How to Write a Mystery Wins 3 First-Place Awards!
The monumental How to Write a Mystery, edited by Lee Child and Laurie King, has won the Agatha Award at Malice Domestic, and the Macavity, and Anthony awards at Bouchercon.
Our own Gayle Lynds contributed “Researching the Spy Thriller … or, Can’t I just make it all up?”
The handbook helps writers not only create timeless and compelling stories, but also to navigate an ever-shifting publishing landscape. From pacing and dialogue to creating diverse characters and building reader outreach, How to Write a Mystery is a complete guide by a new generation of bestselling experts for the next generation of mystery writers.
With contributions by some 70 well-published authors, the essays cover the gamut of writing and publishing:
- Before Writing (rules; genres; setting; character; research; etc.)
- While Writing (outlining; the plot; dialogue; mood; etc.)
- After Writing (agents; editors; self-pub; etc.)
- Other than Novels (short stories; true crime; etc.)
- Other Considerations (diverse characters; legal questions; criticism)
Kirkus Reviews praised the book: “Everything you wanted to know about how to plan, draft, write, revise, publish, and market a mystery.”
Congrats to our own Gayle Lynds – for being a contributor to this terrific new book that won the wonderful Agatha — so proud of her!!!…Karna Small Bodman
Thank you, Karna! I remember when the earlier version came out some 20 years ago, and how much I got out of it. It was an honor to participate!
This sounds like a must for any mystery writer!!
Thanks, Lisa! It’s truly comprehensive, and I like the writing, too — relaxed, informative, and oftentimes fun. Mystery writers should get a lot out of it.
I loved it! And congrats, Gayle, and all the contributors on so many awards 🙂