Walter Mosley, Natural Language, and Empathy
Column by Joshua Isard
Everyday language is a way to understand different kinds of people. Diving in to those differences is vital.
The Masterplan Moonwalk
Column by David James Keaton
So many supervillains' masterplans fall apart under scrutiny. It should be a sin.
"Madam Tomahawk" and the Thrill of Writing in Someone Else’s Universe
Column by Nick Kolakowski
The latest in the "A Grifter's Song" series is out January 1, 2023.
Erika T. Wurth on "White Horse," Process, and Genre
Interview by Jena Brown December 7, 2022
The "White Horse" author discusses craft, process, and advice for new writers.
Interview: Author/Poet/Criminal Defense Lawyer Adam Johnson
Interview by Gabriel Hart
Gabriel Hart interviews Adam Johnson, author of 'Cialis, Verdi, Gin, Jag' (Prism Thread Books/Anxiety Press).
Jason Fisk on Putting Art Out into the World
Interview by Ben Tanzer July 18, 2022
The poet and author discusses his debut novel, and how its reception helped him understand his own writing more.
John Vercher: After the Lights Go Out
Interview by Gabino Iglesias
John Vercher talks "After the Lights Go Out," his superb new novel about family, anger, loss, fighting, and dementia.
Kelby Losack: At The Intersection of Love and Grit
Interview by Gabriel Hart
Gabriel Hart interviews Gulf Coast Texas writer Kelby Losack, author of "Letting Out the Devils."
Alexandrine Ogundimu: Actively Courting Destruction
Interview by Gabriel Hart
Gabriel Hart interviews Chicago transgressive author Alexandrine Ogundimu.
Stephen King’s 10 Most Underrated Novels From a Guy Who's Read Them All
Column by Jay Wilburn January 10, 2022
Stephen King has written a lot of novels over the past half century. You may have opinions about his best or his worst books. But what about his most underrated? The hidden treasures?
Revisiting a Work You’ve Already Published: Things to Keep in Mind
Column by Nick Kolakowski November 24, 2021
Nick Kolakowski's revised trio of novellas, now titled "Love & Bullets", is out from Shotgun Honey this month. He has some advice...
Book vs. Series: Breaking Down "Defending Jacob"
Column by Andrea J. Johnson June 4, 2020
This article identifies the differences between the novel and the series as well as how those choices shape the audience's investment in the narrative.
EXCLUSIVE: Polis Books Announces ‘Lockdown: Stories of Terror, Crime, and Hope During a Pandemic’ Charity Anthology
News by Joshua Chaplinsky April 6, 2020
Give yourself some great entertainment—and support a worthy cause at the same time.
Snitches, Gangsters, and Private Dicks: Why We Love and Hate Them
Column by Mary Kay McBrayer
Why do we root for the criminals and not the snitch? And whose side is the private investigator on?
The Most Anticipated Film & TV Adaptations of 2019
Column by Max Booth III December 20, 2018
New Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, and others.
The Horror of Roald Dahl
Column by Repo Kempt
Roald Dahl is famous for his beloved children's novels, but his forgotten forays into horror and the strange were equally successful.
When Horror Meets Crime: Occult Detectives
Column by Repo Kempt August 14, 2018
A history of occult detectives in fiction.
Folding Real-Life Detail into a Fictional Narrative
Column by Nick Kolakowski August 13, 2018
Is there an ethical line when it comes to incorporating real-life details into fiction? And if so, where does that line exist?
In Conversation: Alex Segura and Joe Clifford on PI Fiction, Flawed Characters and Fighting Your Demons
Interview by Alex Segura
LitReactor instructors Joe Clifford and Alex Segura talk PI fiction to mark the latest adventures featuring their recurring characters, Jay Porter and Pete Fernandez.
Sunshine Noir: An Interview with Jeffery Hess, author of 'Tushhog'
Interview by Steph Post May 7, 2018
An interview with Jeffery Hess, author of the novels 'Tushhog' and 'Beachhead'.
Why Crime Authors Need to Stop Pretending They're Badasses
Column by Gabino Iglesias April 11, 2018
Writing about crime makes you a criminal the same way talking about dieting helps you lose weight, and one of those things deserves more respect than the other.
Writing the Crime Scene: Blood
Column by Repo Kempt
A guide to writing realistic crime and horror fiction when your manuscript involves blood.
Revisiting Brian Garfield’s “Death Wish”
Column by Max Booth III
A look back at Garfield's blood-soaked meditation on vigilantism.
Writing the Crime Scene: Winter Forensics
Column by Repo Kempt
A guide to writing realistic crime and horror fiction when your manuscript is set in the winter.
What Makes A Great Financial Thriller?
Column by Martin Bodenham November 28, 2017
International thriller author and financial professional Martin Bodenham gives his expert advice.