Customer Reviews

How to Write & Market Your Mystery Novel: A Step-By-Step Guide from Idea to Final Rewrite and Marketing

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If you've read more than a couple books on the subject of novel writing, you probably won't find anything new in this little book. It's really more a summary of the subject than a complete treatment. As such, it's OK, but don't expect much beyond that. As I read it, I was reminded of the Dan Poynter school of writing wherein the author is urged to review all the existing material on a subject and then rewrite it, hopefully with a new slant. This book might have been written in exactly that way, although I'm not sure that there is a new slant anywhere. As a brief refresher on the subject, and maybe a guide for occasional quick reference, this book can be helpful. But I really think that most readers will want to go a little deeper into the subject.

Before my first book (Death in Little Tokyo)came out, Jean Hager not only gave me sage advice about the writing life, she also provided a wonderful example of how a published writer should treat an unpublished writer. Therefore, it was with some anticipation that I received her "How to Write & Market Your Mystery Novel." I wasn't disappointed.

This slim volume is packed with Jean's pithy but professional advice. It covers the gamut from defining mystery sub-genres to marketing your manuscript. Jean has published over 50 novels, and has three successful mystery series published, so she speaks from a wealth of experience.

If you're interested in writing mysteries, Jean's book will be a valuable addition to your library. For writing, I personally value Lawrence Block's "Spider, spin me a web," his "Telling Lies for Fun and Profit" and Margaret Chittenden's "How to Write Your Novel." Jean's work will now join this group of b! ooks I recommend to aspiring writers.

Best,

Dale Furutani