Novelist Cowriter - Crime Fiction

Remote Contract Crime Fiction Cowriter

Mary Stone Publishing is seeking an experienced, creative remote contract cowriter to collaborate on full-length crime fiction novels. Working from detailed outlines, you’ll write compelling stories featuring memorable characters, suspenseful plots, unexpected twists, and authentic law enforcement elements while collaborating closely with our editorial team.

The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of the crime fiction, mystery, thriller, and suspense genres and can consistently produce engaging, high-quality manuscripts that captivate readers. This is a long-term remote contract opportunity with ongoing assignments for writers who thrive in a collaborative, deadline-driven environment.

Successful candidates have a deep understanding of crime fiction—from gripping suspense and complex character arcs to jaw-dropping reveals. If you have a sharp analytical mind, a passion for dark, twisted storytelling, and the ability to elevate a story to its full potential, we’d love to hear from you.

Scope of Work: Bring Crime Fiction to Life

As a cowriter for Mary Stone Publishing, you will collaborate closely with your assigned Developmental Editor (DE) and other team members using our online platform. You’ll follow detailed series and book outlines, bringing your storytelling skills to an established framework while adding your unique voice. Training on our style, expectations, and workflow will be provided.

• Creative Execution: Write approximately 70,000-word crime fiction novels from detailed outlines. While the structure, major twists, and story arc are predetermined, you’ll have the creative freedom to bring scenes and characters to life in an immersive and compelling way. All work should be self-edited and proofread before submission.
• Research & Accuracy: Use your knowledge of police/FBI procedures, forensic science, and other relevant sources to ensure procedural accuracy and authenticity.
• Critiques & Revisions: Submit each novel in four 17,500-word sections for developmental review. You’ll receive detailed feedback throughout the writing process and implement revisions to strengthen pacing, suspense, character development, and overall story quality. After completion, the manuscript will move through our editorial process, including developmental, line, copy, style, and quality control editing. Writers are expected to complete revisions at each stage until the manuscript meets MSP’s quality standards.
• Series Continuity: Maintain character consistency by referencing the Master Character List, ensuring continuity throughout each book and series.
• Communication: Communicate professionally, meet deadlines, and remain open to editorial feedback while collaborating with the team.
• Technical Proficiency: Be proficient with Microsoft Word’s Track Changes and commenting features and write according to the Chicago Manual of Style, the Mary Stone Publishing Style Guide, and standard U.S. English conventions.

Requirements

To succeed in this role, you must be an experienced writer with a strong understanding of crime fiction that appeals to both women and men. This includes crafting authentic investigations, compelling characters, escalating suspense, and believable plot twists that keep readers engaged.

Expertise in Crime Fiction:

• Proven experience writing authentic investigators, FBI, detectives, and criminals with realistic motivations and emotional depth.
• Strong understanding of suspense, pacing, narrative flow, procedural accuracy, character consistency, and reader engagement.
• Skilled in using foreshadowing, red herrings, misdirection, and well-executed plot twists to create compelling stories.
• Comfortable writing in first- and third-person perspectives, multiple POVs, and both past and present tense.
• Experience portraying interrogation dynamics, forensic details, moral dilemmas, and the psychological complexities of crime fiction.

Research & Accuracy

• Strong research skills, including the ability to fact-check investigative procedures, law enforcement protocols, forensic details, and other real-world elements to ensure authenticity.
• Meticulous attention to detail, maintaining consistency in character development, motivations, timelines, and narrative continuity throughout a book and across a series.
• Ability to identify and resolve discrepancies in plot, timeline, backstory, and worldbuilding.
• Reference the Master Character List to maintain character consistency and continuity throughout each series.

Communication & Collaboration

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively, discuss feedback, and implement revisions.
• Willingness to adapt to MSP’s established style while working independently and meeting deadlines.
• Open to feedback and revisions while working collaboratively with the editorial team.

Responsiveness & Commitment

• Deadline-driven, with the ability to respond to team communication within 24 hours.
• Able to commit to writing full-length novels on an ongoing basis.

Technical Proficiency

• Proficient with Microsoft Word, including Track Changes and commenting.
• Familiar with the Chicago Manual of Style, the Mary Stone Publishing Style Guide (to be provided), and standard U.S. English conventions.
• Comfortable working within our shared online collaboration platform.

Ownership and Legal:

· Understand that this is a work-for-hire independent contractor position—book writers hold no rights to the work and must adhere to all legal and ownership agreements set by Mary Stone Publishing.

· Willing to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) for each book/series.

· All submitted work must be 100% original. AI-generated, AI-assisted, pre-written templates, or PLR (Private Label Rights) content will not be accepted. Submissions that appear to rely primarily on AI, templates, or PLR material will be disqualified.

** Compensation is based on a per-word or flat-fee structure. Any hourly rate displayed on external job boards is an estimate required by those platforms and does not reflect how this contract position is compensated.**

To see the kinds of collaborations we’ve produced, visit our website at for a glimpse into our work.