Insights, editing and publishing perspectives, and guidance on book series for writers of popular fiction of all genres.

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 |2024-01-18T15:45:21+00:00December 14th, 2023|Behind The Bestsellers|Comments Off on How P.J. Vernon Delivers Fresh, Distinctive Characterization in Mystery Fiction

Considering The Lessons of Eight Bestselling Series in Crime Fiction What authors can learn from John Sandford, Lee Child, CJ Box, and others about how to cultivate a loyal readership

[by Ross Browne]

One piece of advice authors who write popular fiction often hear is that your odds of landing an agent and a traditional publishing deal can improve considerably when your novel is conceived as (or has the potential to work as) a series. This should come as no surprise to anyone who enjoys settling down […]

By |2024-01-20T17:37:19+00:00|Getting Published|Comments Off on Considering The Lessons of Eight Bestselling Series in Crime Fiction What authors can learn from John Sandford, Lee Child, CJ Box, and others about how to cultivate a loyal readership

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 |2024-01-20T17:47:28+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

How Susie Steiner Handles Characterization, Craft, and the Conventions of Mystery Writing in a Stunning Series Debut

[by Ross Browne with Susie Steiner]

One thing the editor in me loves about mysteries is seeing how successful authors navigate the challenge of writing entertainingly in a style of novel that’s inherently formulaic. For all its boundless appeal, mystery is a genre whose stories can be very similar in plot and structure, […]

By |2024-01-06T20:52:50+00:00June 14th, 2018|Behind The Bestsellers|Comments Off on How Susie Steiner Handles Characterization, Craft, and the Conventions of Mystery Writing in a Stunning Series Debut
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