Crime For Middle Grades: How to Write Mysteries Kids Love

Authors discuss writing crime fiction for middle-grade readers, focusing on the young sleuths they’ve created and the mentors who guide them. This session explores the unique challenges and rewards of crafting mysteries for pre-teen audiences, from age-appropriate stakes to characters that inspire curiosity, courage, and problem-solving.

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Who We Kill and Why

Who We Kill and Why

Every fictional death should serve a purpose. In this session, authors discuss why they write about crime and violence, how they decide which characters live or die, and the emotional, thematic, and narrative impact that a well-placed death can have on a story.

Why Westerns Never Die

Why Westerns Never Die

Why does the western continue to captivate readers generation after generation? Jim Nesbitt and Terrence McCauley talk about making the creative leap from crime fiction to westerns, and what keeps the genre alive. They explore moral codes, stark landscapes, and...

Inside the Power Structure of Prison Gangs

Inside the Power Structure of Prison Gangs

Drawing on deep professional experience, James L’Etoile takes listeners inside the closed world of prison gangs. This session breaks down how these groups form, how power is maintained, and what motivates loyalty and violence behind bars. Writers gain a realistic...