Bearskin: A Fast Read 20 Years in the Making
The story of a fifty-four year old’s debut novel. Twenty-plus years of writing, revising, letting it sit, then rewriting and re-revising some more.
Writing the Crime Scene: Blood
By Repo Kempt
A guide to writing realistic crime and horror fiction when your manuscript involves blood.
Research Isn't Writing
Research is important, but you don't want to become a researcher. Learn how to research as a writer instead of writing as a researcher.
Storyville: Activities to Feed Your Dark Creative Soul Around Halloween
A few ideas on how to tap into your inner darkness, as we approach Halloween.
Using The *Big* Words: Five Tips On Making Jargon And Tech Work For Your Writing, Rather Than Against It
By Mike Cooper
With his new heist novel "The Downside" on shelves now, Mike Cooper offers some tips on how to prevent tech-heavy prose from making your story screech to a halt.
Writing the Crime Scene: Murder or Suicide?
By Repo Kempt
In:
Crime, Crime Fiction, detective, Forensics, Murder, Research, Research, suicide, Writing the Crime Scene
Writing a crime scene where a murder is made to look like a suicide? Here's a guide to doing your research and getting the forensic details right.
Storyville: Young Protagonists—MG vs. YA vs. Adult
Some advice for writing young protagonists for Middle Grade, YA, and adult fiction.
Inspiration vs. Influence: Using What We Know
In:
Cormac McCarthy, Ernest Hemingway, homage, Inspiration, Research, Resources, Terror in a Texas Town, Weezer
A discussion of how writers take, steal and borrow content, and why.
Storyville: The Proper Use of Violence in Fiction
Violence in fiction—when to use it, and when to avoid it.
Cannibalizing Yourself: 9 Reasons You Should Mine Your Life for Ideas
Strange experiences, new situations, and faraway galaxies are all great, but sometimes looking inside yourself and revisiting your memories is the best thing you can do for your writing.
Writing the Crime Scene: Mental Illness
By Repo Kempt
Psychopathic kilers, depressed cops and neurotic detectives. Mental illness is a recurring staple of crime fiction. Here's a guide to doing your research and getting the details right.
Storyville: Writing Compelling Dust Jacket Copy
Tips for writing compelling dust jacket copy that makes the back of your book sing.
Open to Inspiration: How Your Own Family History Can Feed Your Fiction
By Alex Segura
Acclaimed crime/mystery novelist Alex Segura talks about finding inspiration for his next book in his own family's Cuban history.
Writing the Crime Scene: 5 Fictional Female Detectives of Note
By Repo Kempt
March is Women's History Month in most of the world (except Canada), so here's five fictional female detectives that you probably don’t know, but should.
5 Comics Every Crime Writer Needs To Read
By Repo Kempt
Crime writers can learn a lot about their craft from well-written comic books. Here's five superb crime comics to whet your appetite.
Writing the Crime Scene: Arson
By Repo Kempt
In:
Crime Fiction, Crime Writers' Association, detective, Forensics, Horror, Investigation, Research, Research, True Crime, Writing the Crime Scene
A guide to writing realistic depictions of arson and fire investigation in crime fiction.
Storyville: 101 Ways to Make 2017 Your Best Year as a Writer Yet
101 Ways to Make 2017 Your Best Year as a Writer Yet
Writing the Crime Scene: Gunshot Wounds
By Repo Kempt
A guide to writing realistic depictions of gunshot wounds, as well as their treatment and recovery, in crime and horror fiction.
Writing the Crime Scene: Autopsies
By Repo Kempt
A guide to researching and writing about autopsies in crime and horror fiction.
5 Horrifying Monsters That Aren't Vampires, Zombies or Werewolves!
By Repo Kempt
Editors are tired of their slush piles being haunted by vampires, werewolves and zombies. Here's five horrifying new monsters dying to claw their way into your next submission.
Writing the Crime Scene: Cops Don't Talk Like That!
By Repo Kempt
A guide to researching and writing dialogue for law enforcement characters in crime fiction.
Writing the Crime Scene: Guns
By Repo Kempt
An article about myths, misconceptions and common mistakes when crime authors write about guns.
