Iowa bedroom of Dixie and Scott Shanahan, late October 2003. CAPTION: Author's perspective: Study this photo carefully. What do you see? On the wall, there's a portrait of Jesus Christ. The drapes are drawn shut. Two lamps on each side of the bed. A blue pillow. But did you notice the lump in the bed? This photo was taken in late October 2003 by crime lab specialists for the state of Iowa. When they walked into this bedroom, they were overcome … [Read more...]
Fallen CSI commander who went to prison grants interview for Ferak’s sequel to BLOODY LIES
Every new book I write is a new adventure. Occasionally, my persistence pays off and the true-crimes readers of all shapes and sizes can benefit from the depth of my research and fresh perspectives of the people I can interview. Every author is different, but I tend to take the advice of veteran true-crime writer Gary C. King. I'll often send a formal type-written letter through the mail to the person I would like to interview. Some respond … [Read more...]
Town of DIXIE’S famous murder trial brings Author Ferak to Iowa in August
If you've read, DIXIE'S LAST STAND: Was it Murder or Self-Defense? wildbluepress.com/dixie you're familiar with Harlan, Iowa. It's the county seat of Shelby County, Iowa. It's the home of the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. It's the location of the jail that once held domestic violence abuser Scott Shanahan. It's the same jail that later held his wife, Dixie, once she was charged with killing Scott and hiding his body in their home for more … [Read more...]
May 2: True Crime Uncensored talks DIXIE’S LAST STAND with John Ferak
For four months, DIXIE'S LAST STAND: Was It Murder or Self-Defense? has held steady as an #Amazon #Kindle best seller, and come Saturday, May 2, America's most popular true-crime talk show, will interview the #WildBluePress author. wildbluepress.com/dixie Now, author John Ferak appears on True Crime Uncensored,which is hosted by the legendary Burl Barer, the distinguished author of America's all-time funniest true-crime book, MAN … [Read more...]
Author Ferak’s Wisconsin Fox Cities Book Festival Event Draws Praise, Questions
KIMBERLY, WISCONSIN -- An engaged and energized audience with lots of questions showed up Tuesday night at the public library in Kimberly for my presentation on BLOODY LIES: A CSI SCANDAL IN THE HEARTLAND (Kent State University Press). My hour-long talk outlined key moments in the Nebraska farmhouse killings that were committed by two Wisconsin teenagers. We went another 30 minutes with questions. It's been nearly 10 months … [Read more...]
Author Ferak invited to Wisconsin’s Fox Cities Book Festival, April 20-26
I'm pleased to say that November's book presentation on BLOODY LIES in #Appleton, #Wisconsin at the downtown public library certainly is leading to bigger and better things in 2015. Shortly afterward, I was invited to give one of the presentations during the week-long Fox Cities Book Festival right here in the Fox Valley where I happen to live. During the third week of April, I am slated to give my presentation at the Kimberly (WIS) … [Read more...]
Iowa parole board to review DIXIE’s case; make your voice heard!
Since January #truecrime readers have grown quite familiar with my first #truecrime book published via #WildBluePress. Meanwhile, business at the Iowa parole board continues. DIXIE'S LAST STAND chronicles the plight of #prisoner Dixie Shanahan. It's a book about #domesticviolence, fateful choices and rigid sentencing guidelines. So far, #DIXIE has proven to be a conversation starter. wildbluepress.com/Dixie Here's a random sampling of … [Read more...]
Ferak Writing Sequel To Debut True Crime BLOODY LIES And Another CSI Scandal
THE TALE OF THE BLOOD-SOAKED MATTRESS Was it a CSI commander's finest hour ... or something quite different? Jessica O’Grady was a tall, starry-eyed Omaha, Nebraska co-ed in search of Mr. Right. Christopher Edwards was a deceitful and darkened soul. CSI commander Dave Kofoed was on the prowl for sensational murder cases to keep his prestigious crime lab in the constant media spotlight. In May of 2006, Jessica’s sudden and mystifying … [Read more...]
Generation Why Podcast recommends DIXIE’S LAST STAND to its listeners
In January, Harlan, Iowa's newspaper had a complimentary front-page article about DIXIE'S LAST STAND: Was It Murder or Self-Defense? wildbluepress.com/Dixie Days later, Twin Cities' DARKNESS RADIO host Dave Schrader made DIXIE the topic of a 90-minute segment on True-Crime Tuesdays. In February, we had a lively hour-long discussion about DIXIE on SHATTERED LIVES RADIO with host Donna R. Gore and Delilah Jones. Then came Sunday, March 8. … [Read more...]
Author Ferak returns to Nebraska for major speaking events Feb. 23-24
On Sunday morning, I fly back to Omaha, Nebraska. My old stomping grounds. Where I lived and worked for nine years. But don't expect to see me around Omaha very much over those next few days. I'll be staying in Lincoln, where I'm one of the presenters at this year's 2015 Nebraska League of Municipalities Midwinter Conference. The event takes place at the Cornhusker Hotel, not too far from the state capital. For schedule of conference events, … [Read more...]
