True Crime Epics

Narratively.com is seeking pitches for epic longform true crime stories. We want to see unique ideas for deeply reported stories that truly surprise and enthrall us with colorful characters and dramatic twists. Pitches shouldn’t feel like an episode of Law & Order we’ve already seen, but instead should hook us with a one-of-a-kind premise and enough detail to show how the story unfolds with a riveting, multi-act structure that feels like a movie we’ve never watched.

We’re particularly interested in stories that spotlight true crime and delayed justice in underrepresented or misunderstood communities. Think: an Egyptian drag queen who uncovers a money-laundering scheme that stretches to the highest levels of government; a Taiwanese grandma taking down a notorious mafia boss; an amateur autistic detective who solves a cold-case murder. We usually prefer crime stories that are fully resolved — with a concrete beginning, middle and end — so period pieces (something set in the ‘70s, ‘80s or ‘90s perhaps) will work particularly well here.

In your pitch, please include a compelling headline, a summary of how this story unfolds, and your plan for how you will report the story and who you will interview. We are open to blended stories that include reporting and first-person storytelling.

Here are a few stories from Narratively that capture what we’re looking for:

• The Gutsy Undercover Cop Who Took Down Chicago P.D.’s Most Crooked Crew: A Black sergeant was the only one willing to take on a risky FBI mission targeting drug-dealer-extorting cops. He reveals how he did it—and why it was shut down before he got to the white guys.
• My High School Girlfriend Became America’s Most Wanted Drug Queenpin: I lost my virginity to the baddest goth girl at theater camp. When I tracked her down fifteen years later I discovered just how dangerous Liz Barrer really was.
• The Man Who Got America High: He chartered the Rolling Stones while smuggling Pablo Escobar’s drugs on the side. After disappearing for decades, Alfred Dellentash finally shares his unbelievable life story.
• A Gilded Age Tale of Murder and Madness: In opulent seaside Newport, a wealthy and beloved Black businessman turns up dead. The prime suspect is his son-in-law, a dashing medical student set to become one of the country’s first Black surgeons. The resulting trial will tear the town in two.

Pitches Due: January 8, 2026

Assignments will be made in early 2026 with drafts due in spring 2026.

Rates: Starting at $1,500, with room to go up for more ambitious reporting.