How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook by Mystery Writers of America, Edited by Lee Child

From the most successful mystery writers in the business, an invaluable guide to crafting mysteries--from character development and plot to procedurals and thrillers--a must-have for every aspiring mystery writer.Mystery Writers of America (MWA) is known for providing unparalleled resources on the craft, art, and business of storytelling, helping writers of all levels improve their skills for nearly a century. Now, this new handbook helps authors navigate the ever-shifting publishing landscape--from pacing, plotting, the business side of publishing, to the current demand for diversity and inclusivity across all genres, and more. Featuring essays by a new generation of bestselling experts on various elements of the craft and shorter pieces of crowd-sourced wisdom from the MWA membership as a whole, the topics covered can be categorized as follows: --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) Also included is a collection of essays from MWA published authors--including Jeffery Deaver, Tess Gerritsen, and Charlaine Harris--selected by bestselling authors Lee Child and Laurie King and arranged thematically answering, "What piece of writing advice do you wish you'd had at the beginning of your career?" Highly anticipated and incredibly useful, this new and trusted guide from MWA's experts provides practical, current, easily digestible advice for new and established authors alike.

Mystery Writers of America is the premier organization for mystery writers, professionals allied to the crime writing field, aspiring crime writers, and those who are devoted to the genre. MWA is dedicated to promoting higher regard for crime writing and recognition and respect for those who write within the genre. They provide scholarships for writers, sponsor symposia and conferences, present the Edgar Awards, and conduct other activities to further a better appreciation and higher regard for crime writing.Lee Child's books consistently achieve the number-one slot on bestseller lists around the world and have sold over one hundred million copies. He is the recipient of many awards, including the CWA's Diamond Dagger and the International Thriller Writers' ThrillerMaster award.Lee Child's books consistently achieve the number-one slot on bestseller lists around the world and have sold over one hundred million copies. He is the recipient of many awards, including the CWA's Diamond Dagger and the International Thriller Writers' ThrillerMaster award.Lee Child's books consistently achieve the number-one slot on bestseller lists around the world and have sold over one hundred million copies. He is the recipient of many awards, including the CWA's Diamond Dagger and the International Thriller Writers' ThrillerMaster award.Laurie R. King is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous books, including the Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes stories. She has been nominated for a multitude of prizes, and her fiction has won the Edgar, Creasy, Nero, and Macavity awards. She has been guest of honor at several crime conventions, and she was inducted into the Baker Street Irregulars in 2010.Cary Hite has performed in several theaters across the country as a cast member in the longest-running African American play in history, The Diary of Black Men. He also appeared in Edward II, Fences, Macbeth, Good Boys, Side Effects May Vary, and the indie feature The City Is Mine. He has voiced several projects for AudibleKids, including Souls Look Back in Wonder, From Slave Ship to Freedom Road, and Papa, Do You Love Me?Caroline McLaughlin is a versatile narrator with a smooth voice who strives to bring the author's words to life. Known for her rich characters and accents, she equally enjoys narrating fiction and nonfiction works. Her languages include conversational Mandarin Chinese. Nigel Patterson, British audiobook narrator and AudioFile Earphones Award winner, has many credits as a stage, screen, and voiceover actor that influence his powerful characterization across a broad range of genres. A graduate of the University of Oxford, he is fluent in French and Spanish.Fred Sanders, an actor and Earphones Award-winning narrator, has received critics' praise for his audio narrations that range from nonfiction, memoir, and fiction to mystery and suspense. He been seen on Broadway in The Buddy Holly Story, in national tours for Driving Miss Daisy and Big River, and on such television shows as Seinfeld, The West Wing, Will and Grace, Numb3rs, Titus, and Malcolm in the Middle. His films include Sea of Love, The Shadow, and the Oscar-nominated short Culture. He is a native New Yorker and Yale graduate.Machelle Williams has crafted an easy storytelling style from twenty-three years as a corporate trainer and keynote diversity speaker. Since 2016 she has successfully produced over twenty-eight audiobook projects. Machelle's voice is nuanced, ranging from soft and soothing to dramatic and smoky. She specializes in mysteries and thrillers; her bespoke repertoire also includes cozy mysteries and nonfiction, as well as titles in the religious, urban, and noire genres. When you need a narrator to take your listener to the edge of their seat and their breath away, trust the telling to Machelle. Coming soon...

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