Writer's Handbook:
Guide to Crime Writing

Edited by Barry Turner
November 2003
Macmillan
ISBN: 1-4050-0099-6
158 pages, 5 ¾" x 8 ¼"
$19.95 Paper Original

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Drawing on a wide range of expertise, including top crime writers, agents, publishers and booksellers, this book looks at how to write a successful crime novel and get it published. Compiled by the team behind the bestselling Writer's Handbook, areas covered include: the fundamentals of crime fiction writing - including story setting, creating characters, building suspense, the use of sex and violence, the importance of research and the basic rules of story construction; Advice from Val McDermid on getting started, finding a character, patterns of working; Ian Rankin on why crime fiction is good for you; The basics of publishing, including making a pitch, getting an agent and a publisher, contracts, advances and royalties; Minette Walters on the history of crime writing, and a look at legendary detectives in crime fiction; An extensive, comprehensive listings section of over 100 entries. Barry Turner has worked on both sides of publishing, as an editor and marketing director and as an author. He started his career as a journalist with the Observer before moving on to television and radio. He has written over twenty books including a best-selling biography of the actor Richard Burton.


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