Writing non-fiction (true crime) brings a unique set of challenges, requiring care and compassion for those who lives are forever changed by a crime, and to step safely through a legal minefield. Join bestselling crime writer Duncan McNab on an insider’s guide to the foundations of writing a true crime book including:
- story selection and development – it needs to make 80k words plus; people in the story – especially those who drive the narrative; chronology; geography etc
- what research you’ll need and where to get it and how to get it, getting it right, maintaining objectivity, let the research drive the result and not what you want to drive the research
- keeping an eye on the appropriate handling of those involved
- keeping an eye on the lawyers (for stories involving litigation or the living)
- the essentials you’ll need to get it to completion, edit and publication, pictures (with rights)