Here is something that writers don’t think enough about. If you write a true crime book, the people who were hurt so deeply by the crime are most likely still around. They’ve been trying to put the trauma behind them, sometimes for years and your book will open all the wounds for them again. That’s a heavy burden to bear as the writer. If you are retelling a story that has already been solved, let’s say the Oklahoma Bombing case, it may be … [Read more...]
Attorney Margo Nash Sheds Light On One of Boston’s Most Controversial Murder Cases In True Crime THE POLITICS OF MURDER
On a hot night in July 1995, Janet Downing, a 42-year-old mother of four, was brutally stabbed 98 times in her home in Somerville, a city two miles northwest of Boston. Within hours, a suspect was identified: 15-year-old Eddie O’Brien, the best friend of one of Janet’s sons. But why Eddie? He had no prior history of criminal behavior. He was not mentally ill. He had neither motive nor opportunity to commit the crime. … [Read more...]
True Crime Author Margo Nash On Her Writing Process For THE POLITICS OF MURDER
Once I’d committed to writing the story of Eddie O’Brien’s arrest, legal journey and trial, I sat down at the computer and wondered exactly how one organizes a book. Should I start with an outline? I realized I had no idea how to organize a book. I didn’t know anyone who had written a book who I could ask. Finally I decided that perhaps I should just start writing and see where that took me. I knew I wanted to start with the day of Janet … [Read more...]
Bestselling True Crime Author M. William Phelps: There Are Always More Bodies
I am convinced that part of the “high” a serial killer gets from his murderous path of violence after he is arrested and facing the iron fist of justice is taking pleasure in the fact that he alone knows there are additional bodies (his victims) somewhere out in the world. What’s more, there is no doubt he will use those bodies as a bartering chip in dealing with law enforcement and/or the legal system when the time comes. Or, maybe the … [Read more...]
Author Burl Barer on the Origin of the Cocaine Cops Featured In BETRAYAL IN BLUE
In the 1980s, there were two ways to make big bucks in the Big Apple: sell drugs or rob drug dealers. The main characters in this story did both, and they weren’t worried about the cops, because they were the cops. Drug dealers with a badge, criminals in a squad car, the Cocaine Cops of the NYPD were the most powerful drug gang in Brooklyn. CRACK! Some say that what happened in the 1980s was, when studied in retrospect, a … [Read more...]
Attorney and True Crime Author Margo Nash
Writing has always been an essential part of my life, but I never aspired to become a published author. Nor did I ever dream that I would write a book that could impact the life of a man who was falsely accused and convicted of a heinous murder. My early writing was personal and private, but when I got my first job as an editorial and teaching assistant at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, I started to … [Read more...]
MURDERERS’ ROW, Volume One, Photo Gallery Of Letters
Get a closer look at the photos included in New York Times bestselling author M. William Phelps's new true crime book, MURDERERS' ROW: A Collection Of Shocking True Crime Stories-Volume One. … [Read more...]
Check Out This Video On The Story Behind True Crime Book BETRAYAL IN BLUE
Watch Edgar Award winning author Burl Barer as he discusses the story behind his upcoming true crime book, BETRAYAL IN BLUE, co-authored by award winning journalist Frank C. Girardot Jr. and former NYPD officer Ken Eurell. BETRAYAL IN BLUE becomes available from WildBlue Press on December 6th, 2016. Make sure to pre-order your copy before the price increases after its release! … [Read more...]
Master Of True Crime M. William Phelps Spins 6 Terrifying Tales Of Murder And Mayhem
MURDERERS' ROW: A Collection Of Shocking True Crime Stories--Volume One Small-town homicide. Big-time madness. All from the author who Vincent Bugliosi calls “one of America’s best true crime journalists.” In this riveting collection of true crime stories from the files of award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author of 32 books, M. William Phelps, someone tries to pin a gruesome murder on a horse, infamous serial killer Son … [Read more...]
Author Denise Wallace Discusses the Ups and Downs of Her “Tornado Writing Process”
Have you ever seen the speeded up blur of Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote's feet when they're running? Well, that's what the first draft of my book looks like. You don't get any transitions or segways while you're reading, because, frankly, I like to write all the fun parts first. That's just me. I live my life like that, too. You don't really get any notice about what time I'm going to show up or what kind of park in L.A. I'm going to drag you to … [Read more...]