Consumers look at a number of things when deciding whether to buy an ebook: they look at the book title, the cover graphics, price, and genre. But which element is most important at first glance? A strong book title represents one of the most significant components in the marketing mix for your new novel.
Read MoreThat Novel Won’t Write Itself – Writing to Finish
It took me 10 years to finish writing the first of my many crime novels. I like to say that I was a ten-year overnight success. I started writing Motion to Kill while still practicing law. Read about the serendipitous bit of conversation with one of my partners that got me to thinking about writing… Continue Reading That Novel Won’t Write Itself – Writing to Finish »
Read MoreWriting Your First Novel – Just Do It
Do you see yourself as a writer – a novel writer destined to become the next John Grisham or Stephanie Meyer? Maybe Lee Child or the up and coming Veronica Roth are more your style. Regardless of the writers you admire, you’ve got a novel in you that just has to get out. You keep… Continue Reading Writing Your First Novel – Just Do It »
Read MoreEveryday Is a Knife Fight
An Interview with Public Defender Alex Stone As a former trial lawyer and best selling author of crime novels, I’ve decided to interview Public Defender Alex Stone. She can shed some light on both the true crime scene and that set up in crime books like the ones I write. But first I’ve got to… Continue Reading Everyday Is a Knife Fight »
Read MoreIndie Publishing – The Goldman Case Files
Indie publishing stands trial for the crime of staggering e-book sales and shameless market share grabbing. So you’ve submitted your crime novel to every publishing house imaginable and sent individual chapters to various mystery magazines. The response to your work has been lackluster at best. Countless authors share this same frustrating experience, regardless of their… Continue Reading Indie Publishing – The Goldman Case Files »
Read MoreReal Life Crime Inspires Great Fiction Thrillers
Any self-respecting fan of Law & Order knows that the popular cop show franchise often draws its inspiration from crime stories that are “ripped from the headlines.” And no matter how many disclaimers emphasize that if the characters or plot bear any resemblance to a real-life individual or event it is completely coincidental, we instinctively… Continue Reading Real Life Crime Inspires Great Fiction Thrillers »
Read MoreSo You Want To Write Crime Novels and Thrillers
So you want to write crime novels and thrillers and make a living doing it. My first bit of advice is to put pen to paper while still working your day job. As I’ve mentioned before, I started writing while still practicing law. It all started when one of my partners complained bitterly to me… Continue Reading So You Want To Write Crime Novels and Thrillers »
Read MoreFrom Love Story to Crime Thriller – A Matter of Perspective
As an author of crime thriller books, I see my relationship with my audience as critical. So occasionally, I like to share some of my personal anecdotes—from what I hear, readers actually enjoy reading this sort of thing. On this last Valentine’s Day, I felt uncharacteristically sentimental, so I wrote a short tribute in my… Continue Reading From Love Story to Crime Thriller – A Matter of Perspective »
Read MoreBlowing Smoke Up Joel’s Ass
Praise where it’s due: Joel’s crime novels make an absolutely cracking read. So what makes them so good? I decided I’d blow his trumpet in an effort to pin down exactly why they’re so enjoyable!
Read MoreSuspense, Spouses & Ghosts
A while back in this blog I wrote that there aren’t any new stories just new ways of telling old stories. A new TV series and a new crime thriller are the latest examples proving that I was right. The FX series, The Americans and Roger Haber’s debut novel, The Ghostman are new versions of… Continue Reading Suspense, Spouses & Ghosts »
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Joel's bookshelf: read
Crisp writing, great characters. Doesn't go where you think it will go. A good read.
Great book! Lot's of fun and funny. Plus, very interesting insights into improv and how to apply rules of improv to the work place. Highly recommended.
A knockout! If you like action, humor and horror, you won't stop with this first installment in this new series. You'll get the rest of them the minute they are released.
One of the best books I've read in a long time. History that reads like the most exciting thriller. Great insights into the expansion of the United States into the West and the crushing cultural conflict that decimated Native American tr...
Just getting started with Michael Connelly's latest - vintage Connelly; captures you from the first page.
