Should I Write Police Procedural?Police procedural is for the people who listen to police scanners. Who watch Law & Order, The Rookie, or CSI. Barney Miller if they like humor and classic TV. This genre is both character-driven and detail-oriented.
Should I Write Historical Mystery?The fog of Victorian London. Jazz emanating from a Chicago speakeasy. A Benedictine monk rides a mule toward a monastery high in the Italian hills. If you think all these settings are missing is a dead body, allow me to recommend the genre of historical mystery.
Should I Write Heist/CaperWhen you walk into a casino, is your first thought Where is the cash room? How many security guys are on the floor? Do they look competent?
You might be the right person to write a heist.
Should I Write Amateur SleuthIf you love mysteries but would rather eat paste than research police procedure, amateur sleuth is right there waiting for you. And it accommodates all kinds of sleuth: cozy sleuths, hard-boiled sleuths, historical sleuths. If they're curious (nosy) and unlicensed, they're welcome here.
Medical Thriller Study MaterialsRemember to read the articles in the Essentials section. These cover all the essential skills you’ll need as a self-published author. They are not just for beginners either. They go in depth on how to successfully write, publish, and market your own books.
Should I Write Medical Thriller?Medical thrillers are still a long way from their heyday, but I think there is still room for them in the thriller market. Healthcare continues to be a big concern in the US, and fiction about big concerns tend to get read.
Legal Thriller Study MaterialsRemember to read the articles in the Essentials section. These cover all the essential skills you’ll need as a self-published author. They are not just for beginners either. They go in depth on how to successfully write, publish, and market your own books.
Should I Write Legal Thriller?If you like courtroom drama and know enough about to make the legal maneuverings realistic, legal thriller is a good way to make money off that knowledge. The category is down right now, but I expect it to bounce back. If there were less than a dozen Law & Order shows on every time I turned on the TV, perhaps I would be more concerned.
Private Investigator/Hard-Boiled GuideThe PI. Classically hard-boiled, male, often drunk, and frequently violent. Living on his wits in a rough, tough town, surrounded by crooked cops, corrupt politicians, and organized crime.
For the foundational stuff, you’ll want to acquaint yourself with Dash Hammett and Raymond Chandler.
Police Procedural GuideCops, being cops. And you have to get those little details right if you are going to write in this field.
However—and this is where the fun begins—the cops understand that these days. Most police departments of any size will frequently hold “Mystery Writer Events,” often as part of Mystery Writers of America (MWA), so you should look at locating and joining your nearest chapter.
