Quick: What kind of book comes to mind when you think of this author? Or this one? Chances are, your answer to my first question was something along the lines of “a fast-paced standalone thriller featuring an ex-military policeman named Reacher.” And your answer to my second question was, in so many words, “an eloquently written mystery featuring a diverse cast of African-American characters in an urban setting.” How can I be so sure of this? Because these authors have built a brand for themselves. Their body of work demonstrates a consistency of subject matter and perspective that readers have learned over the years to recognize as their purview. Granted, Mosley... more
Posts Tagged: Lee CHild
Constructing the page-turning novel is one great attention grabbing opening line followed by another great sentence, forming a great attention grabbing opening paragraph, followed by series of great paragraphs, forming an outstanding first chapter, succeeded by several great can’t-stop-reading Chapters leading to an engrossing plot peopled by living, breathing, interesting characters in dire situations who forge ahead courageously against all odds to an “Oh my God” hold-your-breath climax and resolved by a satisfying ending leaving the reader emotionally drained and ready to buy your next book. Thus, you have completed the great American novel. Sound easy? In the immortal words... more
Read More of The Killer Opening Line: Every Great Book Needs One
I just got back from Bouchercon 2014 in Long Beach and I can only speak in a whisper. Fried my vocal cords talking to so many authors and readers, spreading the word about our crime novels and thriller books. The conference had special significance for me and my Brash partner Joel Goldman. It was only 12 months ago, at Bouchercon 2013 in Albany, that we came up with the idea of launching this publishing company. And now, a mere 12 months later, we've published thirty books and we've got more on the way. We can't believe it! I am so glad that we made that decision. We love the the books we're publishing and we are so excited to finally get them into the hands of readers. And we are having... more
Great crime writers like James Patterson, Lee Child, Michael Connelly, and even horror writers like Stephen King draw readers into their stories by creating complex villains we love to hate. In writing my crime novels, I pay just as much attention to developing the villain (or in some cases, villains) as I do when crafting the protagonist. Both characters must have strong, complex personalities and interest the reader to the point of near obsession. If a writer can do that, he or she has pulled the reader into the dark world all thriller readers want – fast, dangerous, and with plenty of unexpected twists and turns. WHAT MAKES A GREAT VILLAIN? Not too long ago, Publishers Weekly... more
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First there was Max Allan Collins’ legendary graphic novel…then came the Academy Award winning movie and his bestselling screenplay novelization. Now Collins presents an epic new novel, combining and expanding upon all that came before, to create the ultimate version of his unforgettable story.
