Black & White Publishing
The most popular choice for mystery and detective novels, cozy mysteries, police procedurals, private-investigator stories, crime fiction, and other text-focused books.
Explore Black & White
Mystery & Detective Book Publishing
Publish Your Mystery. Keep Readers Turning Pages.
Turn your mystery or detective manuscript into a professionally published book with expert book design, editing, multiple formats, worldwide distribution, and personalized publishing support while keeping 100% of your rights and royalties.
Professional Mystery & Detective Publishing
Give Your Mystery the Professional Presentation It Deserves
For more than 20 years, Outskirts Press has helped mystery and detective authors transform manuscripts into professionally designed, published books ready to reach readers.
Professional Book Production
Create a polished mystery or detective novel with professional cover design, interior formatting, editing options, and production support.
Worldwide Distribution
Make your book available through major retail, wholesale, digital, audiobook, and library distribution channels.
Your Story, Your Rights
Maintain control over your publishing choices while keeping 100% of your rights and royalties.
Mysteries of Every Kind
Publish Mystery & Detective Fiction Across Popular Subgenres
From cozy mysteries and police procedurals to private investigators and historical mysteries, your subgenre helps shape your cover, positioning, marketing, and the way readers discover your book.
Cozy Mystery
Police Procedural
Private Investigator
Legal & Courtroom Mystery
Historical Mystery
Amateur Sleuth
Traditional Detective
Crime & Mystery Fiction
Choose Your Publishing Path
Mystery & Detective Book Publishing Options
Most mystery and detective novels use a traditional black and white interior, but full-color publishing is also available for books that incorporate artwork, photography, maps, or other visual elements.
Full-Color Publishing
Ideal for mystery or detective books where artwork, photography, maps, documents, or other visual elements are an important part of the reader experience.
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Want Publishing and Marketing Bundled Together?
The Fiction One-Click Suite combines professional book publishing with fiction-focused marketing services that can support mystery and detective authors in one comprehensive package.
Explore the Fiction One-Click Suite
Formats for Your Mystery
Publish Your Mystery in the Formats Readers Want
Choose from popular novel trim sizes and paperback and hardback options, then expand your reach with professionally published eBook and audiobook editions.
Free Mystery Publishing Resource
Get Your Free Mystery Publishing Tip Sheet
Get helpful publishing tips delivered instantly and learn more about preparing your mystery or detective novel for professional publication.
Customize Your Publishing Plan
Professional Services for Your Mystery or Detective Book
Add the professional publishing and marketing services that best support your manuscript, subgenre, audience, and publishing goals.
From Mystery & Detective Authors
Authors Share Their Publishing Experience
Hear from award-winning mystery and fiction authors who have trusted Outskirts Press with their books.
★★★★★
Award-Winning Thriller Author
“DAVID'S SLING is the sixth novel I have published with Outskirts Press. The reason for that is simple. Without question, they are the absolute best in the wilderness of independent publishers. The OP teams I have worked with are a great bunch of professionals who know their business exceedingly well and made this latest novel the absolute best it could be.”
Andrew Ceroni
★★★★★
Award-Winning Mystery Author
“I decided on Outskirts Press partly as a leap of faith and partly from their excellent track record. I'm delighted to say that my decision to trust Outskirts with ‘my baby’ has paid off many times over. The customer service is excellent and I have never doubted the skills of the editors, proofreaders, cover artists and author representatives.”
Jane Gandolfo
Ready to Publish Your Mystery or Detective Book?
Bring your mystery to readers with professional publishing support designed to help your book look its best and reach its audience.
Author Experiences
Why Authors Trust Our Full-Service Publishing
★★★★★
“Simply the Best”
The People in the Sky was my 10th book with Outskirts Press. As expected, everything went smoothly and quickly, resulting in another beautiful book. Outskirts Press is everything you want in a self-publisher and more.
★★★★★
“Outskirts: Honest, Dependable”
Outskirts' people simply do not make promises they don't keep.
★★★★★
“Completely Satisfied.”
Always professional and friendly. Quick response to email and complete explanation of any and all of my questions.
★★★★★
“Outskirts Delivers Excellence!”
I am extremely grateful to everyone at Outskirts Press. My team was great, I could not have asked for anyone more knowledgeable, efficient or patient.
★★★★★
“A Great Publishing Experience”
My contact person kept me well informed during the publication progress. The online platform was easy to use and the finished book was superb! Kudos to Outskirts Press!
★★★★★
“An Honest Publisher in an Industry Filled with Scams”
Outskirts Press creates beautiful physical books and makes them available everywhere. They also offer a variety of other services, including many around book marketing.
★★★★★
“Above and Beyond”
The service exceeded all of my expectations. Everyone was knowledgeable, offered valuable advice and guidance, and was always willing to assist and answer questions. Throughout the process, I felt fully supported and never alone.
★★★★★
“Outskirts is Top of the Line”
The entire staff is friendly, responsive, and provides timely feedback. They make the cost of producing a professionally published book more than reasonable. I will definitely return to Outskirts Press for my next book.
★★★★★
“Outskirts Press Rocks!”
Prompt replies to all my emails was much appreciated. This was my 3rd book with Outskirts and I was very satisfied with the finished product.
★★★★★
“Exemplary Service Provided to 1st Time-Author”
Outskirts Press supported me at every stage of the publishing process, clearly explaining each step along the way. As a first-time author, I now feel fully prepared to market my book.