Kathryn Casey

I get a lot of emails from people who want to become true crime authors. Since I've been covering sensational cases for a quarter of a century - boy does that make me sound old - I've had quite a few experiences. As you may suspect, I can't answer everyone's questions in depth individually, so I've decided to tackle the subject here.

From here on out, I have my true crime not my mystery hat on, and I'm addressing those of you who want to write true crime.

First: Let's be honest; is this what you truly want? True crime writing isn't for the most part booksignings and giving interviews. Most of it's not particularly glamorous. And it's not easy. It's not simply a matter of showing up at a trial and writing a synopsis of the events, not if you want to do it well.

Many jobs are tough, and I don't mean to minimize how hard we all work at our professions. I truly don't. But I'm under the impression that some believe true crime writing is a piece of cake. Maybe I'm a bit slow, but that's not my experience.

I do go to the trials, and that's part of it, but for each book, I interview Read More

11 Comments

Comments

Mar 31, 2011 8:35 AM EDT

My personal belief it that,some folks are readers,some are writers.I wish I could be both,and have written some very fine home studies and love research,but I just don't think I could devote the time,space and energy to write for publication.I think I'd like to be a proof reader,or editor.
In the meantime ,I will audit Crime Writing 101,with enthusiasm! Thank You!

- Scarlett Horsburgh

Mar 31, 2011 1:26 PM EDT

You're welcome, Scarlett. My sense is that many people would like to write, and I'm hoping this is helpful. By the way, I LOVE readers. Without you, why would any of us write?

- KC

Mar 31, 2011 4:07 PM EDT

Kathryn,

Thanks for sharing your expertize. Because of my keen interest in true crime(can't make this stuff up...noone would believe it)and how our judicial system works, I started a blog to cover the first murder trial of Nicholas Sheley, accused spree killer of 8 people (2 women,4 men and a 2 year old boy) in 2 states.

It will be three years in July since Sheley's week long "alleged" killing spree and arrest. The first trial(one victim killed near where I live) has yet to begin but I have been attending pre-trial hearings and a trial/conviction for attacking officers in the county jail.

I have found I very much enjoy writing and even more so researching. Many have suggested I write a book about this case. Doing so would be a huge undertaking. There will be at least 4 trials before this case is over and spans from North central IL down to St. Louis, MO.

I don't know if I will ever do a book....my head starts spinning just trying to think from what or whose perspective to write. LOL! At any rate, I'm looking forward to your second installment of Crime Writing 101.Thanks for sharing!

- Kathy Fisher

Mar 31, 2011 4:49 PM EDT

You're welcome, Kathy. Next week, I'm going to talk about how to pick cases and write a proposal. The following week, I'm not sure yet, to be honest. Maybe on what I want to see in a true crime book, the ones that set a book apart from the pack! Glad you're enjoying it!

- KC

Apr 01, 2011 12:22 PM EDT

Thank you for your insights, Kathryn. They seem very reasonable.

I particularly like the one about starting small. There's a case in Austin, Texas that has caught my interest, and my thought is to write some articles on it. If there's enough material to warrant a book, and I have the propensity for it, then so be it. If not, I've still learned something.

- Brian Combs

Apr 01, 2011 5:25 PM EDT

That's a great plan, Brian. Check next week for insight into writing a proposal!

- KC

Apr 27, 2011 9:24 AM EDT

Lots of great advice, especially about starting small. I'm working on historical true crime, and I think more current true crime would be much more difficult. Sounds like a lot of interviewing, sitting through court proceedings, etc. Truly fascinating stuff, though. Thanks!

- April Moore

May 02, 2011 7:11 PM EDT

You're welcome! Hope it helps.

- Kathryn Casey

Aug 29, 2011 9:26 AM EDT

My firt visit to your web site. The "classes" in crime writing are interesting so I will probably be back. I have an immediate need to know (doesn't everyone?) about liability if one writes about a crime. I know you are familiar with the Price Daniel, Jr. murder in about 1985 in Liberty (OOooops, another from Liberty County) and my Mom attended every day of every hearing and child custody trial as Vickie never really stood trial for the murder. I wrote a story called "The Court Reporter Wore Tennis Shoes" which recorded the events using her interest as a reason to tell the story. I was afraid to try to publish it due what the Daniel could cause me in litigation for slander, etc. All I have written was either documented somewhere in the media or I personally have knowledge of the events and people involved. I had in my possession newspapers and court records for a long time and lost them in a flood, but I had already used them. A somewhat accurate account was written by Steve Salerno called Deadly Blessing but much of the local stuff he did not know. Can you offer me some direction. Why have you not written about this case? I worked for the radio station in Liberty or the newspaper during your Fontenot-Fleming days, and know Hurley F. because I am a school teacher and locally that was the buzz.

- Patricia Hasson

May 22, 2018 2:04 AM EDT

Confused re how to do old crime-everybody dead now, also about combining required imaginary embellishments with documented facts

- Laurie

Jun 02, 2020 11:23 PM EDT

Great article! The authors commonly examine actual crimes and detail the actions of real people when creating their narratives.
Please read my blog: 3 Things Authors Need to Know About True Crime Literature
Hope this will also help, Thank you!

- Wanda Draper - The Witness