In my last post we discussed the mechanics of writing true crime. They’re tried and true and for those wanting to write in this genre, it’s a road map to creating something worth selling. It’s a systematic way of doing things that will lead you on a road to success; provided, of course, that you know what you’re doing in the first place. But these are the mechanics of writing true crime. What follows are the unavoidable results of writing true … [Read more...]
What it’s really like writing true crime (Part 1): Kevin Sullivan on Digesting Case Files
The first person to arrive at the Bauer residence was Officer Jack Kendrick, a nine-year veteran of the Louisville Police Department. As soon as he parked his cruiser in front of the house, he noticed a man walking down the driveway toward him. There were no outside lights turned on, and in the moonlight it appeared that his clothes were wet, as if he’d been splashed with water. But upon closer examination, Kendrick could see that … [Read more...]
True Crime Author Kevin Sullivan Digs Up 10 Tales of Murder In KENTUCKY BLOODBATH
Ten Bizarre Murder Cases From The Bluegrass State That Will Keep You On The Edge Of Your Seat KENTUCKY BLOODBATH: Ten Bizarre Tales of Murder From The Bluegrass State. Readers who find themselves turning the pages of this new work from the author of VAMPIRE: The Richard Chase Murders are in for a real excursion into the weird and the bizarre: from a medieval-esque murder in a small town museum to the jilted boyfriend who decided that his … [Read more...]
Author Kevin Sullivan Reflects On The Emotional Toll Of Writing True Crime
"You never say goodbye to a case." True crime writers share some common traits peculiar to their profession, and these particular traits are not found among writers of other genres. You could say we all belong to a club, or a fraternity, if you will, although it’s one we rarely talk about it. For in this club, there’s nothing really to smile about or enjoy. There isn’t any revelry. It’s just the unspoken emotional toll produced in those of … [Read more...]
KENTUCKY BLOODBATH: Author from the Bluegrass State Reveals his Motives
Very soon, my true crime tome, KENTUCKY BLOODBATH, will be released by WildBlue Press. It's a trip into the odd, fascinating, and often shocking world of true crime. As such, a few words from yours truly are in order... Having grown up reading true crime, it wasn’t at all surprising that one day after I’d begun my writing career that I dove into true crime, putting onto pages those strange and terrible events that are part and parcel of … [Read more...]
Sullivan Discusses Insanity, Legal Insanity, And The Murderer Richard Chase
Conversation On Shattered Lives Radio Centered Around The Meaning Of "Crazy" And The Vampire of Sacramento Insanity, Legal Insanity, and the Murderer: It's a subject that raises its head all the time in the courts, and often, it's a battle that is pivotal in deciding what happens to those who kill their fellow human beings. Recently, I was on Shattered Lives Radio with Donna Gore discussing my book, Vampire: The Richard Murders. Our … [Read more...]
The True Crime Writer As An Adventurer
Deciding To Become A True Crime Writer Came With Risks, Work And Reward From what I can tell, there’s a bit of the adventurer in most writers. Indeed, this term can be applied to writers of both fiction and nonfiction. It can be clearly seen in the life of Ernest Hemingway who, after reporting for the Kansas City Star for several months after graduating high school, traveled to Europe during World War One where he transported by … [Read more...]
VAMPIRE’S Sullivan Never Meant To Write About Bundy
Several days ago I wrote an article about real evidence, and how those personal items of murder can have an impact on the one holding and viewing such evidence. Mostly, the reaction will be positive, but there will be times when a sense of repulsion will surface based solely on what is confronting you. In the case of Richard Chase, there was one item that really turned me off. But most of it was interesting and contributed to my … [Read more...]
VAMPIRE Author Recounts Personal True Crime Story
“Follow that blood trail” I thought as I got out of my car. I was attempting to visit my brother in a downtown Louisville care facility (Ken had damaged his mind in the late 1960’s through the use of hallucinogenic drugs), but as soon as I pulled up to the curb of this three-story brick fortress-looking building, I spotted several small pools of blood, and a trail of blood leading inside. Being young and feeling invincible, I didn’t give it a … [Read more...]
VAMPIRE’s Kevin Sullivan Reviews The “Real Evidence”
As a writer of true crime, it’s all about the research. It doesn’t matter if I’m writing a book or a three thousand word article it’s always about the official record. It begins and ends with the record. Of course, if you’re lucky, you’ll have living witnesses to interview, but even here everything gets filtered through the record. Not that the official record is infallible, mind you, because it’s not. But the better you know the case, the easier … [Read more...]
