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.
What does Professional Mean?We talk about acting like a professional when it comes time to be a writer, but what does that mean? How do you get there?
Mind you, there are volumes of books that could be—and have been—written on the subject, including some of mine.
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.
Medical Thriller GuideMedical thrillers are based around hospitals, doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics — any and all medical professionals. These thrillers can be quite a bit quieter than other thrillers, tending more toward mystery or suspense pacing at times as the doctors try to figure out the pathogen that will destroy the world or the murderer who is stalking their patients, but
Should I Write Literary Fiction?Do you tire of the silly tricks and the same old plots in genre fiction? Does it all just feel like a cheesy action movie to you when you would rather be watching an art film? Then literary fiction might work for you. If you read a lot of literary fiction, then you already know that it is all different, and there aren't a lot of standard tropes and cliches. If you haven't read much literary fiction, but...
