How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America

The Mystery Writers of America (MWA) has published a handbook that provides valuable guidance on crafting mysteries, covering various aspects of the writing process. The guide is written by 70 successful mystery writers and includes essays by bestselling experts as well as crowd-sourced wisdom from the MWA membership. It covers topics such as before writing, while writing, after writing, and other considerations, including diverse characters and legal questions. The handbook is praised for its practical, current, and easily digestible advice, making it a valuable resource for new and established authors alike.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 22 June 2023
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

From 70 of the most successful mystery writers in the business, an invaluable guide to crafting mysteries—from character development and plot to procedurals and thrillers—“this is a writing guide that readers and writers will turn to again and again” (Booklist, starred review).

Mystery Writers of America (MWA) is known for providing unparalleled resources on the craft, art, and business of storytelling, helping writers of all levels improve their skills for nearly a century. Now, this handbook helps authors navigate the ever-shifting publishing landscape—from pacing, plotting, the business side of publishing, to the current demand for diversity and inclusivity across all genres, and more.

Featuring essays by a new generation of bestselling experts on various elements of the craft and shorter pieces of crowd-sourced wisdom from the MWA membership as a whole, the topics covered can be categorized as follows:

—Before Writing (rules; genres; setting; character; research; etc.)

—While Writing (outlining; the plot; dialogue; mood; etc.)

—After Writing (agents; editors; self-pub; etc.)

—Other than Novels (short stories; true crime; etc.)

—Other Considerations (diverse characters; legal questions; criticism)

Also included is a collection of essays from MWA published authors—including Jeffery Deaver, Tess Gerritsen, and Charlaine Harris—selected by bestselling authors Lee Child and Laurie King and arranged thematically answering, “What piece of writing advice do you wish you’d had at the beginning of your career?”

“Everything you wanted to know about how to plan, draft, write, revise, publish, and market a mystery” (Kirkus Reviews), this inclusive manual provides practical, current, easily digestible advice for new and established authors alike.

Weight: 306g
Dimension: 213 x 140 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781982149444