher, which means we never charge any fees.
We also pay 50% royalties, which is 3-6 times more than what most other traditional publishers pay. We can publish your work in eBook, paperback, and audiobook formats.
You can learn more about all the services we provide on our Publishing FAQ page.
Submission Guidelines for Mystery and Suspense Fiction
We accept all mystery submissions that meet the following guidelines:
- at least 40,000 words in length
- original and unique (we do not accept fanfiction submissions)
Although we do publish short stories from time to time, we do not accept submissions from mystery writers who only write short stories. Mystery readers love good novels that can keep them entertained for hours, and our aim is to make our readers happy.
Here are the subgenres for mystery and suspense fiction that especially excited about publishing:
Mystery Fiction
In a typical mystery fiction, the central character is a detective who eventually solves the mystery by logical deduction from facts presented to the readers throughout the narrative. Mystery fiction plots almost always involve a mysterious death or crime to be solved.
Cozy Mystery
Books in this genre are incredibly popular. In a cozy mystery, the crime-solver is usually a woman who is an amateur sleuth (detective). The protagonist uses her life experiences and educational background to solve all the mysteries that come her way.
Cozy mysteries can take place in a wide variety of settings, from the traditional small English village to a coffee shop or craft store. Cozy mysteries that take advantage of the author’s in-depth knowledge of a setting or topic are particularly popular: knitting group mysteries, café mysteries, bakery mysteries, and small-town mysteries are all fan favorites.
Historical Mystery
Sometimes called historical whodunit, this subgenre of historical fiction and mystery is characterized by stories set in a time period considered historical from the author’s perspective. The central plot of a historical mystery is centered around solving a mystery or crime (usually a murder).
These books typically involve quite a lot of research in order to create an immersive setting that truly transports the reader to the period, as well as explaining the detective process using terms and actions that would have been reasonable at the time.
Romantic Suspense
Romantic suspense novels often have a contemporary setting and feature independent heroines in dangerous situations. Romantic suspense narratives are usually fast-paced, sexy, and driven mainly by plot.
Supernatural Suspense
Sometimes called paranormal suspense, this subgrene is related to the paranormal, suspense, and fantasy genres, with a heavier focus on the paranormal and mystery aspects. Because supernatural suspense is essentially a mixed genre, writers in this market can often experiment with unique storylines as long as readers are engaged with the characters.
Supernatural suspense often involves a strong female protagonist who solves mysteries or crimes involving vampires, werewolves, magic, or other supernatural elements; the protagonist might be part of the supernatural world or have stumbled into it while solving the mystery.
Crime Fiction
Crime fiction is a literary genre that focuses on crimes and the detectives who solve them. Good crime fiction will show readers the motive, mystery, suspense, and, ultimately, the solution to the crime around which the story revolves. The original Sherlock Holmes mysteries by Arthur Conan Doyle are said to be responsible for the popularity of this subgenre.
Why is Mystery So Popular?
The mystery genre is one of the most popular genres of fiction because it appeals to readers’ curiosity and allows them to put their own intelligence to work to solve the crime. The action and suspense also makes for a satisfying ride, all the way until the last chapter when the mystery is finally solved (and readers can see if they were right in their assumptions!).
For tips on writing a compelling page-turner of your own, check out our guide on how to write mystery like a pro.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
You can see our Publishing FAQ to learn more about publishing your book with TCK Publishing.
Submit Your Mystery Manuscript for Publishing Consideration
You can click this link to fill out a secure form and upload your mystery manuscript for review by our fiction editor. We’re looking forward to reading and hopefully publishing your book!
Fill out the Contact form below or send us an email to [email protected] if you have any questions about getting your book published.
