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BEHIND THE BESTSELLERS considers the art and craft of popular and bestselling novels–and what writers can learn from their authors.

How Ten Bestselling Authors Introduce Protagonists in First-Person Narratives A guide for novelists of all genres

[by Ross Browne]

I’ve been editing novels for nearly 35 years now, and one thing that still fascinates me to no end is the art and craft of introducing (and cultivating quick engagement with) viewpoint characters when writing in the first person.

Like many readers, I enjoy first-person narratives because of […]

By |2026-02-26T19:20:48+00:00|Behind The Bestsellers, The Writer’s Craft|Comments Off on How Ten Bestselling Authors Introduce Protagonists in First-Person Narratives A guide for novelists of all genres
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How P.J. Vernon Delivers Fresh, Distinctive Characterization in Mystery Fiction

[by Ross Browne]

When You Find Me was, without a doubt, one of the most pleasant literary surprises I’ve had in a long time. It’s a debut novel that got a warm reception from readers and critics alike, and with good reason. It’s a Southern gothic-style thriller with an inventive […]

By |2025-02-12T22:14:58+00:00December 14th, 2023|Behind The Bestsellers|Comments Off on How P.J. Vernon Delivers Fresh, Distinctive Characterization in Mystery Fiction
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How Ken Follett Masterfully Handles Plot, Characterization, and Historical Storytelling in THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH

[by Ross Browne]

If you’ve read any of Ken Follett’s work, it probably comes as no surprise that he was able to turn his own personal fascination with cathedrals and how they’re built into a damn good novel. But from a fiction technique viewpoint, what he’s done with The Pillars of […]

By |2025-02-12T22:19:40+00:00September 14th, 2022|Behind The Bestsellers|Comments Off on How Ken Follett Masterfully Handles Plot, Characterization, and Historical Storytelling in THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH
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How JK Rowling (Writing As Robert Galbraith) Sustains Reader Engagement in a Very Long Mystery

[by Ross Browne]

If you’re a fan of JK Rowling writing as Robert Galbraith, you’re probably well aware how much longer her latest release is than the other four books in the series. (About 150,000 words, I’m told.)

My own first reaction to the size of the hefty tome—darn near 1,000 pages […]

By |2025-04-10T23:04:27+00:00May 11th, 2021|Behind The Bestsellers|Comments Off on How JK Rowling (Writing As Robert Galbraith) Sustains Reader Engagement in a Very Long Mystery
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Considering the Pros and Cons of Irredeemable Antagonists in Crime Fiction in WRECKED by Joe Ide

[by Ross Browne]

I’m not exaggerating when I say the discovery of Joe Ide’s IQ series made an often-awful 2020 more bearable. Wrecked is the third book in this series starring the fiercely intelligent but lonely and isolated Isaiah Quintabe (“IQ”), who on first glance might resemble a modern-day Sherlock Holmes of Long Beach. […]

By |2025-01-22T22:01:04+00:00February 24th, 2021|Behind The Bestsellers|Comments Off on Considering the Pros and Cons of Irredeemable Antagonists in Crime Fiction in WRECKED by Joe Ide
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Considering The Sad, Honorable Life of Jack Reacher Contemplating Reacher's future in the hands of Andrew Child

[by Ross Browne]

October 27, 2020 brought two notes of bittersweet dichotomy for fans of the Jack Reacher series. On one hand, we had a new release to dig into, always a good thing in the eyes of “Reacher Creatures.” On the other, The Sentinel is the first book in the series whose byline Lee shares with […]

By |2025-02-04T23:22:15+00:00February 2nd, 2021|Behind The Bestsellers|Comments Off on Considering The Sad, Honorable Life of Jack Reacher Contemplating Reacher's future in the hands of Andrew Child
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