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Write and Self-Publish Articles
Articles
on writing and self-publishing
mysteries are great ways of keeping current with trends. The content of
articles can be updated far more quickly than similar information found
in books. Furthermore, articles tend to be concise; though they
generally do not have the depth of information found in books they can
be a quick way of gathering information on a topic.
Write
and Self-Publish Mystery Books
has assembled a collection of informative articles related to writing
and self-publishing mysteries and crime fiction.
There are tips on how to create and develop characters for mysteries,
adding suspense to your story, and how to get away with murder!
There are also the FAQs of self-publishing from a number of different
perspectives as well as the pros and cons of the different approaches
available.
Articles provided here are sorted alphabetically by the author's last
name. The article titles are linked to the full text.
Ann
Roscopf Allen
Ten
Tips to Help You Finish Writing Your Novel
1.
Set aside a time to write and
keep it sacred.
Make this a time when you know you are at your best and feel most
creative - Saturday mornings, late at night, whatever works for you.
Make writing a priority and arrange other parts of your schedule around
it.
2. Remove all distractions while you write.
Turn off the television. Don't answer the phone. … Read the
rest of the article here.
Moira
Allen
Self-Publishing
FAQ
What
Is Self-Publishing?
With the
proliferation of inexpensive "pay-for-publication" options, this has
become a confusing question. Many writers believe that
"self-publication" refers to any mechanism by which the writer bears
the cost of publication -- including subsidy electronic and
print-on-demand publications. Many vendors encourage this belief, as
"self-publishing" tends to sound more respectable than "subsidy
publishing." … Read the
rest of the article here.
Patty
Apostolides
Writing
Tips For Novice Authors
If
you are reading this article then
you probably have asked yourself at some point in your life, "Do I have
what it takes to become an author?"
I believe that successful authors, those who actually write and finish
that novel, or book of poetry, or even that book of short stories, and
see it all the way to publication, have certain characteristics.
… Read the
rest of the article here.
Dawn
Arkin
5
Tips for Writing Mystery Stories
Mystery
stories are a special type
of writing.
Fast paced and complex, they are a problem solving person's idea of a
great read. Good mysteries keep a reader wondering while solving the
crime. Great mysteries keep a reader in the dark until the very end.
Though you can have almost any combination of genre in one, there are
certain rules you must follow for the tale to be considered a
mystery. … Read the
rest of the article here.
Dawn
Arkin
Creating
the Perfect Murder Mystery Victim
Who
your victim is can be just as
important as
who your hero and villain are. Each has the same importance in your
story, and should have the same amount of care taken when you create
them.
Your victim isn't just a body to be discovered or someone whose death
can give your detective a crime to solve? Your victim is a plot twist
that can help move your story along. He is a crucial character in your
story. Here are five tips to help you create
them. … Read the
rest of the article here.
Mary
Arnold
Two
Styles of Mystery Writing: The Cozy and the Hard-Boiled
Cozy
novels do not have graphic
violence, and little or no sexual content and abusive language. Society
is "viewed as orderly and controlled, and the crime is a failure of the
society to function correctly" (Niebuhr 7). In this type of novel,
right and wrong are clearly defined, and the murder is considered to be
an aberration, not something that is seen on a daily basis.
The detective in these novels is usually an amateur, although there are
exceptions … Read the
rest of the article here.
Mark
Barnes
Suspense
Novels Need Fast Starts
Suspense novels, unlike any other genre, need fast starts. Fans of suspense novels or their close relatives, thrillers, detective stories and mysteries, expect a fast-paced read. These suspense fans want that pace to begin immediately. So, if you want to create marvelous, fast-paced suspense novels, follow this one simple rule. ... Read the rest of the article here.
Gerald
F. Bianco
Subtle
Writing Techniques of the Mystery Writer
Here
is the first of five articles
taken from my lecture series, "Subtle Writing Techniques Used in
Creating a Successful Mystery Novel." This series is designed to
explain the working methods of the mystery/suspense writer, offering
insight and understanding into the technical process of writing.
Reading a good mystery novel is a lot like horseback riding.
… Read the
rest of the article here.
Noel
Brinkerhoff
Dos
and Don'ts of Self-Publishing
It
used to be where people who
self-published were considered neophytes who weren't good enough to be
published by more traditional publishers. They clung like barnacles to
the edges of the book world, trying but not gaining access to the inner
sanctum -- a place on the shelves of Barnes & Noble and a trip
to Oprah's couch.
These days, however, self-published authors can make themselves lots of
money, build platforms for the launch of further projects, ... Read the
rest of the article here.
Sanyika
Calloway Boyce
Seven
Ways To Sabotage Your Self Publishing Success
The
book business is a billion
dollar industry; however grabbing your slice of the pie will require
skills far beyond simply writing well and conveying your message
clearly.
So, if you're thinking about becoming a published author read this
before you power up the PC and prepare to pen a masterpiece because
there are a few (17 that I've found) landmines to watch out for on the
road to self publishing success.
Following are seven of the primary reasons many authors fail.
… Read the
rest of the article here.
Bob
Burnham
10
Simple Tips on How to Publish a Book
The publishing world wants you to think publishing a book is tricky and full of pit holes to fall into. Not true! These simple 10 simple tips will help you publish your book quickly and easily, and the end result will be a professional product you can be proud of. ... Read the rest of the article here.
Kae
Cheatham
Self-Published
Books Need A Professional Appearance To Court Success
... if a writer wants a book to be taken seriously, some basics have to be considered. Liberal use of Strunk and White (Elements of Style) is a must, as well as referring to Chicago Manual of Style. Be certain punctuation is correctly rendered. ... Read the rest of the article here.
Russell
Clark
The
Role of the Book Publisher
A book publisher is a group or person who is responsible for bringing the book to the public for reading purposes. The book publisher is involved in the major steps of developing, marketing, producing, printing, and distributing the book. The book publisher negotiates with authors … Read the rest of the article here.
Marvin
Cloud
Put
Your Best Foot Forward When Submitting Your Manuscript
Every
week, editors and book agents,
receive many first-time authors' manuscripts for review purposes. Some
authors want them to read their manuscript and give them a complete
written report while others simply want them to look at their
manuscript and see if the possibility exists that they can help them to
publish it as a book.
Still others, while acknowledging the rough draft form of their
manuscript, only want professional thoughts of what they believe to be
a bestseller. Most editors believe … Read the
rest of the article here.
Judy
Cullins
Short
Cut Your Book's Success with Self-Publishing
Do
you wonder about how and where to
publish your
book? Maybe you think that it would be great to be taken under a
publisher's wings--for them to promote your book. it wouldn't be so
much work and wouldn't take any money up front.
Sad to say, this assumption is not true. Reality: Agent, publishers,
and big talk shows like Oprah will choose only 1-2% of proposals
submitted. And the author's work that goes into queries and proposals
is immense and time consuming.
You can Short Cut Your Book's Success with
Self-Publishing. …
Read the
rest of the article here.
Grant
Davis
Two-Minute
Guide To Book Publishing
Have
you written a book you want to
share with
the world? New York is the capital of the book publishing world, but
remember small and midsize independent publishers in other locations
can also be elite and do business with unpublished authors.
It is not absolutely necessary to engage the services of an agent, but
it usually is a good idea. Today agents who know their way around the
publishing industry have thousands of books to select from …
Read the
rest of the article here.
Patrick
Dent
Creative
Writing - Fiction
When writing fiction, the author must rely upon his/her instincts and experiences to create a story. This article will provide an overview of 7 of the major elements of writing fiction in good form, i.e., the form editors expect. ... Read the rest of the article here.
Bruce
Hale
An
Author's Tips for Hooking Reluctant Readers
I
believe that all it takes to
create a reader is the right book. Finding that tale is the trick.
So how do you pick books that will hook reluctant readers? Each child
is different, with very particular tastes. Nevertheless, here are some
key elements that engage child readers, along with some suggested
titles … Read the
rest of the article here.
Bryan
Hallett
Getting
Away With Murder ...
Ever since Edgar Allen Poe and Wilkie Collins helped begin formalizing the genre of crime fiction, writers have leapt upon their ideas. The genre takes up vast shelf space in any public library and bestseller lists are regularly stuffed with world-weary detectives, criminal pathologists and investigators of every ilk. The world, it would seem, is full of budding Miss Marples, Hercule Poirots and Kay Scarpettas … Read the rest of the article here.
Bryan
Hallett
How
to Write a Murder Mystery: Characters
Crime fiction in general and murder mystery in particular is a popular staple of bookshops, theatre and television drama, and is a genre often tackled by new writers. This article is written from the standpoint of someone who writes mysteries for theatre performance, but the lessons and techniques can be applied to any media. … Read the rest of the article here.
Joni
Hamilton
How
to Publish a Book: Key Differences Between Publishing and Self
Publishing
For
many authors just starting out,
it can be a
confusing and overwhelming decision whether to self publish a book or
to seek out a traditional publishing house. It is important to know
that the decision you make can have a huge impact on the success, or
the failure, of your book. There are many factors to consider, and the
right decision is going to be different for every author and for every
book.
Here are just a few key factors and publishing tips … Read
the
rest of the article here.
Will
Kalif
It's
all About the Cover - Advice for Self-Published Authors
With only a few seconds to catch the attention of a potential buyer the cover is the most important tool you have when trying to sell your book. You have spent hundreds of hours working on your manuscript. You should also put a fair amount of energy into the cover. … Read the rest of the article here.
Scott
Lindsay
Self-Publishing:
How Important Is An ISBN Number?
You've weighed all your options and have determined that self-publishing makes the most sense for your foray into publishing. You understand that there is an increase in the need to self-market your title, but there is also a correlating increase in profit margin. Other risks have been assessed and you’re comfortable moving forward in the direction you've chosen. Have you applied for an ISBN number? … Read the rest of the article here.
William
Meikle
Crime
Fiction: Ten Cliches to Avoid
Crime fiction is big business at the moment, but there are certain situations that have been overplayed so much that they have become genre cliches and everybody knows what to expect next. Here are ten cliches you should try to avoid and thoughts on how to subvert the cliches if you do decide to use them. ... Read the rest of the article here.
Ceci
Miller
Why
Self-Publish Your Book?
When I meet an author with a great book concept, one who’s definitely the right person to write that book, right away I’ll often encourage him or her to self-publish. This is because I know that, if an author is thoroughly invested in what they have to say, and if they’re determined to create a buzz about their message, they’ll discover … Read the rest of the article here.
Jennifer
Minar
An
Interview with Bestselling Novelist Michael Connelly
Bestselling
author of several
mystery/thriller
novels, including "Blood Work," "City of Bones," and "The Narrows,"
Michael Connelly has enthralled millions of readers for over a decade.
Originally a journalist for several Florida markets, Connelly was one
of three reporters short-listed for the Pulitzer Prize for feature
writing in 1986 after covering a major airline crash. Soon thereafter,
he packed up and moved to L.A. to work as a crime reporter for the "Los
Angeles Times." After three years of working the crime beat
…
Read the
rest of the article here.
Anthony
P. Palmieri
Designing
a Cover for Your Book: A Guide for Self Publishers
In these days of computers, the internet, digital cameras, and on-line publishing companies, individuals can more easily express their creativity through writing and publishing their own written works. Whether it is a novel, a short story, or a how to guide, having a creative cover is important to help capture the attention of your audience. … Read the rest of the article here.
David
Poon
How
to Write and Publish a Book
To
publish a book is to become
immortal. Why?
Because your name and most importantly, your ideas will live on even
when you are no longer physically here on earth. For as long as there
are people who read (for information and for pleasure), accept, or even
oppose (for the sake of argumentation and critical analysis) your
ideas, your person is alive through that book.
For many--at least for those who have the passion for reading and
writing--to be able to publish a book in their lifetime, is an ultimate
goal, an ultimate dream. Hence, having been able to publish a book at
least once in their lifetime is already an achievement. …
Read
the
rest of the article here.
Brent
Sampson
Top
31 Self-Publishing Tips for Small Press Month (March)
Since
March is Small Press Month, this is the month to promote your
self-published book! With that in mind, here are 31 ways you can market
& promote your book during Small Press Month, one for each day
of
March. Time to get started!. ...
Read the
rest of the article here.
See also Brent Sampson's Top
5 Book Selling Tips.
See also Brent Sampson's Top
7 Tips For Publishing Your Book in 2009.
Penny
Sansevieri
How
to Get an Agent or Publisher For Your (Self-Published) Book
"Now that I've self-published I need to find an agent, how do I do that?" Well, it might seem to be a simple and easy transition. You're already published so it shouldn't be that hard, right? Not so fast. There are a number of things you need to know before you run headlong into an effort to get a publishing contract. ... Read the rest of the article here.
Brian
Scott
The
Book Writer's Guide To Self-Publishing
Self-publishing has become common practice for many writers who want accolades of having a book published, no matter who publishes it. Writers choose self-publishing for various reasons. Many writers desire the freedom and business aspects of publishing work independently. A self-published writer is one who is in control of every aspect of their published work. The publishing industry defines self-publishing as authors publishing their own books or other media, instead of with a third-party publisher. Today's technology ... Read the rest of the article here.
Dr.
Michael M. Seepersaud
Guidelines
to Write and Publish Your Book or Novel
Writing a compelling and profitable fiction or nonfiction book can be easier than you think. Long ago, you would have to sit for hours putting your ideas together: jotting down your notes, arranging and rearranging them, manually consult with thesauruses and dictionaries. Then you compose the book, get a friend to proofread it and then you send it to a publisher who may or may not accept it. With computer technology and the Internet, writing resources are available at the push of a key ... Read the rest of the article here.
Janet L. Shaw
Avoiding Plot
Conveniences When Writing
Crime and Mystery Novels
Have you ever reached the end of a gripping crime or mystery novel and found yourself exclaiming, 'Huh? How did that happen?' You've just identified a trap that some authors fall into - the convenient plot device. ... Read the rest of the article here.
Sid
Smith
How
to Self-Publish a Book On a Shoestring Budget
It's far easier to get your book published if you've already been published. But if you're new, don't worry. There are ways... and there are certainly ways to do it on a shoestring budget. You can have cheapest, and you can have best, but you're going to have to work at it to have both! ... Read the rest of the article here.
Daphne
Succes
Self-Publish
Your Book With National Distribution
Many writers struggle with constant rejection from the publishing world. A rejection, though a part of the industry, is difficult for writers at any stage in their career. You pour your heart and soul into a book, along with hours of work, only to hear a publisher indicate that it isn’t what they are looking for at this particular time. Many books that were otherwise snubbed by traditional publishing houses have gone on to be very popular. How? It’s simple. Self-publishing is an avenue that many new, or rejected, writers pursue. ... Read the rest of the article here.
Nelson
Tan
11
Steps to Publishing Success
First, you have to write a quality book that has a clear target audience. And your book must answer a common problem or need that audience shares. Then you have to develop a marketing plan, and stick to it for at least two years. … Read the rest of the article here.
Samantha
Tang
What
Your Publisher Doesn't Tell You
At the end of it all, book publishing is a business, and making profits is a publisher's primary objective. While artistic creativity and uniqueness do play a part in making you stand out from the crowd, it's the sale potential of your book that counts. … Read the rest of the article here.
Cheryl
Kaye Tardif
Murder
Walls for Crime Novelists
A Murder Wall is a vital tool for crime novelists. Imagine trying to write a story without knowing your suspects or their possible motives. For any great crime novelist, your job is to treat your novel like a police investigation, following the clues and the evidence until it reaches the outcome or climactic resolution. If you watch most great crime dramas such as Law & Order and Without a Trace, you will notice that investigators often use visuals on a wall to keep each case organized. This is a Murder Wall. … Read the rest of the article here.
Edward
P. Toupin
From
Idea to Published Book ... How to Self-Publish the Easy Way!
I've
been involved in publishing for
over a
decade now as an author, editor, and project manager; however, it
wasn't until just a few years ago that I decided to move into
self-publishing. Indeed, my first few projects involved consulting for
others and, now, I am involved in my own, personal projects. It has
taken a while for me to come back around to my own works, but in the
process I learned how to minimize time and expenses in producing a book
and getting it to market.
This short article will not try to explain every aspect of book
publishing in detail, but it will brush on a few of the important
topics. … Read the
rest of the article here.
Katrina
Williams
Why
Self-Publish?
You
have written a book. Now you
want to publish it. Which way do you go? Self-Publishing or Traditional
Publishing?
For most people, the traditional method seems safer, more reliable, and
simply, easier. But it can take a long time to see their labored-over
work in print. For many people, that dreaded rejection letter, saying
their work is not something the publisher can market successfully at
this time, leaves them feeling disillusioned. That's when other means
of getting the book into print comes to mind. … Read the
rest of the article here.
Vivian
Gilbert Zabel
Suspense
in Writing
Mystery,
action/adventure, crime,
and detective
stories require components which build, add, and/or continue the
suspense needed to keep the reader's attention.
The first place to build suspense needed in any writing is the first
few sentences. … Read the
rest of the article here.
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